Category Archives: Saving

Saving for Retirement Is About Living For Today

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Amy Jo Lauber

How do you live today and how much does it cost? What elements of this life do you embrace with joy and what elements cause you worry, grief or anxiety? I’m guessing, for many of you, this is the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Goals, Living the life of your dreams, Personal Finance with a twist, Psychology of Money, Retirement, Saving, Tackling debt | Tagged budgeting, envelope system, how to budget, how to save for retirement, live your values, living with intention, Mari McNeil, Mr. Money Mustache, saving for retirement | 3 Comments

The One and Only Personal Finance, Time Management & Relationship Tip You Need

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Amy Jo Lauber

I have become overwhelmed with the amount of information and advice coming at me from all angles. I was listening to Rush’s song Limelight and the lyric “…one must put up barriers to keep oneself intact.” No newspapers piling up on the dining … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Goals, Living the life of your dreams, Personal Finance with a twist, Saving, Tackling debt | Tagged focusing on the good, good enough, stop comparing yourself with others | 2 Comments

Why You Can’t Budget Like Your Parents Did

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Amy Jo Lauber

The Envelope System. Paying your electric bill by walking (or taking the bus) down to the electric company and handing over the $2.00 that was set aside in the envelope. Sending your kids to the store when they are 7 … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Personal Finance with a twist, Psychology of Money, Saving, Tackling debt | Tagged why can't I budget like my parents did?, why it's hard to budget | 3 Comments

Money and Calories – Forms of Energy that Confuse Us

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Amy Jo Lauber

Many years ago, during my senior year of high school, I took part in a musical exchange student program for three weeks in Germany. My host family was wonderful to me, I had a marvelous time and overall it was a great experience … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Goals, Personal Finance with a twist, Psychology of Money, Saving, Tackling debt | Tagged calories, energy, financial anorexia, giving and receiving, not valuing your work | 2 Comments

Notes from the “I HATE Budgeting” Support Group: Saving Strategies, Budget Strategies, & Ways to Track Spending

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Amy Jo Lauber

Our joyful (yes, joyful) group once again gathered January 4th, this time for continental brunch at Dog Ears Bookstore & Cafe in lovely South Buffalo. The chocolate mint sandwich cookies made me glad to be alive. We discussed a new savings … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Money in relationships, Personal Finance with a twist, Saving | Tagged budgeting, conscious financial choices, dollar per week saving, tracking expenses | 2 Comments

I HATE Budgeting: Saving, Spouses and Status

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Amy Jo Lauber

The “I HATE Budgeting (But I Like Having Money)” support group met 12/7/13. The agenda was “saving first, budgeting on what’s left,” but, of course, we went off on many wonderful tangents. Unless you have a savings goal – a target – you cannot and … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Goals, Money in relationships, Personal Finance with a twist, Psychology of Money, Saving | Tagged buying gifts, financial conflicts in a marriage, gift giving, holiday shopping, saving, setting goals, the need for status | 2 Comments

Don’t Let a Number Define You

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Amy Jo Lauber

Many years ago my (then) boyfriend (now husband) was asking me about my credit score (I find his practicality charming). This was before I worked in personal finance. I didn’t know and really didn’t care. I paid most of my … Continue reading →

Posted in College, Goals, Personal Finance with a twist, Saving, Tackling debt | Tagged borrowing money, credit score, paying cash for purchases, saving money | 4 Comments

Money as Employee

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Amy Jo Lauber

I suspect our current 40 hour work week will end sooner rather than later. Not that we’ll be expected to work 50 or 60 hours per week (as some people do now), but that eventually we’ll all be self-employed or … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Money in relationships, Personal Finance with a twist, Retirement, Saving | Tagged budget, employee, money working, saving money | 5 Comments

Is Our Financial Lifestyle Unsustainable?

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Amy Jo Lauber

Of course this question is rhetorical, because I believe solidly that it IS unsustainable. Look no further than recent college grads and the student loan debt they are carrying to know that this system is seriously flawed. Each and every … Continue reading →

Posted in Money in relationships, Personal Finance with a twist, Psychology of Money, Saving | 3 Comments

The Dichotomy & Double Life of a Savings Account

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Amy Jo Lauber

In the old days a man who saved money was a miser; nowadays he’s a wonder. ~Author Unknown The Great Recession has taught most of us the importance of having a financial cushion to make us more comfortable. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Personal Finance with a twist, Saving | 1 Comment