Category Archive

money

Why is it still socially un-acceptable to discuss your personal financial security as a married woman?

I’ve had two conversations in the past couple months that have set off a bit of a lightbulb in my brain when I realized that it still isn’t socially acceptable to discuss your personal financial security as a married woman. I will tell you why that’s not cool. (Beware of gendered language ahead…)

Help!? My friend got sucked into multi-level marketing: How do I support them without purchasing things I don’t want?

A friend of mine recently became an independent consultant selling through a multi-level marketing company. I want to support her, but I don’t want to buy any expensive products that I don’t need. I can tell she needs encouragement, but how can I help her without compromising my own values?

3 secrets for learning the language of money in relationships

It’s no secret that one the most contentious issues in many relationships is money. It truly does make the world — and our lives — go ’round. Money also doesn’t discriminate as to who its issues affect; it influences partnerships between people of any age, race, gender, background, or income level. I’m by no means an expert on relationships or money, as I’m sure Dr. Phil and Suze Orman could tell quickly given the chance. But I am someone who’s had to examine her own financial values in the context of her relationship. I’ve had to work with my husband to cultivate shared ideas and practices for our life together. The following tenets are a product of my six years of learning, compromise, and growth…

Navigating money issues with lower income roommates

I love my roomies, but while I have a sizable savings account and decent income, they are barely living paycheck to paycheck, even with help from family. Our rent is going up and though they’ve assured me they can afford it, I’m getting nervous. I don’t want to loan them money, but I do want to stay current on our bills.

Extreme couponing: how to get your grocery store to pay you to shop

My coworkers kept talking about “extreme couponing,” and how they were getting full carts of groceries for only a few dollars. I felt like everybody was in on this huge secret, until my coworkers directed me to a few websites.

What happened when I made a resolution to not buy anything new for a year

My resolution this year was The Compact, defined by Wikipedia as “a social and environmental movement whose members promise not to buy anything new for a year.”

So here’s how my Compact experience went…

Money envelopes have taken over my life in the most overwhelmingly wonderful way

About a year ago, my partner and I — while broke and realizing that our Christmas money budget was about negative fifty dollars — had an idea. We grabbed a few envelopes, and on each one, wrote the name of a bill, the amount it typically cost, and when the bill was due. We put the envelopes in a stack in our room, and with every paycheck, we’d take a bit out to put in the envelopes. But guys, these envelopes, they are taking over my life!

WTF is renters insurance really, and do I need it?

I live in an apartment, but it doesn’t explicitly require renters insurance. I’ve been renting my own places for four years now, and have gone without it. It seemed like a good thing to have, but not something to prioritize as a working (sometimes struggling) artist. Can y’all help a Homie out and break down what your experiences have been, and any advice you have on renters insurance?