Budget Archives - Page 158 of 158 - Making Sense Of Cents

My Frugal Shopping Trip

Last Updated: December 8, 2014 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 16 Comments

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Today I went grocery shopping after work. Usually when I go, I’ll try and randomly grab maybe 3 or 4 coupons (and I usually feel pretty happy with those savings). Today I decided I would put my couponing skills to the test.

I brought a grand total of 10 coupons and my store had a $10 off day, so I ended up saving 73% off my grocery bill. My total was only $18.88 for everything! I’m very proud of the money I saved today. Especially since we needed all of the stuff I bought.

What’s your monthly grocery budget? Do you use coupons? Any couponing or grocery saving tips/hints should be posted!

Random thoughts for right now

Last Updated: October 28, 2019 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 6 Comments

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Here’s a quick article about jobs.

I think this is a good article for anyone in college or out of college who is still trying to decide what they want to do. I’m a financial analyst (which is on the list) and I greatly enjoy my job. My job is never boring and the days seem to go by quick. Where are you trying to find a job?

Here’s an article about timeshares.

I love Learnvest.com also. Their articles are usually very good and interesting. Does anyone own a timeshare? I have never thought about buying one but I have rented them before. It seems like there are a lot of downsides to owning one. What are your thoughts on timeshares?

Also I have exciting news! I helped my mom last night with her resume. She has been out of work for nearly 3 years due to sad circumstances. My father passed away 3 years ago and she was helping him until he passed, which caused her to lose a lot of time at work. Her work then laid her off (which I believe had a connection to her not being able to work). Then my mother had some health illnesses but now she is forced to work again due to money reasons.

Anyways, enough with the sad stuff. She just turned in her FIRST application/resume last night (since she was laid off) and already received a job interview this morning. I’m so happy for her. I hope she gets it and I’m sure she will.

First Person: Why I Consider Student Loans to Be ‘Good Debt’

Last Updated: April 20, 2017 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 19 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.

Some people can escape college and graduate with no debt or hardly any. I graduated with some debt, and I can proudly say that I am not ashamed of it.

I worked full-time throughout college and managed to graduate with two degrees in less than three years after the time that I graduated from high school. I managed to graduate before I turned 21, which I will say that I am also proud of.

However, since I graduated so quickly, I had to take a large course load in order for it to be possible. I took 14 credits (I think it was 14? Somewhere around that amount) while I was in high school, 18 or 21 during most spring and fall semesters and one summer I took 12 credits. The larger course load also came with a higher price, as the scholarships I was offered did not cover tuition beyond full-time status. With credits being nearly $900 an hour, each credit above 18 cost me dearly and added up quite quickly.

Currently, I have around $25,000 in debt, but that includes both my undergraduate degrees and two semesters of my MBA.

I do not regret my debt. I pay around triple the minimum balance each month for each loan that I have taken out and I plan to have my loans paid off within 5 years.

Your turn: Do you have any college debt? Do you consider college debt to be “good”?

Edit: My student loans are fully paid off!