December 04, 2015

How to build your emergency fund fast

December 04, 2015/ Lydia Senn

Ask anyone who has gotten out of debt or worked to change their families financial family tree and they will tell you that the very first thing you should do is get on a written budget.

BUT- the second, yet equally important thing is to build an emergency fund. Having an emergency fund will give you room to breathe, it will help you feel more in control and it is a huge part in conquering your financial fears and failures.

Some of these tips are very basic, it's not rocket science. But I wanted to give you an example of what worked for us.

November 30, 2015

10 Thrift store finds you can give as gifts

November 30, 2015/ Lydia Senn

A few weeks ago I got a question asking what I thought about giving gifts from the thrift store for Christmas.

If you read this blog on a regular basis then you probably already know what my answer is going to be... go for it sister, friend.

Today I wanted to give you a few ideas of things you can find at your local thrift store that would make excellent gifts.

September 25, 2015

Paying for a hospital birth when you're dead broke

September 25, 2015/ Lydia Senn

It's been almost four years since I had to deal with being broke AND pregnant. But I think the advice still stands.

My husband has a better paying job. We have better insurance and we have built up our savings.

But I still get questions from readers in similar situations we were in asking for tips.

September 21, 2015

How I live without a credit card

September 21, 2015/ Lydia Senn

I think it shocks people when they learn I don't have a credit card. It's not something I walk around telling strangers. But when people hear that I blog as my job they naturally have questions. This always leads to a discussion on debt. (Since the nature of this blog is debt free living.)

June 12, 2015

Why you need a sinking fund and how to start one

June 12, 2015/ Lydia Senn

There are certain expenses you cannot plan for, an unexpected death, a debilitating illness, a car crash. But there are some expenses you can prepare for.

You know eventually you will need a new car.

You know that your home will need a new bathtub, new fridge or (in what we're dealing with right now) a new roof.

That is why you need a sinking fund.

June 10, 2015

That time I got a free iPhone: Saving money by waiting

June 10, 2015/ Lydia Senn

We live in the time of instant gratification. If you want something you can usually access it immediately or within a couple of days of deciding you need it.

Deciding to rid yourself of the desire for instant gratification is a huge part of getting out of debt. But it will also be a key factor in the process of living on less than you make.

May 14, 2015

Can you pay off debt while living on one income?

May 14, 2015/ Lydia Senn

It's the dream, right? To be debt free. To be at peace with your bank account and to not worry when the next emergency will turn into a crisis.

May 11, 2015

Four tips for dealing with budget burnout

May 11, 2015/ Lydia Senn

I am tired of budgeting. I am tired or living frugally. I am tired of pinching pennies and tracking dollars. I am just exhausted of the whole thing.

May 01, 2015

Why you need an emergency fund today

May 01, 2015/ Lydia Senn

Why do you need an emergency fund? Because emergencies happen whether you have one or not. Here is an example.

It happened at the worst possible time. Emergencies usually do. It was the middle of June, I had a three week old baby and a 19-month-old toddler and the AC in my car had gone out.

We were halfway to my oldest son's nursery school when it happened.

April 05, 2015

Build a budget with the EveryDollar Budget App

April 05, 2015/ Lydia Senn

It can be hard to build a budget and it can be even harder to stick to one. I know, I've been there.

But part of paying off debt or building toward savings goals is learning to live on a budget.

You just have to suck it up and do it.

My husband is a pen and paper person when it comes to making our budget. He likes to see all the numbers all at once.

I need immediate results, meaning I need to track my expenses as they happen. If I carry receipts around chances are they will get thrown away. And while I think cash envelopes are fantastic, I would just rather use my debit card.

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