Category Archives: Tackling debt

Money for Enjoyment: Make Sure It’s In Your Budget

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Amy Jo Lauber

This may initially sound counter-intuitive (“Don’t most people spend too much on enjoyment?”) but you’d be surprised. This month at the “I HATE Budgeting (But I Like Having Money)” support group we discussed setting money aside in your budget specifically … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Living the life of your dreams, Personal Finance with a twist, Psychology of Money, Tackling debt | Tagged how to budget for fun, how to spend on yourself without feeling guilty | 3 Comments

It’s Okay, You Just Can’t Afford It

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Amy Jo Lauber

Don’t take it personally, you just can’t afford it. It doesn’t mean anything about you except that it’s not in your budget. Maybe you don’t earn enough. Maybe you have too many other bills. Maybe you don’t have enough saved. … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Living the life of your dreams, Personal Finance with a twist, Tackling debt | Tagged he's just not that into you, Keeping up with the Joneses, you can't afford it | 8 Comments

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

Want Your Wife To Shop (Spend) Less? Tell Her She’s Beautiful, Regularly

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Amy Jo Lauber

I’ve been following the blog Why Get Hitched, which is about the benefits of getting and staying married. It’s kind of awesome. This week the author wrote about Meghan Trainor’s song “Dear Future Husband” and the requests she makes, one of which is for him to … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Money in relationships, Personal Finance with a twist, Tackling debt | Tagged financial conflicts in a marriage, Meghan Trainor "Dear Future Husband", why do women buy so many shoes?, why does my wife shop so much? | 8 Comments

Money Is Not The Answer, It’s The Question

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Amy Jo Lauber

How much does it cost? How much does it pay? How much do you owe? How much did it grow? How much have you saved? Enough. Enough with the endless questions, the pressure, the anxiety, the stress, the worry. Enough … Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting, Goals, Living the life of your dreams, Personal Finance with a twist, Psychology of Money, Tackling debt | Tagged defining enough, Find your way out of the woods, getting unstuck, Julie Roy, Laura Aiisha | 2 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

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

Young Adults Navigating the World of Finance

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Amy Jo Lauber

There are myths and realities about young adults and their financial decisions. Most people assume they are impulsive, spoiled and addicted to their devices. This may be true in some cases, but, just like people of any age, young adults are all over … Continue reading →

Posted in College, Personal Finance with a twist, Tackling debt | Tagged education costs, financial advice for young adults, job seeking, student loans, young professionals | 3 Comments