Tips & Advice

Emergency Funds and Debt Repayment: Why Your Family Needs Both

Image Created with DALL – E Introduction Balancing emergency funds and debt repayment can seem nearly impossible––like walking a tightrope suspended across a canyon and financial stability is on the other side! Just like you would have a safety net for a tightrope, you need a financial safety net to handle unexpected expenses like car […]

How to Set Goals to Be Debt-Free for Your Family

Created with Dall-E Introduction to Debt Freedom It’s a sunny Saturday morning, and instead of worrying about credit card bills or the next loan payment, you’re enjoying [insert your favorite Saturday morning activity] because you set goals to be debt-free. And then you wake up. It doesn’t have to be a dream! Becoming debt-free isn’t easy, but what […]

Top Debt Consolidation and Refinancing Options for Families

Frustrated. That’s exactly how you feel when you’re staring at those bills spread across your kitchen table, right? Trust me, I’ve been there too. As families, we juggle so many payments it can make your head spin––credit cards, car loans, maybe that personal loan from when your washing machine suddenly died. Ugh. Let’s talk about […]

How to Create a Family Budget That Eliminates Debt for Good

Introduction to Family Budgeting for Debt Elimination We all want our family’s financial future to be secure! In over six decades, I’ve tried many approaches to accomplishing this for my family. Based on what I’ve learned over the years, if you want to eliminate debt, family budgeting is vital. I felt overwhelmed for years! Why? […]

Book Review: Getting Good with Money: Pay Off Your Debt and Find a Life of Freedom—Without Losing Your Mind

A Practical Guide to Financial Wholeness for Busy Families Getting Good with Money book review: If managing your family’s finances makes you feel like you can’t breathe and gives you anxiety, you’re not alone! Getting Good with Money: Pay Off Debt and Find a Life of Freedom––Without Losing Your Mind by Jessi Fearon could be […]

Empower Budgeting App 2024: A Game-Changer for Your Finances

Understanding the Empower Personal Dashboard Empower offers a free tool called the Personal Dashboard, which is designed to help you manage your budget, monitor your finances, and prepare for the future—all in one place. While Empower is known for its robo-advisor services catering to wealthier clients, it introduced this dashboard after acquiring Personal Capital in […]

Budgeting with Children in Mind

Having kids is one of life’s most beautiful and rewarding experiences—but let’s be honest, it’s also expensive! When you’re busy changing diapers, running to soccer practice, or trying to manage daycare, it’s easy to lose track of how much money is actually flowing out. The financial picture changes drastically once you have children, and that’s […]

Consolidating Debt: Pros & Cons

Introduction Many people consider debt consolidation when they find themselves juggling multiple debts with different due dates and interest rates. It involves combining various debts—like credit cards, personal loans, or medical bills—into a single monthly payment. For some, this approach brings a sense of relief, with fewer payments to manage and potentially lower interest rates. […]

How To Pay Off Debt on a Low-Income

Introduction Paying off debt can feel like an uphill battle, especially when working with a limited income. Every dollar matters, and seeing so much of your hard-earned money going toward payments that never seem to end can be discouraging. But take heart — you’re not alone in this journey, and you don’t have to be […]

How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt Quickly

Access Your Current Situation To begin tackling your credit card debt, and start fixing your personal finances you first need to get a clear sense of the numbers. Start by gathering all your credit card information—list each card, its balance, interest rate, and the minimum monthly payment. By laying out this data, you’ll have a […]