At savingsadvice, a forum I read, I read an interesting article explaining the difference between living below your means and living within your means.  The difference is that people who live within their means are able to meet all their monthly obligations.  But they are not necessarily saving for the future or for any unexpected [...]

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A friend/commentator said that they got into debt because they were intimidated by getting started on budgeting.  Sounds weird right?  But I wonder how many people fall into this trap and it snowballs into a bigger and bigger debt?
How this happens?  Well it happens because you know you make a good income, and have low [...]

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Since I use pear budget I can see how I stuck to our budget for the year or not.  I can also plan accordingly for 2010 based on our spending in 2009.  Since I do an annual budget broken down monthly, this is the most important time for my budget.  I don’t worry about going [...]

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This is going to come off as stupid, but I read a lot of people on message boards posting about how they have a budget, but don’t seem to have any extra money at the end of the month.  Somehow during the month the money was spent somewhere else.  They “should” have extra money say [...]

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I mentioned looking over my annual budget last week and being over in a few categories and under in others.  I said that I annually budget and track it monthly, and as long as by the end of the year I’m within 5% I consider it a success.
The monthly budget is a lot harder for [...]

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Grace and Frugal Zeigiest both mention this article in the WSJ about a man living on severance.   The background?  A 44 year old man lost his $200k job in March 2008.  He got a severance package of $200k and had $100k in savings.  At the current burn rate he will run out of money in [...]

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A recent article in US World News and Report gives people 8 Tips to affording a baby.  Interesting list.  Currently we’re on a hiatus on baby spending, no diaper/wipes deals and no time to shop and look at stuff for our baby.  Plus I’m still waiting for more used stuff from friends before buying anything.  [...]

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Does it suck to live within your means?  Honestly yes.  Hey the title of my blog says it all. I enjoy life and would one day love to live large.  Or live without financial worries.  The truth of the matter is, it will take discipline and sacrifice to get there.
A coworker, who graduated last year [...]

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So if money was no object, what would I buy and why?  What would everything cost me and how much would I be spending on our baby?  A lot.  Lemme see.
3D Ultrasound – $200
Cord Blood Banking – $2500
Orbit Infant Seat and Stroller – $1500
Crib/Dresser/Changing Table – $2000
Pack and Play – $200
Co Sleeper – $200
Glider/Rocker – [...]

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Here’s an interesting question, does not have a joint account or joint money, mean a lack of trust in a marriage?
Most people would say that joining finances before marriage is a bad idea.  There is always the possibility of things going south and the relationship ending on the rocks.  However, there is also the possibility [...]

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