With holiday festivities and all that they bring, it’s so easy to spend more than you planned… so it’s crucial to manage your expenses wisely. In the episode below from our Midwest Money Minute podcast, we’ll share some practical tips to help you navigate the holiday season without breaking the bank. You can find additional Midwest Money Minute episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
There are many advantages and disadvantages to using cash, debit, or credit for your spending needs. Here are some tips to help you decide when to pay with cash, debit, or credit. When should I use cash? Cash is still the best option for small transactions. It is also helpful when shopping at places that don’t accept debit or credit cards. Additionally, using cash can help you stick to your budget, as it provides a physical representation of how…
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) may go down in history as one of the most-loved video-game-to-big-screen adaptations, but did you know that it also holds valuable financial lessons? Beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario and Luigi’s journey provides insights that can be applied to our own personal finances. From budgeting wisely to navigating unexpected challenges, the adventures of the Mario Brothers offer a surprisingly relevant and entertaining guide for managing your money. So, let’s power up our personal finances and…
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If you’ve been to a store lately, you know the cost of everything has increased. This is due to inflation, which is the rate of increase in prices over a given period. Inflation occurs when the supply of money grows too large relative to the size of an economy. When this happens, the unit value of the currency diminishes, and the purchasing power falls, thus increasing prices. There are many ways you can save money during times of inflation. Instead…
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For many, a summer vacation is one of the most anticipated times of the year. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind, relax, and spend time with loved ones. However, planning a summer vacation can be expensive, and if you’re not careful, you might end up spending more than you’d like or racking up credit card debt. In this post, we’ll share some tips on how to save money for a summer vacation. 1. Set a Budget The first step to…
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January is a great time to create a financial checklist for yourself and set a plan for how you can better prepare for the year ahead. This checklist will help you create a better plan of realistic goals for the short-term and long-term. While it is great to have a checklist in place, you also need to keep in mind that plans change, and the world is full of uncertainty. It is important to find peace with the fact that…
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A 2019 holiday spending survey found that 61 percent of Americans worry about the holidays due to extra spending, while 57 percent dread Christmas, specifically. Further, one in three consumers are losing sleep worrying about how they will pay for all of these winter holiday details. But here are some ways you can financially prepare and plan to soften the Christmas budgetary blow back. Construct and adhere to a holiday budget Once you’ve calculated the numbers for how much…
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The holidays are just around the corner and searching for a great deal for that special someone can get expensive. Thoughtful and memorable gifts do not have to break the bank. Allegecy says that the holidays do not have to cost an arm and a leg to make the day special. Going above and beyond with a homemade gift, treat, or even assisting with a task can mean more. Be creative with the funds you set aside for the holidays….
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Inflation is one of the most familiar and easily definable economic topics to anyone who has watched the decrease in the purchasing power of their money. Put simply, inflation is a general increase in prices of goods and services over time. What causes inflation? Inflation can be caused by numerous factors, but the two primary types of inflation are demand-pull inflation and cost-push inflation. Demand-pull inflation typically occurs in a time of economic expansion. During these periods of growth and…
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The holiday season is usually full of good food, good company, and good cheer. But sometimes the holidays can take an unintended toll — physically, mentally, AND on your wallet. Here are a few tips to enjoy a happy & healthy holiday season. 1) Be smart with gifting Create a budget and stick to it. Remember that the thought behind the gift means more than the cost. 2) Maintain a reasonable schedule Limit holiday stress by not overbooking yourself. 3)…
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