Money terms can be confusing. Heck, overwhelming. And when you’re always seeing headlines about how “market downturns are looming,” ya kiiiiiinnda wanna know what that means for you. Get a top-level overview of bull markets, bear markets and recessions — as well as what you can do to prepare.
Read MoreWhat is 5G? When is it happening? Should I care, or is this like an iPhone software update that I’ll definitely ignore for a few years? Learn all about 5G and what it means for you (like, will you have to buy a new phone?) in this post.
Read MoreJust in case investing isn’t confusing enough, people like to throw around acronyms and nicknames like S&P, bull, bear, NASDAQ, WTF, DOW, IDK. It’s like they have a secret club, with all these secret passwords, and they won’t let you in the treehouse because you don’t know them.
I’m breaking down investing basics — check it out!
Read More“It is a truth universally acknowledged that student loans are the wooooorrrrssstttttttt” - Jane Austen
Learn how this family is thriving while paying off ALMOST $1 MILLION in debt. It’s a special guest post that (spoiler alert) talks about a tooth vending machine. Check it out!
Read MoreA can opener almost made me lose my mind. And that’s when I decided to take a long look at my finance goals overall and question whether or not my money plans were in perspective. The two are related, I promise. Here’s how I think you should keep your big-picture money goal at the forefront.
Read MoreOnline banks can offer higher rates and more free money for you — and mo’ money, mo’ tacos. But are there still advantages to having an account with a traditional bank? I’m diving into the pros and cons of each!
Read More“Just because you’re little, you can do a lot/You mustn’t let a little thing like little stop you.” Read how THIS and other inspiration about life and money comes straight from one of my favorite books/musicals. Oh, you don’t think children’s stories are the basis on which financial plans should be founded? Think again, maggot.
Read MoreIf TV shows have gotten NOTICEABLY crappier over the last decade, then why is cable so heckin’ expensive? I’ll tell you who’s to blame, how you can cut cable costs, and where to go if you’re ready to cut the cord altogether.
Read MorePersonal finance can be so intimidating. How do you overcome that feeling that you're bad with money? What about when you don't know where to start — when you don't even know WHAT you don't know?! There’s one thing that you need to remember. Start here.
Read MoreWhat is APY? And how the heck is it different from APR? It’s important to understand just how much each can impact your money — even though it seems boring to talk about. Get the scoop and a haaaaanddyyyyy song about APY inside!
Read MoreShould 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 MoreMy 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.
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 MoreWe’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 MoreRetirement 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
Read MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreMaybe 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.
Read MoreMuch 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 ...
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.
