It can be tough to be a fashionista if you don’t have a lot of money to spend. But by becoming more aware of your spending habits and making some small changes, you get the most for your money. What Breakable Habits Do You Have? The first step to freeing up your budget is to recognize what you spend your money on.  Once you determine that, you can then determine which habits you aren’t going to break.  In other words, habits that are worth more to you than the extra spending money breaking them would create. Once you pick out your favorites, get…

Did you make New Year’s Resolutions about your personal finances, but haven’t followed through? It’s not too late to get back on track.  With some effort, you can still meet your goals by the end of the year. Giving Up is Always the Easiest Option Just because it’s later in the year doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.  You first need to determine why you didn’t follow through in the first place.  Once you determine that, you can figure out how to fix it so you don’t go down the same path. Was it too hard? Did something unexpected…

Feel like the day is too short? Many of us have trouble with productivty. While having some distractions can actually make us more productive, we often times do not make use of the time we have. Learn how to maximize your time to relieve stress and potentially earn more money! 1. Set Realistic Goals What absolutely needs to be done? Obviously those tasks take priority. But then you may have a long to-do list and no idea where to start. Set goals that you can realistically meet. Try holding yourself accountable to follow through on everything you say you are…

Refinancing a mortgage has become a popular option for many people due to record-low rates. However, refinancing isn’t for everyone. Refinancing can also be a bit expensive with appraisal, title search and application fees, along with other closing costs. If you’re thinking about refinancing, it’s important you understand your options. Why Refinance? The most obvious reason is what I mentioned above: low rates. If you’re going to get at least a 1-2% difference, it’s probably worth considering. Some people refinance to switch to a fixed or adjustable rate (ARM). An ARM is usually a better choice if you think you’ll…

According to the National Retail Federation, back to school shopping is expected to reach $24.9 billion with the average family planning to spend $630 on school supplies.  However, you don’t have to drain your wallet in order to prepare your kids for school. Take Inventory The first and easiest tip to save on back to school shopping is to take inventory of what you already have at home.  See what clothes, notebooks, and other supplies can be reused and which ones need to be replaced. From there, you can make a list of what is actually needed instead of buying…