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
Budget
Why I Dined Out Constantly and How I Stopped
Years ago, when I worked full-time and my husband was a graduate student, we dined out several times a week in the evenings. In addition, I would go out to lunch with co-workers at least twice a week, and I would buy food at the college cafeteria the other days. (The food wasn’t that good!). I didn’t realize until a few years after I had stopped dining out why I wanted to go … [Read more...] about Why I Dined Out Constantly and How I Stopped
How the Pandemic Changed How We Approach Finances
When I was young, my grandparents lived next door to us. I watched my grandma wash out sandwich baggies and used tin foil; I saw her clip coupons for groceries and the occasional meal out. She bought her clothes at second hand shops. When I asked my mom why, she explained that my grandparents had lived through the Great Depression, and it had permanently changed their … [Read more...] about How the Pandemic Changed How We Approach Finances
5 Features that Make YNAB an Essential Budgeting Tool
Since my husband and I married, I have been the budgeter. In the old days, my budget was done in a notebook with lined pieces of paper. Now, I use You Need a Budget (YNAB) and have used it for several years. There are five features that make YNAB an essential budgeting tool. … [Read more...] about 5 Features that Make YNAB an Essential Budgeting Tool
9 Sustainable Frugality Tactics To Make Your Budget Sing
Get too ambitious about cost-cutting and you might have a hard time adhering to it long term. Set your sights on something more realistic -- like the following suggestions on sustainable frugality. … [Read more...] about 9 Sustainable Frugality Tactics To Make Your Budget Sing
The $1 Thanksgiving Meal Challenge
Okay, so this is Thanksgiving week in the United States. I wanted to share the best stuff I've found on saving money for the holiday. The best example of a frugal thanksgiving I've seen is by this guy Jeffrey over at Grocery Coupon Guide - he basically tested himself by seeing if he could complete a $1 Thanksgiving Meal Challenge - essentially by buying enough food for a … [Read more...] about The $1 Thanksgiving Meal Challenge
How to Prepare for the Transition from Dual to Single Income
Shacking up with a partner or getting married can set you up for a comfy living; but if you get used to that lifestyle and then one of you loses your job or wants to make a career change, then you have to make some changes, fast. Here's how to prepare for your transition from dual to a single income. … [Read more...] about How to Prepare for the Transition from Dual to Single Income
How To Celebrate Halloween on a Budget
It's not impossible to celebrate Halloween on a budget, even though it might go against the trend. … [Read more...] about How To Celebrate Halloween on a Budget
How to Budget Around Income Fluctuations
People whose careers have seasonality or who work for themselves can have fluctuating income that might seem impossible to budget around. Here's how to make it work. Minimize Spending Come up with a plan for your leanest months and implement it when you know things are going to be tight. That's when you might only pay for housing, utility bills, groceries and basic … [Read more...] about How to Budget Around Income Fluctuations
