What My Spending Habits Look Like in a ‘Soft Landing’ Economy
The phrase “soft landing” started appearing in headlines a while back, and if I’m honest, my first reaction was a healthy dose of skepticism mixed with a sliver of hope. After the rollercoaster of the past few years – the pandemic’s economic whiplash, then inflation soaring to heights I hadn’t seen in decades – the […]
I Refinance-Trapped Myself—And Now I’m Paying for It
There are moments in life, financial and otherwise, that you look back on with a clarity that only hindsight can provide. Sometimes it’s a gentle, “Ah, I see now,” and other times it’s a more forceful, “What on earth was I thinking?” My story, unfortunately, leans heavily towards the latter. I’m sharing this not to […]
How Inflation Changed the Way I Grocery Shop in 2025
It feels strange to say it, but the year 2025 completely reshaped something as fundamental as how I buy food. Before then, grocery shopping was a routine, almost thoughtless task. I had my favorite brands, my usual stores, and while I wasn’t extravagant, I didn’t meticulously track every single penny spent on food. My retirement […]
The First Time I Used Cashback Apps—and How I Made $85 Back
I’ve always considered myself fairly sensible with money. Not a spendthrift, by any means, but not someone who clipped every last coupon either. My generation, we learned the value of a dollar through experience – through times when things weren’t as plentiful and every penny truly counted. We knew how to make things last and […]
The Big Mistake That Tanked My Credit (and What I Learned)
It’s funny, isn’t it, how life can turn on a dime? One moment you’re sailing along, feeling secure and in control, and the next, you’re staring at the wreckage of what used to be your financial stability. I used to be one of those people who thought, “That won’t happen to me.” I was careful, […]
Why Freezing My Credit Was the Best Money Move I Ever Made
If you’d told me ten years ago that one of the smartest financial decisions I’d ever make involved intentionally blocking access to my own credit, I probably would have chuckled. Back then, my understanding of credit was pretty straightforward: build a good history, pay your bills on time, and keep an eye on your report […]
The Year I Did My Own Taxes and Almost Made a $2,000 Mistake
It’s funny the things you decide to take on. For years, I’d happily handed over my shoebox of papers – or, in later years, a neatly organized folder – to Sarah. Sarah was my accountant, a wonderful woman with a kind smile, a sharp mind for numbers, and a reassuring way of saying, “Don’t you […]
10 Best Websites to Find Daily Deals in 2025
10 Best Websites to Find Daily Deals in 2025 Welcome, savvy shoppers! We all appreciate the thrill of finding a great deal. It feels good to get what we want or need while keeping a little extra in our pockets. In today’s digital world, discovering these bargains is easier than ever, thanks to a host […]
7 Cashback Apps That Actually Pay You Real Money
7 Cashback Apps That Actually Pay You Real Money We all love finding a good deal, and in today’s world, your smartphone can be a powerful tool for saving money. If you’ve ever wondered if those cashback apps everyone talks about are legitimate, the answer is yes! Many of them do indeed pay you real […]