Today I'm thankful for...
Saveup.com!
For my last Financial Planning Week post, I thought I would go with something kind of fun. Saveup.com is a website that allows you to get credits by doing things such as paying off debt and watching short videos about financial topics. You can use those credits to play games to try to win prizes or to be entered into drawings for prizes like a $100 deposit into your savings account. It's free and secure and gives you a little extra boost when you're trying to save money or pay off your massive student loans. Give it a shot!
Showing posts with label financial planning week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label financial planning week. Show all posts
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
What I'm thankful for: October 6
Today I'm thankful for...
Emergency funds!
This is related to yesterday's post on Dave Ramsey. An emergency fund is a savings account that's earmarked for using towards those little life emergencies and unexpected expenses that seem to pop up. Since all of you reading this are grown ups (or pretend like you are...), then there's no need for me to say that wanting a new pair of jeans (or even needing them) is not an emergency. But there's my public service announcement anyway. Emergency funds are great because when something happens, you don't have to dip into your regular savings account or rely on credit cards.
If you need to know how to save up for an emergency fund, check out the picture below!
Emergency funds!
This is related to yesterday's post on Dave Ramsey. An emergency fund is a savings account that's earmarked for using towards those little life emergencies and unexpected expenses that seem to pop up. Since all of you reading this are grown ups (or pretend like you are...), then there's no need for me to say that wanting a new pair of jeans (or even needing them) is not an emergency. But there's my public service announcement anyway. Emergency funds are great because when something happens, you don't have to dip into your regular savings account or rely on credit cards.
If you need to know how to save up for an emergency fund, check out the picture below!
 |
| Infographic via http://yobucko.com/saving/smart-money-tip-build-anemergency-fund-infographic |
Friday, October 5, 2012
What I'm thankful for: October 5
Today I'm thankful for...
Dave Ramsey!
Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit that Dave Ramsey has made a huge impact on how people approach their finances. Terms like "gazelle intense" and "emergency fund" have entered the public's vocabulary as people strive to become debt-free and forever change how they handle money. I personally am a fan of his, but I don't follow his program to the letter. He has a lot of good, common-sense advice, such as not using credit cards and the idea of the debt snowball, so for anyone who is looking to change their financial blueprint, I'd suggest checking out his website, listening to his show, or reading his books (and you can borrow them from your local library so you don't have to spend money to buy them!).
Dave Ramsey!
Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit that Dave Ramsey has made a huge impact on how people approach their finances. Terms like "gazelle intense" and "emergency fund" have entered the public's vocabulary as people strive to become debt-free and forever change how they handle money. I personally am a fan of his, but I don't follow his program to the letter. He has a lot of good, common-sense advice, such as not using credit cards and the idea of the debt snowball, so for anyone who is looking to change their financial blueprint, I'd suggest checking out his website, listening to his show, or reading his books (and you can borrow them from your local library so you don't have to spend money to buy them!).
Thursday, October 4, 2012
What I'm thankful for: October 4
Today I'm thankful for...
Health savings accounts!
I'm new to the whole health savings account thing, but so far it's a good option for me. My employer puts $55/month into it that can be used for all of the IRS approved HSA expenditures. This allows me to have a specific account dedicated to health expenses, like co-pays, prescriptions, etc. I'm (relatively) young and healthy right now, so I'll take the free money each month. I might even be able to get glasses off of second cheapest wall next time since I've got this account. A girl can dream anyway...
Health savings accounts!
I'm new to the whole health savings account thing, but so far it's a good option for me. My employer puts $55/month into it that can be used for all of the IRS approved HSA expenditures. This allows me to have a specific account dedicated to health expenses, like co-pays, prescriptions, etc. I'm (relatively) young and healthy right now, so I'll take the free money each month. I might even be able to get glasses off of second cheapest wall next time since I've got this account. A girl can dream anyway...
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
What I'm thankful for: October 3
Today I'm thankful for...
Employer matched retirement funds!
Boy, financial planning week sure does make for a lot of excitement, doesn't it? Regardless of how fun these topics sound, they are important and will be helpful for people in the long run. Take employer matched retirement funds. I work at a place that matches my retirement contributions up to a certain amount. It may not be a large amount, but it's basically free money towards my retirement. Let me repeat that again: free money towards my retirement. So, it could make the difference between me getting to eat cat food when I retire or premium cat food. Kidding, kidding, but it does make a difference. If your employer offers any type of matching, run to the human resources department (um, maybe wait until tomorrow when they're open though) and sign up for it!
Employer matched retirement funds!
Boy, financial planning week sure does make for a lot of excitement, doesn't it? Regardless of how fun these topics sound, they are important and will be helpful for people in the long run. Take employer matched retirement funds. I work at a place that matches my retirement contributions up to a certain amount. It may not be a large amount, but it's basically free money towards my retirement. Let me repeat that again: free money towards my retirement. So, it could make the difference between me getting to eat cat food when I retire or premium cat food. Kidding, kidding, but it does make a difference. If your employer offers any type of matching, run to the human resources department (um, maybe wait until tomorrow when they're open though) and sign up for it!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
What I'm thankful for: October 2
Today I'm thankful for...
Debit cards!
I love my debit card. It gives me the convenience of a credit card but without the high interest rates and debt. Debit cards keep you accountable too (well, most of the time) since you can only spend what you have in your checking account. Plus, my debit card has a lovely picture of me on it that keeps people who aren't me from using it. Win win.
Debit cards!
I love my debit card. It gives me the convenience of a credit card but without the high interest rates and debt. Debit cards keep you accountable too (well, most of the time) since you can only spend what you have in your checking account. Plus, my debit card has a lovely picture of me on it that keeps people who aren't me from using it. Win win.
Monday, October 1, 2012
What I'm thankful for: October 1
Today I'm thankful for...
Budgets!
It's financial planning week, so for this week, I'm going to focus on financial related things I'm thankful for! Budgets get a bad rap, but they're actually pretty helpful. I always make my little budget/tracking spreadsheet, and even though I don't always follow it to the penny, it helps me stay on track and know how much money I have left to spend. It's also nice to look back and see where I can cut some spending or if I'm being unrealistic about how much I need to spend in certain categories (like gasoline usually...sigh...). If you're new to the budget bandwagon, check out Mint.com, which lets you categorize your spending, budget for goals, and other cool things.
Budgets!
It's financial planning week, so for this week, I'm going to focus on financial related things I'm thankful for! Budgets get a bad rap, but they're actually pretty helpful. I always make my little budget/tracking spreadsheet, and even though I don't always follow it to the penny, it helps me stay on track and know how much money I have left to spend. It's also nice to look back and see where I can cut some spending or if I'm being unrealistic about how much I need to spend in certain categories (like gasoline usually...sigh...). If you're new to the budget bandwagon, check out Mint.com, which lets you categorize your spending, budget for goals, and other cool things.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)