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Calling all moms gearing up to jump back into the workforce post-maternity leave! We've got your back with six essential financial planning steps straight from the pros - think HR specialists and CEOs. We're talking about everything from nailing down commission details pre-leave to rethinking your financial game plan after having a baby. These insider tips are all about making your return to work as seamless as can be! Advice for Returning to Work After Maternity Leave Clarify Compensation Before Leave Utilize Networks and Resources Adjust Budget for New Expenses Update Budget for Parenthood Factor in Childcare Costs Reassess Financial Priorities Postpartum Clarify Compensation Before Leave Preparation is key for maternity leave. I was in a commission-driven role when I took my two maternity leaves, with changes in management between the two. I wish I had asked more specific questions about compensation, specifically commission before I left. Knowing exactly what you will be owed, for how long, and any changes that might occur to your commission structure during your leave is important so you can budget appropriately. Budgeting is extra important for those in a sales capacity, as your pipeline will likely be slow to rev back up after being away, along with the inevitable changes to your schedule and lifestyle. Some HR departments are great at helping you navigate your state-specific paid leave options, but most of the time, it's up to you to research the options and take full advantage of them. @TheMamAttorney has fantastic resources for moms navigating a leave of absence. Haley McNeel Drake , Resume Writer & Career Coach, The Career Revisory Utilize Networks and Resources One key financial planning step that should be considered for parents returning to work after maternity leave is taking advantage of your network and available resources. This is a crucial time to ask for help from friends and family. Even if they can't provide financial support, they might offer to volunteer for childcare, which can be a huge relief when transitioning back to work. They might also have hand-me-downs like clothes, linens, and other essentials for childcare that can save a lot of money. Additionally, many retailers provide welcome kits for new parents, including free samples and coupons for baby supplies, which can be very helpful. Government assistance programs like WIC and SNAP can also be valuable during unpaid parental leave if you qualify based on your income. Furthermore, it is a good idea to connect with local parent groups on social media or through faith-based organizations. These community groups and nonprofit organizations often have additional resources and support for new parents, which can be incredibly beneficial during this time. Eric Croak, CFP , President, Croak Capital Adjust Budget for New Expenses Before moms return to work after maternity leave, I recommend they take a hard look at their family budget and try to factor in any new expenses. A few months after my first, I remember getting sticker shock when I saw the family bank account. Why are we spending more than usual? Why is our balance dwindling?  I had not factored in the costs of diapers and baby formula. Our family had been eating out more than normal and purchasing a few new big-ticket items, such as a stroller and crib for the baby. Sitting around on pregnancy leave, it's pretty easy for a mom to search online and buy, buy, buy—diaper bag, car seat, etc.  My husband and I decided to revise some of our savings funds and find areas where we could cut back on spending. It doesn't have to be perfect, but calculating monthly spending and game-planning can help keep everyone on the same page. When you make those more significant purchases, evaluate how much you spend monthly on necessary items like diapers—factor these expenses into your budget so you don't get blindsided. Amy Johnson , Founder and Blogger, AmyBabys.com Update Budget for Parenthood As someone who navigated the transition back to work after maternity leave, I know firsthand how crucial it is to prioritize financial planning. One key step often overlooked is reviewing and updating your budget to reflect new expenses and priorities with parenthood. It's not just about childcare costs but also considering potential changes in insurance needs, savings goals, and even adjusting discretionary spending to accommodate new family dynamics.  I remember jokingly calling it my "baby-budget reboot" because it involved reevaluating everything from grocery bills to future college funds. Taking this step early on helped me feel more financially secure and prepared for the journey ahead, balancing the joy of motherhood with sound financial health. Rachel Beider , CEO, PRESS Modern Massage Factor in Childcare Costs As a working mom who has already experienced this, a critical financial planning step that shouldn't be overlooked is the extra costs that come with returning to work. Being dependent on family for child care while at work was short-lived, significantly impacting my job opportunities. The cost of daycare can be equivalent to a whole mortgage payment, which can greatly affect any existing financial plans. If daycare is not a feasible solution, then changing careers is the only solution in order to accommodate what is needed for the family. Kay Yang , HR Specialist Reassess Financial Priorities Postpartum One key financial planning step that moms returning to work after maternity leave shouldn't overlook is reviewing and potentially adjusting their budget to accommodate new expenses and changes in income. This is a major adjustment in your life, and it should be reviewed as such. As a professional female business owner with extensive experience in finance, I understand the importance of reassessing financial priorities after a significant life event like maternity leave. It's crucial to account for childcare costs, possibly reduced or altered income during leave, and any additional expenses that come with balancing work and family life. By proactively revisiting and adjusting their budget, moms can better align their financial resources with their current needs and goals, ensuring greater financial stability and peace of mind as they transition back into the workforce. Amy Jam , Founder, Amy Jam

What is one cheap family summer activity that won't cost a lot of money? To help you sample out some fun and cheap family activities for the summer, we asked parents and outdoor enthusiasts this question for their best ideas. From creating your own activities to nature walks and hikes, there are several fun activities you and your family can do this summer without breaking the bank. 10 Cheap & Fun Family Activities for Summer Create Your Own Activities Homemade Playdough Backyard Scavenger Hunt Arcades and Gaming Centers Camping Fun at The Beach Museums and Parks Or Home Movie Nights Ice Cream Bike Tour Neighborhood Tennis Courts Nature Walks Or Hikes Create Your Own Activities Consider the following low-cost or no-cost events and activities for your own children or a group of friends who want to have fun and make memories without breaking the bank. Make two boxes with index cards with activities printed on them, one for "outside" and one for "inside." Change up who in the family gets to choose the card for the day. This is a terrific strategy to avoid expensive activities while creating a fun family schedule. Draw your ideal home interior view with all the features on a large sheet of paper using colored pencils. Take advantage of many local libraries' free summer reading programs and storytimes. - Timothy Woods , Carnivore Style Homemade Playdough The best and most inexpensive family summer activity would be making homemade playdough. Kids love playdough, and it's easier to make a large batch of it. You need 1 cup flour, ½ tsp salt, food coloring, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, and 1 cup water. So, if you have older kids and adults in the family, gather them for this action also. You may also hold a competition where everyone is given something to make. Now, you need to see who makes the beautiful flowers, the fascinating creations, or any funniest animal. - Caroline Lee , CocoSign Backyard Scavenger Hunt My dad has a great activity that the grandkids love. During the summer, he'll collect 10-15 different items (toys, trinkets, etc.) and take a picture of them as a group. Then he scatters them throughout the backyard, makes copies of the picture/list of items, and sends the kids on a scavenger hunt. The kids find the items throughout the yard, cross them off the list, and there's a prize when everything has been located. It's free, grandpa gets a fun way to connect, and the grandkids love the game! - Logan Mallory , Motivosity Arcades and Gaming Centers Arcades and gaming centers are cheap options that can keep a family entertained and engaged all day. In recent years, arcades have changed so that there are now affordable options for playing all day instead of the expensive quarter-eating machines we all grew up with. Gaming centers often provide a wide variety of games so that people of all ages, genders, and interests can find something fun to play. - Rob Bartlett , WTFast Camping One easy and cheap family activity is to go camping. Campsites cost under 30 dollars, and you can see many new sights and sounds, go for walks, and experience nature! You can easily find and go camping, pack tasty food, and have great family memories. - Catherine Way , Prime Plus Mortgages Fun at The Beach There's nothing quite like jumping in the car and heading to the nearest beach when the weather is nice. There's always plenty to do for families at the beach. Whether it's relaxing with a book, working on your tan, or paddling in the sea, it's an awesome day out that doesn't break the bank. - Neil Thacker , Casual Car Guide Museums and Parks Or Home Movie Nights You don't always need to spend a lot of money to have fun with your family. There are plenty of activities that are cheap or even free. For example, museums have dates where the tickets have a discount, especially during the summer, or they have special discounts for kids. Many parks, expositions, and theaters also have this kind of discount-based schedule. If you want to do something more relaxing, I always find that creating a home movie night is enjoyable. You can use a streaming service to watch your favorite movie, put some blankets and pillows on the floor, and prepare some snacks. You can even make fake movie tickets so that the little ones can have the full movie theater experience. All you need is to get creative. - John Cheng , Baotris Ice Cream Bike Tour Summer activities with the family should end with a well-deserved reward. Is there anything better than delicious ice cream after a physical effort on a hot summer day? Taking a bike tour that promises a delicious end is not just a fun way to spend time together. According to Charles Duhigg's cycle of "cue, habit, reward, " it is also a great way to build healthy family habits. -  Michal Jonca , PhotoAiD Neighborhood Tennis Courts Neighborhood tennis courts give you the opportunity to play with your kids and potentially teach them a new game they might love. Many parks have tennis courts that are free and available to the public, and they're absolutely family-friendly. Even if you aren't particularly good at tennis–or aren't a very good tennis coach–it's okay because even disorganized tennis matches can be playful and fun. - Alex Wang , Ember Fund Nature Walks Or Hikes One cheap family summer activity that won't cost a lot of money is to go for a nature walk or hike. You can explore the local area and get some exercise at the same time. You may also want to bring a picnic lunch so that you can enjoy your surroundings even more. - Petri Maatta , DreamMaker

I often get questions from clients asking me what does a financial coach do and how will help guide me. Financial coaching differs from financial planning and financial advising in many ways. Financial coaching empowers clients to develop financial goals and self-control to make sound financial decisions. Financial coaching is about teaching and not doing the work for the client. Here are a few reasons why a financial coaching approach is a needed resource. What Does a Financial Coach Do? - Seven Goals of Financial Coaching Develop an Action Plan Monitor Client Progress Change Financial Behaviors Improve Client Financial Situations Address Immediate Financial Issues Identify Resources, Tools, and Additional Services Reduce Anxiety and Uncertainty Developing an Action Plan During your initial meeting with a financial coach, you will establish the main priorities you want to address throughout the coaching relationship. Your financial coach will ask questions to help you identify what may be holding you back from achieving your goals. If you are on the right track and need additional guidance, your coach will work with you to identify how you can progress in your journey. Your coach will also help you identify achievable goals and help you set timelines for achieving those goals. Monitoring Client Progress After your initial meeting, your coach will set up periodic check-ins with you to ensure that you stay on track. Depending on the severity of your financial situation, you may meet with your coach weekly, semi-monthly or monthly. At each session, your coach will allow you to lead the conversation and guide you to where you want to be. The sessions also serve as a check-in to see how you are progressing. Suppose you were given a budget tracker, tasked with identifying your income and expenses, or you planned to talk with your significant other about your financial situation. In that case, your coach will ask you how you have made progress and what additional resource you may need to stay on track. Changing Your Financial Behaviors Your financial coach's primary goal is to help you change the financial behaviors holding you back. Were there issues that you had with money as a child? Did your parents spend money all the time? Was the answer always no, when you wanted a toy as a child? The behaviors you witnessed as a child may be why you spend the way you do as an adult. It also may be the reason that you need financial coaching so that you can break the cycle of money mismanagement. See my feature in Breaking the Stigma: Getting Comfortable Talking About Money Improving Client Financial Situations Working with your financial coach will help you improve your financial situation. Each session will get you closer to your goal of getting your finances in order. After the first session with a financial coach, you will walk away with questions and ideas you may never have considered. One of the key questions I ask my clients is, "What has your attention today?". Another important question is, after evaluating your budget, "Where did you find that you spend most of your money?" These two questions immediately help clients assess, identify, and address the major hurdles in their budgets. Addressing Immediate Financial Issues A financial coach will help you address your immediate financial concerns. If you have multiple payday loans that make it difficult to make ends meet, they will help you analyze how you can eliminate and reduce the need to use them in the future. Do you find it difficult to afford food for yourself or your family? Your coach will help you map out a plan to work on the most pressing issues that concern you and guide you in preventing them from occurring frequently. Identifying Resources, Tools, and Additional Services If you need resources to help you budget your income and expenses, calculate your net worth, or set SMART goals, your coach can provide these resources. Additional tools, such as financial apps, calculators, mindest shifting resources, or printables, can also be helpful as you navigate your financial situation. At the end of the coaching relationship, your coach may recommend additional services that you could use once you gain control of your finances. Some services could include recommendations to a financial planner, financial advisor, or consumer counseling services based on your personal financial goals. Reducing Anxiety and Uncertainty Working with a financial coach can help you reduce anxiety and uncertainty surrounding your financial future. The coaching relationship will make it easier for you to talk about money and allow you to address significant financial concerns. It will also help you plan for the future and help you set and achieve your goals. Not only will your finances be more manageable, but you will also gain control over your life and work to achieve the financial freedom you deserve. See my feature in What is a Financial Coach and What They Do? Are you ready to work with a financial coach? Schedule your one-on-one consultation today.

With the cold weather outside, there's nothing better than snuggling up by the fire with a good book. And what better way to spend your time than by improving your financial knowledge and setting goals for the future? I've searched through various sources, including my own Kindle library, to compile a list of must-read financial books that can guide you in setting and achieving your financial objectives for the upcoming year. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The Best Personal Finance Books for Budgeting, Saving, Investing, and Goal-Setting 1. Sexy Money: Infusing Pleasure and Power into Money While You Make More Than Ever by Genevieve Rackham It's surprising to think that money can be associated with sex appeal. However, the lack of money can bring about fear, stress, and worry. Genevieve explores the impact of spirituality on shifting a scarcity mindset to one of abundance in her book. Transforming your relationship with money can lead to emotional healing and a more positive outlook. With Sexy Money, you can enjoy the journey of wealth-building and add more joy to your life. 2. You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want by Jesse Mecham Yes, you do need a budget. Creating a weekly, monthly, and annual budget can help you set and achieve your financial goals. Jesse describes that you need to give every dollar a job. Before your income enters your bank account, you should allocate it to a specific purpose. If it's for your wants, needs, or savings, creating a budget allows you to let your money do its job. This book is a valuable resource that will enable you to use a tried-and-true system that I have used for years. As the title states, you can get out of debt and live the life you want today. 3. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Napoleon Hill has a quote that says, "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." This quote has always struck a chord with me and continues to inspire me in all my endeavors. In his book, Napoleon shares anecdotes from famous millionaires like Andrew Carnegie, Arthur Nash, and Henry Ford. By learning from their experiences, you can attract wealth into your own life. All you need to do is identify your desires, focus on them, and work towards achieving your goals. 4. Rich As F*ck: More Money Than You Know What to Do With by Amanda Frances Have you ever had more money than you know what to do with? Do you want more money than you know what to do with? This question can be debatable depending on your financial situation, but as Amanda states, "it's time to look behind the curtain at money." This money mindset book walks you through your mental struggles with money and teaches you to believe in yourself and the positive choices you are making with your money. 5. Financial Starter Kit: Gain Financial Literacy and Avoid the Pitfalls of the American Dream by Symone Beez If you need a jump start on your financial literacy, the Financial Starter Kit is for you. Beez reviews the basics of financial literacy, which include credit, mortgages, stocks, business loans, and interest rates. These things are not taught in school, so you may have missed them growing up. I recommend this book for teens and other young adults just starting their financial journey. This book also includes worksheets and other valuable resources that can guide you in setting and achieving your financial goals.

To help job applicants land an interview, I asked hiring managers and recruiters this question for their best insights on how you can land a job interview for your next career move. From leading with your strongest qualifications to including metrics, there are several tips that may help improve your resume and land a job interview at your desired company. 11 resume tips to help you get an interview Lead With Your Strongest Qualifications Use Industry-Specific Keywords Prepare Fresh Resumes Regularly List Skills First Leverage the Area "Above the Fold" Match Your Resume to Company Values Make Sure Your Resume Will Pass the ATS Make It Easy to Read Leverage Networking Wrap up Your Resume with Hobbies Include Metrics Lead With Your Strongest Qualifications Personalizing your resume for the job is a good first step, but you also want to make it as easy as possible for the person reviewing your resume to see the skills and experience that make you a perfect fit for the position. This advice applies to both the resume as a whole and to individual sections. If your work experience isn't all relevant to the position, for example, put the ones that are at the top, even if they're not the most recent place you worked. You can also put a "Highlighted Skills" or "Summary Statement" instead of the outdated resume statement at the top and use this to call attention to what makes you uniquely suited for the role and company you're applying for. - Archie Payne, Caltek Staffing Use Industry-Specific Keywords The first step is to make sure that your resume fulfills the basic standards required by your potential employer. More and more companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to collect and store their applicants' data. Your resume might have a perfect graphic design, but you won't be admitted to the next recruitment round if it doesn't follow the company's requirements. My advice is to use industry-specific keywords in your resume. Where can you find them? First, look at the job description and search for words that are often used in the ad. You can also research which phrases are commonly used in your industry and incorporate them into your resume. However, be careful not to stuff your resume with too many keywords! Anything that looks unnatural might work for the software but will later discourage recruiters from inviting you to an interview. - Dorota Lysienia, LiveCareer Prepare Fresh Resumes Regularly Your experiences, expertise, and achievements change over time, and your resume should keep up with that. Having an updated resume is a major prerequisite for getting an interview call. It tells the recruiters what you have been up to recently, so they can consider you for further evaluation. An outdated resume will create confusion and misconceptions for the recruiter, making them unlikely to proceed further with your application. Ideally, you should revise your resume every couple of months and make sure it documents all your latest activities. It saves you the hassle of fixing your resume if an opportunity arises. - Antreas Koutis, Financer List Skills First An effective resume lists your transferrable skills first, above your experience. This is especially important if you don't have a lot of experience. However, even those with much experience will benefit from this style. Employers want to know what you can do more than they want to know where you've worked. Your experience should validate the skills you listed in the employer's mind. Listing skills first will immediately answer the question of whether you can do the job without needing to ask you a lot about your routines and work at past jobs so the interviewer can move on to other important topics. - Fadi Swaida, Bond Street Dental Leverage the Area "Above the Fold" As a professional résumé writer and former headhunter, I have reviewed thousands of résumés. Those that catch my eye have one thing in common. The candidate has leveraged the area above the fold, i.e., the top half of page 1. Too often, jobseekers open their résumés with a professional summary and then launch right into work history, creating a résumé that is a blow-by-blow of the candidate's jobs, maybe with a few achievements mixed into a sea of bullet points. Consider writing your résumé to take advantage of the prime real estate, the area above the fold. Begin with a heading that identifies the target job title, e.g., Sr. Financial Analyst. Create a strong summary describing who you are and why you're uniquely qualified for the role. Following the summary, I like to see an overview of core competencies and the critical skills required for success in the role. Then I recommend creating a section of career highlights, your best and strongest accomplishments, and achievements. - Jerome Imhoff, The Résumé Shop, "INK" Match Your Resume to Company Values Every company is proud of a few things that tower above everything else. You can notice these unique selling points and highlights everywhere, from the company's website to everything the HR team has tried to sell. These highlights could be the immense growth the company has achieved, the leadership team's commitment to work culture, its ability to read the market, or tech-savvy ways of working. Include the points that suit you best in your resume, and you'd be able to align yourself with the company's main goals. This approach will help present your resume as one that belongs to an ideal candidate who is cut out for working with the brand. - Kris Harris, Nootka Saunas Make Sure Your Resume Will Pass the ATS To land an interview, ensuring your resume will pass the ATS (applicant tracking system) is vital. Many employers use ATS to help reduce time spent sifting through job applications and resumes. To get past the ATS and to a human, your resume needs to be optimized with keywords, saved in the correct file format, and use the correct resume format. It's also important to avoid using images and fancy fonts. If you need help with your resume, we always recommend working with a resume writing service. Many resume writing services offer free reviews and can provide tips to help make sure your resume beats the bots! - Macy Sarbacker, CareerCloud Wrap up Your Resume with Hobbies Adding a hobbies line at the end of your resume is a great way to stand out from other applicants. Including interests and unique skills can set you apart from other candidates and endear you to the hiring manager. Though it's a small resume component, a hobbies section at the end of a professional summary shows personal flair and confidence in who you are. - Dan Potter, CRAFTD Make It Easy Reading An applicant's resume can make or break their chances of landing an interview. Here's my best tip to help you put your best foot forward: Make sure your resume is well-organized and easy to read. Keep all the information concise and organized so hiring managers can quickly understand your skills and how they relate to the job opening. When organizing your resume, make sure to tailor your resume to the specific job you're applying for. - Travis Lindemoen, nexus IT group Leverage Networking Once you've applied for a job, follow up. For example, a quick LinkedIn search of the company will show you the people who work in their talent, recruiting, or HR departments. Send a quick and friendly message to one or two of these folks sharing that you just applied, why you're interested in working for their company, and thanking them for their time and consideration. This small extra step could send your application to the top of the pile. - Matt Woods, SOLD.com Include Metrics When it comes to standing out from the crowd, applicants should highlight their achievements with data. Most hiring leaders love metrics. Quantify as much as possible to display what you've achieved, how you've achieved it, and in what span of time. The applicant's resume should be an advertisement for everything they can offer. Be consistent with your resume format, and don't be afraid to toot your own horn numerically! - Nakeisha Martinez, Zendesk Here are some additional resume tips: Keep your resume concise. A resume should be one or two pages long unless you have a lot of experience. Use a professional font and format. Your resume should be easy to read and visually appealing. Get feedback from others. Ask friends, family, or colleagues to review your resume and give you feedback. Need additional assistance with crafting your resume? Contact a professional resume writer.

When in the military, preserving and maintaining your credit can be difficult. It's even more challenging when you have predatory lenders who prey on military members. It never fails. At every military post, you see payday loan lenders right outside of gate entrances. So, how do you avoid falling into the trap of predatory lenders? There are a few protections in place, like the Military Lending Act and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), that can help you take control of your finances and get out of extreme debt situations. Here are a few tips and options to help you and your family get credit card and debt relief. How Bad Credit Can Affect Your Security Clearance A bad credit score can affect your chance of obtaining a security clearance. The military wants to know that you can handle your finances carefully while operating in an advanced position. In addition, when receiving a security clearance, you have access to protected information. If you are having trouble with your credit, individuals who want to gain access to protected information could use your debt as an end to their means. How can this happen? The bad guy could offer you money to reduce your debt in exchange for information, putting national security in danger. See my feature in Military Money Paying Off Credit Card Debt: Tips & Methods What To Do If You Are In Debt The first step to take when you are in credit card debt is to pay your bills on time every time. It's also essential to create a budget that can help you reduce your debt. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protects military service members with this. The SCRA allows individuals in the military to reduce their credit card interest rate to 6%. Reducing your interest rate can be done by showing the credit card company a copy of your military orders, and they are required to adjust your interest rate. The protections of the SCRA extend to default judgments, foreclosures, and property repossessions and enable you to exit a lease for a home or automobile without a penalty. However, any debt must have been incurred before joining the military to take advantage of this rate reduction. How To Pay Off Debt Fast You can pay off credit card debt fast by paying more than the minimum. Paying more than the minimum payment amount allows you to pay a smaller amount of interest on your purchases. It's essential to eliminate the need to use your credit card for purchases to decrease your balance continually. See my feature in Veterans Build Debt-Free Life After the Military in Military Families Magazine. Resources To Help You Budget Financial Coaches are available to help you put a budget together that works. Many military bases employ financial coaches that help military veterans evaluate and control their finances. The AFCPE also provides free financial counseling and coaching sessions to military veterans. Some independent financial coaches and counselors can also help you build a tailored approach through one-on-one sessions. Finding And Eliminating Unnecessary Spending You can eliminate unnecessary spending by evaluating your income and expenses. Print out your monthly bank statement and assess your income and expenses. Highlight any expenses that are a necessity and those that are a luxury. If the expenses are necessary, continue with them in your budget. If they are a luxury, work to eliminate or reduce your spending in these areas. Evaluate your spending at least semi-annually to see where you can cut costs. Are You Drowning in Debt? Help Is Available. Seek assistance. Financial coaches and counselors can help you understand your financial situation and guide you in setting achievable goals. They work with you to build your financial literacy and provide you with the tools and resources needed to manage your wealth.

I received the biggest salary adjustment of my career and couldn't figure out what to buy. I had to buy something, and I decided I was going to do it. So, I bought towels. Yep, you read that right. All my bills were paid, and my mortgage was paid off, so I thought about how to treat myself with the pay increase I had just received. Typically, the only place I spend money is at the hair salon, so I upgraded my towels. Now, these aren't your regular towels. They are soft, plush luxury towels from Frontgate, and I love them! I Saved and Invested Some, Too Now, I'm not going to lie. I saved and invested a considerable part of my increase. I increased my retirement contribution percentage to the maximum allowed and called my financial advisor to see how to invest more of my income. That may sound scary in today's market, but it's the perfect time to invest. I'm just going to sit back and wait for the market to rebound. A portion of the money I saved also went towards future unexpected expenses and the oh-so-fun travel trip with my husband. We love to travel and have visited Antigua, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, and Jamaica. Living in Florida and Georgia, we've visited all the hotspots like Savannah, Atlanta, Orlando, Tallahassee, and more. Next up is Los Cabos, Mexico, this summer and Curaçao in December. Through sheer diligence with our savings and paying off our bills and loans far in advance, we can pay cash for our vacations and any other significant purchases we may have. See my feature in Gen Z: Here's How You Can Save For Travel On a Tight Budget My Husband Encourage Me to Buy A New Purse I wanted to buy a summer purse for our upcoming summer trip to Mexico. I was debating between two different purses on the Michael Kors website. So, I asked my husband for his advice. He said since you only bought towels when you got promoted, why don't you buy both purses? This was also in celebration of my 10-year anniversary at work. Ultimately, I only bought one purse because that was what I initially sought to do. Living Within My Needs and Treating Myself Every Now & Then I tend to live within my means. I know the normal term is living within your means. However, living within my means helps me continue saving and investing for my retirement. It's a few years away, so living life based on my current needs allows me to double down on my retirement savings. My goal is to continue ticking off travel places on my bucket list and bring my husband along with me. Happy travels!

Do you have a large group of family, friends, or coworkers? Are there birthdays or other significant events coming up? I was searching the internet for budget-friendly gift boxes, and each box on Etsy or Google was going for $40 or more, and that doesn't include delivery fees. So, I said I'm going to make my own gift boxes and created them for under $40. Here's how! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Gift Box On A Budget I scoured the internet to find exciting and valuable gifts. I didn't just want to come up with some random non-useful items, and luckily, I was able to purchase everything from Amazon and read reviews for everything. No cheap stuff here, even on a budget. Gift Box I wanted a sturdy gift box and found a pack of 12 Moretoes White Gift Boxes that included the string to tie the box. It's one long string, so you can cut as much or as little as you need. It assembled in less than thirty seconds. I also added a little character to the box by purchasing 100 stemless rose flower heads and placed two inside the box and one on top as a cute accent. If you have males you're gifting, find some cute bow tie decorations. What went inside the box? I bought a 24 pack of Kombucha tea because I figured this was a little healthier than a wine spritzer or a bottle of alcohol. However, I did find a package of wine tumblers that can be used in multiple gift boxes. The gift recipient can purchase the wine at a later time. The tumblers even came with a straw. Fancy! Now, when you're drinking wine, what's better than relaxing with something that smells nice? So, I found these soy wax melts made by veteran-owned Farm Raised Candles. This is an excellent gift for your friends or family members with allergies. Trust me, I know. Finally, my ultimate touch was this unique Triple Protection Bracelet. This particular bracelet brings luck and prosperity to the gift recipient. Depending on what the recipient needs in their life, you can find other types of handmade bracelets that bring confidence, motivation, or happiness. My entire cost was about $200, and I'll be able to make multiple boxes. I will have to replenish a couple of the items, and the price will vary, but after creating my first box, the total cost was $39. Now, I couldn't beat that or the ability to personalize the box with the bracelet. You can find cheaper options at the Dollar Tree or on Amazon to decrease your spending. However, don't forget quality. Here's the gift box.

Do you want to learn how you can pay cash for your vacations? Well, here are a couple of ways that my husband and I fund our vacations without using credit cards. It helps us keep our vacation budget in check and eliminates the financial impact on our regular monthly expenses. We started taking semi-annual trips about three years ago, so we've learned a few traveling tricks. Plan In Advance When planning a vacation, it's essential to plan as far in advance as possible. This allows you to know what to expect financially. Many hotels and resorts allow you to book at least 18 months in advance, which makes it easier to plan. If you know how much it's going to cost, you will be able to adjust your budget and save accordingly. See my feature in How You Can Save on Travel on a Tight Budget to choose wisely when deciding when to travel. Take Advantage of Paying Later If you are going on a cruise or booking an all-inclusive resort (my favorite), you may have the option to pay later. Many popular vacation destinations and cruises allow you to pay for your vacation monthly, 90 days in advance, or once you arrive at your location. Again, planning will enable you to build up your vacation budget or add it to your monthly savings budget for the year. This will eliminate the need to pay all at once using your credit card. Create a Souvenir Budget It was my husband's idea to create a souvenir list. So, we sat down together and made a list of everyone we wanted to souvenir shop for. We also listed the items we wanted to get for each individual, magnets, t-shirts, bracelets, etc. This included items for our neighbors who collected our mail, family members, and coworkers. Then, we created a souvenir budget. We ended up spending less on souvenirs than we expected and were able to redeposit the remaining funds back into our savings account to be used for our next vacation. Haggling with the vendors helped reduce our spending a lot. Don't be afraid to haggle. Plan for Excursions If you don't want to stay on the cruise ship or the resort property the entire time, it's essential to research and budget for excursions. For the most part, planning for tours at resorts may cause you to pay more. So, we plan our excursions through a reputable source such as Viator and end up saving hundreds of dollars. We've used Viator on our last two trips and loved every tour guide they assigned us. Just remember to take tips for the tour guide. Tipping on Vacation Speaking of tips, you should include money for tipping in your vacation budget. Some resorts like Sandals don't require tips, but you may have luggage or a driver to your destination if you are flying. It's a good rule of thumb to tip them a few dollars because they tend to make most of their money from tips. See my feature in Keeping Up with the Joneses (Tip 2). Stick to Your Budget Sticking to your budget is essential. If you see that you are running low on funds, avoid the temptation to use your credit card for excursions, dinners out, or souvenirs. You have already planned and set a budget, so keep your budget in mind when traveling alone or with friends.

Voluntary contributions or deductions from your pay can affect your net take-home pay. These voluntary contributions can reduce your current tax rate and potentially increase your net take-home pay. These contributions are included in your employer's cafeteria plan, and participation is optional. A cafeteria plan can be described as going into a high school cafeteria and you get to select what you want to put on your tray. You may consume some of the items you choose and other options declined. Let's review how pre-tax contributions are deducted from your gross pay. Flexible Accounts You can use Flexible Accounts for daycare and medical expenses. A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can be used for qualifying medical purchases throughout the year. With an FSA, you can pay for eyeglasses, dentures, over-the-counter medication, menstrual supplies, and more using an FSA card. You can use the Dependent Care Account (DCA) for qualified daycare expenses. If you decide to contribute to an FSA or DCA, your contributions will be deducted from your gross pay using pre-tax dollars. See my feature in Smart Ways to Use Up Your FSA Before the Year Ends Retirement Contributions Contributing to your retirement can help you build a secure financial future. Whether it's a 401(k), 403(b), or other qualified retirement plan contributing a portion of your income can increase your current and future wealth. If you elect retirement contributions or your employer auto-enrolls you, contributions will be deducted from your gross pay. View the calculation below to see how a 10% retirement contribution rate could affect your gross income*. Then, calculate your tax bracket using E-file's free tax bracket calculator. Free Tax Bracket Calculator See my feature in the Retirement Planning Guide Insurance Benefits If you've elected medical, dental, vision, life insurance, or any other insurance benefits through your employer, premiums will be deducted from gross pay. Premiums for insurance benefits can become expensive, so it's essential to understand that your employer shares some of the costs. The term that relates to this is cost sharing. For example, if your employer shares 70% of the cost of your family's medical premium and you pay the other 30%, the monthly breakdown could look like this: 0.30 x $1,100 = $330 Your shared cost x monthly premium = premium you pay 0.70 x $1,100 = $770 Your employer's shared cost x monthly premium = premium your employer pays Understanding an employer's cost share is essential when negotiating your salary. Cap Contribution Limits There are cap or maximum contribution limits that you can make to some of these plans. For 2022 the annual maximum you can contribute to an FSA is $2,850. Dependent Care contributions vary based on your tax filing status. Rates were increased in 2021 when the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law. Basic defined contribution plan (401(k)) contribution limits are capped for 2022 at $20,500. It's important to note that there are maximum contribution limits, but your employer has the option to choose a lower amount. *This example calculation assumes gross pay is $30,000, a 10% retirement contribution, no state taxes, semi-monthly pay frequency, and federal filing status of single.

Children are never too young to start learning about money. Most children can understand the concept of money at the age of two. These conversations don't have to be dreaded talks but can be made fun by incorporating real-life discussions and games into the mix. Here are four money games that you can start playing today. As an Amazon Associate , I earn from qualifying purchases. 5 Games That Teach Your Kids About Money! 1. Monopoly Yes! The number one game is Monopoly to help teach your kids about money. Monopoly can show children ways to strategize purchases when it comes to real estate. Monopoly allows you to purchase property, add houses to that property, and ultimately upgrade it into a hotel. Owning real estate and upgrading property can be advantageous in Monopoly because you get to collect rent from those who land on what you own. However, purchasing property can be expensive, and if you don't manage purchases correctly, you may go bankrupt before you can reap the rewards. Try this competitive game and collect $200 when you pass Go. 2. The Game of Life The Game of Life gives you two choices, start a career or go to college. If you choose to start a career, you would also need to pick a salary at the beginning of the game. If you decided to go to college, you would need to get a student loan for $40,000. You will eventually choose a job and a salary. The Game of Life will take you through life choices, and you will need to manage your finances through your career, home purchase, family planning, and retirement. The person who retires at the end of the game with the most money wins! 3. Rich Dad - CASHFLOW for Kids CASHFLOW for Kids takes the conversation a little further by incorporating real-world skills and discussions into the mix. CASHFLOW is not a fast game, so set aside time to have meaningful financial discussions with your children. These conversations will allow you and your child to learn and grow together. What could be better than that? 4. Cash Registers The Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register is another fun resource for children. My daughter requested one of these for Christmas when she was younger. She would create price tags for everything in our home and even charge us at mealtimes. Using a cash register can teach children how to make change, determine what change they should get back, and return change in different coin combinations. This realistic cash register, which includes a debit card, is perfect for today's youth. 5. The Allowance Game The Allowance Game teaches children how to spend their allowance. It's the perfect game for any age, but more specifically for those in elementary and middle school. It helps develop priorities regarding needs and wants and other childhood responsibilities. Do you really need that gum, and do you have the money required to afford it? This game also teaches children to earn money by doing chores and how to make change. Children can understand needs and wants by playing because the game is over once the money's gone. The end result is that having constant money conversations with children can break the 'shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations' curse. Teach child(ren) positive money habits to help them build a solid financial future. Check out my money activities on Etsy for even more waves so your child can be a financial guru!

Financial infidelity is hiding the accurate financial picture of what a couple's finances are in a relationship. What Does Financial Infidelity Look Like? Hiding shopping purchases. Lending money to others. Having hidden bank accounts or credit cards. Not informing your partner about your income. Financial Infidelity Can Ruin a Relationship It's risky to bring financial infidelity into a relationship because it could lead to deception in other areas of an individual's life. For example, not being truthful about one's spending habits can lead to the need to hide clothes in a closet or lie about when you bought a particular item. The stress of financial infidelity can lead to the destruction of a relationship. This comes when one partner's trust is broken. Trust can be compromised when one person puts their needs or desires ahead of what's in the relationship's best interest. See my feature in the 9 Secret Habits of People With Credit Scores Above 800 Talk About Financial Security To move from financial infidelity to speaking more openly about money, individuals must understand their emotions around money. A better understanding of an individual's emotions, value of money, and history with money can help them move past the stressors that make talking about it difficult. In addition, being realistic with one's financial situation and concept of money can make having the conversation with their partner a little easier. Being honest with oneself is the first step in moving past financial infidelity. See my feature in Veterans Build Debt-Free Life After the Military to see how planning as a couple can help achieve goals.