My husband recently accepted a new job in a new state, 2200 miles away from our home. The new job comes with a pay raise and significant promotion (love that!), but, unfortunately, the new state is also more expensive. While we do come out ahead financially even after accounting for the cost-of-living increase, our emergency fund did not. So, whether you’re like us and moving … [Read more...] about Why You Should Reevaluate Your Emergency Fund Regularly
Why We’re Not Paying Extra on Our New Mortgage
We’re relocating from Arizona to New York because my husband found a good job there. While we’re happy to move, we’re sad to leave behind our house payment in Arizona. We had a 3.375 percent interest rate and a smaller mortgage than we’ll have when we move. In New York, our interest rate will be approximately 5.5 percent, and our mortgage will increase by 1/3. Ouch. However, … [Read more...] about Why We’re Not Paying Extra on Our New Mortgage
Our Experience Prepping Our House for Sale
Eight years ago, my husband and I bought our first house. Ironically, when my husband showed me the property online, I didn’t even want to go see it. The pictures were terrible, and the house looked ugly. He convinced me to go, and I fell in love with the views. We knew the house needed work, but it was in our limited price range, so we bought it. Now, we’re on the opposite … [Read more...] about Our Experience Prepping Our House for Sale
How We’re Preparing Our Budget for a Recession
Recently, you’ve likely heard many pundits express concern that we may be heading into a recession. As the Fed increases interest rates to attempt to stop high inflation, many people worry that the housing market slow down will help tip us into darker economic times. While my husband and I live frugally, we’re preparing our budget for a recession by making some financial … [Read more...] about How We’re Preparing Our Budget for a Recession
5 Perfect Career Combinations for Couples
Some couples can’t spend too much time together, or they fight. These couples happily spend all day apart and then enjoy spending time with one another in the evenings and on the weekend. Other couples work well together and complement one another. Some of these couples use their strong relationship skills to propel themselves into successful careers working with one another. … [Read more...] about 5 Perfect Career Combinations for Couples
How We Decide If a Job Move Is Worthwhile
For the last couple of years, my husband has been interested in finding a new job. Between the two of us, we’ve developed a system that helps us decide if a job move is worthwhile. Ruling out a job listing in the beginning, before he even applies, saves us time if it isn't a good fit. Our Situation We’re luckier than many couples in that I work from home, so I can move … [Read more...] about How We Decide If a Job Move Is Worthwhile
5 Tips for Working from Home with Spouse
Over the last two years, thanks to the pandemic, more and more Americans started working from home. While some people eagerly returned to the office, not everyone is excited to do so. Some people discovered that they enjoyed working from home and plan to continue to do so indefinitely. If you’re part of a professional couple, you may both have the opportunity to work from … [Read more...] about 5 Tips for Working from Home with Spouse
Sharing Chores Is Essential to a Good Relationship
I’m part of a Facebook group for women, and lately, I’ve noticed a trend. Several women have posted about their spouses, specifically how they are not pulling their weight at home. These women complain that their spouses come home after work and play video games until late into the night. Or, they watch tv and leave their significant other to cook all of the food, clean the … [Read more...] about Sharing Chores Is Essential to a Good Relationship
5 Advantages of Employing Your Spouse
You may have heard some couples say that they could never work together. They prefer to have separate places of employment because they believe working and living together is too much togetherness. However, other couples work well together. They get along and make good business partners. If you and your significant other fall into the latter category, there are plenty of … [Read more...] about 5 Advantages of Employing Your Spouse
How We Used Our Raise to Budget for True Expenses
Okay, nerd budgeting time. I’m the budgeter in our family, and I use YNAB. We’ve used this program for several years and love it. However, within the last year, I’ve added some categories to our budget that have made a huge difference in how smoothly our monthly budget runs. Namely, we used our raise to budget for true expenses. … [Read more...] about How We Used Our Raise to Budget for True Expenses
