Tag: budget

BUDGET/SPENDING

Frugal-nomics Pay Off Your Debt Challenge

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$13,369…that’s the amount of credit card debt I was blessed to be able to pay off in the past 11 months. But before I throw up the celebratory confetti I’ll be honest and say that if you had asked me a year ago how long I would have speculated it would have taken me to do this, I probably would have erred on the side of caution and said least a couple years.  I mean, after all I had semi-tried before and always had to resort back to using my cards in times of financial emergency….but I’ve never gotten it all paid off.

Don’t get me wrong….the commitment to “knock it all out” was loooooong overdue.  It hadn’t been enough for me to calculate the small fortune I’ve forked over to landlords in NYC rent with nothing to show for it….nooooo.  It wasn’t until I had paid over $10,000 for a 2-year acting conservatory out of pocket,  that the lightbulb went off for me. It was then that I asked myself “if I had it to give someone else….why and the heck couldn’t I do it for myself?”  I had had enough of the debt merry-go-round, and I was ready to get off. Who’s ready to come with me?! Read more “Frugal-nomics Pay Off Your Debt Challenge” →

BUDGET/SPENDING

5 Ways to Start Being Frugal, Pronto!

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Ever find yourself thinking, “if only I made more money, all my financial woes would be over?” Well, let me be the first say that you are totally not alone in feeling that way — not even close.

But along with that realization comes another somewhat harsh one — the truth is, if you were to continue your same spending habits past today, even with a bigger paycheck, you would soon find yourself in the same economic position, despite the fact you have more money.

Yes, sad…but oh so true. If you’ve been living beyond your means with the money you make now, and not earmarking anything for savings or tackling some of your amassed debt, your fate would have already been sealed.

So how do you change your outlook? Check out these five tips you can apply right away that will help you start being frugal, and help you free up some cash to save. Read more “5 Ways to Start Being Frugal, Pronto!” →

BUDGET/SPENDING

Frugal-nomics Good Housekeeping Feature

Happy Friday All!

So, as you all know….I just love sharing ways to save money.  In today’s economy — while it may be slowly getting better — everyone welcomes ways to keep a few extra dollars in their pocket.  You may have also seen that I’m a monthly contributor for the popular site, Manilla.com, where I share advice as a Frugal Living Expert.  So with a penchant for spreading the “savings love,” I was extra excited when Manilla approached me to share a few tips the Friday before Christmas in an article called “How to Move Without Going Bankrupt.”

So, if you’re moving or know someone who is….please feel free to read away and share.

Enjoy your weekend! xoxo, Brandhyze