Working to make life better on a limited income can be a frustrating and a seemingly hopeless task, especially when you’ve done everything possible to reduce household expenses. Perhaps you’ve reached a point where you’re following a bare bones budget and have limited your lifestyle to the absolute essentials. Living this way may lower your debt and help you save, but it will be a time filled with drudgery and very little fun. Before you lose hope and think that this is all that life has to offer, try more creative ways to reduce your expenses. Read more »

Spring is officially underway… and if you’re anything like me, you’ll use every excuse in the book to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather!  The sunshine is a great motivational tool, making it the perfect time to spruce up the yard and take care of household projects.  It isn’t until the dust settles and Spring cleaning is finally complete that I start thinking about vacation. For many of us, summer just wouldn’t be the same without a relaxing summer getaway. Unfortunately, if money is tight and you’re on a strict budget, a traditional vacation may not be feasible. Here are six affordable vacation ideas that will add some excitement to your summer – without breaking the bank. Read more »

With all of the news coverage about the federal deficit and the impact it has on the economy, ‘sequester’ has become a commonly used term in the media. The word means to ‘set apart’ or ‘segregate’ and describes the law of sequestration that was recently implemented; mandating cuts to defense and domestic spending. It came about when the deficit super committee failed to deliver an agreeable way to cut the deficit. Many programs are affected, with previously authorized funds being ‘set aside’ and prohibited from being spent. Could the same strategy be used with your personal finances? Read more »