I decided to take a trip to our nearest factory outlet stores last weekend to pick up a few warmer weather items for my upcoming vacation (Goodbye, Pittsburgh. Hello, Los Angeles!). They’re typically known for having cheaper prices than you’d normally find in the stores at the mall, so this is usually the first place I think of going when my wardrobe needs a major overhaul every few years.
budgeting
Budgeting For The Both Of Us
Until I was in my early 20’s, the only person I really had to worry about taking care of was myself. Even growing up as a child, I never really had to share anything that belonged to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this to sound selfish, but when I moved in with my boyfriend husband, I had to learn to work as a team instead of a one-woman-wonder, which wasn’t really a bad thing.
To Coupon or Not To Coupon – Are You Really Saving Money?
“Extreme Couponing” has been a fairly popular craze over the past few years, but I can’t say I’ve ever bought into it. It just seemed so time-consuming and tedious. It made me wonder if it was worth it, if there was some trick to it that I didn’t know about that would magically result in tons of savings on every trip to the store. I’ve given it a shot, and while I may have saved a buck or two, I felt my time was worth more than I was saving. Consider the following before you jump on the coupon-clipping bandwagon:
Savings Challenge – I’m Giving Up
While not everyone celebrates the Easter holiday, many people are familiar with Lent, the forty-day observance before it (which started yesterday, March 5th). It’s during this time that many people choose to give up certain luxuries as a form of penitence. Even if you’re not a religious person, this can still be a great time for cleansing and renewal (a “Spring Cleaning,” if you will). Why not use it as a time to start fresh with your finances? Here are 4 ideas for things to “sacrifice” for the next month – choose one or choose a few! We’d love to hear any other suggestions you might have, too!
It’s the Thought That Counts
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you may or may not be in the market for a thoughtful gift for a loved one. It seems like most people fall into one of two categories: those who think the holiday is a marketing ploy used by the greeting card industry, and those who treat it as a day to show a little extra love for their significant other. Regardless of what you believe, gift-giving during any holiday can be stressful if you’re on a tight budget. Why not work with what you have to show you care?
The Naked Truth
When planning a budget, most people generally remember their typical monthly expenses – bills, groceries, savings, etc. But there are two commonly forgotten about items that should definitely be on your list: clothing and personal care. This can include seasonal clothing items, haircuts and color, manicures, massages, you name it! These are things we all spend money on, but not necessarily frequently, so we tend to let their cost slip our minds.
