This post was originally published as a sponsored post back in 2015. Today, I'm updating it since a lot has changed at GIANT. This updated post is not sponsored. As the home manager, my mission is to serve my family quality and tasty food on our limited budget. GIANT Food Stores of PA has … [Read More...]
Start Planning and Budgeting for Summer TODAY!
After a long winter, are you dreaming of blue skies and sunny days? We are! As a family, we are looking forward to camping trips, a week at the beach, and cookouts with friends. I want to make sure we have time to squeeze everything in and the funds to do it all. If you haven't already done so, NOW is the time to start mapping out and budgeting … [Read More...]
Why not run the family office?
Many years ago, I read Thomas J. Stanley’s book, Millionaire Women Next Door: The Many Journeys of Successful American Businesswomen, and I had an aha moment. Chapter 17 in this book is titled, “Why not run the family office?". In highly affluent circles, a family office is a private wealth management firm that manages the finances and … [Read More...]
How to Save Money on Groceries
Are you spending more at the grocery store lately? Rising prices are affecting everyone's bank account, and groceries are leading the way. Everyone is trying to figure out how to save money on groceries! According to CNBC, the cost of chicken and eggs has increased by 10%! Those are weekly staples at my house! Groceries is one budget category … [Read More...]
Ibotta Review: How I Earn Cash Back on Groceries
This is my honest review. All links to Ibotta are to my referral link. When you join, you will also get a referral link to share with your friends to earn additional cashback. What is Ibotta? Ibotta is a free cashback rewards and payments app that gives you cash for everyday qualifying purchases when you shop and pay through the app. Your … [Read More...]
My One Goal for 2022
Rather than create a long list of goals I'd like to accomplish for 2022, I'm going to focus on just one personal goal for this year. I will work on other things too, like exercising more, reading more, eating healthier, and blah, blah, blah! But instead of stressing about a long list of ideas, I'm just going to focus on one goal and it's a … [Read More...]
How We’re Saving for College with Upromise
This post is NOT sponsored by Upromise. Instead, it is my honest review. All links to Upromise are my referral links. Way back in 2008 I signed up for a Upromise account and then it sat unused for many years. I don't recall why I never used the account, but I guess it just slipped my mind. Back in 2008, I was a mama to a toddler and infant, so a … [Read More...]
Family Vital Information Binder
Creating a family vital information binder is an important project that you should add to your urgent to-do list. This binder stores ALL of your financial information in one location. For me, it wasn't about making my life easier, but rather, making my family's life easier if they needed vital information in the case that I am incapacitated or just … [Read More...]
7 ALDI Salad Ideas
Are you an ALDI shopper? I pulled together a list of ALDI salad ideas using ingredients I found at the store. These family favorites are fresh, tasty, and easy on your grocery budget. A few details about this list of ALDI Salad Ideas: ** I planned these salads around my family of 4, which includes 2 adults and 2 teenagers who eat as much as … [Read More...]
Roasted Vegetable Sauce for Pasta
If your garden is overflowing or your neighbors are begging you to take their extras, then you need to make a batch of Roasted Vegetable Sauce. It is super easy, unbelievably delicious, yet incredibly cheap if everything is from your garden. You can use tomatoes, peppers, summer squash, onions, celery, carrots, and/or eggplant and … [Read More...]
How to Budget (and Pay) for Yearly Bills + a FREE Speadsheet
Not sure how to budget for your once-a-year bills? They can cause a panic, especially when just one bill is into the four figures, like our property taxes or auto insurance! But let me show you how to budget (and pay) for yearly bills with a strategy I've used for years. I built a monthly system to set aside money specifically for our yearly … [Read More...]
Where I found EXTRA Money in May 2021
Finding extra money is a game for me. Over the years, I have found money through rebates, refunds, online sales, and even the ground. Yep, I found a $20 bill while running on the beach! I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings. Through May of 2021, I have found over $6800 for the year! … [Read More...]
5 Steps to CRUSH Debt + FREE Debt Payoff Goal Tracker
Did you make a goal to pay off debt this year? For many years, we made a yearly goal to chip away at our six figures of non-mortgage debt. It took us years to pay it all off, but we achieved it in 2019. I celebrated my 50th birthday month by sending in the very last payment. Our journey to debt freedom started back in 2013 when we found … [Read More...]
Where we found EXTRA money in April
Finding extra money is a game for me. Over the years, I have found money through rebates, refunds, online sales, and even the ground. Yep, I found a $20 bill while running on the beach! I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings. Through April of 2021, I have found over $6500 for the … [Read More...]
How to Create Your Own Debt Freedom Plan
Many years ago, my husband and I faced what we thought was an insurmountable hurdle--six figures of non-mortgage debts. These were loans that we knowingly took on and looked great on paper, but they became a weight on our shoulders. Stressed out, we ventured into Dave Ramsey’s online Financial Peace University home course for help. Prior to … [Read More...]
Where we found EXTRA money in March
Finding extra money is a game for me. Over the years, I have found money through rebates, refunds, online sales, and even the ground. Yep, I found a $20 bill while running on the beach! I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings. January and February were stellar months with finding … [Read More...]
25 Ways to Find Money for Your Emergency Fund
Emergencies happen when you least expect them. My husband sent me a short text a few years ago, "truck $700." My stomach sank. He took the truck to our mechanic because a dashboard light came on. We were hoping for an easy (and inexpensive) fix, and we were certainly not expecting this news. But the truth is, we have the money. Our emergency … [Read More...]
How to Build your Emergency Fund
This post was first published in 2016. Life suddenly changed for most of us in March 2020 and this past year of the pandemic has reinforced how important an emergency fund is. If you're able, maybe use some of your stimulous money to put towards building an emergency fund. Your future self will be grateful. A few years ago, our van needed four … [Read More...]
7 Ways to Spring Clean Your Finances
Take a deep breath, spring is finally here! If your winter was as long and cold as mine, then you're also looking forward to opening windows, breathing in the fresh air, and soaking up the sunshine. Springtime soothes the soul and revives our spirits. For many, it's a time to clean the house and the closets, wash the windows of their winter … [Read More...]