Let’s get this out of the way right up front: All of the following myths are false! Let’s talk about why. You should pay off your credit card before the statement posts. Not if you want any reward points! In my experience, you only receive points/miles/cash back based on the spending that is reflected on … Read more
Credit. There sure are a lot of opinions and misconceptions about it! If you don’t know what your credit score means – If you have a low credit score or limited/nonexistent credit history – If you think you’re better off avoiding credit altogether – …read on (: Benefits of good credit Your credit history is … Read more
For many of us, it is all too easy to spend a little here and a little there without ever thinking too much about it. One way to become more intentional with your money is to track how often you are spending it. If you want to challenge yourself, the internet is full of advice … Read more
I Bought a New(ish) Car! A little over a year ago, I finally decided that enough was enough – I needed to get rid of my old clunker 2007 Ford Focus. What should have been a cheap car was costing me more than I’d like to admit in yearly repairs. While repair costs often work … Read more
No matter who you are, food costs likely account for a large portion of your monthly spending. Cooking most of your meals cuts costs significantly – and being a smart shopper at the grocery store takes this to the next level! It is likely that you already know the most common grocery shopping tips: Make … Read more
My Cell Phone Origin Story When my parents decided to get involved with cell phones, they – like virtually everyone else we knew – selected Verizon as their carrier. I was eventually allowed to join their plan, which I stayed on throughout high school and college. After graduating from college and started my working life, … Read more
When it comes to money management, I try to strike a balance between maximum simplicity and maximum effectiveness. I care where my money is going and how it is growing, but at the same time, I am not interested in tracking every dollar spent. Instead of budgeting my money, I use a version of this … Read more
My money management strategy has three major components: bank accounts, investment accounts, and credit cards. This is not unique – I hope that your financial life includes these three components, too! However, I take a few slightly unconventional and very effective approaches that I’d like to share with you today. If you are looking for … Read more
As the name of this website implies, I have built a number of frugal practices into my daily life. Some money-saving strategies make a huge difference, such as living in a modest home vs. the most expensive one you can afford. Other times, we make choices that don’t seem so important in the moment. Here … Read more
If you have read our About Us page, you already know that I completed two years of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. AmeriCorps paid me living allowance stipend of about $11,000 – $14,000 plus a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award per year. Yikes. However, between the two Segal Awards, my savings, and then a few months at my … Read more