I've had a job for half my life and I'm realizing my financial mindset hasn't changed. I'm still living like I'm a single 18 year old and not a homeowner, spouse and mother of two. Here's an ongoing thread of financial resources that I'm implementing or planning to use.
I made this video to kick off the year. When I did these things faithfully, I saw my debt decrease.
I'll start small. If I purchased frivolously within the last few weeks, I take back the items that I didn't need. I just bought $30 worth of matte lipsticks this weekend. They are all going back. That's $30 extra dollars I could have put on my car note or student loans.
I also have a filter on all sales emails so deals don't pop up in my inbox all week long. If I NEED to purchase something, I go to that hidden folder and see what my favorite spots are offering. I've eliminated a lot of impulsive purchasing that way.
I don't coupon (yet), but I do stick to a meal plan & grocery budget, approx. $450 a month for family of 4. I purchase meat and items we go through quickly (detergent, trash bags, coffee, etc.) at #Costco. I always compare price per unit to make sure I'm getting the best deal.
I also buy most of my groceries at @AldiUSA. I go HARD for Aldi. You can't beat the prices. Most items are at least $1 cheaper than other big box shops. Through trial and error, I've found staple items for our home. I can do a separate thread on that if anyone is interested.
Again, this is an ongoing thread, so I'll update as the days/weeks go on. But be sure to utilize financial gurus like @Being_Melody (#BrokeonPurpose), @thefinancebar, @MyFabFinance, @CleverGirlCGF, @AndThenWeSaved, @DaveRamsey, @BudgetsAreSexy, etc. They'll keep you inspired!
I have a list of 30+ tips, ideas and strategies on my list. You will only reach the tip of the iceberg if you don't have discipline. That's the hardest part. Write out your financial goals and obsess over them. Fight to accomplish them.
Please note that I am a constant financial work in progress. I do NOT have this figured out. I do live paycheck to paycheck (not proud). I have made some pretty wreckless $ decisions. But I'm about to change that. Today was my last straw.
I don't have extra money coming in, so I had to find ways to make better use of the money that I'm already getting. There were several ways I did this:
I cut several subscription services. NYT Cooking, gone. Canva for Work, gone. Audible, paused. I saved about $28 a month on a bunch of random monthly services that I kinda used.
This is a big one that scared me. My private student loans are a HUGE burden, so I decided to refinance w/ @SoFi. Payments dropped $90/mo and my monthly interest went down about $100/mo. Here's the payment estimate calculator: sofi.com/share/633660 (affiliate)
Before I refinanced, I only had enough money to pay off the monthly interest and about $40 on the balance. Now I'm chiseling away a lot more on the balance. I'll be able to pay off the bill years earlier. (But it's a big balance, so it won't happen soon)
I haven't mastered the app or website yet, but I have played around with it and I absolutely see how effective it can be. I'm going to carve out some time this week to watch the tutorials and fully set up my account. youneedabudget.com
Another quick tip that works well for me: I have weekly and/or biweekly payments sent to certain bills. For example, I’d pay the minimum on a credit card, but I’d also automatically send $20 a week as additional payments. I’d set it and forget it and pay down faster.
But when I’m in grind mode and want to knock payments out or save faster, I don’t do this method. I go hard in the paint on the snowball method.
I currently use this free spreadsheet to track my debt snowball. I include current balances, interest rates, minimum payments, etc. The spreadsheet calculates the projected payoff date, interest accrued and more: vertex42.com/Calculators/de…
Again, you can have all the tricks and subscriptions and podcast episodes and ebooks that you can handle. If you don’t have self-discipline to stop spending, crush debt and build wealth, the extra materials don’t matter.
Bought all these glosses because I “needed” new lip colors. It’s been two weeks and I haven’t used a single one yet. Returning and getting my money back. #debtknockout 
If you aren't using Ebates, you are missing out on free money. Well, it's technically a portion of what you're spending with a retailer. But still. It's an absolute no brainer. ebates.com/r/ERINBA279?ee… #affiliate Here's an example:
As of today, when you use Ebates, you can get back 8% of your purchase at Sephora. So if you purchase $50 worth of product, you get $4 back. If you purchase $300 worth, you'll get $24. Imagine how that adds up over time. ebates.com/r/ERINBA279?ee… #affiliate
The percentages change often, but most of the retailers stay the same. Ulta. Amazon. Nordstrom Rack. Target. CVS. Hundreds of other places you are probably already making purchases at. ebates.com/r/ERINBA279?ee…
AND, they have an amazing referral program. Right now, you get $25 for every qualified referral (they have to sign up and spend $25). So feel free to sign up using my code, if you'd like: ebates.com/r/ERINBA279?ee….
Love this idea for curbing frivolous spending. It's a fun little challenge. Found via Pinterest: pinterest.com/pin/3651434822… #bulletjournal
Started a new saving initiative! I signed up w/ @qapitalapp, & started using a "round up" rule. When I spend, Qapital rounds up to the nearest $2 & saves the diff. (If I spend 3.50, they round up to $5, putting $1.50 in my savings) Here's $5 for you: get.qapital.com/O2Lq8evlKN #aff
I love "set it and forget it" apps like this. I've already saved $7 since Monday. Can't imagine how much I'll have within the next few weeks/months. We'll each get $5 in our accounts if you use this referral link: get.qapital.com/O2Lq8evlKN
I'm not sure if this is a smart or stupid idea, but I'm not beating myself up over my coffee purchases anymore. I can't lose my sanity, y'all. Instead, I'm building it into my budget. AND.......
I'm going to start putting my monthly grocery budget on a prepaid Starbucks debit card. You get a star for every $10 you spend. This way, I stay within budget AND earn points for free coffee. Win-win. starbucks.com/starbucks-rewa…
Just did a semi-quick Target run. I usually use my Target credit card to make purchases, but my Target debit came in this week! I have been carrying a balance on that card for awhile, so it’s time to ✂️ it up.
Another update! Budgeting with the envelope method wasn’t working for me. I had a dormant Capital One 360 card, so I decided to put that to good use. It’s been a few weeks and my new card never came in the mail, so I moved on. (1/2)
I signed up for a Discover debit card to use solely for groceries. Card came two days later! Just set up my direct deposit. I am EXCITED! If you sign up with my referral link, we’ll both get $50. Can’t beat that! refer.discover.com/s/s5i6j
I’m trying this method so I can stay on budget for the month. Can’t spend what I don’t have, and whatever’s left just rolls over. I tend to get frivolous when I use my primary check card (or worse, a credit card 😬).
I’ve been packing my lunch religiously for the last two weeks. Only went to Starbucks twice (and now I actually prefer my homemade cold brew). Now I really see how habits and discipline can make or break you.
Shoutout to @brokeonpurpose for teaching me about sinking funds. I was late to the game, but set up an account for my husband’s Christmas gifts and the payments are painless. In the past, I would have put them on credit cards and accrued unnecessary interest.
This is why I love @qapitalapp! I thought I had about $55 in the account, but I received an email this morning telling me that I reached my $200 goal. Didn’t even notice the $ coming out of the bank! Sign up and get $5 in your account: get.qapital.com/MDiQLKEpKS (affiliate)
