When I became a stay-at-home parent two decades ago, I didn’t use the term “side hustle.” But now I realize side hustling was, indeed, what I did when I found ways to make extra cash. And most side hustles I tried back then are even…
The CFP® Board and its many members have done a great job promoting the benefits of working with a CFP® when seeking financial guidance…and for good reason. The designation ensures that its bearer has completed a thorough education (7 courses typically require a year or…
There is no escaping news of the many benefits of intermittent fasting (IF). There are hundreds of books, articles, podcasts, testimonials, and first-person accounts from friends. What’s more, there are multiple fasting methods offering options that work best with varying lifestyles. One option is to…
You’re busy researching your next big vacation. As you look at all your options, you notice suggestions to buy travel insurance on most trip summary pages. When you consider what you’re going to spend on a trip, coverage might make sense. This trip will cost…
The budgeting battle is often won on the field of “wants,” not “needs.” Housing, transportation, utilities, food…these are non-negotiable in any budget. And while you can undoubtedly make economies here (the line between need and want is not always bright!), you cannot completely eliminate these…
Because it was a village called Zhombe and it was in Zimbabwe, I had arrived, alphabetically speaking, at the end of the world. And it was the best career decision I had ever made. In 1991, I was hired by the San Francisco branch office…
It feels like more than ever, our world requires a college degree. Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce predicted eight years ago that by 2020, 65% of the nation’s jobs would require postsecondary education. In 2018, 70% of workers were in those jobs,…
Long ago, physical money (bills and coins) was put to rest in favor of debit and credit cards. Today, most people have at least one debit card and one credit card in their wallets/purses. At the same time, not everyone has a clear understanding of…
At a time when the U.S. stock market and currency investments have become volatile and unpredictable, a conservative-minded or risk-averse individual might go in search of safer investment alternatives. In some schools of thought, U.S. Government-backed investment options might be the right place to look….
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra This, without question, is my favorite quote about planning. It encapsulates, as only the great baseball coach and manager could, the very first pitfall of financial planning – not…
Experiencing stress is a part of being human. We need some pressure to push us, but too much can lead to anxiety and depression. While it’s normal to feel heightened stress levels when we’re in danger, excessive strain can damage our physical health, wealth, and…
One of the best rules of thumb for retirement planning is to start saving early and never prematurely touch the money you’ve earmarked for retirement. If you’ve waited to start saving, haven’t saved enough, or have borrowed against your retirement accounts, all is not lost….
If you’re someone who tries to read money books but finds your eyes glossing over and mind wandering before hitting page 10 I’ve got good news for you. There’s a recently released personal finance book on the market that, despite its playing with a ‘super…
Road trips create an uncanny sense of adventure and freedom. They take you to new places and inspire a fresh perspective. They’re where wrong turns are just part of the journey, as you’re making new memories. My family has been enjoying road trips for over…
As you may be aware, your credit score is a big deal. A good score makes life easier, while a poor score can make it pretty tricky. The trouble is that many people don’t realize what their credit score really is. Or how having a…
If you want to attend a university, college, or trade school but are worried about the financial burden of taking out a student loan, you might want to look into an income share agreement or ISA. It’s not surprising if you’ve never heard of an…
No one likes to waste money. When Alan and I were newly married, we thought renting was a waste of our money. And we didn’t have that much money, so, of course, we wanted to stop throwing it away! But our (misguided) beliefs on renting…
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of presenting a budgeting workshop for a great group of people at my old company. There were lots of good questions. However, one, in particular, kept me thinking after I left. In hindsight, I wished I’d answered it…
Getting through another year of the pandemic may be your biggest win last year. But chances are you got a lot more checked off on your to-do list than you give yourself credit for. While you look forward to 2023, you may also look back…
Living on one income isn’t right for every family. It’s a big decision that depends on finances, family dynamics, careers, and more. Initially, I didn’t plan to be a stay-at-home parent, or a parent at all, for that matter. But, sometimes, life has a way…
The holidays are a wonderful time of year. It’s also an ideal time for reviewing the past year and making plans for the next. Don’t forget about the crucial step of setting yourself up for success; establishing a financial plan for 2022. A financial plan…
Let’s start with the stats. The reality is that when many people plug their investment account balance into the common retirement income calculators, the results are discouraging and, frankly, depressing. According to Fidelity Investments, the average 401(k) account balance for 50-somethings is a meager $160,000….
Money affects many areas of our lives, including our relationships. And research shows couples that argue about money are more unhappy and likely to divorce. When I got engaged 25 years ago, I didn’t know the stats on money problems and divorce. If I had…
An outsider looking at our finances today may think my partner and I had it all figured out from the start. They may assume we knew what we wanted, set our goals, and reached them. But they’d be wrong. We’ve made money mistakes. And we’ve…
Rarely anything happens without a plan. Even your daily to-do list is essentially a plan. If something isn’t on that list, the chances of it getting done go down dramatically. So your financial security certainly isn’t going to happen without your attention. But I’m Going…
![Do You Have a Shopping Addiction? [How to recover]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Street-Sign-Directing-Way-to-Shopping-768x402.jpeg)
Shopping is very much a part of everyday life, especially in today’s world of one-click purchases and Apple Pay. But when shopping becomes a compulsion, you buy things you don’t need, or you’re deeply in debt because of your purchases, there may be a bigger…