With the rise of the gig economy and the availability of independent contracting jobs outpacing the availability of employee jobs in some industries, many people are increasingly concerned about income stability. On one hand, flexible work arrangements are ideal for anyone who wants to decrease time spent commuting to and from work, start a family without losing an income stream, travel and work remotely, or simply work on a schedule more suitable for their lifestyles. On the other hand, contract jobs can lead to irregular income and … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Stay Afloat When You’re Without a Paycheck
Budgeting
Are Car Subscription Services Worth It?
It’s all about flexible subscriptions nowadays. Whether it’s a TV streaming service like Netflix and Hulu or quirky subscription boxes for seemingly every hobby in existence, consumer data research suggests our collective obsession with subscriptions is unlikely to go away any time soon. Consumers love subscriptions over ownership because there’s much more flexibility, convenience, and easier access to products and services. But what about subscribing to a car service, as opposed to buying a used car or leasing one for a few years? While … [Read more...] about Are Car Subscription Services Worth It?
ProActive Digital Envelope App Review – The Simple Budgeting App
Have you wanted to try the cash-only budget method, but you’ve held back because of the impracticality of using only cash in this digital age? If so, then a new app called ProActive Digital Envelope might be the solution you’ve been waiting for. The way ProActive works is fairly simple. You transfer funds into your ProActive account whenever you get paid and determine how those funds should be allocated into different expense categories before you ever make a purchase. When you use your ProActive card at checkout, the amount you spend is … [Read more...] about ProActive Digital Envelope App Review – The Simple Budgeting App
The Importance of Adding Fun Money to Your Budget
The following is a guest post from Choncé, a budgeting guru, who chronicles her journey with balancing motherhood, a home-based business, and finances on her blog, My Debt Epiphany. If you'd like to submit a guest post to Money Q&A, be sure to check out our guest posting guidelines. In 2015, I made a horrible mistake. I chose to cut fun and entertainment money out of my budget. I was feeling overwhelmed with my debt. I owed $30,000 between my student loans and my car loan. My future husband (boyfriend at the time) owed … [Read more...] about The Importance of Adding Fun Money to Your Budget
Five Ways to Make Holiday Gift Giving Perfect This Year
You may not be ready to think about it yet, but Christmas as the holiday season is rapidly approaching us. And, we all know that the holidays are an expensive time of the year. One reason is that we are a very generous society and love holiday gift giving. One recent survey found that Americans spend over $500 per year on gifts for our friends and family. We love to give and giving can quickly add up and become a budget buster. But, there are a few ways that you can make this a perfect year and still give gifts that make you just as happy … [Read more...] about Five Ways to Make Holiday Gift Giving Perfect This Year
The Best Way to Budget When You Have Irregular Income
Budgeting is one of the most important aspects of organizing our lives. But, far too few people ever truly stick to a budget long-term. Why’s that? Because budgeting seems too difficult or boring to pay close attention to. Many of us would prefer to “set it and forget it” and hope you come close to your projected income and expenses for a given month. Unfortunately, attention to detail is crucial when it comes to budgeting. That’s because irregular expenses and income can mess up your calculations pretty quickly if you’re not paying … [Read more...] about The Best Way to Budget When You Have Irregular Income
How to Budget – Getting Started Budgeting with Your First Budget
Do you know how to budget? A lot of people hate the B word. I have to admit it myself that I do not enjoy budgeting. Many people try to fake it by simply calling it a "spending plan". But, budgeting is a great way to make sure that you have enough money to pay the bills each month. It is also a way for you to save for different financial goals you may have in life like retiring early, finishing your bucket list, or sending your children to college. The hardest part of budgeting may be simply starting. So many people do not know where to … [Read more...] about How to Budget – Getting Started Budgeting with Your First Budget
Top 3 Way You to Can Create a Cash Only Budget
A new report from the Federal Reserve found that, as of June 2017, the amount of outstanding credit card debt in the United States is at the highest level it has ever reached in the country’s history. The previous record was set in April 2008 – just before the recession – but now that the economy has vastly improved, why is there so much credit card debt in the U.S.? Some economists have argued the ease of access to credit cards has led to our personal debts spiraling out of control. After all, the flashy advertisements for 0% introductory … [Read more...] about Top 3 Way You to Can Create a Cash Only Budget
Top 14 Easy Grocery Hacks to Trim Your Food Budget
Grocery expenses comprise a large portion of most American’s budgets. According to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average middle-aged male spends just under $300 per month on groceries when following a “moderate-cost plan.” But, you can save money on groceries. The average family of four, meanwhile, can expect to incur around $1000 worth of food expenses each month when following a similar middle-of-the-road strategy. How does your family’s spending compare with how to save money on groceries? If you … [Read more...] about Top 14 Easy Grocery Hacks to Trim Your Food Budget
The Surprises You Discover When You Make a Budget
Most of us, at one point or other, start a budget. Some of us are natural budgeters. It just makes sense on some level to these people. But, there are often many surprises you find when you make a personal budget. Carefully managing every dollar is wise. So, why wouldn’t you do it? Well, for other people this isn’t so easy. Just because budgeting is sensible doesn’t mean they do it regularly or rigorously. Along with working out three times a week, eating many helpings of vegetables a day, and performing preventative maintenance on … [Read more...] about The Surprises You Discover When You Make a Budget