budget
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Square Foot Gardening: A Simple, Efficient Approach to Growing Vegetables
I grew up in the country. My family always had a vegetable garden. For us, gardening meant a large plot, plowed and raked, then planted with long, widely-space rows of vegetables. It also meant w
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Food Waste in the US: Causes, Impact & Solutions
Ive been thinking a lot lately about how much food I consume (and waste). Im not happy with how I shop and eat, and its not just because Im fat right now. I dont like what Im eating and I dont li
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The Pink Tax: Understanding and Overcoming Hidden Costs for Women
Women working to achieve financial independence face an extra hurdle: the hidden cost of being female. Though it’s cheekily referred to as the “pink tax”, the additional cost women incur for pe
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The Benefits of Outsourcing: Reclaim Your Time and Focus
When people talk about saving money, DIY is one of the first things that comes to mind. Learn how to fix things around the house! Change the oil in your Prius! Make your own cleaning supplies!
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Europe Trip Cost: A Detailed Breakdown of 2 Weeks of Travel Expenses
I like to travel. Over the past decade, Ive probably made an average of two international trips per year. But you know what? Never once in that time have I tried to track how much I spend while
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Mindful Shopping: Reduce Consumption & Find Lasting Value
The older I get, the less I want or need. The older I get, the less I like to spend money. And when I have to buy something, I try to practice mindful shopping. When I was younger, I wanted (and/
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Identity Economics: How Your Self-Perception Influences Spending
“Who are you?” my cousin Duane asked me on Saturday afternoon. Wed spent the day playing nerd games together and were taking a break for pizza. “What?” I said. I wasnt ex
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Smart Car Buying: A Personal Finance Journey
Its funny. Fifteen years ago, daily personal finance was a chore for me. I didnt understand how to go day to day making smart choices that were aligned with my values. I wasnt even sure what my v
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New Car Buying Guide: A Step-by-Step Checklist for a Great Deal
Congratulations — you’re about to snag a new ride! We’re assuming that you’ve already done some research: You know how much you can afford to spend, which car you want to buy, and the true market
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A Digital Native's Journey: From BBS to Blogging
Ive been on the internet for a long, long time. Via local Bulletin Board Systems, I started reading USENET newsgroups — mostly Star Trek and comic book and computer game stuff — durin
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College Essentials: What Freshmen *Really* Need (and Don't)
Those ubiquitous checklists of “dorm room essentials” for college freshmen are filled with items that will be ditched by the end of first semester. Some parents “go to the store and grab a list
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Portland Timbers Season Tickets: A Personal Look at Opportunity Cost & Conscious Spending
Saturday night, Kim and I joined 25,216 other soccer fans to watch the Portland Timbers defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 during a crazy rare August rainstorm. (Portland gets a lot of rainR
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The Paradox of Wealth: Why More Money Doesn't Guarantee Happiness
Money, the conventional wisdom says, doesnt buy happiness. Modern psychology seems to back this up, with studies suggesting that beyond an income of $75,000, money doesnt make you any happier.
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Ultra-Light Packing: 20-Day Travel with Minimal Luggage
Hello from Portugal! Last Thursday, I returned to Europe for the fourth time in the past ten months. This time, Im here for work. Im speaking at yet-another chautauqua about financial independe
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2020 Financial Goals: Reducing Food Expenses & Improving Well-being
Im pleased to report that 2020 is off to a fine start. As I mentioned in my year-end review, 2019 sucked for me. I have high hopes that this year will be a vast improvement. So far, it has been
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How Selling Our Home Transformed Our Finances | Wendy Mays
Hello! My name is Wendy Mays, and Im super happy to share a bit of my story. In the past couple of years, my husband and I have taken several big steps to change our financial future. From the
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Calculate Your Car Expenses: Comprehensive Driving Cost Calculators
My girlfriend recently bought a new car. After 23 years, she sold her 1997 Honda Accord to a guy whos more mechanically inclined than we are. Kim upgraded to a 2016 Toyota RAV4, and she loves i
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Spring Yard Work & Productivity: A Portland Perspective
Spring has sprung here in Portland, and that means yard work. Ill spend most of March completing my project for Audible and The Great Courses — which means things around here may be slow
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Build Credit Fast: A Beginner's Guide to Improving Your Credit Score
Most Americans know that its important to build credit but many dont know how. If youre one of those confused about how to build credit, youre not alone. In 2019, CNBC reported that around 40% o
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Natural Disaster Preparedness: Staying Safe During Emergencies
My world is on fire. As you may have heard, much of Oregon is burning right now. Thanks to a “once in a lifetime” combination of weather and climate variables — a long, dry summ
budget
- The Benefits of Charitable Giving: Supporting Causes & Your Financial Well-being
- Managing a Windfall: Smart Strategies for Unexpected Wealth
- Budget Cocktail Party: Tips & Tricks for an Affordable Celebration
- Financial Literacy for Kids: 4 Essential Money Management Skills
- Europe Travel on a Budget: Your Ultimate Guide to Affordable Adventures
- Top 3 High-Tech Budgeting Tools for 2024
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Understanding Stock Tiers: A Guide to Different Stock LevelsBeing a successful investor involves a lot of factors. Having a solid understanding of how investments work is is important, whether for day traders who are new to the market or investors planning for...
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Selling Your Home By Owner: Essential Documents & ChecklistThe real estate documents needed to sell a home by owner are no different than those needed if a licensed real estate agent is involved. Some of these documents will vary by state, but many of the mos...
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The Rise of Mega-Cap Companies: Understanding Corporate America's Power ShiftA fundamental change is underway in stock market investing, and the spin-off effects are poised to dramatically impact corporate America. In the past, individu...
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Fun Ways to Save Money: Make Saving Enjoyable!Saving money doesn't have to be a drag. Here are four ways you can make it fun to ...