The following post is from Christina of Northern Cheapskate: The Positives of Paying with Plastic If you have ever read Dave Ramsey, you know that he hates credit cards. He encourages people to pay with cash (or a debit card) instead of using plastic. Using a cash-only approach can certainly help someone get out of debt…
The following post is from Christina of Northern Cheapskate: Is a Budget Billing Program Right for You? It can be frustrating to set up a budget when some expenses fluctuate from month to month. I've had months where my utility bill is around $100 a month and others where it has been more than $300. I…
The great debate when it comes to giving kids an allowance is whether or not it should be tied to chores. Both viewpoints have pros and cons, but I've never understood why it had to be an either/or kind of thing. First, let's look at the debate: On one hand, an allowance offers the incredible…
The following post is from Christina of Northern Cheapskate: 6 Steps to Get on Track Financially Next Year photo credit: Keri Omuro Sometimes when you get to the end of the year, you just want it to be over. Maybe you’ve made some bad decisions, had unexpected trials, or are just plain tired. There’s something rejuvenating about…
There aren't many people who would argue against the benefits of creating a budget and making sure your budget is realistic. However, that's pretty much where the agreement ends. Ask a dozen different people how they budget, and you're likely to get a dozen different answers. From cash envelop budgets to zero-based budgets and from…
It seems like at least once a week, I have to dig through my file cabinet or go in search of my wallet for an online purchase, to fill out a direct deposit form, or call my bank. While I know where to find all of the information I need for each of our accounts,…
By now, many of you have already done their online tax filing. You probably didn't need a checklist anyway because you're on top of things, so you didn't miss too much. But for the rest of us -- you know, those of us who put off doing our taxes because we know it's going to…
For many families, healthcare costs can add up over the course of a year and represent a fairly significant tax deduction. Depending on your health insurance co-pay it could take a big bite out of your budget. Keeping track of your healthcare costs may be beneficial at the end of the year when you do…