Planning a Long-Term Travel Budget

Lately, we have been thinking a lot about taking a long-term trip. We don’t know where we want to go, how long we want to go for, or anything else. However, everyone keeps telling me that if we really want to do this, that we just need to buy a ticket and...

How Much Rent Can I Afford?

When deciding on living arrangements, it’s important to have an idea of what you can afford for rent. As you ask yourself the question, “How much rent can I afford?” here are a few things to keep in mind: 30% Rule You’ve probably heard of the...

How to Make a Budget that Works for You

One of the most basic of financial management activities is creating a budget. Unfortunately, there are many who have no idea of how to make a budget that works for them. Budgets aren’t one size fits all. If you try to follow a budget that works for someone...

My Dining Out Challenge: Frozen yogurt

Self-serve frozen yogurt is proving to be a bomb detonating my dining out budget. As a kid, I loved frozen yogurt. TCBY and a local place saw a good deal of my money (mainly because I could walk there). It was nice because it was a bit healthier than ice cream and...

Your Grocery Budget: Deals vs. Menu

My family’s weekly budget at the grocery store is $100 a week. Over the past few years, that figure has shot up quite a bit. Before we had kids, we got by on just $50 every seven days to feed me and my husband. Even after our daughter was born, we hesitated to...