One of the main reasons I was able to leave my office job to pursue my dreams as a writer, small business owner, and now be a stay-at-home-mom is financial independence. I became financially independent through discipline, setting goals, and educating myself on personal finance topics. It wasn't always easy! In today's hectic and competitive world, designing a clear financial … [Read more...]

Another fresh batch of college graduates are tossing their caps in the air. While I'm sure all of them are thrilled to toss out their books and be done with finals, it's hard to say how many are actually excited about entering the work force. It's competitive out there, and graduating with a job offer in hand isn't guaranteed anymore. My babysitter is a perfect example. She's … [Read more...]

"I wanna be rich, lalala lalalala. Full of love, peace and happiness." When I was in fourth grade, R&B duo Calloway came out with their top 10 hit single, "I wanna be rich." Perhaps you remember it. It's quite a cheesy song, but it's upbeat and super catchy. I have no doubt I will be singing that song for the rest of the day because it'll be stuck in my head. I used to … [Read more...]

Does retirement seem like it's ages away? Even if yours is several decades away, it's never too early to start saving for it. The sooner you start, the better actually. Unfortunately, most Americans aren’t anywhere close to prepared for their retirement. The Employee Benefit Research Institute reported that 41 percent of households aged 55-64 have zero retirement savings. Zero, … [Read more...]

Most people hate to budget. It can be restrictive, frustrating and down right tiresome. Plus, anything that takes time and extra effort is a great recipe for procrastination, which we all tend to struggle with from time to time. However, budgeting and ramping up your savings can also be extremely eye opening and rewarding. Who doesn't love to accomplish goals?! Building … [Read more...]