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Reevaluating your Budget

If you are having trouble stretching your paycheck each month or simply want to save for an expensive new luxury item, the key to your solution is to reevaluate your budget. For most items in your budget, there is the ability to flux and shift. One easy solution is to first separate all budget items that have the option for the most adjustment. You may be surprised by some of these, but in my experience the following budget items have some room for a change: *Automotive Gas *Automotive Insurance *Charitable Giving *Clothing *Food *Gifts *Grooming *Misc *Entertainment *Vacations Then there … Continue reading →

Stretch Your Paycheck

More than 63 percent of America’s workers are still living paycheck to paycheck, according to a recent survey conducted by the American Payroll Association, and I would guess that percentage is higher for single parent families. (http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cheap/20031028a2.asp) Living from paycheck to paycheck can be stressful and hinder us from saving or meeting other financial goals. Lack of income is not always the main problem. Overspending and living outside of a budget can sometimes be a bigger hindrance than being underpaid. Try some of the following tips to help stretch your earnings. 1. Create a budget and stick to it even … Continue reading →

Debit Cards and Responsibility

How do you teach your children the value of money when you are so busy stretching it from paycheck to paycheck? When I became a single mother with lots of debt and bad credit I was determined that Hailey would never find herself in the same boat. When I was growing up we never talked about money, all we heard was that we had none. We had no idea why or where it went. I didn’t realize all the things that went into maintaining a home until I had my first apartment. Who knew you had to pay a light … Continue reading →

Importance of a Safety Net

If you are a tight rope walker you know how important a safety net is, but everyone needs a safety net, not just circus performers. I’ve read time and again that everyone should have $500 in an emergency account. In the grand scheme of things $500 isn’t a lot of money, but when you are living paycheck to paycheck the amount may seem unreachable. I’ve learned lately how important that $500 is and how much it’s saved me in the long run. First, my dog needed surgery, it was $800 but that $500 sitting in the savings account sure helped … Continue reading →

Coupons For You – Week of December 14, 2011

Coupons are a great way to help stretch out a limited budget for groceries. We are in the middle of the month of December, and Christmas isn’t far away. Plenty of people have overspent on presents, and their next paycheck seems very far away. Here are some coupons that could help you make ends meet. Peet’s Coffee has a coupon that will save you $1.50 on Peet’s Medium Roast coffee. In order to get this coupon, you must enter your email address and zip code into the box on that page. You will have the option of signing up to … Continue reading →

Can You Afford to Save?

Financial experts, from Suze Orman to Maria Bartiromo often suggest putting away a set amount of cash each month to cover emergencies. The advice looks great on paper, but when you’re pinching pennies saving money can be next to impossible. After all, how can you save what you don’t have? According to experts, in cases where your budget is stretched to the limit, you should still put aside a few dollars per month. Even if you are only able to sock away $250 to $500 in a year’s time that money can help offset unexpected expenses, such as vehicle repairs … Continue reading →

A Little Saving Can Go a Long Way

Most people can’t afford to place 20 to 25 percent of their paychecks into a high interest savings account like money experts suggest. However, there are a slew of other ways you can help your financial situation. The following simple ideas can add up to big savings over time if you are consistent about executing them: Food: You can save money on produce by planting a garden with items you and your family eat on a regular basis. If you have a hearty harvest, you can also trade fruits and vegetables with neighbors. Clothing: Stretch your dollar by repairing worn … Continue reading →

Get Serious About Saving

Saving money; it’s much easier said than done, especially in today’s slumping economy. With the talk of recession, depression and compression of funds in the news every day, there seems to be no shortage of financial experts providing tips on how to make pinching pennies pay off big time. But, here’s the thing about money gurus telling middle-class Americans that they should be socking away a third of their paychecks each month in order to create an emergency fund to use should some economic crises befall their family. If you are just scraping by as it is, there is no … Continue reading →

Child Support

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It seems there is nothing that gets divorced parents as riled up as child support. Just mention it, men and women alike start foaming at the mouth. He’s a deadbeat, she’s asking for the moon and stars. Parents should support their children, regardless of whether they live in the same home with them or not. Now having said that I must clarify. No one should have to pay so much in alimony and child support that they can no longer support themselves. I remember when a neighbor found out her husband was cheating on her. They had been married for … Continue reading →

Apple Cider Vinegar for Digestive Health

Until I found out how well organic apple cider vinegar worked for a variety of ailments, I was the type of person who had over-the-counter and herbal remedies for just about everything. Due to the stress of being a single parent and lifestyle factors, I’ve always suffered with digestive problems and had probably spent thousands of dollars over the years on antacids, and various natural supplements. They’d help a bit, but nothing actually did the trick. Although I’ve been on a tight budget since my divorce, I decided to change my diet. Searching online I found a wealth of information, … Continue reading →