My Blog

A Fresh Financial Start for the New Year

2026-01-01T21:26:42+00:00

There’s something magical about January. The calendar flips, the year is new, and suddenly I feel like I can do all the things I’ve been thinking about for months—or maybe years. Every January, I get a little giddy thinking about budgeting, planning, and getting my money organized. If you’re ready for a fresh financial start for the New Year, this is the perfect time to set yourself up for success. Last year, I felt scattered. Bills here, extra expenses there, and my goals…well, they mostly lived in my head. This year, I want to do it differently. I want a [...]

A Fresh Financial Start for the New Year2026-01-01T21:26:42+00:00

Don’t stress about Maxing out 401ks

2026-01-01T21:07:48+00:00

Don’t Stress About Maxing Out Your 401(k) Over the last few years, I’ve read a lot of conversations in the Financial Independence community through books, podcasts, and social media where middle-income earners (often making $100,000 or less) feel discouraged because they can’t max out their 401(k) or other retirement accounts. Many people end up feeling like they’re “failing” at retirement simply because they can’t hit the maximum. Each year, contribution limits increase. That’s great news as your income grows. But the reality is, you may not be able to reach those limits—and that’s okay. Let me say that again: it’s [...]

Don’t stress about Maxing out 401ks2026-01-01T21:07:48+00:00

YNAB – How do you Reconcile Amazon Purchases?

2026-01-01T21:10:23+00:00

How do you reconcile Amazon purchases? One of the frustrating things I find about budgeting in a tool like YNAB (You Need a Budget) is to figure out how to reconcile Amazon, Walmart or Target purchases.  Amazon and other big box stores allow you to purchase items from all sorts of categories. They may be gifts, household items, car stuff and even groceries. How do you manage these types of purchases? Here I wanted to show you how I reconcile Amazon purchases with Amazon's website. Amazon Transactions After making a purchase on Amazon all of the purchases are [...]

YNAB – How do you Reconcile Amazon Purchases?2026-01-01T21:10:23+00:00

Free YNAB Webinar

2024-02-05T13:05:50+00:00

Sign up for a Free 1 hour YNAB webinar via Google Meet Interested in learning more about YNAB (You need a budget) website and app? I am so excited to have setup a Free YNAB webinar via Google Meet. Sign up is Free and a Google Meet link will be sent to you. Be ready to listen in and ask questions about YNAB, while I screen share real examples. This is open to anyone interested in learning more about YNAB. Maybe you have heard about YNAB and curious what it is.  Or you might have been using Mint and need [...]

Free YNAB Webinar2024-02-05T13:05:50+00:00

The 10 Best Budgeting Tips for the Holidays

2023-12-03T20:13:36+00:00

Updated for 2023! Budgeting for the holidays doesn’t have to be as tough as it may feel. Here are the 10 best budgeting tips for the Holidays that I have personally done myself and have learned from others over the years. The sooner the better.  Let's get started: Tip 1: Write it all down! I know this is super simple and you may roll your eyes but it is the truth. Getting organized is the best way to get started. Party Planning. Are you having a party? What supplies do you need? Can you reuse what you already have? How [...]

The 10 Best Budgeting Tips for the Holidays2023-12-03T20:13:36+00:00

Financial Independence

2024-01-31T12:40:38+00:00

I guide families to gain financial confidence to take control of their lives and guide them towards financial independence.    What is financial independence? Financial independence means you have enough wealth and/or assets that generate income to cover all of your living expenses for the rest of your life.  It really means freedom to do what you want and to have enough wealth to live on without having to work. What do you mean?  “Have enough wealth to live on, without working?” Wealth is the money and/or assets that you have saved and invested.    Financial Independence is living off [...]

Financial Independence2024-01-31T12:40:38+00:00

Why YNAB is better than sliced bread

2023-01-07T03:44:32+00:00

This is updated as of 1/6/2023. Caveat:  There are some affiliate links in this post.  I may receive cash benefit or discount for recommending products.  However, I will only post about products I think are worth it. Why YNAB is better than sliced bread! It was 2014 and I was searching for budget software and small business accounting software. Why you may ask?   I was not a fan of Quicken, and Quickbooks.  Both had their limits and huge learning curves and a high cost. I had several bad experiences trying to upgrade from one version of Quicken to another [...]

Why YNAB is better than sliced bread2023-01-07T03:44:32+00:00

7 Pros and Cons for buying a New Car and getting a Car Loan

2023-01-06T03:09:21+00:00

7 Pros and Cons for getting a new car and car loan Is it worth it to purchase a New car and get a new car loan? Currently, automotive manufacturers and dealers are trying to sell new cars with lots of incentives, including 0% interest rate, cash back, delayed payments and more. Some are even offering 7 years or more loans. Does having a 7 year car loan make sense for your budget?   Let’s dig into it all. My husband and I have had several used car loans over the years and never have we seen 0% interest and deferred [...]

7 Pros and Cons for buying a New Car and getting a Car Loan2023-01-06T03:09:21+00:00

Bread Maker Challah Braided Bread Recipe

2020-11-25T23:50:53+00:00

Yummy Challah Braided Bread made in the Bread Maker This is a super easy recipe to do it in the bread maker. It does take some time but it is easy since the bread maker does the hard work. Give it a try and let me know how it goes. It is a great recipe for any holiday event. Bread Machine Challah Braided Bread This is my version of an adapted bread machine cookbook recipe that I have been using since 2004. It is a family favorite! 2 egg Eggs (Room Temperature)1 1/2 cups Warm water (To make [...]

Bread Maker Challah Braided Bread Recipe2020-11-25T23:50:53+00:00

Thanksgiving Dinner for less than $35

2020-11-19T22:51:33+00:00

This is how we spend under $35 for our Thanksgiving Dinner! There are a lot of ways to make a Thanksgiving Dinner for less than $35. Here is what we do and I will also include some other cost saving ways to get it even less. Our favorite foods for Thanksgiving! Menu Roasted Brined Turkey Stuffing Broccoli casserole Mashed potatoes Gravy Homemade Bread Homemade cranberry sauce Apple Pie Free printable I created this handy .pdf printable of our menu.  You are welcome to print it out. As a bonus I also created a blank version of the .pdf printable so [...]

Thanksgiving Dinner for less than $352020-11-19T22:51:33+00:00
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