Debt Free Life Hacks: Managing Money Like a Boss

"I like to sell these fools things they don't need for money they don't have". As you embark on your holiday shopping adventures, it's important to keep in mind the power of being mindful and discerning in your purchases. Sadly, a TV series introduced us to a salesman who took pleasure in using manipulative tactics to convince people, even those facing financial struggles, to buy unnecessary items. He would mockingly refer to them as "fools." With the abundance of advertisements and sales, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement. However, it's crucial to prioritize your financial stability and make informed decisions based on your own values. Don't let anyone sway you with persuasive pitches - stay true to your priorities and protect your financial well-being. Remember, you have the power to make smart choices and avoid falling into the trap of unnecessary purchases. Be wise, stay mindful, and confidently make your own decisions this h...

It's all about choices, and there are so many incredible ways to enjoy your hard-earned cash. It can definitely feel overwhelming trying to decide what to spend it on. Sometimes, though, it's helpful to take a step back and really consider what truly matters to you.  Recently, I found myself in this exact situation. I was tempted to splurge on headphones that would have set me back around $300. Sure, they had some cool features that my current pair didn't have, but when I really thought about it, it didn't seem worth it. At the same time, I was also looking at flights to visit my family. And you know what? I was pleasantly surprised to find a round trip nonstop flight that cost less than those headphones. The decision suddenly became clear - the flight was the way to go. Even though I could have easily afforded both, I decided that the time with my family was more valuable to me. After all, memories are truly priceless, and who knows, the price of those headphones will ...

Hi blog readers! Let's talk about something that's sometimes overlooked when it comes to budgeting - giving. Giving is often associated with large donations to charities, but it can be more casual too. For example, there may be friends or family members that you help out from time to time.  I suggest including your giving plans in your budget. There are actually quite a few benefits to doing so! So, how can you plan for giving?  You can treat giving as its own category in your budget, just like you would with bills or savings. By allocating a certain amount specifically for gifting, you can give without feeling guilty. I think it's great when people put others first, but it's also important to prioritize your financial future. By planning for your giving, you can avoid putting yourself in a difficult situation where you have to choose between say paying your mortgage or helping someone else. It's all about finding that balance. Plus, by keeping track of your spendin...

Although it's important to have a budget, I understand if people have their reasons for not liking it. 💸💰 Budgets can help you stay on track with your spending goals, and you can make them personalized to your liking. Categorizing your spending is one strategy – it allows you to easily track your expenses and keep everything organized. Organizing my spending into categories has helped me manage my finances. I divide my spending into categories such as savings ( pay yourself first 😉 ), housing, utilities, food, transportation, clothing, medical, personal, recreation, and debt payoff. This system keeps me organized and allows me to easily track where my money is going each month.  Now, let's say you've allocated every dollar to a category, but at the end of the month, you find yourself with some extra cash. What do you do with it? Do you have to spend it all? 🤔 It's actually quite common to feel the temptation to eat out on the day you go grocery shopping, even if you...

Ensuring that your vehicle is operating at its best possible level is of utmost importance. You can accomplish this by following the manufacturer's recommendations for servicing your vehicle. You can usually find this information in the 📚 that come with your vehicle, or you can search for the electronic version online.  It's important to be aware of services needed at different mileage/time intervals to maintain your vehicle's best performance beyond the regular 🛢️ change, 🚗🔧 balancing, and rotating. Regular maintenance keeps your car in good condition and helps you identify minor problems before they become major, more costly issues. For instance, not changing your 🛢️ regularly could result in engine damage, and ignoring tire rotation could cause uneven wear and affect handling. When you take your vehicle for service, you could discover something that needs immediate attention. If you can pay a small fee now to avoid paying more later, it's worth it. It's esse...

Tomorrow Me Will Thank Yesterday Me Hey there reader! I wanted to talk about something that I think we can all relate to: how our actions today can have an impact on our future. Let's talk about setting ourselves up for success. You know that feeling when you do something you don't really enjoy, but you know it'll pay off later? Like unloading the dishwasher in the morning so that it's easier to load up with dirty dishes in the evening? It's a small act of kindness towards your future self. Well, the same principle applies when it comes to finances. Saving and investing money may not give you an instant thrill, but it's something that will definitely benefit you down the line. And paying your bills on time and in full? That's a great way to build a solid credit history, which will be a huge advantage for your future self. I get it, money might not be the most exciting topic for everyone, but taking a proactive approach to handling your finances is something ...

Hello there! Although the title of this post may be unconventional, let's discuss the topic of spending. For some, spending may come naturally, while saving can be challenging. However, in my case, I save excessively, finding it difficult to spend money at times. Making large purchases, even ones that may be considered small, is often a struggle for me. I would spend considerable time researching ways to save and even delay purchases. For instance, I recall wanting a Yoga/Pilates game for my Wii, but I felt it was too expensive, so I refused to buy it. It wasn't until years later, when someone gifted it to me, that I finally got to enjoy it. I know, I know, a bit shameful, right? 😆 The point of my story is that I've recognized the need to change my ways. I'm learning to spend guilt-free and not agonize over every purchase. It took me a while to get to this point, but it doesn't have to be the same for other savers. Teaching Myself to Spend I took a step back to eva...

Did you get a raise or a job with a bigger salary?  Were you fortunate to be a recipient of a sudden windfall? I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on your recent windfall or raise. This is clearly a cause for celebration! However, before you make any big purchases or lifestyle changes, I highly recommend taking a moment to pause and reflect. It's important to remember that just because you can afford more, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to spend more. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that more is always better, but sometimes less is actually more. Take the buffet example, for instance. We often eat more than we need simply because we see more food and want to try everything. The same idea holds true for money. Just because you have more money now or will have more money doesn't mean you should spend it all. Instead, I suggest putting the difference between your old income and your new income into an account each month. This will give you a...

Have you been building your emergency fund? Is that money in your account ready to take action when needed? That's a huge accomplishment! Celebrate! 👏 I have a few more questions. Is your emergency fund separate from your everyday expense account?  If not, consider opening a savings account to hold those funds. Separating these accounts is a good idea to avoid the temptation to use emergency/rainy day funds for non-emergencies.   Does your account grow even when you're not contributing?  So you have been putting your emergency fund in a savings account. Great! Now what? Is this account growing even when you're not contributing? If you're earning interest at laughable rates such as what you see below or any percent starting with 0.0 (i.e.,.01),  it's time to make a change.  😒 😒 My savings account earned literal pennies on the dollar for many years. It's one of those things that hurts to even think about 😢. We will not dwell on the past. I encourage ...

When was the last time you compared rates on your insurance products(auto, renter, homeowner)❓❓ Like many people, you probably select a provider and never look elsewhere. The set-it-and-forget mode could be a mistake. There may be potential savings by changing your coverage or insurance provider. Many people set their insurance needs to autopilot - buy a policy, pay the bill when it's due, and don't think twice about it. If the premium increases during renewal, you figure it's just a way of life. Well, maybe not.  😲   How I Saved and How You Can Too!😀 I, too, have my insurance payments set to autopilot. I typically pay my auto insurance premium semiannually and annually for renter's insurance. That seemed to work until I noticed the auto insurance increases were getting a little out of hand – and for no good reason. I contacted the insurance company to learn why the premium had increased. Since they did not give any acceptable answers, I decided to see if there were b...