In March, we reached the point of having one year left of our plan.  Reaching that mark put a smile on my face, but I really had my eyes set on this month, because after this month we will only have ten payments left.  What's special about ten?

My real point in this post is that you can keep yourself fit at any age . . . and it's worth it! 

My husband seemed to have the mini-vacation "itch" and told me not to worry about being pressured to buy a timeshare.

I have learned that when we get paid, if I immediately transfer money into these accounts before I start paying bills or buying our household necessities, I actually can save better.  

Imagine two carrots in the ground.  One has a big beautiful green top but under the soil is a very small withered carrot.  The other carrot has a small top but under the soil lays a great big juicy carrot. 

Many people argue that using your credit history isn't always fair -- especially when it's used for non-loan purposes. Fair or not, though, your credit history is your financial reputation, and you need to protect it. 

Health is expensive. Healthy food is expensive, gym memberships are expensive, doctors are expensive . . . you name it, it's expensive.  

It seemed she wanted to discuss everything in excruciating detail over and over again to make sure we were sticking to our budget and able to execute our plans for some upcoming events, which included our daughter's birthday and our son's confirmation.  

There are plenty of reasons -- which I hope aren't merely excuses. I started a new job at a software startup a couple of months ago (the hours can get crazy), and I've also been dealing with some nagging injuries. But what it comes down to is that I just haven't done it. Therefore . . .

What's the most expensive item on your grocery list?  Meat, any type of meat, and that's why planning a few meatless meals can give your grocery budget a huge boost! It is also a way to decrease your cholesterol and saturated fat intake, giving your heart a much needed break.

If your finances are really tight and you're living paycheck to paycheck like we were, read on for a few tips we used to find a little extra money.

I jumped on all of the websites I know every night, checking flight prices.  Finally the price hit $238.90.  Done.  The flight was booked.

Fast forward ten years and here I am, making a heck of a lot more than $10.00/hr and I would KILL for my first apartment and my $400.00 a month rent. As for and my cute little leased Toyota that I paid less than $150 a month for, that was a steal! 

The "minimalist vacation" will help you see your home more objectively; clarifying what you need, and clearing out the rest.

Unable to locate it, she grabbed a box of the store brand that had just recently become available and put it in the cart.   

Do you have a method for setting a Big Goal? And getting yourself rolling to achieve it? I'm going to share my approach here.

I have been retired for 11 years now and here is what I have learned about planning and saving for retirement.

When you know in your heart that you can't afford the vacation you are on it's very stressful.  

If you want better finances, one of the best things you can do is to pay attention to your health.

No way, no how! Don't be reduced to sitting around watching re-runs all day; you're better than that! Get ready, it's time to learn how to "staycation" like a professional.

Yes, the money we had saved is gone and I am paying the electric bill a little late. On the other hand, I did not skip it and we will be able to pay next month's bill on time. Everything else was paid on time and in full. So, things are not that bad. But, with that said, summer is almost here!

Along with the additional income, we have hit our stride working as a team managing our finances.  We've been having regular finance discussions, staying on budget, and really enjoying life.  Things have definitely been looking up.  Life has actually been comfortable.

What are you planning for summer vacation? It might be a week at the beach, or in the mountains. Maybe it's a couple of long weekends closer to home, camping at a state park. Or maybe you're in "staycation" mode. Whatever the case, you can use your summer plans to help you set goals for your fitness now.

Can Finances Affect Your Health? That question, to me, is like asking if we need oxygen in order to live. When I was deep in debt with no foreseeable end in sight, I carried stress with me night and day.  I woke up in the morning feeling tired and overwhelmed with worry, and took that worry to bed with me every night.

I have learned that one way to make life a little less stressful when it comes to paying the bills is to automate some of my bill paying.