I LOVE garage sales! And I think I’ve rubbed off on my husband. There are usually a few vinyl records at every stop we make, and my husband LOVES to collect them! Sometimes he finds a real treasure. Now is garage sale season. It’s warm. It’s light early in the day. You can get great deals on good things. Or you can help someone check off someone else’s wish list while decluttering and making a little money yourself. Selling something you don’t use, need, want, or even have a debt against is a GREAT way to build an emergency fund. A what? An emergency fund. Putting aside $1000 for emergencies (and ONLY emergencies) is the first step in getting on top of your financial lives. And getting control of your financial lives will be the subject of the next few weeks. So, how fast can you list something on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or pull together a garage sale?

Benjamin Franklin has been credited with saying some of the coolest things. I’ve quoted him in my blog twice before (I checked!), in July 2020 and May 2021. And I’m going to do it again today. Here goes: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Okay, maybe he wasn’t the original author. Still, he did refine and improve the original saying that has origins traced back to Plato (thus you accuse me of plagiarism, you can check the reference here ). “Ok, but what do apples have to do with finances?” you ask. I’m getting there! If you eat healthy, exercise, refrain from things you know are bad for you, and get regular checkups, you’ll be less likely to need a doctor. The key word there is “checkups.” It’s FINALLY spring. Summer is on the way. It gets hot where I live, but it's relatively short-lived compared to the rest of the country. On the other hand, some places get HOT and HUMID, and repeated heat abuse can do a number on your house. Take advantage of the warmer temper...

Those of you who have been following me for some time now know I am a warm-weather person. Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. I COME ALIVE when Daylight Saving Time starts. As far as I’m concerned, LIGHT IS LIFE. And that proclamation is a perfect segue into today’s topic. As the days get longer and warmer, most venture outside a little more and hibernate less. So it’s the perfect time to adjust our schedules and homes that can help save the planet and some of our hard-earned money. How? Well, there are lots of little things you can do that, added up, can make a huge difference. Switch out your regular light bulbs for LEDs. If you plan to buy a new appliance, purchase one with the ENERGY STAR seal and recycle your old one. Insulate your doors and windows. Save rainwater to water your landscape in the drier days ahead. Use the sun to dry your laundry by hanging it on a clothesline. Want more ideas? Google is LOADED with suggestions! Get the whole family involved and m...

Six months ago, I got a new driver’s license because two things had changed: my state of residence and my last name. So, I remarried and moved into a lovely home that has now become “ours” instead of “his.” But, typically, when a formerly-single woman my age moves into the home of a formerly-single man of the same age, some woman’s-touch stuff needs to happen. But I am okay with that. I had the time and means and L.O.V.E. to organize stuff! It is pretty therapeutic to me. Periodically I still rearrange a closet, the contents under a sink, and even my filing cabinet. And then there is SPRING CLEANING! Don’t even get me started… The point is, financially speaking, now is a GREAT time to organize your life. Go through your old paperwork. Throw out things you no longer need. Did you know that, according to the IRS , most American taxpayers only have to keep their tax records for three years? (I didn’t! Until I wrote this blog, I thought it was seven.) Get organized. Need additional he...

Today’s blog post title might strike a little bit (or a lot) of anxiety in some of my readers, and rightfully so. But, of course, getting called into your boss’ office to discuss one’s work performance over the last year can do that. But that is not the kind of “annual review” I’m referring to. Because change is constant, and everything changes, sometimes we need to reassess things in our lives. For example, I’m sure many of you recognize that the cost of homes and rent has skyrocketed in the last two years, and some have doubled in value. But I’ll bet your insurance coverage hasn’t. The increase in home values necessitates more insurance, but it doesn’t happen automatically. So now is a great time to call your insurance agent and ask a few questions to ensure you’re covered for the right amount. Of course, ask about your home and auto, too. 

Warning: this material might cause anger and frustration in some readers. But don’t shoot the messenger here. Oh, how I wish I could tell you that this post is based on a joke, but I cannot because it’s the cold, hard truth. So here it is: if you have gotten relatively large tax returns in recent years, those days are probably far behind you. Don’t count on it this year. Things have changed. Our refunds will be much smaller for the 2022 tax year. Why? Many Americans thought that the stimulus payments they’d received were basically “free money” and were excited to get them at the time. But, unfortunately, nothing is ever free, and those stimulus payments are returning to bite us now. A couple of tax credits have expired ; the expanded Child Tax Credit and certain Covid-related breaks are no longer in existence. During the pandemic, the IRS also gave breaks to those who filed their taxes late. That, too, has been taken off the table. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you...

If you know me at all, then you know I love Dave Ramsey. In fact, I not only attended a Dave Ramsey affair when it once came to an event center near me, but when I went through Tennessee on a road trip, I hunted him down and visited his studio. I have a picture to prove it (well, it’s somewhere). I always listened to Dave when his show was featured from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on my local talk radio station. One of the things he said frequently (something that he actually borrowed from somebody else–John C. Maxwell) was, “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” If you are getting a tax “refund” this year, I will first invite you to review last week's blog post and the three links to previous blog posts. I would then encourage you to plan for that “refund” money, and I don’t mean blow it as most Americans will do. Be smart. Use it to pay off some debt if you, as most Americans do, have some. If not, save it appropriately.  We've discussed deb...

I’m about to say something every parent wants to hear their child say yet seldom gets to. Here goes: I wish I had listened to my mom when I was a teenager. I probably–not probably, DEFINITELY–would have avoided some heartache and learned a few lessons quicker had I done that. I know there were times my mother tried to give me advice about the same subject REPEATEDLY, but I was too stubborn to listen; at 17, I thought I knew it all. Yeah, right. Well, I am now a mother of four adult daughters and a grandmother to five (one of which is a teenager, ugh), and I KNOW I have given the SAME advice MORE THAN ONCE to all of my girls at one point or another. So, it will be no surprise to you that I’m going to do the same for you. Again. You might have your taxes done by now. You might be getting a “refund” that isn’t really a refund but a return for overpayment of taxes–you can learn more about that by reading my blog post where I first mentioned it. If you are due a “refund” and have bee...

We would be hard-pressed to find someone who wasn’t familiar with the term entombed in today’s title. And while I LOVE to clean and organize things, this time that isn’t the type of spring cleaning I’m talking about. Spring also brings about some financial deadlines. This year Tax Day falls on Tuesday, April 18. It’s obvious to every tax-paying American that if you are required to file, this is the last day to do so. But, did you know that it’s also the last day that you can contribute to certain retirement (and tax-deferred) accounts for the 2022 tax year? Yes, sometimes things with our government happen retroactively, just don’t get me started on that subject. I’ll bet that now you’re thinking IRA/ROTH IRA and HSA contributions are the subjects of this post. NOPE! There is another type of account that is designed to help save on taxes, and that is an FSA or Flexible Spending Account. You can learn a little more about them here . If you have one of these, have contributed to it,...

In honor of America Saves Week, we would like to share a few more quotes on smart money habits. Like this and want to read more? Start at the beginning of my blog here .   "When prosperity comes, do not use all of it,” Confucius. “China’s most famous philosopher dispensed enlightened advice on many aspects of life over 2,500 years ago, including finances. With only nine words, Confucius emphasizes how wealth and prosperity can come and go, so it’s imperative not to behave as though they’re here to stay. And the way to do that is to live within your means and set aside some of today’s wealth for a proverbial rainy day ( CreditOne ).” Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children"  (NKJV). "This verse keeps our life goals, our vision and our legacy front and center when we’re choosing how to use our money today. When we weigh what we want  now  against what we  really  want  later , we realize how temporary satisfact...

Where have the last 365 days gone? It seems that I judge my years passing by my annual appointments to have my taxes done, and, I tell ya, they’re coming faster and faster. It feels like we just celebrated America Saves Week 2022, and, yet, America Saves Week 2023 is upon us! This year’s theme for America Saves Week is “A Financially Confident You.” I don’t know about you, but I feel more confident about myself when I have less stress in my life. We all know that money issues can cause individual stress, and it’s no different for the family unit. Well-managed household finances are a huge building block in a solid, healthy foundation on which strong families can grow flourish. “Basic money management is about meeting your family's everyday expenses, handling unexpected bills and saving for the future. It can put you in control of your money, which helps you avoid stress and feel more secure” ( raisingchildren.net.au ). Together with your significant other, take this week to eva...

I have a friend. We will say my friend’s name is Bob. (Is that a gender-neutral name? For the sake of this discussion, let’s say it is.) Bob neglected to file Bob’s 2021 taxes before the deadline of Monday, April 18, 2022. Not a very good idea, Bob. Bob then started practicing avoidance coping (denying, minimizing, or otherwise avoiding dealing directly with stressful demands) tactics and didn’t get Bob’s taxes filed until January 2023. Bob was worried about penalties and late fees. But,as it turns out, Bob needn’t have worried; his income for 2021 was so awful that he didn’t owe the IRS anything. In fact, they owed BOB money. A LOT of money! But Bob’s low AGI (adjusted gross income) isn’t the focus of my blog post today; the unnecessary worry that accompanied Bob’s neglect of his duty as a working citizen of this great country is. Today I made an appointment with my tax professional to file for 2022. If you need to file, use a paid service or provider, and haven’t already scheduled ...

I went five years without a house payment. While my situation is different now, I must admit, those five years were absolutely blissful. When I paid off my house, I called my sister. She was shocked to say the least, but my announcement got her motivated to get her financial affairs in order. She and her husband started discussing the best way for them to budget. She asked me how I budgeted. I told her I used a notebook. Her response? “Where do I find that app?” I literally used (and continue to use) a notebook and a pencil. If you are interested in how I did it, you can find the step-by-step instructions I followed in this book on Amazon. The companion workbook can be found here . There are lots of tools to help you track your spending. My sister ended up with “Every Dollar.” A friend of mine uses “Mint.” The possibilities are endless. Me? I still prefer to write things down. There’s something about putting a pen or pencil to paper that speaks to me. Talk to your significant ot...

If you are the lady of the house, you are more than likely aware of a certain special affair that will be here in 11 days. If you are the “other” half of the relationship, allow me to give you a head’s up. February 14 is Valentine’s Day. You’re welcome. This annual “celebration” is a good excuse to reconnect with your special someone. And, you can do that in multiple ways. I advise you to take advantage of this day set aside for lovers to do just that. Sit down together without any distractions–yes, get a sitter if you have to–and just talk about everything.   Including finances. “What?” you ask. I am not sure I want to talk about finances and potentially start an argument with my spouse on our Valentine’s Day date. Point taken. Maybe you shouldn’t do it DURING your romantic dinner. But do plan to get together regularly to discuss your budget. Map out your spending and savings , get on the same page, and create your financial success story. After all, there’s nothing mo...

The other day outside a local grocery store, I saw a man walking down the sidewalk who had just finished shopping. I could tell this was the case by the many filled plastic bags he had lining his arms. They were weighing down his hands and really pulling at his shoulders. I surmised he must live nearby and had done the earth-friendly thing by walking. I was a little impressed but I also cringed–his shoulders looked painfully hyperextended. This is a great time of year to get some exercise while saving money on gas, which is outrageously expensive right now. Side note, if you DO need to walk or bike somewhere, I advise you not to do it in the heat. Pick a time of day where it’s not only safe (not dark) but the temperature is moderate.   If you are not able to walk to the store, you can combine trips in your car. Every little thing counts. Do what you can.

Utah celebrates a holiday that other states do not–Pioneer Day, July 24. We commemorate the day the Mormon Pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. If you are fortunate enough to work for a state government agency or Utah-based company, you get the day off. If you work for a federal institution, well, it’s business as usual. Sorry, guys. When I worked for the school district, I had summers off. Man, they always went lots faster than one might think they would. I once had a boss tell me, “Once Pioneer Day gets here, summer is OVER!” What’s my point? Yeah, I’m getting there. We’re more than halfway through the summer, and it’s time to start looking down the barrel at the school year which comes with its own list of expenses. Now is the time to tweak that budget for back-to-school stuff and extra-curricular events, if necessary. Get on it.

I would like almost nothing more right now than to be in the Bahamas, sitting in a beach chair next to the water, reading a good book. That, to me, is the best mix of true relaxation and wholesome entertainment or enlightenment. But because I’m not there, I will settle for listening to an audiobook (or educational podcast) while I work. Hey, reading (and getting educated in general) can change your life! How do I know? Because it’s happened to me. Back in the day, every weekday afternoon I would listen to a radio talk show whose host was a therapist that shall remain nameless. She gave advice to callers who were brave (or senseless, depending on how you looked at it) enough to ask her for some. She was blunt; she never sugar coated anything. I would never call her.  Anyway, eventually that program was replaced with another, and that is where I “met” the man who would give me the knowledge to change my financial life for the better–Dave Ramsey. Listening to his program (and su...

As part of the Discovery Family Coalition, we work with many agencies whose purposes are to help families in a myriad of areas. One of those areas is finances (that I get to chat with you about every week–yay!). And right now, families need all the financial help they can get, mine included. One of our fellow coalition partners, the Utah Department of Health & Human Services Child & Family Services, also does what it can to get help, including financial help, to families who need it. I happen to be on an email list, and this week I got an email with this information: “The Connect toCollect(C2C) program is focused on increasing low-income Utahans' receipt of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by educating individuals about this federal program and linking them to high quality, free tax preparation." What is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)? It's a tax credit that  helps low- to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. If you qualify, you can us...

I don’t know about you, but I tend to spend more money on fuel during warmer months because I drive more. Obvious, I know. In fact, earlier this month I made a 750-mile road trip from my home in northern Utah to central California for a wedding. Based on the fact that the cost of gas historically goes up and remains up between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I can only surmise that I’m not the only one who spends more time in my car during the summer. This year the higher-than-ever-before-recorded gas prices are REALLY restricting the “Sunday afternoon drive” for a LOT of people. Today let’s chat about what you can do to get the best bang for your petroleum buck. You’ll get better fuel efficiency by following these tips: Perform regular maintenance on your car Keep tires rotated and inflated to ideal pressure Glide to a stop instead of stomping on the brakes Combine short trips Drive at a moderate speed Drive friendly, not aggressively Travel light and don’t overload your trunk Keep yo...

Before you all run to Google to define deluge, let me just tell you it’s another word for avalanche. You’re welcome. We will come back to this shortly. Let’s talk about debt for a minute. You know I hate debt, but I L.O.V.E. talking about how to get OUT of it. Call me crazy, but I think budgeting to become debt free is a rush. It’s probably not going to give you the same shot of adrenaline that trying to outrun a large amount of snow, ice, and rocks careening down the hillside at you will, but, hey, you never know. Now back to mountainous winter disasters. In the finance world, there is a term called “debt avalanche.” It’s defined as paying off your debts in order from the highest interest rate to the lowest, regardless of balance. It’s also known by another term called “debt stacking”. The other icy financial term we are going to discuss is “debt snowballing,” and that is where you pay off your debts in order from lowest balance to highest, regardless of the interest rate. Wh...