Budgeting Archives - Page 15 of 16 - I Heart Frugal

Budgeting

Learn how to budget and take control of your finances and budget better.

How to Score Amazing Frugal Workout Gear

Workout gear can be expensive. Find out wear to shop for great deals on your workout clothing.
Find out how to shop for frugal workout gear.

Where to Buy Cute but Frugal Workout Gear

A friend of mine is looking to go to the Barr after having her baby… No, not the bar you are thinking of! Barr class to workout… Now you see where I’m going with this. Knowing I’m into frugal fashion and running, she texted me to find out where I shop for my frugal workout gear! I immediately gave her a list of several places that have always worked out (pun intended) for me!

Most women want to look cute while working out but if you are on a budget, you aren’t going to buy Lulu Lemon, Athleta, and Victoria’s Secret workout gear. Yet, there are ways to look pretty while you are sweatin’ to the oldies. (Sorry, bad old-school workout joke!) You just have to know where to look.

Frugal workout gear is easy to come by if you use my shopping tips listed below. The best part is the list offers good quality workout gear, so you won’t be literally running back to the store to buy more. So keep up your shopping pace as you read through my list and get ready to look cute while getting into shape this year!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. 

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How to Use Your Credit Card to Your Advantage

Learn how to use your credit card to your advantage and save money while earning points!
How to Use Credit Cards to Your Advantage

Use Your Card to Your Advantage

We all know credit cards are dangerous, yet if used correctly, they can actually be very advantageous.  There are an array of cards available that offer points, rewards, airline miles, statement credits and YES, they are all very lucrative. However, if you do not know how to use your card to your advantage, you could be digging yourself into a whirlwind of debt. It is estimated that the mean credit card debt for the average American is $5,700. (Source ValuePenguin)

With this amount so high, I’m not suggesting you use your card to go on a spending spree. (Although that would be fun!) Nonetheless, I’m offering some advice to help you build credit and earn some of the amazing rewards these plastic gems have to offer.

Let’s change that $5,700 figure around and let the cards work in our favor. If you are sick of being one of the people that pays interest on your card and gets nothing in return, keep reading…

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Secrets to Saving for an Emergency Fund

Secrets to Saving for an Emergency Fund

Secrets to Saving for an emergency fund now!
Secrets to Saving for an emergency fund now!

(Updated March 2021)

What is an Emergency Fund?

An emergency fund is a fund you set up to cover surprises that pop up, you weren’t expecting to pay. It happens to all of us at some point and having an emergency fund will give you security and less stress. You can take comfort in knowing you are covered when you end up in a surprise situation. If you do not have an emergency fund, it is best to learn how to save for an emergency fund quickly. You can start a mini-emergency fund for now of $1000 and build it up more when you are able.

Do You Need an Emergency Fund?

In short, yes, you need an emergency fund to cover different financial situations that come up unexpectedly.

Imagine you wake up, get ready for work, and start to walk out the door.  Suddenly you step into a puddle on the carpet. The next step is an even bigger puddle! Why is the carpet drenched? After searching more, you realize your water heater has flooded! This happened to us! Yes, our carpet was ruined and we needed a new water heater.

Or your son fell off the monkey bars at school, landed wrong, and ended up in a cast. Your insurance doesn’t cover the entire bill and you are left paying around $300. This also happened to us. An unexpected medical bill or two can leave you reaching for your plastic card.

Both of these situations happened to me and my family. These were times when we needed a large amount of money to fix the situation at hand. Fortunately, we had an emergency fund saved to ease the burden of these surprise bills. Whether it be your water heater, new roof, health emergency, car accident or any other situation with a surprise bill, there are times in life when you need extra money above your regular budget.


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Epic Ways To Teach Kids About Money – At All Stages

Teaching Kids About Money – Progression

Teaching kids about money
Teaching kids about money at all stages

 

Kids learn at different ages and different stages. With that being said, one important lesson every parent should teach is the power to be in control of money. According to CNBC.com eight out of ten people are in debt in the United States alone.  Moreover, wouldn’t it be amazing if your kiddo was one of the two out of ten that are not in debt?

“Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow.” anonymous proverb

If you teach your child basic money lessons through-out all stages of development, he or she will then be able to handle finances as an adult. Therefore, starting early is the key! Plant the seed and your child’s money IQ will grow. You can begin a solid money foundation with your child. This will be in your best interest because they will not ask you to borrow money!

How early is too early? Children can understand the concept of money at a very young age.  My two-year-old knows that we have to pay for items when we go to the store and he helps me hand our groceries to the cashier upon checkout. Nonetheless,  I was just telling my four-year-old son how much money I have in my retirement accounts and he asked me if I had interest and investors.  Kids are little sponges and they soak up what they hear mommy and daddy talking about. I’m not saying my son really understands what investing is, but he will one day.  Start those conversations and be open about money with your kids.

As you continue reading, this post will give you ideas on how to begin teaching your child about money. You will find age-based examples to help guide you in your money-teaching quest.  Furthermore, I am a former teacher and if there is one thing I love, it is teaching kids real-life skills.

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