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Be Mindful With Your Money

God vs. Your Bank Account – Can You Afford to Tithe?

July 8, 2016 By Zina Kumok

Many religions instruct the faithful to tithe, but can Americans even afford to do so? Here's what to consider before tithing.

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...

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Filed Under: budget, debt, Life

Why We Got Rid of Our Car

February 13, 2016 By Zina Kumok

Why getting rid of our car made financial sense to us - and why you might want to consider selling your car, too!

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...

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Filed Under: budget Tagged With: car, car insurance

How to budget as a freelancer

December 3, 2015 By Zina Kumok

Having an irregular income as a freelancer can be tough, but it doesn't mean you should give up budgeting! How to budget as a freelancer and plan for irregular income.

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...

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Filed Under: budget Tagged With: budgeting, cash flow, emergency fund, freelance, freelancer, self employed

How to Budget for Unexpected Expenses

July 31, 2015 By Zina Kumok

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...

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Filed Under: budget

What my fiance has taught me about budgets

January 10, 2015 By Zina Kumok

I've learned a tremendous amount since becoming engaged, but this is not something I expected to learn from him.

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...

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Filed Under: budget Tagged With: budgets, fiance

How I’m getting a free flight to Europe: A Q&A with Richmond Savers

October 19, 2014 By Zina Kumok

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...

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Filed Under: budget, churning, Money, travel Tagged With: budget, churning, travel, travel budget, travel hack, travel tips

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Disclosure: I am not a financial professional nor am I licensed to dispense financial advice.
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While I share financial advice, it may not be appropriate for your lifestyle and personal situation.

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