How to Create an Effective, Realistic Budget Based on Your Individual Goals [+ FREE PRINTABLE]

July 30, 2018 by SC in Budget Basics, Save money.Feat.1

Taylor Swift has a budget. Stay with me …

Budgets are not just for cheap or broke people. They are a savvy way to track what flows in and what goes out — and yet they get this negative association with being overly frugal. Here's the truth of it: Having a budget doesn't chain you down. It offers you freedom with, and control over, YOUR money. Get your FREE step-by-step guide to creating a budget that works for you!

RECAP: 4 Things I Learned During My June No-Spend Challenge

July 16, 2018 by SC in Live life, Budget hacks, Save money.Feat.1

Last month, I did a No-Spend Challenge. In addition to reigning in summer spending and saving some doll hairs, I was very much looking forward to what I would discover about myself and about my habits. SHO 'NUFF, I learned a thing or two. Ahead, read my spending recap, what four things I learned from the challenge, and what I'll do differently next time.

Here's How to Make the Most of Your Mental Bandwidth

July 09, 2018 by SC in Live life

Millennials, our problem isn’t intelligence; we’re loaded with it. Our problem is mental bandwidth. And much of ours is consumed by the steady drone of background noise. Think Instagram, Facebook, talk shows, podcasts, etc.

Learn how to make the most of your most valued asset — your time — by using my one simple trick for making some room in your mind.

6 Free Things to Do in Charleston

July 02, 2018 by SC in Live life, Save money.Feat.2

I’m a time snob. What does that mean? It means I guard my time so that I can make the most of every day and every experience. I want to make sure that any activity’s resulting joy/bonding/memories are worth the time and money I’m spending. Cause both are valuable.

Like you, I work hard. I have a full-time, 40-hour per week job that requires me to use my brain 98% of the time. So when I get a precious day off, I don’t want to spend it doing something I don’t enjoy. Especially if I have to pay to do it. So, I’ve rounded up 6 free and fun things to do right here in Charleston!

3 Father’s Day Gifts for the Frugal Spender

June 10, 2018 by SC in Save money, Holiday

Father’s Day. It’s a lovely, corporately created sentiment designed for a culture of consumerism. But it’s also a day when you can give a nod back to Dad and say thanks. But you don’t have to fall prey to the cheesy home improvement ads. There are so many ways to show appreciation without making blowing your budget on a weedeater. I’ve rounded up a few frugal ideas for Father’s Day gifts that will still keep you in favorite child position.

How much should you contribute to your 401(k)?

May 31, 2018 by SC in Save money, Early retirement, Investing, Budget Basics

It’s intimidating to plan for something that will happen four decades from now. Actually, it's the most optimistic thing I've ever heard, because it means I believe I won't get hit by a bus and die tomorrow. Hope! So touching.

So, what are the average 401(k) contributions? Am I doing it right? Am I way behind the average 25-year-old? What's the "K" even for? Ahead, we discover (some) of the answers.

3 Non-essentials I'm Eliminating To Save My Budget

May 20, 2018 by SC in Budget Basics, Early retirement, Save money.Feat

As part of my no-spend challenge for the month of June, I’ve been forced to reassess my spending — what’s essential to daily life, what’s not, and what isn’t really essential but that I will try to make up some excuse for anyway. Here are my top three contenders for non-essentials that can be cut from my budget this month. Do you agree with my choices?

What is a "No-Spend Challenge" (And Why I'm Doing It)?

May 13, 2018 by SC in Save money, Budget Basics

A no-spend challenge is way to closely monitor your habits and get your spending back on track. There are a number of reasons to participate, with the most obvious benefits including saving money and tapping into your creative spirit as you fabricate numerous excuses for why you can't go to that group dinner.

And, the best part of a no-spend challenge is that it's 100% customizable. You make the rules.

Are you part of the 58%?

November 20, 2017 by SC in Early retirement, Investing, Save money

How prepared are you to head for the office door? For some people — especially millennials — retirement may be pretty far off.

The average retirement age in the United States is 63, but maybe you don’t want to be average. Maybe you, like me, plan to give your two weeks well before that. Either way, retirement requires planning.

7 ways to save time and money at Trader Joe's

November 18, 2017 by SC in Save money

You scoured Pinterest for the best recipes. You’ve mentally meal prepped and your shopping list is on point. Then you walk into the store and all hell breaks loose. Before you know it, your cart is full of things that weren’t on your list and you’re at the checkout, contemplating a personal loan for chocolate covered almonds. Read these 7 tips and then get a hold of yourself, woman.

You’re in a relationship with money. But who wears the pants?

November 14, 2017 by SC in Budget Basics, Save money

We’ve all been there. The clingy boyfriend. The emotionally draining one. The fling.

But have you ever been there with your money?

A relationship with money isn’t optional — it’s there, you’re there, and you have to figure out a way to live together. The secret is this: you get to determine your attitude towards your money. YOU get to set the terms of the relationship. So what kind of relationship do you have?

Taking on Traditional IRAs: What, when, how and more!

November 05, 2017 by SC in Investing, Save money, Early retirement

Retirement may be on our radar, but did you know that 1 in 3 Americans have no retirement savings? Yikes! If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken a step in the right direction. So what’s the next step? Learn the difference between a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA and be better prepared to open the account that’s right for YOU. The sooner you start, the sooner you can kick back and have daiquiris delivered on a silver platter. #RetirementGoals

Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Which retirement account is right for you?

November 01, 2017 by SC in Investing

When you’re in your twenties, it’s hard to commit to investing money that you may not see again for 45 years. Heck, I can’t decide on whether I want to spring for the organic apples — you want me to take a stab at investing the only money I’ve ever had?! There is way too much uncertainty at this stage of life, but that’s what makes a Roth IRA so attractive.

Individual retirement accounts — street name IRAs — are a relatively safe way to springboard into a comfortable retirement a little down the road. There are two main IRA options available: Roth IRAs and Traditional IRAs. Today, we tackle the Roth.

6 easy ways you can make $300 in the next month

October 31, 2017 by SC

Maybe it’s a last minute plane ticket. Maybe it’s an unexpected hospital bill. Maybe it’s that bridesmaid dress you will 100% never wear again. Whatever your reason, it’s hard to say no to an extra $300 in your pocket.

Understanding your paycheck: What the heck is FICA?!

October 29, 2017 by SC in Save money, Save money.Feat

Much like a 1994 Mariah Carey, payday is full of the highest highs, with unexpected lows. I have no shame in admitting that the first time I officially got paid, I experienced a roller coaster of emotions. Ever eloquent, my initial reaction to my first pay stub was somewhere along the lines of: “YAY! MONEY! I’M SUCH A BALLER. Wait. Whaaa-azklasdljkf. Who the hell is FICA??!?!?!?!??! WHY ARE YOU TAKING MY MONEY?!”

So WHO is FICA? As it turns out, “FICA” stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It requires that you, along with the vast majority of workers, have mandatory deductions taken out of your paycheck ...

Welcome to MissFunctional Money

October 15, 2017 by SC

Friend, hello!

My name is SC. I’m a twenty-something living in the Lowcountry who, at any given moment, might be found with my nose in a book or dramatically re-enacting scenes from Mulan. And I started this blog out of stupidity.

Let me explain.

I felt stupid for not knowing what FICA was. Stupid for having to Google average 401(k) contributions. Stupid for feeling like I failed basic #adulting.

But the thing is, I’m not stupid. I’m a relatively bright, college-educated, well-read individual. So why is money so hard? Why is adulting so hard? Maybe it’s because this stuff just wasn’t in school. And I figure that if I’m feeling this way, I can’t be the only one.

I’m not a financial expert (not even CLOSE. Not even in the same zip code, just so we’re clear). But here’s what I do have: solid research skills, an insatiable curiosity, unlimited access to GIFs and parents who’ve shared a fair amount of common sense. This blog serves as a resource — a place to streamline research, improve financial literacy and foster conversations we don’t have enough.

Consider this Adulting 101.

I hope you’ll join me in my search for money-saving solutions and fight for financial independence. And for the inevitable Taylor Swift references.