Debt Free Life Hacks: Managing Money Like a Boss

Got a big bonus? Bills lower this month leaving you with some extra cash? Money burning a hole in your pocket? Wait just a minute!  As consumers, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements, sales, deals, and ways to spend our money. It's easy to get sucked into the moment and go spend crazy... especially when you have some extra money floating around.  Who doesn't love a great deal? I know I do. What is important is knowing when to buy and when to walk away. Sales come and go (SERIOUSLY), but with many advertisements crying "last chance", "lowest price of the season", and other calls to action, it makes it somewhat hard to resist.  The truth is, no matter how good the deal is, if it's something you did not want/need or wasn't on your infamous wish-list, it's still money unnecessarily spent.  I was once the person who received a coupon and just HAD to use it. I would sometimes force myself to find something to buy just to use the coup...

Should have, would have, could have…often these sayings are just a waste of energy.    In life we have choices and for every choice we make there are consequences. When we do things and consider the intent, it really can make a difference in how things turn out.   When you pull up to the drive-thru and order the super-sized, double bacon cheeseburger and then get home and say I “should have” gotten a salad, you’re not being true to yourself. You understood the consequences but made that choice anyway.   We   must   learn to live without regrets,   decide   and then fully commit. If there is doubt, then rethink your decision before committing. If you want a burger, but you’re really committed to los ing   weight (your intent)…DECIDE not to get the burger. Trust your gut and don’t get blinded by what sounds good in the moment.   What does any of this have to do with me saving money?    If you...

I was chatting with a colleague during our afternoon walk and we discussed her AC needing to be repaired and the possibility of it needing to be replaced at some point in the future. Her hope was that it would be years down the line before it would need replacing stating she did not have $5,000 to replace the entire system. My recommendation? Start preparing now. Do some research, price the parts and labor and then start saving specifically for that expense. Do it before you need it so that when it does go out completely you won't have to go long without air, scrape to find the money, borrow the money, or add it to a credit card that's already close to being maxed out.  Even if she doesn't have the full amount saved by the time it goes out, something is surely better than nothing.  This method can work for just about anything. You begin with the end in mind ( a strategy for course design that happens to work in other instances ). Decide what you want, how much it cos...

You pay $200 a month for cable and have NO savings! 😟 In today's world of streaming media services, it is sometimes hard to believe that some still rely heavily on cable services and satellite TV.  Of course, sports buffs may be hard to convince, but there are other options.  The primary purpose of this post is to get into the heads of those who put nonessential services before creating a safety net for themselves and those they may support.  My goal is not to bash cable but hear me out.  If you have reoccurring services/bills for nonessentials, consider how going without ( even for a short tim e) can help you to build up savings/emergency fund.  Examples of Services and Potential Annual Savings: Service Potential Annual Savings Note Cable/Satellite $1100+ Assuming a bill of between $85 - $100 monthly. Savings will vary based on the actual amount paid. Satellite Radio/Streaming Radio, Game St...