Today is October 19, and while we still have Halloween and U.S. Thanksgiving to get through, Christmas is just over two months away — about nine weeks, to be exact. Let’s break it down further: that’s roughly 4–5 more paychecks for most people, assuming a bi-weekly schedule. Why am I breaking down how many months,…
Couple of birthdays, a mini road trip, and two weddings—all within a span of two weeks. These events seemed determined to conspire against our wallet. Well, except that we had anticipated them months in advance and tried to factor them into our budget. Did we succeed, or did we mess things up? For the most…
Recently, a family member had to be hospitalized, resulting in a 53-day stay, including three weeks in rehab. Needless to say, with the hospital being nearly 50 km away and family visiting almost daily, things quickly became chaotic—from an emotional, physical, and even financial perspective. With this being a financial blog centered around budgeting and…
The 50/30/20 finance ratio – or a way to budget – is something we talked about last year, where you dedicate 50% of your income to needs, 30% to wants and the remaining 20% goes towards your savings and investments. This breakdown is simple, effective, and ensures that your essentials, lifestyle choices, and future financial…
Let’s face it—budgeting isn’t for everyone. No matter how much you preach its benefits, some people will never follow or practice it. To many, it’s boring, restrictive, and just not sexy enough. Honestly, I’m sure some would rather go bankrupt than follow a spreadsheet that tells them how much they can spend and where. Want…
When navigating the realm of personal finance, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of terms, adages, and sayings. While some may be immediately clear, others can be more nuanced. Understanding the meaning and intent behind these phrases can significantly enhance your ability to manage your finances effectively. After all, enduring proverbs and sayings…
If you are new to the world of personal finance and budgeting, or just don’t bother getting your money matters in order, the 50/30/20 rule may be just for you. What is it exactly and what do these number represent? it is a finance ratio used to simplify the way you divide your money, where…
Creating a budget with a variable income requires a slightly different approach than budgeting with a steady salary, since your income fluctuates from week to week, month to month, and so on. In other words, instead of relying on a fixed income every two weeks, you are at the mercy of your sales, commissions, bonuses,…
Last week, I wrote about how a simple switch of insurance providers has helped me save $100 per month. This week, and as promised in my aforementioned article, I am going to cover in more details about how I am spending this saved money. While $100 may not seem like a lot to some, when…
Wait a second! How did my Netflix monthly cost go up more than 200% without me paying much attention? I remember, not too long ago when it was $7.99 but has somehow skyrocketed to almost $24! In fact, since March 2020 – right when the Covid Pandemic were starting – the price has gone up…