Saving in your thirties becomes increasingly difficult as your financial responsibilities increase. However, sound financial decisions during this phase of life can have profound benefits at a later stage. Here are some common financial mistakes to avoid: The first is failing to draw up a budget. A proper budget is the starting point of all financial discipline and should be physically written down for later reference. Include your partner in this process as it is important […]
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Cards for kids | Teaching your child to manage a credit card
Basic financial learning curves are best learnt early in life, they will benefit you in your youth as well as in the future. Managing debt is one such important learning curve and a credit card is a transactional tool through which this experience can be gained. The sooner you teach your children to be disciplined in handling a credit card, such as paying back debt and controlling the associated interest and fees, the better. This can […]
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Thistle save you a buck
With Valentine’s Day around the corner I thought I would write a piece about the proper procurement of flowers. What to look for and how to get the best bouquet for your buck.Starting with the obvious, if you are buying flowers for someone special then it’s best to know either their favourite kind of flowers are or at least some of the symbolism behind the flowers that you plan on buying. (Red is love, yellow is […]
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Another 5 Financial Reflections for 2016
Looking forward to another year of financial success means embracing monetary mistakes of the past. More importantly, you need to be honest with yourself about where you currently are and where you want to be.Here are another 5 Financial Reflections from 2015, for 2016:Don’t let yourself be pressured into buying designer goods Branding is such a huge part of the modern consumer society, yet there are generic products that deliver exactly the same level of quality. […]
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5 Financial Reflections for 2016
It’s that familiar time of year when you envision a “new you” and foster a compelling motivation for self-improvement. However, the year always seems to form into an uphill race and once you return to the daily grind it becomes easier to allow yourself to slip-up in your devotions.Reflecting on areas where you have encountered difficulties in the past helps to forge a firmer future. Here are five of my 10 financial reflections for 2016:There’s little […]
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Crafty Gift Ideas
When it comes to gifts they say it’s the thought that counts. While it’s great to receive the latest gadget that you’ve been eyeing for a while, it won’t be nearly as heartfelt as a one-of-a-kind handmade gift.You can save money and creatively tackle your gift list this year with some crafty gift ideas. The best thing to do is to upcycle “junk” into something useful and valuable.Paint dipped kitchen utensilsFor customized kitchen utensils that are […]
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TIPS TO SAVING FOR YOUR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION
Investing in your child’s education is often one of the most important yet challenging saving endeavours you can undertake and as a parent you don’t need any reminding of the urgency to start planning and saving today.Having a baby has financial implications and most new and future parents need to start saving straight away if they want to be financially prepared to fulfil the dreams they hold for their children. Many new parents, however, neglect to […]
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HOW TO SURVIVE CHRISTMAS
Christmas is almost around the corner. If you want to survive the holiday season without sapping your bank account, now is the time to start planning. The number one rule for spending money is this: Have a plan, but don’t just have a plan – stick to it!Draw up a budget If you’ve read my blog before then you know that I swear by the budget, this time you’ll need two. One for gifts and the […]
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SPRING CLEAN YOUR SPENDING – PART 2
Your finances can use some spring cleaning as much as your house does. Last week we went over some budgeting and account handling ideas, this week we continue with some more ways to get you feeling financially refreshed… Review recurring costs We become accustomed to recurring fees to a point of comfort. Maybe it is time to shop around for better rates on your car insurance, cell phone plan and other subscriptions. You will have a […]
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SPRING CLEAN YOUR SPENDING – PART 1
Clearing out old clothes and a garage full of stuff? While you might be tempted to just dump it all, there are people less fortunate that can use your second hand clothing to keep warm in the evening chill. While you are spring cleaning the accumulated clutter in your house, why not brush up on your finances? Here are some ways to achieve this… Budget maintenance The ever-present spending plan, one of the most important financial […]
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