Author Archives: Toni Marie

How to Start Saving for the Holidays

It’s never too early to start saving for the holidays, especially if you have a long list of people you want to shop for. Starting as early as September gives you more time to increase your savings and more wiggle room in your budget. I’m pretty sure you have a lot of activities planned this fall, then Halloween, then Thanksgiving… the next thing you know, it’s already December. To avoid panicking over lack of cash when the holiday season kicks […]

4 Easy Steps to Create a Successful Budget for College Students

For most young individuals, college is when they first experience managing their own money, which can be a major concern for them and their parents as well. Learning how to budget is a very important skill that every student should possess, if you want to survive life in uni. No clue where to begin?  Don’t worry, it may sound daunting, but really, it’s not.  It’s a simple task that can save you from future money disasters, well that is if […]

5 Daily Habits of Frugal People That We Can Learn From

Before anything else, let’s first acknowledge the fact that frugal people are not cheap.  According to an article on Investopedia, people who are labeled cheap only look at the price, and don’t believe in value.  Some cheap people wouldn’t even pay for the basics and necessities of life. A frugal person on the other hand, is someone who is simply wise with their money – he is all about looking for ways to increase savings but he knows when to […]

7 Healthy Hacks That Will Save You Money

Better health and more dollars in your bank account?  Who doesn’t want that? However, some of you may think that maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle is quite expensive and the combination of good health and savings is quite impossible. I agree, it can take a big chunk out of your budget but when you think about it, it’s a good investment that will give you immediate and long-term results. But don’t get discouraged just yet; in today’s article, I’ve […]

6 Helpful Ways to Keep Your Money Safe When Traveling

In between gawking at new sights, not knowing the language, experiencing a new culture and shopping for souvenirs and keepsakes, a tourist is always an easy prey for thieves. No matter where you’re traveling, certain habits can put you at risk for some misadventures. Luckily, certain habits can also help you prevent these unwanted happenings. With common sense, awareness of your surroundings, a little preparation and these 6 tips, you can make sure that your money is safe while you’re […]

8 Money-Saving Tips for Back to School Shopping

Back to School season is upon us and that only means one thing – shopping!  Next to the holidays, back to school is the second biggest shopping season of the year. The National Retail Federation reports that this year, back to school spending is expected to hit an “all time high” this year.  According to their survey, parents plan to spend an average of $238.9 on clothing, $204.33 on electronics, $130.38 on shoes and $114.12 on school supplies. Imagine if […]

A Minimalist Guide to Grocery Shopping

In a previous blog post,  I walked you through the many wonders that a minimalist lifestyle can do to your budget – the less items you need, the less you buy, the less you have, the less you spend on upkeep and the more you save. Going back, Minimalism is a lifestyle and a mindset of having only the essential things that can add value to one’s life in order to achieve clarity, financial freedom, success and lasting happiness. Now, […]

6 Ways to Save on Your Summer Road Trip

With summer in full force, I’m sure many of you are planning to hit the open road.  Nothing beats the classic American road trip – that’s what summers are made of, right? Turning up the tunes while exploring new cities and enjoying the scenic route with your family and friends sound like the perfect prelude to an amazing and exciting vacation. However, road trips can get pricey too without careful planning.   So whether you’re going coast to coast or […]

5 Credit Card Do’s and Don’ts

Using credit cards may be a little daunting for some of you but you know what?  Credit cards are not scary, or at least, they don’t have to be. With proper use, a credit card is very convenient, especially in emergency situations and has several perks and rewards that you can take advantage of for more savings. On the contrary, improper usage can put you in loads of debt and a financial disaster that is quite hard to recover from. […]

How to Host a Budget-Friendly Summer Party

Whether you’re throwing a birthday bash, an engagement party, baby shower or “just because,” summer is a great time to soak up the sun, enjoy the outdoors while celebrating and creating fun memories with family and friends. However, hosting a party can become expensive if you don’t plan it well.  Luckily, there are several ways to save you money on your party-planning.  Let’s talk about them one by one. Create a Budget This is the number 1 rule if you […]