How to Have an Unforgettable Summer Vacation and not Bust Your Budget

How to Have an Unforgettable Summer Vacation and not Bust Your Budget
Bali Beach Indonesia

It’s the beginning of May which means that summer vacation season is just getting started. Growing up, I remember looking forward to our family vacation every summer as it usually meant going somewhere fun. Today, as a father of three, summer vacations are still fun but they are not all fun. Before the big trip (or sometimes not so big trip) I have to find a way to skimp on costs without sacrificing the fun. While vacations can vary greatly in price, I have found a few ways to have a memorable vacation without busting my budget.

[Read more...]

Should I Pay My Significant Other’s Debt?

Should I Pay My Significant Other’s Debt?
Couples and Money

In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to worry about student loans and credit card debt when dating, but credit score dating has become a real thing. Once you are past dating and in a serious relationship, things get even more complicated.

[Read more...]

How to Save Money on Hotels When Traveling

How to Save Money on Hotels When Traveling
London Hostel

Those of you who read my free money tips newsletter (which I suggest you do), know that I am about to take a trip to Israel. I spent the last few days working on lodging for the trip, and I want to share a few tips to save money on hotels when traveling.

[Read more...]

A Look in My Wallet – Starwood Preferred Guest from American Express

A Look in My Wallet – Starwood Preferred Guest from American Express
SPG-Amex-Photo

Today I am going to move away from the broader tips I usually provide and share with you something that I really do myself. In the past, I have shared posts on traveling cheap or free by getting credit card points and miles. Today, I am going to share one card that I carry in my wallet every day, the Starwood Preferred Guest from American Express.

[Read more...]

Don’t Be Perpetually Broke

Don’t Be Perpetually Broke
Holding Crumpled Money

Everyone has a friend that is perpetually broke. I know at least a few people who can never seem to afford to do anything with me. It is important to use your money wisely and keep to a budget, but don’t let money get in the way of relationships with your friends and family.

[Read more...]

Sponsored Video: Making Life Easier with Paper

Today, it is really easy to get wrapped up in technology as the end-all need for managing our lives. I get wrapped up in this fallacy myself, but sometimes people are right in saying that using paper just makes more sense.

[Read more...]

Adaptu Alternatives

Adaptu Alternatives
Bank Statements

One of my favorite money tracking tools, Adaptu, has closed its doors leaving us looking for other ideas on how to track our money. Here are a few top choices for savvy consumers to manage and track their money.

[Read more...]

The First Step to Combined Finances – Cohabitation

The First Step to Combined Finances – Cohabitation
couple walking down the street

I have some big news in my life. On April 1st, my wonderful girlfriend and I are going to be living together. J is moving in, along with two furry friends, and we are going to start a new home together. [Read more...]

Planning My First Credit Card Churn

Planning My First Credit Card Churn
Planning My First Credit Card Churn

If you regularly read travel hacking blogs, you have probably heard the term “churn” used quite a bit. For the uninitiated, a churn is a strategy used to sign up for new credit cards to maximize signup and bonus offers to rack up a huge number of frequent flyer miles and travel points quickly.

[Read more...]

Am I Taking Advantage of all the Benefit Plans My Employer Offers?

Am I Taking Advantage of all the Benefit Plans My Employer Offers?
Am I Taking Advantage of all the Benefit Plans My Employer Offers?

We can make plans for side-income and income from hobbies all day, but unless we are self-employed full time, our employer is the source of our primary income. Your employer often gives you a lot more than that. Make sure you are taking full advantage.

[Read more...]

Combine and Simplify Your Accounts to Save Time, Money, and Headache

Combine and Simplify Your Accounts to Save Time, Money, and Headache
Combine and Simplify Your Accounts to Save Time, Money, and Headache

Over time, many of us become account collectors. You have that old checking account at the bank by your parent’s house. The checking account you use now, and maybe the old one you never closed. Over the last 10 years you collected three 401(k) accounts as you moved jobs, and opened a couple of investment accounts of your own.

This is way too much account clutter. Here are some reasons and tips to help you consolidate your accounts down to only the ones you actually need and use.

[Read more...]

Zero Inbox Week

Zero Inbox Week
Zero Inbox Week

Some long time readers may remember a series of posts I wrote called “inbox clutter week.” The goal of the week was to wrangle and manage your emails to get your inbox down to zero. I have leveraged that post series to create a brand new email course called Zero Inbox Week. The idea is simple. Each day for a week, you get an email delivered with tips to get your email under control. By the end of the week, we should all be down to an inbox with zero emails and have a system in place to keep it under control.

[Read more...]