Oh My Quad: An Ode to Pure Barre
Should I be paying more for Pure Barre classes? Or am I lift, tone and burning away my savings? Read a little about my life as a ballet dancer and why I think this splurge is worth it.
Read MoreSaints, Scotch & Sunsets: Our Honeymoon Adventure in Scotland (Part 2)
Our honeymoon in Scotland was the most exhilarating, scenic and fun experiences we’ve ever had! Discover all of our money-saving tips, fun splurges and can’t-miss spots from our time in the Scottish Highlands - check out part 2 of our honeymoon!
Read MoreCastles & Cocktails: An Introduction to Edinburgh + Our Honeymoon in Scotland (Part 1)
Our honeymoon in Scotland was the most magical experience. Learn our top tips — faves, saves, splurges and mistakes — from our first stop in Edinburgh! I cannay wait for you to read.
Read MoreAre You A Time Snob? (And Other Musings on Mindfulness)
Money has little intrinsic value, right? It’s extrinsic value lies in the freedom, peace of mind, flexibility, tacos and options that it provides. Our most valuable asset is TIME — so what are you doing to protect yours?
Read More3 Reasons Why I Paid Twice The Cost For Our Honeymoon (And Why Travel Hacking May Not Be For Me)
I’m naturally a saver. I want to find the most value in everything I purchase, even when it comes to once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a honeymoon. So why would I pay nearly double the amount as necessary for our plane tickets? I’m a bit of a travel hack skeptic, and I’ll tell you why.
Read More5 Ways You Can Save On Wedding Season
On average, a friend’s wedding costs us $888 from engagement toast to sparkler exit. That’s an average number. Bridesmaids often spend well over $1,000. And to be quite frank, I think that estimate is on the low side. Here are 5 ways you can save some money during #weddingszn.
Read More8 Things Show Business Taught Me About Money
My early career in arts and entertainment took me all over, even internationally. I met cool people and learned how to apply eyeliner well below the lash line to accentuate eyes, which will definitely come in handy in the real world.
Finances are a SORELY lacking subject in a performer’s education. But here’s what I have to say looking back on my time in the biz.
Part I: Did Somebody Say HSA? What You Need to Know About the Ultimate Secret Retirement Account
HSAs are the magical unicorns of retirement accounts that nobody talks about. And you know what? I didn’t even know they EXISTED! Learn how a health savings account can be a triple tax-advantaged savings plan and the ultimate retirement account.
Read MoreHow to Create an Effective, Realistic Budget Based on Your Individual Goals [+ FREE PRINTABLE]
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!
Read MoreRECAP: 4 Things I Learned During My June No-Spend Challenge
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.
Read MoreHere's How to Make the Most of Your Mental Bandwidth
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.
Read More6 Free Things to Do in Charleston
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!
Read More3 Father’s Day Gifts for the Frugal Spender
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.
Read MoreHow much should you contribute to your 401(k)?
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.
Read More3 Non-essentials I'm Eliminating To Save My Budget
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?
Read MoreWhat is a "No-Spend Challenge" (And Why I'm Doing It)?
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.
Read MoreAre you part of the 58%?
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.
Read More7 ways to save time and money at Trader Joe's
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.
Read MoreYou’re in a relationship with money. But who wears the pants?
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?
Read MoreTaking on Traditional IRAs: What, when, how and more!
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
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