Christmas is just 16 short weeks away! Last year the average family spent close to $900 on the holidays. If you wait until the last minute, you could end up with maxed out credit cards come January! Yes, I know it’s still the middle of summer, but with a little budgeting and planning, you can have that $900 in cash …
Today’s episode is “The Number 1 Reason You’re Not Rich.” Now I know what some of you are thinking. “Being rich would be nice, but I’m just trying to get financially healthy.” Stay tuned because what you will hear today, if you apply it, will improve your financial condition whatever it may currently be. As I’ve discussed in previous podcasts …
Getting a tax refund this year? Don’t just blow that money! Instead, use your tax refund to gain some financial traction. I talk about four great things to do with your tax refund this year: pay off debt, save for emergencies, invest in your future, and have a little fun. I also explain why I DON’T want you to get …
In this episode, I talk about the financial resolutions that are worth making. I discuss how to set SMART goals that motivate you and your family. I talk about savings goals: a fully-funded emergency fund, saving for big purchases, saving for college and retirement. I also cover debt-dumping goals, income goals, and purely fun goals for 2015. Click here to …
In this episode, I discuss why I don’t believe in “Cookie Cutter” Budgets. Many financial gurus try to sell people on a one-size-fits-all formula of financial management, which is destined to fail for most who try it. I explain about why it’s important to create a budget customized to your family’s situation, needs, and goals. Yes, there are some overarching …
We all know that there are dangerous financial waters we need to avoid. Today we’ll talk about the worst of the worst, the “Underbelly of the Financial World.” I’ll explain why you need to avoid payday lenders like the plague, think twice about title pawning, run away from debt consolidation, and save your money instead of wasting it on lottery …
Last week, we covered the “Real Estate and Mortgages” lesson in the Financial Peace University class that I’m facilitating at my church. It’s always a weird lesson because it’s the only time that Dave Ramsey doesn’t go ballistic on us for having some debt. Here are the reasons why: 1.) Most people don’t have the means or patience to save …
Wouldn’t it be nice to NOT have a car payment ever again? Impossible? Not really. I haven’t had a car payment in over ten years; I promise, I’m not driving a nasty old beater car either! When I became serious about being debt free, that meant I didn’t want a car payment. My husband, Nick, has always paid …