Latest Blog Posts
Why I’m Grateful For My Student Loan Debt
This blog is about destroying debt by living below your means, so it probably seems strange that I would say that I’m grateful for my student loan debt. Obviously, there is a HUGE part of me that is not happy about my student loans. Here is why I'm grateful for my...
Why I Started a Three Year Spending Ban
Six months ago, my husband and I realized something: we could save nearly $40,000 in interest if we paid our student loans off in three years instead of 10. We didn’t have to remain hopeless, depressed, and trapped in debt for the next ten years. We started with...
10 Cheap & Fun Winter Activities
Winter may seem like a good time to hibernate inside and binge watch Netflix (especially if you’re trying not to spend money), but there actually are a ton of fun things that can be done for free during the snowy winter months. Staying active and spending some time...
Minimalism Isn’t as Bad as You Think
Today, Heather Shue (a fellow Minnesotan who blogs at Simply Save) is sharing her thoughts on minimalism! Enjoy! ~~~ When people hear the word “minimalism” I think they sometimes picture a person who lives in an empty echoing apartment, with bare white walls, and...
Frugal Friday Roundup: The 20 Best Frugality Blogs
If you're reading this, odds are that you're a cash-strapped millennial trying to find ways to improve your net worth - through saving money, increasing income, and/or paying off debt. I think my blog is a great resource for all of these things, but I might be a...
7 Things NOT to Say to Someone Who Has Anxiety
Anxiety now surpasses depression as the number one mental illness affecting college students. This is not surprising given that millennials face challenges that many prior generations did not face – namely, massive student loan debt and a weak job market. The...
One Step Forward, A Thousand Steps Back: The Path to Financial Freedom Isn’t a Straight Line
I try to keep things positive on this blog. No one reads a blog to listen to someone whine or complain. People read an article to learn something, to feel inspired, or to be empowered to improve their lives in some way. Many bloggers focus on reaching goals,...
How to Negotiate Your Mechanic Bill From $1,600 to $600
My car recently had a flat tire, and when I went to a mechanic to get the tire replaced, I got some bad news. My 16 year old car had not one, not two, but three separate, major problems that needed to be fixed soon. The shop estimated the repairs would cost $1,600....
Is $250,000 Per Year Middle Class?
I recently read an article entitled $250,000 a Year is Not Middle Class. The author argues that because families who make $250,000 per year earn more than most Americans, an income of $250,000 is not middle class. The implication is that these “elite” earners need to...
How I Lost 35 Pounds by Changing My Diet
Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to lose weight? The gyms are always jam packed in January, and by February, they already start emptying out. So many people try to lose weight, get frustrated when they don’t see results, and give up. I’ve been there. Here is...
The Worst Financial Advice I’ve Ever Been Given
“Don’t take financial advice from broke people. Do what rich people are doing.” – Dave Ramsey Many millennials don’t know much about personal finance. High schools and colleges often don’t teach finance, and many millennials instead rely on the advice their parents...
Why You Need an Emergency Fund – Even if You Live With Your Parents
An emergency fund is money that is set aside in case something unexpected comes up – like a car repair, property repair, medical expense, or the loss of a job. 25% of Americans do not have ANY emergency funds and instead rely on borrowing money from relatives or...