Personal finance articles related to how money influences us or how we interact with money in our everyday life.
If you’re moving to a higher cost-of-living (HCOL) area from a lower cost-of-living area (LCOL), you’re probably anticipating higher prices for housing and food. Have you also thought about other expenses likely to increase, like childcare, transportation, and utilities? Moving to a more expensive city…
It costs a lot of money to be a woman today. The wage gap is still pervasive, and the United States is also the only industrialized nation to not offer paid maternity leave. These financial issues are being discussed and debated more commonly, but there’s…
As cliche as it may sound, life is hard. You’re constantly juggling competing demands in everyday life and, sometimes, unfortunately, you’re faced with emotionally challenging situations. You know you can’t be at your best when you run yourself ragged. So, to prevent burnout and other…
From the down payment to financing to finding the right home – there are many things to consider when buying a home. It’s all much easier – and less stressful – when you understand the process and prepare. Though it’s easy to get caught up…
At one time or another, you’ve likely felt the icy chill of panic associated with a lost wallet. Oh no, there goes my week – and my credit! At that moment, it occurs to you how vulnerable we are to identity theft and fraud when…
When you begin taking control of your money and reading about personal finance, you may come across finance terminology you aren’t familiar with. This can end up frustrating you or lead to mismanagement of your funds. And we certainly don’t want that! Below you’ll find…
Taking control of your personal finances means spending plenty of time looking at numbers. It can be overwhelming tracking expenses, creating a budget, monitoring credit card balances, and growing your income and net worth. But it’s also some of the most important work you can…
You might have heard of the Federal Reserve and the terms federal funds rate, and discount rate. But what do they mean? And more importantly, how do they affect you? The short answers are: The Federal Reserve is the central bank system providing financial services…
It’s important to take care of our neighborhoods and communities, and there are plenty of ways to get involved on a local level. However, the interconnectedness of our towns and cities thanks to travel and technology means that helping at a national level is equally…
What’s most important to you? What do you value most in life? Do your actions each day line up with what you say matters most to you? Do you spend your time and money in ways that support your values? Whether you realize it or…
You probably didn’t stress out about money as a kid. If you got an allowance, earned money, or received cash as a gift, it usually meant you could buy something you wanted. Even if your parents made you save part of it or set aside…
You’re ready to tackle your debt. You need to save more. You want extra money to invest. Or you need to create an emergency budget. Whatever your money goal, you want to find the best ways to cut expenses so you can reduce spending today….
![Financial Rules of Thumb: Important to know [and ignore]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/financial-rules-of-thumb-1-768x403.jpg)
From a financial perspective, living today and planning for the future are difficult tasks. It takes work to figure out how to allocate our earnings both for our current needs and for investing in our futures, including retirement. Luckily, we can learn a lot from…
If you’re struggling in the paycheck to paycheck cycle or have financial goals you can’t prioritize or stay motivated to meet, a SmartPath financial coach could be your answer. Financial coaches empower clients to save more, pay down debt, and improve their credit scores. They…
Do you want to be rich? Or would you prefer to be wealthy instead? Most people consider rich and wealthy as the same thing. But contrasting them and considering what they mean on a deep level can make a big difference in your finances. In…
It happens to the best of us. We set a budget, try to save, and then the end of the month comes, and we’re back in the red. Budgeting and money management are practices many people struggle to master. Fortunately, in today’s mobile world, there…
One of the most common pieces of financial advice is to focus on needs instead of wants. Knowing how to prioritize your needs over your wants truly is an effective starting point. But to take that first step, you need to understand the difference between…
You’re ready to make a significant change or to improve some part of your life. But you’re struggling to do it on your own. You’re finding it challenging to stay on top of “all the things” to know, or with motivation or mindset to reach…
As you navigate day-to-day life, you face plenty of challenges. Dealing with issues at work, at home, or with personal situations can be a real struggle. Another thing you might find difficult is accepting responsibility for your happiness and success. While you do plenty of…
You’ve heard the saying, “hope for the best but prepare for the worst,” and maybe you’ve taken it to heart. You’re getting ready to buy life insurance and researching disability insurance plans. Perhaps you’ve even written down some information on ‘in case of emergency documents’….
You get an acceptance letter from your “reach” college. You land your dream job. Your annual review is glowing. You ace a challenging certification exam. You get a promotion at work. Your small business is thriving. These are all examples of times when you should…
You want to do good in the world. That’s incredible. What’s even more beautiful is you’re not alone. In 2018, both volunteering and charitable giving of time and money broke records. Over 77 million American adults engaged in donating time in 2018. During the same…
You landed your dream job but it’s turned into a nightmare because of a difficult colleague in the office. You’ve been a happy employee for years and a new hire is now causing you more stress than you deserve. Maybe you’re re-thinking your whole career…
Whether you believe that money can buy happiness or not, research shows shopping can improve your mood. And while it might only be a temporary fix for some, emotional spending isn’t always a wrong financial move. Plenty of people use retail therapy when they are…
![Why Women Need Life Insurance [and how much to get]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/why-do-women-need-life-insurance-1-768x403.jpg)
If you have a love-hate relationship with insurance, you’re not alone. You love the peace of mind and protection insurance provides but hate seeing premium payments leave your bank account. Buying health, auto, disability, or homeowners/renter’s insurance helps protect you from being financially devastated by…
Staying focused on your financial goals can be difficult. You know what they are. And you know you’ll be better off if you stick to them. But you also have a lot going on in your life. You may be paying down debt, saving for…