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…
If you’re in debt, it can feel overwhelming. You may feel like you’ll always be indebted and that things will never get better. However, plenty of people have been where you are and have successfully gotten out of debt, and you can too. First, though,…
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…
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the financial situation of this country and its people. The effect is felt most by the economic impacts of shutdowns and other various restrictive measures. But another casualty of the pandemic quietly added another financial blow for many…
Retirement can be a daunting concept, especially if you have thoughts like “Will I ever be able to retire?” or “ I have no idea how much I need in retirement” floating around in your head. Truth is, these are common concerns for many people…
If you’ve ever watched an entire movie you didn’t enjoy or ate food you didn’t like – just because you paid for them, you’ve experienced the sunk cost fallacy. In these examples, the money you spent on the movie and food is a sunk cost….
![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…
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…
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….
While some people think renting is the best decision, others of us dream of owning our own home. Most of us home buyers have a goal of paying off our mortgages before retiring (or earlier if possible). So, when interest rates drop, it’s smart to…
![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…
You might know Costco as a membership warehouse club, providing brand-name, quality merchandise at favorable prices. But do you know about all the specialty departments and exclusive member services, they provide at hundreds of locations worldwide. In this article, we’ll be describing and reviewing Costco’s…
If you pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) you’re not alone. The average down payment on a home purchase is only 6% requiring most homeowners to pay for PMI each month. If you had less than a 20 percent down payment when you bought your…
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…
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…
Buying a home is exciting. It’s also one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make. So you want to get it right – and you want to get it right the first time. If you’re purchasing your first home, you may wonder if…
![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…
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…
Many of us don’t think about retirement or saving for it until it’s too late. When we do save, we plan for money to cover rent, utilities, groceries, and insurance. However, many people overlook saving for healthcare costs in retirement. This is by far one…