Do you depend on online bill pay as much as I do? It can definitely be a game changer for getting bills paid quickly and efficiently. However, I recently discovered a couple of disadvantages to using online bill pay of…
Money Solutions
Little ideas and solutions for all things money
What is a Debt to Income Ratio?
Reading time: approximately 4 minutes When Brian and I (and I include myself pretty loosely here 😊 ) built our house quite a few years ago, qualifying for a mortgage loan was not all that difficult. In fact, I’m not…
Should You Keep A Check Register?
Reading time: Approximately 4 minutes Have you ever thought; Should I keep a check register? After all, the beauty of online banking is that at any time, you can see your balance. Looks can be deceiving. Especially when you are…
Is Paying for a Sam’s Club Membership Worth the Cost?
Reading time: Approximately 4 minutes Just recently I found myself needing (wanting?) to make a Sam’s Club run. The problem was an expired membership that I wasn’t convinced I wanted to renew. After all, there’s a lot of things I…
When You Can’t Pay Your Bills
Reading time: Approximately three minutes What do you do when you can’t pay your bills? While this may not pertain to you currently, it is always good to be prepared. Millions of individuals are currently facing a situation that they…
How to Save for a Large Purchase
Approximate reading time: 3 minutes How do you save for a large purchase? The following question was posed in a group in which I participate: “What is the best way to save for a laptop?” The answers were varied: Cut…
Standard vs. Itemized Deductions
Why is it important to understand the difference between taking the standard deduction and itemizing deductions? Consider this; A number of years ago, Brian and I received a substantial sum of cash. Enough to significantly pay down our mortgage,…
Pay Off a Deferred Interest Purchase
Have you ever found that despite your best intentions, you caved and opted to use a deferred interest, buy now, pay later offer? You are not alone. Weirdly, I love to budget and plan our finances. But I don’t always…
How To Organize Product and Warranty Information
updated 06/03/2022 approximate read time: 3 minutes What is your plan for organizing product and warranty information on a major purchase? Not having a plan in place can be an expensive mistake. This past week, as luck would have…
Retirement Planning; Take the First Two Steps
The beginning Several years ago, when I began my professional career, I knew we needed to start planning for retirement. After all, I grew up hearing that the years fly by. So, we dutifully set up an appointment with a…