This article was originally seen on Forbes.com. The desire to tithe is the same as the desire to go to church every Sunday, pray when someone needs it and give thanks to God when you’re grateful. For many Christians, tithing is less of an obligation than an opportunity to give back. Unfortunately, the ideal of tithing can bump into a harsh reality: some people just don’t have enough money to give. So how do you tithe responsibly while ... Read more...
Why We Got Rid of Our Car
A few weeks ago I looked at my husband and said, "What if we got rid of the Avalon?" We currently have two cars and both mostly sit behind our apartment, collecting dust and snow. On average we drive about once a week and only a few miles at a time. For months we'd been discussing possibly downsizing to one car. In the great American dream, a two-car household is a given, a necessity. Giving up one seems like a revolutionary, if not radical ... Read more...
How to budget as a freelancer
Ever since I started freelancing full time, people have asked how I've been able to handle the instability of being self-employed. For the most part, being a freelancer isn't much more stressful. I get to set my own hours, work from home and not go outside when it's cold. But it also means that I have to finish my work before I can get paid. Before, I used to get paid for one week of work I'd already done and one week I hadn't. This can be a ... Read more...
How to Budget for Unexpected Expenses
The other day a friend asked me how I budget for unexpected expenses that don't count as emergencies. What if you have a wedding to attend or a gift to a coworker to contribute to? How do you account for all those little things that add up every month? I used to budget down to the last dollar and when things would come up - a going away party, a potluck with friends, a birthday - my budget would burst. It's like a balloon - if you fill it ... Read more...
What my fiance has taught me about budgets
When you're considered to be an expert on personal finance, it's easy to think that you don't have to change anything. If no one around you is more knowledgeable, then you get stuck thinking your way is best. For a while I've had the same system for budgets. I use a Mint account to keep track of what I spend and an Excel spreadsheet where I keep track of all accounts and expenses (Mint doesn't recognize some bank accounts and credit ... Read more...
How I’m getting a free flight to Europe: A Q&A with Richmond Savers
A few weeks ago, I met Brad Barrett, a CPA who blogs about travel rewards. Brad’s website, Richmond Savers, helps people who want to travel for free, but don’t know how. Brad helps people figure out how to use credit cards to travel for free. Q: What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about using credit cards for points/miles? A: I think people are concerned that it is going to take up a lot of time and effort to earn ... Read more...