If you’re struggling to choose between taking a summer vacation and staying on track for your budget goals, consider these options: National parks. At a national park, you can have a life-changing experience on a tight budget. Introduce children to history or the country’s natural wonders, or simply relax and recharge. To learn more, visit…
A grocery budget is one of the trickiest monthly expenses to manage. Hidden costs, impulse buys, and purchasing in bulk to “save” can easily cause this line item to get out of control. Add in takeout a few times a month, and suddenly food becomes a major money drain. If you’re looking for ways to…
Household electric bills often spike in the summer because of increased air conditioning use. These energy saving strategies will help reduce expenses and may keep your house cooler, too! Adjust the thermostat. Turning up the thermostat by even a few degrees can make a big difference in your electric bill. In addition, clean your vents…
How much of your spending is habit? Whether it’s the size of your weekly takeout order or that streaming service you never watch, most people waste money on things they don’t need or won’t use. Breaking bad money habits takes work, but it can be done. Here’s how: Monitor your accounts. Do you know how much…
Your body isn’t the only thing that needs an annual wellness checkup. Your finances will benefit from one, too. An annual review of your finances will help you catch problems and avoid mistakes. Consider these areas when determining your financial health: Personal balance sheet. List all of your assets (investments, retirement accounts, cash, home/real estate,…
The COVID-19 pandemic will reach its second anniversary in March. This anniversary may bring up difficult memories or feelings. You may experience one or more of these reactions: Disbelief. The last two years may feel like a bad dream. You may wonder if life will ever get back to normal. Time distortion. Two years of…
Resilience is the ability to adapt to and overcome challenges and setbacks. While some people may seem more resilient than others, everyone is capable of developing this skill. It’s helpful to think of resilience as a well that can be filled with experience and then drawn from as needed during difficult times. With practice, you…
Hearing about the violence in Ukraine may be disturbing, especially if you have personal connections to the country. You may experience emotional reactions, such as: Feeling vulnerable and insecure. Watching these events on the news, especially if you have friends or family members there, may affect your sense of personal safety and security. You may…