The Envelope System: What it looks Like in 2013

envelope budgeting system

If you are old enough, you may remember your grandmother reaching into her cupboard and pulling out an envelope filled with cash, selecting a few bills out of it, and sending you to the store for milk and eggs. That rugged generation, who had no access to credit cards, had to rely on their own … Read more

Budgeting – The Alternative to Borrowing Money

household budget benefits

Times are hard. Coming off the back of a global recession is no easy feat and you’d think that after the near collapse of several large financial institutions, we’d have a new found respect for our finances – nope. In a recent survey, Thomson FindLaw found that 61% of Americans don’t have a household budget … Read more

How Are You Budgeting For Unexpected Expenses?

budget buster

Another month, another budget buster. Last month your dog swallowed a lego, and the vet bill set you back $800. This month the emergency call to the plumber blew your budget by a whopping $450. Remember when your car broke down earlier this year, and the repair bill was nearly $1000? Oh, and don’t forget … Read more

It’s Only a Few Bucks

ways to cut spending

How many times have you justified a purchase because it’s only a few bucks? Have you ever stopped to add up all the little things that you might be wasting money on? If you’re looking for ways to cut spending, it’s simple… Don’t Waste Money on Starbuck’s Your morning caffeine fix at Starbuck’s is only … Read more

What Mortgage Calculators Don’t Tell You

cost of home ownership

You’re in the market for a new home because interest rates are at an all-time low, and the mortgage calculator says you can afford your dream home…yippee! Not so fast. Mortgage calculators don’t tell the whole story, so you’ll need to do a few more calculations. You should use a mortgage calculator to determine your … Read more

How to Create a Realistic Budget and Stick to It

curb your spending

Making plans is easy. How often have you drawn up a new diet or exercise plan or made a resolution to spend less money? Regularly, right? But how many times have you actually followed through and stuck with those plans? Part of the reason why it is so hard to stick to your budget is … Read more