Having a budget is a big part of building your financial house. Still, budgeting is easier said than done. For many people, starting a budget can feel overwhelming. And for the folks who have tried budgeting, some don’t stick with it. For others, it seems…
You were anticipating a rent increase, but you’re shocked by the rent increase notice, perhaps even angry. You’ve always paid your rent on time, and you’re a good tenant. A rent increase this large seems unfair. Your first thought? It’s time to move. Then you…
It doesn’t matter how you do it, in a notebook, on a computer, online, or in an app, as long as you’re doing it! Budgeting is an important part of adult life. If you’re wondering why you need a budget or spending plan, according to…
When Joan Rivers’ husband died unexpectedly in 1987, Joan not only lost her husband but her financial security too. To her surprise, she was left with $37 million in debt – something she knew nothing about. This just goes to show that even strong and…
![Make Your Budget Work [Tips for overcoming obstacles]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/woman-facing-challenges-with-her-budget-768x403.jpg)
You’re ready to take control of your finances and use a budget to plan for your income and expenses. But that “b” word doesn’t exactly give you the warm fuzzies. You know though, telling your money where to go is better than wondering where it…
![What Should an Emergency Budget Include? [Adjusting finances in a time of crisis]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/emergency-budget-during-crisis-768x403.jpg)
What’s your plan if you lose your job? What will you do if your work hours get reduced? What happens if you lose your child care? These aren’t easy (or fun) questions to answer. Yet everyone should think about what they would do in a…
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…
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….
![Important Financial Rules of Thumb: What 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…
Divorce affects people on every level – mentally, physically, emotionally, and even socially. Financially, it has the potential to be a complete disaster as it’s not difficult to make mistakes. Financial mistakes women make when going through a divorce include: Focusing too much on small…
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…
Breaking the paycheck to paycheck cycle. Paying down your credit card debt. Beefing up your emergency fund. Saving for an amazing vacation next summer. Paying for gifts in cash this year. These are all great reasons to consider earning extra money. And accomplishing any of…
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…
![Needs vs. Wants: What is the difference? [& how do you afford both?]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/how-to-afford-both-needs-and-wants-768x403.jpg)
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…
At some point in your life, you may fall on hard financial times and be unable to pay your bills. Despite your struggles, your creditors still want to get paid. They’ll likely employ a series of tactics called debt collection to get their money from…
During health plan or open enrollment time, your place of employment probably looks like many others. There are lots of “water cooler” conversations about different plans, past experiences, deductibles, and copays. Health savings accounts or HSAs are drawing your attention, and you want to learn…
When you’re working on getting your financial house in order, it can be overwhelming to consider all the different insurance products you can (and sometimes are required to) purchase. To protect your financial future there’s insurance for your: Health Life Disability Vehicle Home Cell phone…
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…
Most of us start our adult lives with lifestyles like those of our friends. The phrase “living like a broke college student” applies to many in young adulthood. At this point, everyone’s trying to keep expenses low – and score free food and entertainment whenever…
Your family is growing! Whether this is your first time becoming a mom or not, preparing to have a baby brings a whirlwind of feelings, emotions, and worries. One of the biggest concerns moms-to-be face is a financial one. You may have seen estimates that…
![Am I Frugal or Cheap? [How to tell and why it matters]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/female-shopping-in-second-hand-store-768x402.jpg)
Whether you just embraced the concept or you’ve had a focus on becoming financially independent for years, you’re building good money habits and saving for the future. In order to save more, you may be tracking expenses, using a budget, working side hustles or adopting…
![How Do I Handle Office Gifting and Soliciting? [to not go broke!]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/desktop-with-laptop-and-office-gifts-a-768x402.jpg)
Like you, your co-worker’s lives are bigger than their jobs. They have birthdays, weddings, start families, retire, and have to sell their kid’s fundraising trinkets. Often, these personal events spill over into the workplace. Depending on the size of your company, it may seem like…
It can be overwhelming to learn how to manage your money and build a financially secure future. Paying down debt, budgeting, tracking expenses, saving an emergency fund, and opening investment accounts take patience and focus. You’ve made good progress some months, but sticking to a…
You’ve decided it’s time to move in together. It’s a big step in your relationship, and you’re excited about the future. You’ll have to each decide which of your belongings you can share in your new place. Another thing you’ll have to figure out? How…
You remember talking as a teenager about how great it would be to move out of your parents’ house. Getting an apartment with friends or heading off to a college dorm – any place where you’d have some freedom and ability to make your own…
When it comes to tipping, there are no hard and fast rules. And everyone does it differently. As a customer, you’re left wondering – when should you tip? Who should you tip? How much? And what if you don’t have any cash? Below is a…