Blog - Making Sense Of Cents

Your 2023 Financial To-Do List (15 Things To Check Off)

Last Updated: January 23, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 4 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Do you have money tasks that you need to do but you keep putting off? Today’s financial to-do list will put you back on track so you can start checking things off your list.

Managing your whole life, especially your financial life, can be difficult.

There are so many things to remember and so many things you’ve said you’ll get to – I know I’ve been there.

If you’re like many people, you either procrastinate or you simply can’t find the time to squeeze everything in. If this is you, then this financial to-do list checklist will help you make the time to get stuff done!

The purpose of this to-do list is to help you take control of your financial life. The items on this list will help you save more money, plan for the future, budget, protect your family, pay off debt, and more.

I believe that everyone should have a financial to-do list, and if you’ve never made one, today’s article will give you an idea of what should be on yours.

Now, you definitely do not have to do everything on this to-do list, but this list will give you ideas and motivation for making and tackling your list. You may also find some things you would normally forget about or overlook.

After reading through this article, you will be prepared to start checking things off your list! [Read more…]

32 Best Stay At Home Jobs For Moms & Dads (Great, Flexible Ideas!)

Last Updated: January 16, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 1 Comment

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Becoming a mom is one of the best things to ever happen to me, and I love that my job is flexible enough that I get to spend time playing with my daughter and watching her grow up.

I know not everyone wants to work from home with their kids, but I am grateful that I can work at home while raising my little one.

Parents have a range of options these days when it comes to working from home. There are:

Freelance jobs for parents
Online jobs for stay at home moms and dads
Typing jobs for stay at home moms and dads
Jobs for stay-at home moms with no degree
Data entry jobs for stay at home moms and dads

And much more!

The ideas I’m telling you about in today’s article are more than just stay at home mom jobs. These are remote jobs for dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone else who wants a flexible job that allows them to work from home.

That’s why the best jobs for stay at home moms and dads are all flexible, and many of them are very easy to start.

For many, being able to have a more flexible schedule while raising children is important. And I completely understand that.

I love that I have one of the best work from home jobs for moms with babies! The flexibility of blogging means I mostly work when my daughter naps. When she’s awake, I get to spend time playing with her and watching her explore the world.

I know, I know. Because she’s a baby, it won’t always be like this forever, haha! But building a business I love that I can run from home on my own schedule gives me so much freedom to be with her right now.

Being a parent is hard work – it alone is a full-time job, and that’s why I was excited to create a list of the best jobs for stay at home moms and dads.

It’s more important than ever before to help people find jobs that make it easier to be a parent and make money.

Right now, there are many different flexible jobs and legitimate work that allow you to work from home. Whether you are looking for a side hustle or a full-time job, there are many options that may interest you.

So if you’ve ever asked, “How can I make money as a stay at home mom or dad?” Then this article has over 30 excellent ideas for you! [Read more…]

How To Become A Ghostwriter And Make $100,000+ Each Year

Last Updated: January 9, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 4 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Do you want to learn how to become a ghostwriter for books?

Ghostwriters write books and content for others, but their names aren’t publicly shared or credited as the author.

If you want to learn how to become a ghostwriter for books and find ghostwriting jobs for beginners, this is the article for you.

Finding a ghostwriting job is a dream for many and being able to make money writing from home can be a great career choice.

Today, I have an informative interview about how to become a ghostwriter with Alex Cody Foster. He has ghostwritten eight #1 Amazon Bestsellers, wrote for one of the U.K’s most successful thriller writers, and worked as John McAfee’s ghostwriter for six months, which is profiled in a Netflix documentary.

Alex recently created Ghostwriting University, an online course on how to become a ghostwriter. This course teaches students how to become a ghostwriter for books, and every step in the ghostwriting process is included — how to find ghostwriting clients; initial client calls; interviews; outline; first draft; final draft; and fully published book.

Alex also has a free mini course where you can learn beginner tips on how to become a ghostwriter and what you need to get started.

Are you wondering questions such as:

What is the typical ghostwriter’s salary?
Do you need a degree to be a ghostwriter?
Can anyone be a ghostwriter?
How do I start a career in ghostwriting?
Is ghostwriting ethical?

Today’s interview will help you learn how to become a ghostwriter and perhaps even introduce you to a new way to make money from home. [Read more…]

10 Budget Friendly Meals (Easy, Delicious, & Affordable Recipes!)

Last Updated: January 2, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 3 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Are you looking for delicious and easy budget friendly meals?

Finding affordable meal options can be a huge help when you’re trying to save money.

Because the cost of food has gone up so much in the past couple of years, nearly everyone can benefit from having ideas for recipes for budget friendly meals.

In fact, food prices have gone up by over 11% in the past year, but there are still ways to eat delicious food without going over budget.

In today’s post, I have ten recipes that will help you save money as you prepare tasty meals for you, you and your partner, or your family.

The recipes in this post are for all different tastes and diet types. There are vegetarian options, gluten-free meals, kid-friendly meals, and more. [Read more…]

65 Life and Money Tips That Will Change Your Life

Last Updated: December 26, 2022 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 2 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

As each year ends, I like to round-up all of my blog posts on Making Sense of Cents from the past year in one easy spot so that you can check them all out and see what interests you.

I have divided all of my blog posts into the following categories:

Freebies you can sign up for
Make money or work from home
Money saving tips
Personal money stories (early retirement and debt payoff stories)
Money management tips
Make money blogging
Life, motivation, and inspiration
Travel

Also, I have a private community group for readers of Making Sense of Cents. If you want to improve your life and your financial situation, join here and let’s all help one another out!

Enjoy these life and money tips!

Freebies you can sign up for

[Read more…]

20 Best Money Saving Apps (I’ve Used Many Of These Apps!)

Last Updated: January 10, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 5 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Looking for the best money saving apps and websites?

When it comes to using technology to save money, there are a variety of money saving apps and websites to choose from. I’ve sifted through the best personal finance apps to find which ones will help you save the most money, and I’m sharing a list and summary of your best options.

What I love about these kinds of apps is that you can easily keep track of your savings. You can simply pull out your phone and see what’s happening with your finances.

Whether they make managing your money easier, allow you to make or save more money, simplify financial tasks, cut your expenses, or something else, there are many benefits to the apps I’m sharing today.

Saving money is so important, but it can be difficult to do with the rising cost of things. That’s why every little bit counts when it comes to saving money!

The money saving apps and websites below will help you:

Save money from your phone
Save/earn money when shopping online
Manage your money online
Side hustle online
Save when you grocery shop
Set and reaching savings goals
Invest for your future
Improve your spending habits
Cut your expenses

And more.

The apps I’m sharing will work on Apple iOS, Android, laptop, and/or tablet. You should be able to sign up for them through your phone’s app store or by visiting the company’s website.

In today’s article, I am going to explain the top money saving apps and answer frequently asked questions, such as if money saving apps are safe, why these apps are willing to pay you cash, and more. [Read more…]

How We Paid Off $189,000 In Student Loans In 4.5 Years

Last Updated: December 16, 2022 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 12 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Hello! Here’s how Sarah DeShaw and her husband paid off $189,000 in student loans in 4.5 years. Please enjoy this debt payoff story.

Learning how much student debt my husband had was one of those moments in life that is absolutely seared into my memory.

We were on the beach. I was 20, he was 26. We were in love. We were both born and raised in the Midwest, but he moved to the coast of southern Georgia while we were dating and I had traveled to visit him.

Although we hadn’t been dating for too long at the time, we both knew this was a special connection – marriage material if we wanted.

My strategy while dating my husband was to ask as many hard-hitting questions I could – each a test of sorts to make sure I liked his character and instinctual responses.

I was trying to protect myself by asking what I felt was all the “hard stuff” up front.

He always passed with flying colors.

We’d never really talked about our financial situations and I knew we needed to start the conversation if we were thinking about joining our lives together one day.

I was nervous. I thought he might be disappointed in how much money I didn’t have. I didn’t have any debt, but I didn’t come from money either. I had maybe $7,000 to my name from working summers and around my school schedule. [Read more…]