Elizabeth, Author at Women’s Money

07Apr 2021 by Elizabeth No Comments

How to Make Your Post-COVID Budget

Budgeting

I received my COVID-19 vaccine last week, and I’ve already started moving from dreaming about my post-COVID vaccine life to actually planning it. Beyond scheduling some practicalities like doctor’s appointments that were delayed during COVID, haircuts, and some nice to-do’s (massage and maybe even a pedicure), I’m now starting to think beyond and consider what my life will really look like in three to four months. What exactly does my life look like post-COVID vaccine? Will we be signing our kids up for full-day camps all summer? We used to have a regular babysitter who came 1-2x/week, so will that become a part of our routine again? What about the gym membership and endless activities for the kids? The reality is that, unlike many Americans who lost jobs and businesses…

24Mar 2021 by Elizabeth No Comments

What to Do With Extra Money

Saving & Investing

Have you recently received a stimulus payment? Or a tax refund? Or perhaps a company bonus? This time of year is one of the most common to get a chunk of unexpected extra money. In this article, we will discuss the best things to do with that extra money depending on whether you are in debt or not. 4 Ways to Use Extra Money So what should you do with extra money? Here are four ways to use it based on your current financial situation. 1. No Matter What: Spend Some Money on Something Fun Regardless of whether you are in debt or have hefty savings, I always recommend using some of your extra money to spend on something fun. Whether it’s a fancy meal, a mini-vacation, or a shopping…

10Mar 2021 by Elizabeth No Comments

How to Map Your Own Path

Goals / Taking Action

If you haven’t yet downloaded the Women’s Money Fund Your Freedom Toolkit, now is your chance. The toolkit provides a complete plan to help you achieve the freedom you want. One of my favorite pages in the toolkit is the Map Your Future worksheet. This worksheet is designed to be a printable page that you can post on your wall and help you reach your goal. To help you get started, I’ve asked Sam to share her page. What does freedom look like to Sam? It’s taking a year-long sabbatical. Here is her Roadmap to Taking a Year Off: Now I’ll help you create yours. General Guidance The way to read the road map is that the top row is who you are now, the bottom row is who you will be…

08Mar 2021 by Elizabeth 1 Comment

Ultimate List of Women’s Money Bloggers

Popular

For International Women's Day 2021, we couldn't be more excited to announce that we've updated our Ultimate List of Women's Money Bloggers. Originally created in 2012, we updated the list for 2021 to include as many females writing about money as possible. There are now over 400 on this list! The list below is in alphabetical order - so please scroll through the list and check out and start following at least 10 new female money bloggers to celebrate International Women's Day! (If you're a women money blogger and you're not on the list, just contact us and we will add you.) $12 a Day and a Baby on the Way1099 Mom2 Ringgits’ Worth20 Year Challenge, The444 ExpressAdd VodkaAfford AnythingAlmost FrugalAlong for the JourneyAlways the PlannerAmerican Debt ProjectAnd Then She…

03Mar 2021 by Elizabeth No Comments

Airbnb (or VRBO) vs Hotels: How to Find the Cheapest Place to Stay

Travel

Depending on where you are traveling to and who you are traveling with, staying at an Airbnb or VRBO can be a much more affordable option than spending the night at a hotel. But do you know how to find the cheapest place to stay? Here are our top tips to save money on where you stay for your next vacation. How to Find the Cheapest Place to Stay Finding the cheapest place to stay requires that you ask yourself several questions. Be sure to consider the following before booking a hotel or Airbnb/VRBO so that you can save money on travel accommodations. 1. How big is your party size? If you are a family of four or more, usually renting a place will be cheaper than renting multiple hotel…

24Feb 2021 by Elizabeth No Comments

The Best Way to Save for a Vacation in 5 Easy Steps

Travel

I am ready for a vacation. Perhaps you sensed that in my post about How to Survive the Rest of COVID Winter with Kids. Most Americans don’t take enough vacation time, and we certainly didn’t take enough vacation during COVID-19. So, while we await the vaccine, travel restrictions lifting, and herd immunity, the wanderlust is real. But what’s going to happen when we are all able to take a vacation again? How are we going to finance it? Will you be putting it on a credit card and planning to pay it off later? Perhaps you are counting on another stimulus check or a tax refund to pay for your time away? Or have you set aside money now? According to a 2019 Forbes article, most Americans spend an average of…

17Feb 2021 by Elizabeth No Comments

Best Articles About Asset Allocations

Saving & Investing

I’ve been doing a lot of reading on asset allocation recently. Specifically, I’ve been reading about asset allocation related to the FIRE (Financially Independent Retire Early) movement. What is asset allocation? It is how you portion your investments among different stocks, bonds, and cash. Your asset allocation will vary depending on your age, your tolerance for risk, and when you need access to the money. The Best Articles About Asset Allocations Here are the best articles I've read on asset allocation. 1. Boggleheads on Asset Allocation The Boggleheads wiki page on Asset Allocation is one of the best articles there is with several different sample asset allocations in it. The Lazy Portfolios page is the next best reading following the asset allocation page. 2. Mr. Money Mustache Forum on Asset…

10Feb 2021 by Elizabeth No Comments

9 Best Tips To Survive the Rest of COVID Winter with Kids

Take Action

I don’t know about you, but not only are COVID times growing interminable, but winter during COVID is feeling like a never-ending polar vortex. But, we will all get through it, and even if it will still be COVID times, at least it will be spring soon. Until then, here are my best tips to surviving the rest of COVID winter. 1. Return to the Outdoors In October, it snowed where we live. My kids were elated - we even overnighted new sleds since the old ones had broken and there weren’t yet any in local stores. Now when it snows, my children barely lift an eyebrow. I had bought us all ski goggles, so we could still get outside even when temperatures dropped below zero. That was optimistic. Instead, we have become…

03Feb 2021 by Elizabeth No Comments

The 2 Times When You Should Stop Saving For Retirement

Saving & Investing

Image credit: CalcXLM There is plenty of talk about Americans saving too little for retirement. Almost half of those under 30 have saved nothing for retirement, and nearly half of those 55 and older have saved nothing for retirement. But let’s talk about the other end of the spectrum. What about those who have saved enough or too much for retirement? Here are two signs you should stop saving for retirement. 1. You are under 40, and you've saved at least $500,000 for retirement. Let’s say you are 38 years old and graduated from college in 2005. Since then, you have worked steadily and been able to nearly max out your retirement contributions most years since you graduated. If you had contributed $15,000/year since 2005 to an index fund that…

27Jan 2021 by Elizabeth No Comments

3 Best Ways to Generate Business Ideas

Entrepreneurship / Making Money

I have started at least five businesses in my life. I’m currently on my 6th and 7th. Some of them have been failures with thousands of hours and dollars poured in with them never fully getting anywhere. Others have been relatively successful -- earning enough per month to live on and then being able to ultimately sell. I eventually sold or wound down these businesses before truly giving them a chance to grow. That’s because my favorite part of starting a business is: The Idea. I love coming up with ideas for businesses. However, for many entrepreneurs coming up with a viable business idea is a challenge. Here are the three best ways to generate business ideas. Answer the following questions: 1. What Problem Do You Need Help Solving in Your Life…

Download the Fund Your Freedom Toolkit!