This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. Read my Disclosure Policy.

Wouldn't it be amazing if you could go through your day to day life without the nagging feeling that you are in some obnoxious debt and always living paycheck to paycheck? Well...you can.

Read more »

How to [SAVE] Money for {SPENDING}

Yes, you read that correctly.  Today's post is going to be how you can save money that you can spend.   How does that even make sense, you ask? Well, keep reading.

Most of us get our paycheck, allocate certain amounts for bills and groceries, and IF there's anything left over we feel obligated to put it into our general savings fund.   That's all well and good until something unexpected comes up, like you need to find a new bra and FAST because your old one is in shreds and you have a business meeting tomorrow. 

Read more »

Fixing Your Finances | 5 Things You'll Learn from the Book

So in case you haven't seen my multiple posts about my new book last week, it's finally here! Fixing Your Finances is available for purchase.   But why should you buy it and what will you take away from it? Well...

Read more »

Order My Book + Start Fixing Your Finances

If you're tired of letting your money control you, it's time to change that.  And I have just the thing!

My NEW book, Fixing Your Finances, will help you:
-Evaluate your current spending habits
-Set a realistic budget that includes your wants and needs
-Establish a plan to pay down your debts
-Build up an emergency savings to eliminate the need to use credit cards
-Fully fund a regular savings account
-Use a cash spending system to control your habits

Check out my book on Amazon today for just $11.99!
.   

Be sure to join my Facebook group, Fixing Your Finances, to help you with your finance journey along the way. 

Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Instagram

6 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order

It's been quite a while since I published my posts about getting on a budget and my budget spreadsheets so I figured I'd do another post that basically sums it all up again.   It's a new year and a new chance for you to get everything organized so you can get out of debt, build up your savings, or achieve whatever financial goals you have. 

Read more »

5 Amazing Things You'll Experience When You Pay Off All Your Credit Card Debt

So back in April I paid off all of my credit card debt, and then I bought a house in May.   I know, that's debt but it's a different kind of debt.  Let me tell you though, everyday still feels like a celebration of being debt free.   So are you wondering what it feels like? Well... let me explain 5 things you will experience once your credit card debt is paid off.

1. Guilt-Free Spending
Imagine being able to do whatever you want with any extra money you have each paycheck because you DON'T have to throw it at your credit card debt!  No more feeling guilty if you splurge on something!   Heck, I bought a patio set for my new house that I could never have had before because there was just no way to justify putting money towards that, while I still have credit card debt!    There is no longer a battle in my head between SPEND IT and THROW IT AT YOUR DEBT DUMMY!

Read more »

My Debt Snowball Progress (March)

I'm on my last credit card and I can almost taste the feeling of zero debt!


I am so excited!!

Last month I paid $1,228 towards my debt!! I'm down to about $2,100 now!!!  I am seriously so ecstatic.   It feels like it's taking forever. It's RIGHT THERE!!!


All the extra income I make from blogging goes directly towards my debt!


The snowball method has really worked wonders too!

Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Instagram

Pet Insurance vs. Pet Emergency Fund

Recently I've been researching Pet Insurance and while I think it's a great idea, I had to figure out if it was worth it for me since I already stash cash away each month for my dogs.   

So I broke it down a few different ways. 

Read more »

My Debt Snowball Progress (February)

I'm on my last credit card and I can almost taste the feeling of zero debt!


I am so excited!!

Last month I paid $2,013 towards my debt!! I'm down to about $3,300 now!!! My goal is to have this gone by the end of April! I know I can do it! I've basically been selling stuff on ebay any chance I get and all of my extra blogging income goes towards that as well.

Be sure to follow Ask Away on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Instagram!

The Importance of Having an Emergency Fund

If you are familiar with Dave Ramsey and his baby steps, you know that the first baby step is to have $1,000 in an emergency fund before you do ANYTHING else.   Some people question why that's even necessary when they are trying to get out of debt.  

At first, I admit that I wasn't keen on having to gather up $1,000 before I could start throwing any extra money at my debt but man oh man that has ended up saving my behind.

Read more »

My Debt Snowball Progress (January)

So far I have 2 cards down and now one to go.


I am so excited!!

I thew about $1,504 at my debt last month and now I'm down to about 5 grand.   I am so excited.  I am using all of my extra income from blogging and anything I sell on ebay to throw at this debt. Debt-free here I come! 

Be sure to follow Ask Away on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Instagram!

How To Pay Off Your Debt

Ever since I did the Cash Envelope blog post and the Guide to Being on A Budget post, I've received numerous emails and comments asking for a blog post about paying down debt. 

So here is my breakdown of how to do it, based on how I paid off mine. 

Step 1// Make Sure You Have an Emergency Fund.
If you read the Dave Ramsey books, you will know that this is baby step 2, AFTER you have an emergency fund of $1,000.   This is because in order to do Step 2 below, you must have a way to pay for things that come up.  So how do you get $1,000 together?  It sounds impossible doesn't it?  You are already on a budget and inundated with debt, so how are you supposed to come up with even more money? 

Read more »

My Debt Snowball Progress (December)

So far I have 2 cards down and now one to go.


I am so excited!!

I thew about $1,600 at my debt last month and now I'm down to a little over 6k that I owe!! Give me a couple months and I'll be at zero! I basically used all my extra blog income, some Christmas money, and some ebay money to make the payment.  

Be sure to follow Ask Away on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Instagram!

My Debt Snowball Progress (November)

So far I have 2 cards down and now one to go.


I am so excited!!

I thew $803 at my debt in November.  It brought me down to $8,695.89.   I am kicking some serious ass!!!!  I've been doing so much extra stuff like selling stuff on ebay and campaigns for blogging. Every extra dollar I get I chuck at my debt!  

Be sure to follow Ask Away on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Instagram!

10 Ways to Avoid Overspending Around the Holidays

1// Avoid Unnecessary Black Friday Shopping 
Sure you can get great deals if you really need the item, but you can usually get the same deal online. Just read the fine print in the sales flyer.  Also most in-store Black Friday purchases are impulse, so if you don't need anything in particular and you are tight on money this year, stay home! 

2// Embrace Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday deals can be done online, obviously so you can add exactly what you need to your cart, without being distracted by sales displays as you would in a store.

3// Shop your home
If you have unused candles and beauty products, put them all in a box so that at the end of the year, you can shop your own supply.  Put together a gift basket for someone using beauty products, candles, etc. 

4// Resist the urge to buy for yourself
When you go out Christmas shopping, keep in mind that you brought along money for other people, NOT yourself.  Don't be distracted along the way.  Make a list and stick to it. 

5// Set a $$ Limit per person
If you only have $200 to spend, and you have 6 people to buy for, figure out what you can spend on each person and STICK to that budget. 

6//Don't buy for everyone
Sometimes we get in the spirit of giving and we see something that would be perfect for our office buddy.  If you don't have the money set aside for that person, resist the urge to buy it!  Unless you have plans to exchange that year, they don't need to be on your list. A card and some homemade cookies will be just fine. 

7// Don't fall for "deals"
Sometimes things are advertised at a low price around the holidays, when in reality, you can buy the item for a lower price in the off season.  It's smart to keep tabs on prices all year round so you know what's a good deal and what isn't.  

8// Shop early
Don't ever wait till the last minute.  Shipping prices will put a dent in your wallet when it comes to buying online, and when you wait till last minute to shop in stores, you tend to be more likely to overspend or overlook a high price. 

9// Home made gifts are just as nice
If you know someone that loves to pamper themselves, and they are on your list, why not look around for recipes for DIY sugar scrubs, lotions, etc.  The cost of the materials you need won't be too expensive, and a jar with a cute ribbon around it will be a great finishing touch! 

10// Services are free to give in most cases
Instead of buying someone a product, think about a service they may need.  Do they have kids? Why not design a cute coupon for them to redeem for a night out with you as the babysitter for the kids, FREE OF CHARGE.   If you are good at cleaning, organizing, landscaping, etc. those are also great services to give away.


What way do you always end up overspending around the holidays?


Be sure to join my Facebook group, Fixing Your Finances, to help you with your finance journey along the way. 

Be sure to follow Ask Away on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Instagram!

5 Ways to Save Money During The Holidays

The next month will likely be filled with hustle and bustle and holiday cheer and it's hard not to get caught up in everything.  That being said, you still need to stay strong when it comes to your money. 

Here are 5 tips to save money this holiday season.

1//Resist the Urge to Shop for Yourself
I know, it's hard, everyone's doing it but do you really need everything that you see advertised? If you've made it this far in life without it, probably not.  Stay home on Black Friday, and stay off the computer on Cyber Monday.   Just because it's a good deal, doesn't mean you should spend money on it.  Remind yourself what other things can be enjoyed this time of year like taking a drive to see neighborhood lights, baking cookies, and decorating your home.

2//Stay Organized for Others
Use lists for everyone you need to buy for.  Set a budget for each person and shop within that budget.  Focus on things they need not just some random thing you saw because you were desperate for a gift.  If you have a coworker on your list, get them some nice pens or cute stationary.

3//Homemade Gifts
Whether it's a sugar scrub in a jar or some freshly baked cookies, try making your own gifts as often as possible.  Some gift ideas that you can make yourself are:
[]Potpurri
[]Baked Goods
[]Sugar scrubs in a jar
[]Stationary (Buy a rubber stamp and ink pad and stamp each page of a notepad)

4//Go Easy on Decorations
It may be too late this year, but in the future, try getting your decorations right after the holidays when they go on sale.  Also, dollar stores have amazingly cheap decorations.  You only use them once a year so why do you need to spend $10 on garland at one store when you can get it for $1-$5 at another. Also, there is nothing wrong with reusing the same fake tree every year.


5// Save on Cards and Wrapping
Every time you get a gift in a giftbag, save the bag!!  I have a huge collection of gift bags that I can reuse so I never have to buy new ones.  Tissue paper is annoyingly overpriced at most stores so don't be afraid to reuse that either.  And when it comes to Christmas Cards, try to hand deliver as many as you can even if it means giving it to the person on Christmas Day when you see them.  Postage is expensive so cutting back in small ways helps.  I also stock up on Christmas cards after the holidays when they are super cheap and when I make my own customized ones I utilize coupon codes I find online.


Be sure to join my Facebook group, Fixing Your Finances, to help you with your finance journey along the way. 

Be sure to follow Ask Away on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Instagram!

My Debt Snowball Progress (October)

So far I have 2 cards down and now one to go.


It's getting harder and harder to keep on myself about what to do with all my snowball money, but I force myself to keep paying down my debt.  Sure, it's tempting to want to go on a shopping spree, but I know I'll regret it in the long run.  So in October I threw $770 at my debt and I now have  $9,498.89 to go. I WILL do this!!!!! 

Be sure to follow Ask Away on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Instagram!

My Debt Snowball Progress (September)

So far I have 2 cards down and now one to go.


In September, I used all the extra blog income I could come up with to throw $714 at my debt of $15,000.  That brings me down to $10,176.  The next couple of months are going to be hardcore with paying this down!!      I am GAZELLE INTENSE!!

I've been holding back from spending any money that I don't have to. I opt for cheap or free entertainment and I make sure I sell things on ebay that I don't need!



 

Be sure to follow Ask Away on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Instagram!

How To Budget Better with Groceries

I recently asked everyone what budget related topics they wanted me to write about and one of the topics that came up was budgeting with groceries.  

Groceries can be a major expense but if you budget very carefully you can spend money wisely and maybe even find places to save money every month!  

Here are some ways to budget better with groceries.


Meal Planning//  Meal planning is an amazing thing because it not only helps you figure out what you will eat and when but it gives you an outline of everything you'll need from the grocery store for that week. Sit down and look at what you have in your pantry (spaghetti and sauce, meat in the freezer) and see what meals you can make from that for the week.  After a month of planning your meals you'll find it's easy to get on a routine of what meals you make on what days and you'll find that you have a whole selection of ideas to choose from each month.  All you have to do is change the days you eat the meals on (or if you are a creature of habit like me, just stick to the same schedule every month!)




Make a  List// Seriously, if you don't write down everything you need for each meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner!) you'll always end up forgetting something and then you'll have to make more trips to the store, which means more distractions each time you go.  Also, when you make a list STICK WITH IT.  Those displays they set up are meant to entice you, but keep looking at your list and telling yourself if it's not on the list, you aren't getting it.



Take Inventory// Before you leave for the grocery store, see what you already have from your list so that you don't end up buying too much and then letting it go to waste.  Also, take inventory so you see what you are low on with regular things like Milk or eggs so that you can get them all in one trip.



Cut Coupons// The key to cutting coupons is to only cut the ones you will need.  If you don't eat pasta ever, then don't bother cutting coupons for pasta.  Some people buy stuf on sale and then never end up using it.



Research Sales// Each week after you cut coupons, check out the weekly circular for your grocery store.  Are there any items that are on your list, that are on special?  Put a star next to them, and also make a note if you have a coupon for the item as well. It's great to double up on sales.  You also can plan your meals around the sales after you get good at the meal planning.



Buy Generic// The thing about coupons is that they usually aren't for generic brands, so you may still end up paying more money than you need to.  For example: The pasta on the coupon is .50 off, and it costs $2.50 normally.    The generic brand costs $1.00.  So even if you used your coupon on the name brand, you will be paying $1 more than if you just bought the generic.   Always buy generic.  The price usually is better than any retail brand.  



Don't Be Fooled// A good deal can actually not be a great deal for your budget.  It may be 2 for $6 with ice cream, but do you really need to eat that much ice cream? It's not good for your diet... so maybe just buy a healthier dessert instead.  Also, with me, I don't fall for any coupons that say $1.00 off 2.   I usually don't need 2 of that item, or it will end up being something that will go bad before I use it.  Always stick to your meal plans and shopping list first before worrying about deals. 




Track Your Expenses// Once you start doing the above for a few weeks, you can save your receipts and add up what your monthly grocery expense is.  Since you are shopping more wisely you may notice that you only spend $400 a month for your whole family, rather than the $600 you used to spend.   And you know what this means? You can start budgeting $400 for groceries every month and then use the $200 elsewhere like to pay down debt or to build up your emergency fund.

What grocery store tips do you use to save money?



Be sure to join my Facebook group, Fixing Your Finances, to help you with your finance journey along the way. 

Be sure to follow Ask Away on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Instagram!

How Much of Your Paycheck Should You Set Aside for Emergencies?

This is a question I hear a lot when it comes to money so I figured I may as well give my input.

It happens to everyone.... you're going about your business and something completely out of the ordinary happens.  Whether it's on a large scale like a serious injury, or on a smaller scale like a flat tire, the most stressful part about it is that we aren't prepared for the financial repurcussions. 



So when it comes to how much money you should put aside for emergencies from every paycheck, it's wise to always allocate some money for each emergency category.



My emergency categories are:
Home
Car
Vet
Medical



Home is for anything that could go wrong around the house like a pipe leak.   Car is for anything from inspection to getting a windshield replaced or a tire patched up.   The Vet category is for any kind of vet expense for my 4 dogs be it an emergency or just a check up because one of them has a cough.  And Medical is for me, and to cover prescription medicines.  This comes in handy when I am sick and I have to get to the doctor because I have money set aside for my copay and any medications they prescribe me. 


So make a list of the things that have happened to you or to those around you. 



If you have children, make sure there's a kids fund for medical needs.   And then after you do your budget, and you are setting up your cash envelope system, make sure you breakdown your income and allocate a little bit from each paycheck to go towards each category.  It's easier to do this then to take large chunks all at once, at least for me.  I still put money aside in my emergency savings fund, but I won't have to tape into that when I have money in my other envelope categories too. 



You would be surprised how much the $20 a paycheck in my car fund adds up.  If I go 2 months without any car troubles, I already have almost $100.  That's enough for a tire if I need a new one because mine gets a nail in it.   That's also enough to cover the out of pocket expense to get my windshield replaced.  I know from experience!

What categories will you put money aside for?

Make sure you get your free finance spreadsheets here!

Be sure to join my Facebook group, Fixing Your Finances, to help you with your finance journey along the way. 

Be sure to follow Ask Away on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Instagram!