Earn, Save, and Live Joyfully.
In 2007 the cost of my medical and dental plans increased. I also signed up for employer-sponsored life insurance, (when I realized no other insurance company would approve me). I knew the costs would take a bite out of my paycheck, but I didn’t want to see my bi-weekly number dwindle. In an effort to … Read more
The following is a list of financial questions that my husband and I regularly discuss. These questions help us focus on our goals and ensure that we are both on the same financial page. What is our monthly take home income? This can differ for my husband who gets paid by the hour. How much … Read more
Let’s face it, this is a selfish world, and most people are focused on their own needs. So when people talk about the need for an emergency fund, they usually think only about emergencies that would happen to them . They think of lots of emergency situations like the loss of a job, car accidents, … Read more
With the help of some weekly coupons and the Rite Aid circular I managed to save $14.98 on a purchase that would have otherwise cost $24.84. That’s over 60% saved! I bought personal care products, dishwasher detergent, and plastic sandwich bags. On any other day of the week the total would have been $24.84, but … Read more
When I asked my husband what he wanted for dinner tonight he said, “hmmm. chicken.” When I mentioned that we could eat burgers or steak his expression looked quite puzzled. In an effort to keep food expenses down we eat a lot of pasta and poultry. Apparently, so much pasta and poultry that he’s forgotten … Read more
A recent article at MSN Money asks the age old question: Should you pay off your mortgage early? In regards to this issue, this article has a little more bite than others. Liz Pulliam Weston, the author, thinks the following items take precedence over paying off your mortgage. Fully funding your retirement Paying off high … Read more
We have a real problem at my house. One of our cats, (we have two), has been spraying all over our house. We did exactly what the vets told us, got him ‘fixed’ before nine months, didn’t have him de-clawed, kept his food away from his litter, everything, but still the little sucker has decided … Read more
Wal-Mart is encouraging 200 million shoppers to save energy, and thus money, through the purchase of energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. In fact, Wal-Mart is determined to sell bulbs to at least 100 million homes. Currently fluorescent bulbs are only utilized by 6% of American homes. If Wal-Mart succeeds: total sales of bulbs in the … Read more
My Two Dollars linked to a great article called the ‘Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time.’ After reading the article I’ve decided to take a stab at Money Tip #1: keep a daily log of everything you spend. With the start of the new year I’ll track each and every purchase I make. I … Read more
In an effort to increase an otherwise shrinking population the German government introduced a monetary subsidy to encourage working couples to have children. The subsidy worth up to 25,200 euros ($33,470) took effect on January 1, 2007. The new subsidy grants German parents two-thirds of their net monthly salary, up to a maximum of 1,800 … Read more