Budgeting Archives - 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…

28Jun 2017 by Women's Money No Comments

Money Talks. You Should, Too.

Budgeting, Goals / Taking Action, Miscellaneous, Money in Your 20s/30s/40s/50s/Retirement, Relationships & Money

I think we can all agree that talking about our finances is uncomfortable, especially if your finances are not in the best health. Fortunately, you do not need to broach this subject with everyone you meet. However you do need to be able to communicate with your significant other about money, especially in serious relationships. The 2016 Stress in America Report produced by the APA found that 64% of women and 57% of men reported money and family responsibility as one of their most significant stressors. Because money is such a huge source of stress for many people, couples need to talk about it. Ensuring that you and your partner are on the same page with how you spend money and what your individual situations are helps prevent future arguments and…

19May 2017 by Women's Money No Comments

The Life of an Emotional Shopper

Budgeting, Goals / Taking Action, Money in Your 20s/30s/40s/50s/Retirement

Let’s be honest. Spending money is emotional. Finding a “bargain” is very emotionally satisfying, and buying things for loved ones feels good - even when it makes more financial sense not to spend. While it is important to train your rational brain to manage your money, you also need to acknowledge the emotional motivations that drive your spending habits. Understanding why you spend helps guide you to the most effective method for you to change that spending habit. Personally, I have always enjoyed shopping. I love poking around in different stores, finding deals, gifts for friends and family, and little splurge items like candles and nail polish for myself. It was never that I needed those things. Often, I would go the store to buy one or two specific items,…

14Apr 2017 by Women's Money No Comments

Healthy Budget Habits

Budgeting, Goals / Taking Action

So, you use your budget, yet somehow at the end of the month you discover you overspent. We have all been there; it can be hard to remember your budget while shopping. A budget is not a static document that you write and leave alone, but a working and responsive tool for money management. Try these healthy habits and easy to use tools to stay in tune with your budget throughout the month.1. Regular Check-Ins This is one of the best methods to help you stay on track with your working budget and is most effective when paired with a spending tracker. Checking in with your spending and your budget on a regular basis keeps you in-tune with your goals.How often you check in is a preference, but either every…

06Apr 2017 by Women's Money No Comments

Preparing for Unexpected Financial Challenges

Budgeting, Goals / Taking Action, Money in Your 20s/30s/40s/50s/Retirement, Take Action

I think most of us agree that saving money is important, but are we putting our money where our proverbial mouths are? According to a 2015 survey, 35% of American’s had no savings, and 34% had less than $1,000. This means that 69% of Americans are financial fragile. When life starts throwing curve-balls at them, these individuals and families likely will not have the necessary funds to meet the challenge(s). It also begs the question: “Is just one savings fund enough to meet all my life’s financial challenges?” The answer is not really. If all you have is one savings fund, it is still worth taking pride in. Saving money can be very difficult and any progress you’ve deserves celebration. But don’t stop with one. There are three basic types…

30Mar 2017 by Women's Money No Comments

What are You Saving for?

Budgeting, Goals / Taking Action, Money in Your 20s/30s/40s/50s/Retirement, Take Action

We all know that saving a little bit of money here and there throughout the month is one of the best strategies for accumulating savings. However, it can be difficult to keep that in mind while you’re shopping, especially if your goal is generalized to “save money”. Using coupons is a popular method for saving money, and can absolutely be an effective way to generate savings. There is a mental trap that many people, myself included, fall into. When you save $3.00 with a coupon, it becomes very tempting to turn around and use that savings on another item. In other words, you feel like you saved money with the coupon, and want to reward yourself.But really, this means that you didn’t save any money. Yes, it stretched farther, but…

22Mar 2017 by Women's Money No Comments

Are the Budget Blues Bringing You Down?

Budgeting, Goals / Taking Action, Miscellaneous, Money in Your 20s/30s/40s/50s/Retirement, Take Action

If you’ve followed my writing, I’m sure you’ve noticed several articles on budgeting. Why so many? Because a budget is one of the most valuable tools for understanding, managing, and growing your money. Yet it seems to me that many people break-out in a cold sweat the moment I say “budget”. If the B-word induces anxiety in you to the point you can’t bring yourself to write one, try changing your terminology. A budget is just a plan for how you are going to spend your money, so try calling it a “Spending Plan”. Using a Spending Plan is a small lifestyle adjustment to help you reshape your spending habits. It takes time and practice to write and use Spending Plans that are reasonable and accurate, but as you develop…

01Mar 2017 by Women's Money No Comments

Plan your Meals; Plan your Spending

Budgeting, Goals / Taking Action, Miscellaneous, Money in Your 20s/30s/40s/50s/Retirement, Relationships & Money, Take Action

Making food at home is an easy way to trim your spending, but it can often feel difficult to fit in cooking, and clean-up, within daily life. A few months ago, my boyfriend and I started meal planning to save money and eat healthier and so far, we’re achieving our goal. There are different kinds of meal planning. In one of the most popular methods, you plan and prepare every single meal for the week in one day. We chose to adapt this method slightly and only plan our meals for the week, but planning and preparing on the same day is very effective for many people. Here is some more information on the strategy, as well as a guide to help you start out. Because Sunday is our day…

15Feb 2017 by Women's Money No Comments

Don’t Drive into Debt

Budgeting, Debt, Goals / Taking Action, Miscellaneous, Money in Your 20s/30s/40s/50s/Retirement, Take Action

Now that tax, and tax return, season is upon us, maybe you’re thinking about purchasing a car. A tax return can make a solid down payment. Because cars are a depreciating investment, it is important to find a reliable car that fits your budget and won’t break down, causing extra bills and stress1. What do you need from a vehicle? Before you even start looking, you need to know what you’re looking for. It's easy to buy a vehicle for emotional reasons, but because it's a large expense, buying a practical car is a huge benefit to your financial well being. Do you haul trailers or equipment frequently? Are you a commuter? Do you have a family or have hopes to start one in the future? All of these questions will…

04Feb 2017 by Women's Money No Comments

Romance on a Budget

Budgeting, Miscellaneous, Money in Your 20s/30s/40s/50s/Retirement, Relationships & Money

So Valentine’s Day is 10 days away and you still don’t have a gift for your significant other. Don’t worry, I’ve also been procrastinating, but we’re going to get through this together. I’ve compiled a list of low-budget gifts and dates to help us make Valentine’s a success on a budget. 1. Do-It-Yourself Date Rather than spending a bunch of money on a meal in a fancy restaurant, consider making a special meal at home. Set the mood with some candles, some flowers, music of choice, and maybe a tablecloth. It will cost you money for ingredients and some time in cooking, but you don’t have to deal with crowds, you don’t have to tip, and you already have the best seat in the house reserved. If you don’t have time…