SUM180 | Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager | Activity https://community.sum180.com/members/cara-reynolds-sum180-community-manager/activity/ Activity feed for Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager. Fri, 19 Jul 2024 11:53:52 -0800 https://buddypress.org/?v=5.1.2 en-US 30 hourly 2 e80c8e89f8e7263bca116c3b630ce273 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager wrote a new post, Taking the fear out of finances: 4 tips from real people who overcame their stress over money https://community.sum180.com/?p=3408 Fri, 19 Oct 2018 11:53:17 -0800 Many of us feel some stress and anxiety when it comes to money. It’s only natural—for most of us, money represents security, so uncertainty related to money can really wreak havoc with our peace of mind. The tri […]

]]> ff8ce2da6ceccc510baa082ec7bef200 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Co signing a Loan in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/co-signing-a-loan/#post-5420 Tue, 05 Dec 2017 00:48:07 -0800 Hi Antoinette! I think some of Carla Dearing’s advice on lending money to family and friends might also apply to co-signing on a loan. Carla wrote about how important it is to be able to respond with a loving no when we can’t afford to do what’s being asked of us, and also to remember: there are other ways of helping besides giving financial…[Read more]

]]> de437292b88a7b27470d97483e93d061 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Do Sales Make It Worth it? in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/do-sales-make-it-worth-it/#post-5318 Thu, 30 Nov 2017 17:05:08 -0800 Hi Josh. This is a big question at this time of year, for sure. You put your finger on what makes this a headache for me, personally – I’m not necessarily the best at crunching the numbers across different discount scenarios to spot the best deal/timing.

So, my approach is to bypass the math component and ask myself: “Is this sale item something…[Read more]

]]> 44a38e21efbe8723c239ecd0fa2bb901 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Officially Unsubscribing From Promotional Emails in the forum My journey https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/officially-unsubscribing-from-promotional-emails/#post-5316 Thu, 30 Nov 2017 15:47:03 -0800 Kayla, I wish I could “like” your post 50x because I would! The constant deluge of promotional emails is like browsing at foodpr0n all day when you’re TRYING to be on a diet. I have been deleting them as soon as I can in batches, but unsubscribing is better yet. Kelby – thanks for the head’s up, will check out unroll.me, too.

]]> 4f52a08d388f2cb535a013deeba89e9a Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Having A No-Spend Weekend in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/having-a-no-spend-weekend/#post-5315 Thu, 30 Nov 2017 15:41:38 -0800 Wow, what I great idea. AND a big challenge I think! I would love to try this but the biggest obstacle for me would be getting everyone in the household on the same page. Even when I think I’ve prepped beforehand, at the last minute someone will always REALLY REALLY need to pick up some Italian takeout, or run out of shampoo. Maybe tougher…[Read more]

]]> 6424af7a417282cccb92fdb9322ef32f Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Cryptocurrencies in the forum Build your investments https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/cryptocurrencies/#post-5241 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 21:13:24 -0800 Hi Josh! Carla Dearing has written a couple of posts on investing. I think she makes a few points that are relevant to your thread:

Investing 101: 6 simple steps to kickstart your investment portfolio

Investing 101: 6 simple steps to kickstart your investment portfolio

Millennials: Experiencing Bitcoin FOMO? Don’t b…[Read more]

]]> 209dc16d2edc198549f018eefbcb3007 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Pay off Debt or Save for Retirement in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/pay-off-debt-or-save-for-retirement/#post-5238 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 20:04:54 -0800 Hi Kelby,

This is a great question! I believe the answer is, “It depends on your debt.”

– If your debt is credit card debt (usually a high interest rate, therefore very expensive over time) then you should pay off your debt first, 100% – THEN tackle saving for retirement.
– If your debt is “smart” debt (things like a car loan or a home…[Read more]

]]> a10d1a0f62c4eff9f4157199a1ede945 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Pay off Debt or Save for Retirement in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/pay-off-debt-or-save-for-retirement/#post-5238 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 20:04:54 -0800 Hi Kelby,

This is a great question! I believe the answer is, “It depends on your debt.”

– If your debt is credit card debt (usually a high interest rate, therefore very expensive over time) then you should pay off your debt first, 100% – THEN tackle saving for retirement.
– If your debt is “smart” debt (things like a car loan or a home…[Read more]

]]> f2fac6cd939773d4e8db71e802a2d484 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic State of the (financial) union in the forum SUM180: Our story https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/state-of-the-financial-union/#post-5237 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:54:43 -0800 An annual State of the Financial Union – what a great idea, Kayla! Check out these blog posts from Carla Dearing. I think they might be good fodder for your “financial summit” with your hubby:

6 powerful money habits to adopt before the year is over: Carla suggests setting an overall savings goal for the year, then adopting specific habits to…[Read more]

]]> 6b5d8db9ab8ece190ef9aefada84625d Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic State of the (financial) union in the forum SUM180: Our story https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/state-of-the-financial-union/#post-5237 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:54:43 -0800 An annual State of the Financial Union – what a great idea, Kayla! Check out these blog posts from Carla Dearing. I think they might be good fodder for your “financial summit” with your hubby:

6 powerful money habits to adopt before the year is over: Carla suggests setting an overall savings goal for the year, then adopting specific habits to…[Read more]

]]> 471777efe8e855adfa717f8a9130ca8b Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Self-Employment Options in the forum Save for retirement https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/self-employment-options/#post-5234 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:14:44 -0800 This is a tough one. I wonder whether you can identify two or three regular expenses that you can eliminate, and then put the resulting savings into your retirement fund directly? I know, it’s easier said than done…

For me the first sacrifice would probably my cell phone bill. I have a pretty indulgent plan and I could save a hundred dollars a…[Read more]

]]> 5c689ad2323a781fb7c808d8b176446d Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Self-Employment Options in the forum Save for retirement https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/self-employment-options/#post-5234 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:14:44 -0800 This is a tough one. I wonder whether you can identify two or three regular expenses that you can eliminate, and put the resulting savings into retirement fund directly? I know, it’s easier said than done…

For me the first sacrifice would probably my cell phone bill. I have a pretty indulgent plan and I could save a hundred dollars a month, or…[Read more]

]]> 6e6dbfbcbd8d4c728c54a9db022ac867 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Splitting The Bill in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/splitting-the-bill/#post-5233 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:53:44 -0800 Hi Josh! I’ve been in your position, and I admit I’m usually too embarrassed to remind my friends to repay me. This is NOT a sustainable situation, on my budget!

Carla Dearing wrote a post about our predicament, here:
How to split the bill with grace: Cost-sharing etiquette for casual, professional, and romantic situations

Carla offers great…[Read more]

]]> 1f0ba21b8b3393b6f8522ae531727b21 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Saving Money Vs Earning More in the forum My journey https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/saving-money-vs-earning-more/#post-3754 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 18:41:59 -0800 Another great topic! A few thoughts come to mind:

1. Lisa, Kayla – have you guys looked at websites that connect creative freelancers with clients? Fiverr and 99Designs are a popular ones, but I know there are others. You sign up with the site to be a service provider; clients come to the website and choose from the provider list who they want to…[Read more]

]]> 2941315995e4858912f7d1f84917010f Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Snowball vs Avalanche in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/snowball-vs-avalanche/#post-3753 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 18:08:26 -0800 Great conversation about best ways to tackle debt! I’d like to chime in just to mention SUM180’s approach, which is to tackle the highest-interest debt first, but also to balance this by building a savings cushion simultaneously. The two actions work together to strengthen your financial picture.

]]> 83734bac007918f655196b0ed696f61b Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Dating on a Budget in the forum My journey https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/dating-on-a-budget/#post-3532 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:28:48 -0800 Yikes, dating can be expensive for sure! Instead of dinner, which always means higher prices on everything, maybe meet for a specific fabulous dessert and coffee? Or, like Stacey suggested, breakfast; I am a big fan of brunch dates. Or “let’s check out the X,Y, or Z” dates (farmer’s market, street art festival, classic car show, etc).

The…[Read more]

]]> 66c8c1c892333e06d4492e5a512674f2 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Cash vs Credit Card in the forum My journey https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/cash-vs-credit-card/#post-3531 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:12:02 -0800 Hi Kayla! What a great question – I’m super interested to hear what others have to say on this topic. For me, it’s pretty clear that carrying cash makes it easier for me to spend. So I try to avoid carrying cash because for me, mentally, as soon as I withdraw cash from the ATM, the money is already “spent.” I can’t easily track where the money…[Read more]

]]> c7c268a9dc772134408825c0699d09eb Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Working Smarter, Not Harder in the forum My journey https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/working-smarter-not-harder/#post-3530 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:01:17 -0800 Wow, I understand. That’s a bold resolution and probably a tough one to stick to, if (like me) you’re prone to feeling anxious about money even in the best of times. The best things about being self-employed, in my opinion, are having control over your own schedule and the freedom to do diverse projects that are interesting and rewarding. But the…[Read more]

]]> 6400168c2cd7d35cad46dd9b3896f747 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Creative Ways to Bring in Income in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/creative-ways-to-bring-in-income/#post-3529 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:48:52 -0800 I haven’t tried this myself as a provider, but I have recently been using apps like Thumbtack and Takl as a client. The apps connect users with providers of household services – everything from simple repairs to furniture assembly to yard work. From a provider perspective, it eases the burden of marketing yourself, bidding on projects, and…[Read more]

]]> 10750bd7fd9bfdd153f6ffca13377e4e Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Its The Little Things in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/its-the-little-things/#post-3528 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:36:45 -0800 I think Stacey’s got the right idea: having a set budget so you don’t spend what you can’t afford. One more idea that might help stretch your dining/entertainment budget – rewards programs. Depending on the program, sometimes the reward is a free meal at a specific restaurant or sometimes it’s points that can be redeemed in a number of ways (your…[Read more]

]]> 1ebedfd8e0ea8a53a925be2f64b920a0 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Anyone Else Love Using Savings Apps Like Ebates + Ibotta? in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/anyone-else-love-using-savings-apps-like-ebates-ibotta/#post-3527 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:23:18 -0800 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]

]]> 2d08b1c027538dfa7ed7b6b3d18f720a Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Cheap or Free Family Outings in the forum My journey https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/cheap-or-free-family-outings/#post-3525 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:18:12 -0800 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]

]]> aae300558fef08045af6625b894b3c75 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Relative Asking For Money in the forum SUM180: Our story https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/relative-asking-for-money/#post-3400 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 19:45:42 -0800 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]

]]> 8680a5b7390b0a7ef12b86c7741235e1 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Tracking All Of Our Expenses Has Been An Eye Opener in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/tracking-all-of-our-expenses-has-been-an-eye-opener/#post-3399 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 19:18:16 -0800 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]

]]> de6b346c3821fc2e6a29a5ccae127b4d Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager wrote a new post, Webinar: Make Financial Success Work for Employees https://community.sum180.com/?p=2795 Thu, 01 Jun 2017 19:00:48 -0800 A few days ago, Shortlister hosted me in a “Meet-a-Vendor” webinar in which I talked about how to make financial wellness work for employees through small, personalized and actionable steps.

I’ve written her […]

]]> 9e0f90eeca599579761fa2b4229905fb Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Saying No to Family Members in the forum My journey https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/saying-no-to-family-members/#post-2751 Wed, 31 May 2017 17:08:18 -0800 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]

]]> 789790f2320fed7e3a1df098d5ed5e94 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Is the Amazon Prime Credit Card a good deal? in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/is-the-amazon-prime-credit-card-a-good-deal/#post-2376 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:53:39 -0800 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]

]]> 3db28d55fae6c336ae17b00238f99ca5 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic What's your financial New Year's resolution? in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/whats-your-financial-new-years-resolution/ Mon, 16 Jan 2017 18:55:33 -0800 I’m inspired by the story I just read about one woman who did a “no spend year” and saved over $20,000. I probably can’t be as disciplined as she was, but I think I can take a step in the right direction.

My resolutions for 2017:
– I will spend ZERO money on my financial Achilles heel: shoes, purses, and other wardrobe items.
– No new tech…[Read more]

]]> 18e49ca1a15f36977ae02b901bb249b0 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Getting Spouse On Board in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/getting-spouse-on-board/#post-2270 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 13:51:55 -0800 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]

]]> 3782dbe7aa8f4eb87cd3534633cecd99 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic PrePay Cremation, Good idea or not? in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/prepay-cremation-good-idea-or-not/#post-2027 Mon, 01 Aug 2016 21:36:48 -0800 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]

]]> e5db9884c93c8e8ab939ff7f78bbb173 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager posted an update: Here's a great tip from Suzanne about finding unclaimed […] https://community.sum180.com/activity/p/755/ Fri, 17 Jun 2016 18:53:22 -0800 Here’s a great tip from Suzanne about finding unclaimed funds (usually from forgotten accounts). I checked and didn’t find any unclaimed money for myself, but maybe you will! Good luck!

]]> 0 6313eeb8a28de17344b88d258641240a Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic 7 Reasons You Should Take A “No Spend Month”? in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/7-reasons-you-should-take-a-no-spend-month/ Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:33:54 -0800 A few of us here in the community have been talking about what it means to take a “No Spend Month.” The conversation was started by Stacey, who posted that she and her husband take a No Spend Month several times a year.

What is a No Spend Month? In essence, it is:
– A month-long break from your normal spending patterns
– You may spend mon…[Read more]

]]> 07c342b09c0747c4500e4e44687eeb5e Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic A "No Spend" Month in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/a-no-send-month/#post-1877 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:20:33 -0800 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!

]]> 2c7fb4475e06fe1835aff87159a68b04 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Use the Spending Tracker to understand where your money goes in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/use-the-sum180-spending-tracker-to-understand-where-your-money-is-going/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:30:14 -0800 When you understand where your money goes, it’s easier to make changes that move you closer to your financial goals.

That’s why the SUM180 team designed Spending Tracker, a tool that gives you a clear snapshot of where your money is going. With that information, you can make better decisions about your spending and can direct your money where y…[Read more]

]]> c8be9d2c31e72a026ac79ad85fcb53b0 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Use the Spending Tracker to understand where your money goes in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/use-the-sum180-spending-tracker-to-understand-where-your-money-is-going/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:30:14 -0800 When you understand where your money goes, it’s easier to make changes that move you closer to your financial goals.

That’s why the SUM180 team designed Spending Tracker, a tool that gives you a clear snapshot of where your money is going. With that information, you can make better decisions about your spending and can direct your money where y…[Read more]

]]> f73160f6c181735bc204f063e70697b6 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Use the Spending Tracker to understand where your money goes in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/use-the-sum180-spending-tracker-to-understand-where-your-money-is-going/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:30:14 -0800 When you understand where your money goes, it’s easier to make changes that move you closer to your financial goals.

That’s why the SUM180 team designed Spending Tracker, a tool that gives you a clear snapshot of where your money is going. With that information, you can make better decisions about where to spend less so you can direct our m…[Read more]

]]> 4577e88c23f0096ac3f656df958e2f2d Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Use the Spending Tracker to understand where your money goes in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/use-the-sum180-spending-tracker-to-understand-where-your-money-is-going/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:30:14 -0800 When you understand where your money goes, it’s easier to make changes that move you closer to your financial goals.

That’s why the SUM180 team designed Spending Tracker, a tool that gives you a clear snapshot of where your money is going. With that information, you can make better decisions about where to spend less so you can direct our m…[Read more]

]]> d6a5e508dbcfa71411e404df9ff5ac4f Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Use the Spending Tracker to understand where your money goes in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/use-the-sum180-spending-tracker-to-understand-where-your-money-is-going/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:30:14 -0800 When you understand where your money goes, it’s easier to make changes that move you closer to your financial goals.

That’s why the SUM180 team designed Spending Tracker, a tool that gives you a clear snapshot of where your money is going. With that information, you can make better decisions about where to spend less so we can direct our m…[Read more]

]]> 7d729844ea95cd312e32fe8a71dcf5fb Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Use the Spending Tracker to understand where your money goes in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/use-the-sum180-spending-tracker-to-understand-where-your-money-is-going/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:30:14 -0800 When you understand where your money goes, it’s easier to make changes that move you closer to your financial goals.

That’s why the SUM180 team designed Spending Tracker, a tool that gives you a clear snapshot of where your money is going. With that information, you can make better decisions about where to spend less so we can direct our m…[Read more]

]]> 233ad2581362de11b41152a6d5ecddb5 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Use the Spending Tracker to understand where your money goes in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/use-the-sum180-spending-tracker-to-understand-where-your-money-is-going/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:30:14 -0800 When you understand where your money goes, it’s easier to make changes that move you closer to your financial goals.

That’s why the SUM180 team designed Spending Tracker, a tool that gives you a clear snapshot of where our money is going. With that information, you can make better decisions about where to spend less so we can direct our money w…[Read more]

]]> be87af759fafec7c1ac2c73c80fcb3b1 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Use the Spending Tracker to understand where your money goes in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/use-the-sum180-spending-tracker-to-understand-where-your-money-is-going/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:30:14 -0800 When you understand where your money goes, it’s easier to make changes that move you closer to your financial goals.

That’s why the SUM180 team designed Spending Tracker, a FREE tool that gives you a clear snapshot of where our money is going. With that information, you can make better decisions about where to spend less so we can direct our m…[Read more]

]]> d1a20a29a5ebf7365d82eb39b407ba31 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Use the Spending Tracker to understand where your money goes in the forum Manage your debt https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/use-the-sum180-spending-tracker-to-understand-where-your-money-is-going/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:30:14 -0800 When you understand where your money goes, it’s easier to make changes that move you closer to your financial goals.

That’s why the SUM180 team designed Spending Tracker, a FREE tool that gives you a clear snapshot of where our money is going. With that information, you can make better decisions about where to spend less so you can direct y…[Read more]

]]> 1e587abafe7975f23f350dc0ece1b8af Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Closet purge? Where to sell your stuff online in the forum Grow your savings https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/closet-purge-where-to-sell-your-stuff-online/ Thu, 07 Apr 2016 19:26:12 -0800 After my favorite online consignment store (Twice) was acquired by eBay, I did a little research to see what other options exist.

If you’re spring cleaning your closet and want to make some money selling some of your stuff, here are a few established sites to consider (besides your local consignment stores, or of course eBay):

ThredUp – Accepts…[Read more]

]]> 57632deb91435facbb1a0d9350c76041 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager replied to the topic Setting Up a 401(k) Plan in the forum Build your investments https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/setting-up-a-401k-plan/#post-1777 Thu, 31 Mar 2016 13:41:05 -0800 Hi, Gina! I reached out to SUM180’s CEO, Carla Dearing, to get an answer to your question. Here is what Carla asked me to share with you.

Setting up retirement accounts for yourself and your husband will be a lot easier than you may think. The truth is, you can start saving for retirement in just a few simple steps.

1. To keep it simple: Call…[Read more]

]]> 9110637810f5ab9be63a3eae89c96839 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Financial advice for navigating life transitions in the forum My journey https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/financial-advice-for-life-transitions/ Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:06:56 -0800 If you’re going through a major life transition like the birth of a child or a divorce, it really helps to have a supportive network of family and friends. And since these events also have some significant financial implications, sound advice from a financial expert can really help, too.

Check out these money tips for navigating life…[Read more]

]]> 01078c3e8026b5d4d41841e56d88da36 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Best cities to retire in the forum Plan your retirement https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/best-places-to-retire/ Fri, 04 Mar 2016 21:16:31 -0800 I was just checking out Time Money’s 10 best places to retire list for 2015 and was happy to see that a neighboring city, Lexington, KY made the list as a runner-up for its “college town life.” No mention of my own town, however (Louisville) – in spite of the affordable cost of living, relaxed, medium-sized-city vibe, and terrific food…[Read more]

]]> b44c6ab9d5663ba63a28ef9bc61b592b Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic What does "retirement" mean to you? in the forum Plan your retirement https://community.sum180.com/forums/topic/what-does-retirement-mean-to-you/ Fri, 04 Mar 2016 20:28:38 -0800 I was just reading an article in Entrepreneur called “What does retirement mean when aging may soon be a thing of the past?” One quote in particular caught my eye.

Retirement is the point in life when you are pursuing passions, not figuring out how to put bread on the table.

3-4-2016 3-40-11 PM

I like this definition. Like many people, I expect to be working in…[Read more]

]]> 758d171737625639ee5910fb8d551e47 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager wrote a new post, Why combining online + human financial advice is better https://community.sum180.com/?p=1642 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 18:20:09 -0800 We’ve all seen the continued hype about robo-advisors in the financial news. Most of the large financial institutions finally rolled out competitive offerings to the early players, Wealthfront and […]

]]> f46ac9fff5d8f2b633878d6528c166f2 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Your crockpot could save you over $2000 a year in the forum Grow your savings http://sum180.wpengine.com/forums/topic/your-crockpot-could-save-you-over-2000-a-year/ Tue, 24 Nov 2015 22:24:01 -0800 Many of us haul out our slow cookers to fix easy comfort foods when the weather turns cool. Who doesn’t love the effortless convenience of crockpot cooking?

Here’s one more reason to use our slow cookers more regularly.

If you’re an average family of four that eats out regularly (upwards of $50 for dinner for the entire family), swapping a slow…[Read more]

]]> 1e087b65bedc8ca7e8ec71991cecc9d6 Cara Reynolds - SUM180 Community Manager started the topic Ralph Nader to Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen: "Get economics advice from your husband" in the forum SUM180: Our story http://sum180.wpengine.com/forums/topic/ralph-nader-to-federal-reserve-chair-janet-yellen-get-economics-advice-from-your-husband/ Tue, 24 Nov 2015 16:35:34 -0800 In an open letter to Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen late last month, Ralph Nader criticized her for not raising interest rates sooner, arguing that this decision benefits Wall Street at the expense of small-time savers. Bizarrely, he then went off topic and invoked Ms. Yellen’s husband:

Chairwoman Yellen, I think you should sit down with your…

[Read more]

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