Cara Reynolds – SUM180 Community Manager

Wow, what a great suggestion. Thanks, Kayla! I’m like Antoinette – I tried eBates or something similar years ago, in the dinosaur days before apps – but it didn’t really work for me. If I’m going to use something consistently, it needs to be dead simple. Anyway, savings apps haven’t been on my radar at all before now, but this could really work…[Read more]

Great topic, Stacey! I agree with you about flying kites on the beach. When I lived in the SF Bay Area, this was a super fun, relaxing way for the family spend a weekend afternoon, and it cost us absolutely nothing. If you don’t live near the beach, local parks are great too. These days, I’m lucky enough to have access to park areas that have…[Read more]

Oh gosh, this is a touchy subject for sure. SUM180 CEO Carla Dearing actually wrote a blog post about it a few months ago. Carla’s advice, if you’re uncomfortable for any reason, is to find a way to gracefully and firmly say no. Refusing to lend money you can’t afford to spare doesn’t make you a bad person. You HAVE to take care of yoursel…[Read more]

Wow, that sounds like a real turning point, Kayla. Congratulations. I know exactly what you mean. The first time I did a spending tracking exercise, I was blown away and mortified to see where most of my money was going. (Wardrobe, eek. This was a long time ago…) I’m a visual person, so seeing my spending presented to me as a pie chart with a…[Read more]

Hi Antoinette! I’ve been on both sides of this question, and I know it’s a tough one. Carla Dearing wrote a great blog post about it: Lending money to family or friends

Carla’s post covers other aspects of the topic (eg charging interest on loans to family members) but here’s what she wrote about your question specifically:
“Understand your own…[Read more]

Hi! I’ve stuck with the same credit card for years, too. Mine gives me air miles – but also lets me exchange my miles for free merchandise from an online “store.” In the years when I haven’t needed free travel, I’ve gotten a new Macbook Air, an iPad, a really high end digital camera, among other things. I think choosing the right credit card…[Read more]

Laura, I really sympathize – I’ve been in a relationship with similar dynamics. In my case, my partner was very knowledgeable and authoritative in most aspects of his life; he was usually the smartest person in the room and used to being in charge. Professionally that worked fine, but when it came to handling household finances, he didn’t always…[Read more]

Hi Haralee! My sisters and I have been thinking about these questions too, ever since our mother passed away earlier this year. On prepayment, I’ve done a little reading that suggests it may be more trouble than it’s worth. For example, if you prepay but the funeral establishment goes out of business or changes management, your contract may not be…[Read more]

I really like this idea, Stacey. Sort of like a juice fast, but for spending. It could be a good way for me to step back, become more mindful, and “cleanse” myself of spending habits that have become automatic. I think I take for certain expenses too much for granted. Just sorting my expenses into “wants” vs “needs” could be real eye opener!