Budget Archives - Making Sense Of Cents

Everything You Need To Know About How To Build Credit

November 18, 2019 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.

Do you want to learn how to build credit?

While you might be intimidated, it doesn’t have to be hard!

I learned how to build credit at 18 by opening a credit card offer that came in the mail. My first credit card had a small limit around $300.

I never maxed it out, and there were really no benefits. But, it didn’t have a monthly fee, and it helped me learn how to build credit.

My credit score is now over 800 and considered excellent.

I don't rely on my credit score and credit history, but I know that it impacts my life in many different areas — from insurance, to loans, to my cell phone bill. [Read more…]

Can Buying Things Really Make You A Happier Person?

November 11, 2019 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.

Have you ever bought something thinking that it would improve your mood?

I'm sure you have. In fact, we probably all have!

When I was younger, I used to have a crazy spending problem. I would either go out to eat or spend money on clothing after a stressful day at work.

I would tell myself that I deserved it for having such a bad day.

But then, the bad days happened over and over again.

Instead of trying to find the root of the problem, I would simply spend money that I absolutely did not have.

While I didn’t go into credit card debt, I was close to it. I spent money on things I definitely didn’t need, and this was causing me to live in a paycheck to paycheck lifestyle. [Read more…]

How To Be More Productive: 17 Tips To Help You Live A Better Life

November 4, 2019 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 20 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 wanting to learn how to be productive?

Are you feeling like you aren't as productive as you usually are? Or, perhaps life is really busy right now and you want to be able to manage it all better.

Many people struggle with how to be productive. We all have lots of things to do and sometimes we can accomplish them all, and other times it is very difficult.

I go through productivity spurts.

At times, I feel like I can accomplish anything and everything, and other days I don't even know what (if anything) I did all day.

This is an area that I am constantly working on, and perhaps you are too.

Sometimes I am distracted by so many different things that it has caused me to waste a huge amount of time. Therefore, I have not been able to live in the moment like I would really like to.

[Read more…]

How To Get Rid Of A Timeshare – Stop Wasting Your Money!

October 28, 2019 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 56 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.

Every once in a while I get a question from a reader about how to get rid of a timeshare. Sometimes the person is asking for themselves, but other times, they are trying to help a friend or family member.

The problem is that timeshares aren’t as amazing as the salesperson claims they are. They are expensive, you probably won’t use them as much as you think, timeshare resale values are incredibly low making them hard to sell, and more.

So, if you have been thinking about purchasing a timeshare or if you are wondering how to get rid of a timeshare, today's article is for you.

Many adults have attended a timeshare presentation, and even more have been asked to attend one. You are usually offered something if you stay the whole time, such as a free vacation, an iPad, a cruise, or something else that is quite enticing. And, that's how they get you interested.

All you have to do is listen to the presentation and get your free gift. Sounds simple enough, right? [Read more…]

Do You Need To Have “The Talk?” – 4 Powerful Reasons To Talk About Money

October 24, 2019 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 15 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.

Every so often, I hear from someone who says that I shouldn't talk about money so openly, as they believe it is rude, distasteful, vulgar… I could go on and on.

Every so often, I hear from someone who says that I shouldn't talk about money so openly, as they believe it is rude, distasteful, vulgar… I could go on and on. #talkaboutmoney #moneymanagementtips Sadly, many people think that talking about money is tacky and even more taboo than talking about politics or even sex.

For someone like me who is comfortable talking about how much I earn, the amount I save, and more, I make a lot of people uncomfortable, haha.

But, that's not what I'm trying to do.

I'm not trying to show off, make people feel less than they are, be rude, or anything like that.

Instead, I believe that being more open about money is better for everyone!

However, I regularly see people being shamed for talking about money, and I see it more and more on social media. [Read more…]

The Airbnb For Cars: Your Guide To Making Money On Turo

October 22, 2019 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.

Did you know that you can share your car with travelers on a daily, weekly, or even on a long-term basis and make extra money? I’m talking about listing your car and making money on Turo, which is like Airbnb for cars.

It takes as little as 10 minutes to list your car, and you can earn up to 90% of the trip price.

Sharing your car and making money on Turo has many benefits, such as:

You can use the money to pay for your car expenses. With the average Turo Host earning $500 each month, most people generate enough money to completely offset their car payments.
If you don’t have a car payment, the extra money you make with Turo can be used for retirement savings, paying off debt, and more.
You can make extra money passively. This is a no brainer!
The average car sits idle in driveways 95% of the time. If your car goes unused a lot, then this can be a way to offset a depreciating asset.

But, what is Turo exactly? [Read more…]

How I Paid Off $30,000 of Student Loans in 2 Years by Paying the Minimum Balance

October 11, 2019 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 6 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! Today, I have a debt payoff story from Alyssa Hunt. Alyssa is the creator of TheLifeHunt.com a blog that helps busy hustlers work towards business success and financial freedom all while managing full-time jobs. She is currently working towards a Master’s degree in English Literature and she teaches writing composition to university freshmen.

When I graduated college in 2014 with my undergraduate degree, I had racked up $30,000 in student loan debt. During my four years of college, I didn’t think much of taking out a loan here and there.

After all, I needed a way to pay for tuition.

Once the excitement and celebrations of graduation ended, I felt a mound of debt on my shoulders.

It was then that I decided to focus all my attention on paying off my debt as fast as I could. And by fast, I meant that I wanted to have all $30,000 paid off in exactly 2 years after receiving my first bill.

Setting my goal of 2 years felt entirely achievable to me, but to everyone else, it was crazy and impossible. I don’t believe a single person thought it could be done. So many people tried to convince me that student loan debt is “good debt” and that it’s “normal” to have debt. [Read more…]

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