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Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and friends, a time to be grateful and count your blessings. It doesn’t have to be a lavish affair. In fact, doing Thanksgiving on a budget will not only save you money but can be rewarding. A budget-minded feast takes but a little planning and a little creativity. You can celebrate the goodness in your life with turkey, side dishes, desserts, and drinks and do it all within your monthly food budget. If you are hosting this year’s dinner, here are ways to keep the costs down, and enjoy the day and your company as it’s meant to be. (more…)

Who wouldn’t want a little extra money in his or her pocket? Finding ways to make quick cash can bring about financial security and a lot of stress relief. It can help you pay down debt or save money toward a new car or home. From a side hustle or a gig to launching your own cottage business, there are many ways to make quick cash and start earning extra money. (more…)

Teaching your kids about money can help lead to a lifetime of fiscal responsibility and financial stability. It’s essential that your children learn from a young age the merits of managing money. With nearly 60% of today’s working-age Americans having very little or no retirement savings, any unexpected expense can impose a hardship for many families. There is a very real debate on the root of the problems—the export of jobs, inflation outstripping wages, and an undertrained workforce—but there is also a number of personal factors to consider. Top among these is taking responsibility to ensure the next generation is better prepared. (more…)

Moving can be an expensive and stressful experience. With costs of an interstate move by a professional moving company averaging approximately $5,630, for many, moving on a tight budget may be the better option. Though it may not be appealing, instead of paying out thousands of dollars, you can probably move to your new home for far less, especially if it is in-state or locally. (more…)

For parents with school-age children, July and August are when they start shopping for back-to-school supplies. For the budget-minded, sticker shock on school supplies will have most parents wondering, “When do school supplies go on sale?” Besides pens, pencils, and notebooks, these days it is not out of the question for laptops, headphones, and even a new wardrobe on the list of school supplies. It can add up quickly. The National Retail Federation, a trade organization, estimates that families will spend close to $700 per child on back-to-school supplies—about 25 percent compared to a decade ago. (more…)

Thinking of how to pay a loan down fast might seem overwhelming at first, but with a little planning and patience, it is possible. You will need to know your current balance and payoff terms, consider the strategies available to you in repaying the loan, and then, turning those strategies into cash to apply against your loan. Here are six easy steps on how to pay down a loan fast and be well on your way to being debt-free. (more…)

Looking to get away this summer? But worrying about the expense? There are ways to save money on a tight budget. The first thing to do is to set your savings goal. Where is it you wish to go on vacation and how much money will it take to get you there? Once you establish the cost for air or ground transportation, accommodations, meals, and miscellaneous activities, then you will know how much you need to save. It doesn’t have to be an expensive holiday this year, but you can certainly make it an epic one. Chose a destination, determine how much you need to make it happen, and follow these 10 steps and you will be on your way to save money for your summer vacation. (more…)

The challenges people face in today’s economic climate have sent many clambering for ways to make extra money. With income, wages, compensation, and benefits failing to keep pace with inflation, people are struggling to just keep their heads above water. Those looking for ways to make extra money can find it working at home or, in the digital age, from just about anywhere. Though there are many ways to make legitimate extra money, do not quit your day job just yet, and be wary of work-at-home scams. With that in mind, here are 8 ways you can earn extra money in today’s economy: (more…)