Two lessons learned after not having access to my money for three days

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Two lessons learned after not having access to my money for three days

About a month ago I found myself on the phone with the bank, frantically trying to figure out why my debit card was being declined. 

As a budgeter, I know how much money is in my checking account at all times. So when I swiped my card at the Dollar Tree and it came back as declined I knew something was up. 

Had my account been hacked? My card number been stolen? Was there a problem with the system at the Dollar Tree. No, no and no. 

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Dealing with budgetary setbacks

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Dealing with budgetary setbacks

Goals are important. Without them, it's really hard to anchor our time. 

When we make a to-do list, that's a goal. When we set out to lose weight with a number in mind, that's a goal. 

Why not deal with finance the same way? 

Jason and I are currently working on some big savings goals. We decided in February of this year on a specific number we needed in our savings account and estimated how long it would take us to get there. 

We've made great progress. But we've also had some setbacks. 

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4 things to do when your spending gets off track

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4 things to do when your spending gets off track

We all do it. We all intentionally or unintentionally spend money somewhere on something that is outside of our budget. 

It happens. In fact, I did it one Thursday night. 

It had been a long week. Jason has been traveling and I was home alone with two kids who were alternating illnesses. It was raining, I was exhausted and I had had it. So I put the kids in their car seats and drove to Zaxby's where I spent $20 on a garden salad and two kid's meals. $20!?!??

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Three things that can WRECK your budget

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Three things that can WRECK your budget

I think at some point we have ALL reached a point when there is more month than money.  

We may have entered the month with the best of intentions, but we just didn't stick to our budget. That could be for a number of reasons. 

But for a lot of people it comes down to three things, emergencies, lifestyle and guilt. Of course there are endless things that can wreck a budget if you let them, but it seems that these things that cause our money to fly out the window the fastest. 

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How to say no to spending money without feeling awkward

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How to say no to spending money without feeling awkward

When you're on your way to a frugal debt free life you will face some obstacles. But the one thing that a lot of people struggle with is saying no to social situations. 

I personally do not struggle with this. It doesn't bother me to tell people why I am not participating in something. 

The words: "we are trying to save money" just don't make me feel embarrassed or awkward. But I understand why not everyone feels the same way I do. 

So I wanted to share with you a few ways to avoid those embarrassing situations.

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16 money mistakes to STOP making in 2016

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16 money mistakes to STOP making in 2016

Hang around, this year I am going to be motivating you on your own debt free journey. But first I wanted to share 16 money mistakes we ALL should stop making in 2016.

And some of these apply to me. Just because we are a frugal family who insists on paying cash for everything doesn't mean we don't make money mistakes. We do. LOTS of them. But here are 16 things I think we could all benefit from if we just stop doing them.

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