Archive for the ‘Budgeting’ Category

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Your Money Monday: Preparing for a Lay Off


08 Apr

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Work | Comments Off

I started this thread over a month ago, when I first strongly suspecting that I would receive a layoff notice. I was right, and at the end of March, I was told that my last day with my company would be May 3, but that I would not have to show up every day until then.

If you are being laid off, or just think you might be, head on over for great advice from the other posters about the type of things you should be looking at- what your rights are regarding current benefits, and planning for the future.

Your Money Friday: Mortgage Payments


01 Mar

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A reminder today that everything about personal finances is relative. A poster with a mortgage currently of under $700/month is considering one that is $2000/month. It is a huge jump, but it is for their dream home, and it is a jump the poster can afford.

When asking if she was “crazy” for considering it, most people reacted based on what housing costs are like where they live. Those in low cost of living areas cannot imagine a mortgage that high, whereas those who live in high COLAs dream about getting that kind of house for a mortgage that low.

Your Money Friday: What Can’t Your Money Do For You


01 Feb

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Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances, Marriage, Relationships | Comments Off

Let’s talk about what online money message boards can do for you and what they cannot.

Your Money is really great at helping you figure out a budget or understanding the differences between a traditional IRA and a Roth. As a group, we have a lot of random knowledge.

What we cannot help with is legal situations. Yes, some posters are lawyers, but state laws vary and every case is different. We can give you emotional support during a divorce, and ideas you can follow up on with your lawyer, but we can never be a substitute for that lawyer.

Your Money Friday: Food Spending


30 Nov

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Food | Comments Off

It’s the end of the year, time to review your 2012 budget and create a new one for 2013. Isn’t it exciting? How has your tracking been going? Do you know what you spent this year? Or do you at least know what you spend on food?

This week’s thread is about grocery and restaurant expenditures. We know what people spend can vary based on family size and cost of living in their area, but it also depends on what they count as groceries (dog food, paper towels), and what they mean when they say “we don’t eat out much”.

Blog Feature: Money Crush


14 Jul

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Posted in blogging, Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances, Writing | 1 Comment »

Each week as I prepare to do the blog feature, I go through past posts so that I don’t do a repeat. Sometimes, I realize with surprise that I haven’t featured someone who it really seems like I should have. That’s the case this week with Jackie and Money Crush. I had to check my list twice, just to make sure, because I thought for sure I would have featured her around Women’s Money Week, if nothing else. But no.

So here you are, Money Crush, and that tricky little question- is it easier to spend less or save more?

Blog Feature: Bog of Debt


30 Jun

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Posted in blogging, Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances, Writing | 1 Comment »

I love the name Bog of Debt. It just so fully encapsulates the feeling of being stuck in debt, and believing it’s hopeless, like there’s no way out. But just like Bear Grylls will strip down to his skivvies to show you how to get out of a real bog, Bog of Debt is mostly about THE PLAN. The Plan that will help her get out of debt and no longer feeling mired in.

One key way to motivate yourself is to write out the things you want to spend your money on. It looks like things are on track!

Your Money Friday: How to Pay for Vacations


08 Jun

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances | Comments Off

When you’re being responsible with your money, paying down debt, funding retirement, not relying on credit cards, sometimes finding the money to have fun can be difficult.

This week’s Your Money thread is about How do you decide how much money for vacations?. The thread doesn’t actually talk numbers, it’s actually more about priorities. Is vacation the last priority, with money going toward that after all other goals are met? Does it become a short term top priority, with other money goals taking a back seat?

The answer is different for each person/couple, but everyone still thinks vacations are important.

Blog Feature: Budgeting in the Fun Stuff


31 Mar

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Posted in blogging, Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Dogs, Finances, Pets, Writing | 2 Comments »

Crystal at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff represents the dream come true for a lot of bloggers out there- she was able to quit her job to focus on her blogging and blog advertising businesses full time. And not only did she make more money than she had before, she made enough that this year, her husband was able to quit his job and start working full time on the blog with her!

And all of that is great, but the real reason I chose to feature BiFS this week? They just brought home their third rescue dog. Meet Oreo!

Blog Feature: My Broken Coin


18 Mar

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Posted in blogging, Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

Aloysa over at My Broken Coin has a problem- she loves to shop. In fact, her shopping addiction is why her coin is broken, so to speak. One of my favorite things about Aloysa is her honesty with herself and her readers about her struggles with money and how to save for a future while still enjoying today.

As much as I love her honesty, I think my favorite posts from her are when she does a list. Aloysa does great lists. Most recently it was 20 Things Bloggers Should Stop Doing.

All I have to say is, I agree.

Happy New Year


01 Jan

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Writing | Comments Off

New Year, new you? New Year’s Resolutions? Are you reflective, or are you making plans and setting goals? Or is it just another day, albeit one that comes with a day off from work?

I don’t make resolutions. I do like to reflect and plan on a fairly regular basis, so why not as the calendar year rolls over.

You’ve heard some of these goals before, because I just have to keep plugging away- work on my writing, submit more, review our budget, adjust for changing circumstances, volunteer. I can’t do it all, but I can do quite a bit.

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