How a Fed Rate Hike Raised My Credit Card Payment Overnight
It’s funny how life can throw you a curveball when you least expect it. For years, I considered myself reasonably savvy with my finances. I worked hard my whole life, saved diligently for retirement, and thought I had a pretty good grasp on things like budgeting and credit. My name is Arthur, and I’d like […]
What It’s Like Trying to Save While Prices Keep Going Up
I always thought of myself as someone who was pretty good with money. Not wealthy, mind you, but comfortable. I’d worked hard my whole life, contributed regularly to my retirement accounts, and built up a nice little nest egg. My husband, Frank, and I had plans. Simple plans, mostly – enjoying our garden, maybe a […]
What I Learned Navigating the 2025 Job Market as a Freelancer
The close of 2024 felt like standing on the edge of a familiar, yet subtly shifting, landscape. I’d been a freelancer for the better part of a decade, a writer and communications consultant carving out my niche. I’d weathered economic ebbs and flows before, adapted to new technologies, and prided myself on a certain resilience. […]
Switching to a Credit Union Changed the Way I Bank Forever
For most of my adult life, banking was just… banking. It was a utility, a necessary part of managing my finances, like paying the electricity bill or getting the car serviced. I’d been with the same big-name bank since I opened my first “grown-up” checking account, probably sometime in my early twenties. Back then, you […]
How I Automated My Finances and Finally Stopped Living Paycheck to Paycheck
For years, the rhythm of my life was dictated by the due dates on bills and the anxious wait for my next paycheck. It felt like I was running on a financial hamster wheel, working hard but never truly getting ahead. The phrase “living paycheck to paycheck” wasn’t just a saying for me; it was […]
I Tried a No-Spend Month—Here’s What I’d Do Differently Next Time
The idea of a “no-spend month” had been rattling around in my head for a while. It sounded extreme, a bit like a financial boot camp. I’d read articles about people emerging transformed, with bulging savings accounts and Zen-like detachment from material possessions. Honestly, a part of me was skeptical, another part terrified, and a […]
8 Loyalty Programs That Offer Real Perks & Cash Back
8 Loyalty Programs That Offer Real Perks & Cash Back We all appreciate finding ways to make our money go further. One of the simplest and most effective strategies is by joining loyalty programs. Many of us are already familiar with these, but are we truly tapping into the best loyalty programs that offer real […]
10 Stores Where In-Store Deals Are Better Than Online
10 Stores Where In-Store Deals Are Better Than Online In today’s fast-paced world, clicking a button to buy something online is certainly convenient. We can shop from our armchairs, compare prices easily, and have items delivered right to our door. However, many experienced shoppers know a secret: sometimes, the very best retail deals and bargain […]
9 Clearance Rack Tricks Retailers Are Hiding From You
9 Clearance Rack Tricks Retailers Are Hiding From You We all appreciate the satisfaction of finding a fantastic deal. That thrill of discovering a wanted item at a fraction of its original price is a universal pleasure. For many of us, smart shopping isn’t just a hobby; it’s a practical way to make our money […]