Why I’ll fight over $9, pay hundreds in annual fees, and still buy the iced coffee. Sunshine and Savings, Issue No. 3 I recently discovered that I was paying $9 a month for a subscription I wasn’t using. Nine dollars. Was $9 going to wreck our family budget?…
How two people who hate budgeting actually budget
Sunshine and Savings, Issue No. 4 I have a confession you probably wouldn’t expect from a finance expert. I hate budgeting. Don’t get me wrong, I like having money. I even like saving money. I like knowing our bills are covered and we’re making progress toward the goals…
13 Travel Splurges That Are Actually Worth the Money, According to Travel Experts
Paying more for something when you travel doesn’t automatically mean you’re wasting money.I’m all for finding a good deal. I use points and miles to cut travel costs, look for ways to save before and during trips, and generally don’t see much sense in paying more when the…
How We Afford to Travel More
Five strategies I use to save for travel before I even know where we’re going. Sunshine and Savings, Issue No. 2 Fall break is coming, and I have absolutely no idea where my family is going yet. This is not unusual for me. Maybe we’ll chase a little…
The September Money Reset
A fresh season is a good excuse to take a fresh look at your money. Sunshine and Savings, Issue No. 1 There’s something about September that feels like January to me. Maybe it’s the kids going back to school. The return to our family’s regular routines. The first…
Who Is Allowed to Check Your Credit Reports?
Originally published on 5/22/17 and updated 4/18/26 by Michelle Lambright Black Accessing your credit information is easier today than ever before. And honestly, that’s a good thing—especially when it comes to accessing your own credit reports. Federal law gives you the right to review your credit reports for…