Money Management Made Simple

April 15th came and went - and hopefully, it wasn't a painful tax day for you! Believe it or not, it's never too early to start thinking about next year. If filing your taxes was a headache and a hassle in 2022 - here are a few tips to get you prepared for April 15th of 2023. Putting yourself in the best tax position involves planning rather than waiting until the last minute. I'm going to give yo...

In the last part of this series, I talked about some simple ways to make money during a recession. I'll continue the discussion - giving you more ideas to make money during an economic downturn. The key is to implement different tactics and diversify your efforts. Making money when things sing down isn't impossible, and thinking outside of the box can help you make great strides!

The threat of a recession can be scary! You might wonder how you make money if you lose your job or the stock market crashes. Fortunately, you have ways to make money during a recession - it just requires some thinking outside of the box.

Unemployment is the biggest risk families face during a recession - but it isn't the ONLY risk! Unfortunately, the effects on families during a recession often go unnoticed because the media focuses on unemployment. Understanding how families are affected can help you determine how to protect yourself best. 

Preparing your child for success in college means many things. Not only must your child learn to live on their own, but they must also know how to handle their finances. In the first part of the series, we talked about setting your child up with a student checking account. We'll talk today about your student's financial success, and teaching your child how to budget. This is one of the most import...

Back to school is just around the corner, and parents of college students are preparing their kids to be away from home. While you talk about the ins and the outs of living on their own - ensure you're prepping your child financially, too! Now is perfect if they've never handled their own money, or owned a checking account. A student checking account is a great way to set your child up for success...

We're going to ask the famous question - is your cost of living too high? Your cost of living is an opportunity cost for saving or investing in the future. The MORE it costs you to live, the LESS you can save. While everyone has daily costs of living, you might be paying more than you realize. Here's how to tell if your cost of living is too high, and how to fix it.

It's that time of the year again! Tax time is over and we're midway through the year. Now is a great time to check in on your financial planning and goals. Reassess where you stand, and how close you are to reaching your goals. This is a great time to make changes, or pat yourself on the back for a job well done because you are on track. Here's how to check in with yourself mid-year.

What is inflation and how does it happen? You've probably felt the effects of inflation by now - at the gas pump, grocery store, or even at your local restaurants. Prices everywhere are increasing due to inflation, or the increase in the cost of living. Suddenly it is more expensive for us to do things we do on a normal basis. While it is frustrating and possibly even scary, knowing what it is and...

Unexpected expenses pop up at the worst time. When they aren't handled right, they can ruin your business model. But, when you plan for them - even though they are unexpected - you can work around the issue and keep your business on track. Unexpected business expenses happen at the worst times - but that doesn't mean you can't look forward. Instead, assume what you MIGHT face, and create a plan to...

We all have something we imagine for our future. Whether it be a down payment for a home, paying off student debt, or simply wanting a cruise to the Bahamas for some R&R. These can all be too expensive to pay for out-of-pocket. Setting financial goals can help you do the impossible - but how do you go about setting and accomplishing these goals?

Everybody knows and understands they're supposed to save - but, they always want to know how much. It may be difficult to develop a saving habit with the way expenses are thrown at us. There's always a bill to pay - whether or not it is in the budget. As a result, attempting to save as a habit may prove challenging. There are many different saving strategies. The general rule, however, is to have...

It's finally time to come out of the cold and head to warmer climates for the time-honoured tradition of Spring Break. Whether you're a college student heading to the beach, or a family headed to Disneyland - I have a couple of ideas to help you out. Best of all, they are budget-friendly! So, let's talk about how to avoid overspending during Spring Break.

The average American gets an average tax return of about $3000 annually. The temptation, normally, is to go on a me time spending spree - of course I love to spend! Spend a little on shoes, a little on snacks, a little on shopping - maybe a stroll to the beach (and every other thing). What would be more satisfying than spending money that's not directly from your paycheck? What if you were told th...

It's great to be excited about your entrepreneurial pursuits. But we also will begin to feel off-kilter when other areas of our life go neglected. Here are some tips for avoiding becoming a slave to your business.

As the year gradually wraps up, there's no better time to go back to the list of the financial goals you made at the beginning of the year to see how far you have come. The end of the year tends to be one of the busiest times for most people, however, slacking on making strategic year-end moves could affect you long term, even into the new year. Ticking off all your financial checklist between now...

Financial independence is the goal of many people. The idea of being able to do what you love, living stress-free of money concerns, is appealing. Why is this goal elusive for so many? It is often because people ignore the basic principles that are the foundation to achieve financial independence. There are some common points that can help you reach the goal of financial independence. Once you rea...

With the lockdowns over and the pandemic situation rapidly improving, many American families will hit the road this summer. Unfortunately, many of those same families are struggling with the financial fallout from the pandemic. You can still hit the road if the money's tight. All you have to do is travel cheaply and stick to a budget.

If you've been thinking of how to make some extra cash while living your best life in this new year, then you're in the right place.  Ready? Let's dive in! We've brought you nine amazing ways to smash your money goals and earn some extra cash without having to sell your stuff or earn another degree–(of course, they are all legit way).

In part one, we went through the basics of what you needed to put in place before 2022. We covered everything from creating a budget, to having an emergency fund, managing your debts, and even optimizing your portfolio. But it's one thing to plan, and it's another thing to execute; you must have the right tools and mindset in place to be able to carry out your plans.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have had the opportunity to reflect on where they are in their lives and whether or not their jobs are making them happy. Some are trying to adapt, while others had decided to change careers. The notion of a career shift can be intimidating, especially in an uncertain market, and changing employment is never a decision to be made lightly. Despite the initi...

Perhaps you've evaluated your financial performance in 2021, and you haven't progressed as much as you would have liked to. To help you stay ahead in 2022, we've listed out some major financial moves you could make. Sticking to new year's resolutions may not be easy, a consistent push can ensure remarkable progress in the long run. Here are 4 New Year's Financial Resolutions that you should consid...

Improving your credit score offers several benefits in various aspects, such as getting loan approval, renting a home, and getting lower interest rates. Fortunately, if you have low credit, you can increase it by implementing various strategies. Here is what to do to improve your credit score.

Starting a business can be an exciting endeavor. A business can bring the possibility of taking control of your life. You can be your own boss and depending upon what type of business you decide to start, you might be able to avoid a daily trip to an office. However, you'll want to plan ahead before giving it a go so that you can make it more likely your business is around for the long haul.

Most of us have a good handle on our monthly budget. We know how much it costs to cover insurance, utilities, housing, and so forth. Those expenses are easier to track because they come up every month. The hard part is finding a way to budget for those occasional items--a vacation, new appliances, or other big outlays that come along less frequently. Here's a simple guide to preparing for those pu...