An Open Letter to Generation Z
Dear Generation Z, I’m here to tell you some things you probably don’t want to hear. I am not your parent. I’m not going to tell you that “you can be anything you want to be”, that you should follow your dreams, or that working hard in school is the key to a bright...
How to Eat Clean on a Tight Budget
Several months ago, I decided to lose 50 pounds (and I’ve lost 35 so far!). I was sick and tired of gaining more and more weight. I knew that if I didn’t make some major changes to my lifestyle, I would keep putting on the pounds. started exercising 5-7 times per...
No, I Don’t Want to Join Your Pyramid Scheme
My husband and I are working on paying off six figures of debt in just three short years – on entry-level salaries. Living frugally only goes so far – we can scrimp like crazy and be frugal weirdos, but at a certain point, it’s impossible to save more. We can only...
Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Wedding Venue
Did you know that the average wedding in the U.S. costs a whopping $30,000? By far the most expensive part of the wedding is the venue. Even more “affordable” locations may charge thousands of dollars for venue rentals. If you want to drastically reduce the cost of...
3 Bizarre Ways to Save Over $2,000/Year
My husband and I are paying off $117,000 of student loan debt in just three years – on entry-level salaries. This goal is nearly impossible, and it requires an extreme approach to frugality. As Dave Ramsey says, “When you find yourself in a radical mess, you need to...
Pros and Cons of Outdoor Weddings
My husband and I got married outside at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on a gorgeous fall day. The wedding was beautiful, but if I could do it all over again, I probably wouldn’t have an outdoor wedding. Here are some of the pros and cons of having an outdoor...
My $1,000 Mistake – Why You Need Vision Insurance
In November, we went through open enrollment at work. I selected the health insurance plan with the highest premiums (because it also has the lowest deductible), decided to opt out of dental insurance because I feel dental insurance is basically a scam, and waived...
April Goals
In March, I shared my goals for the month, which were mainly focused on finances, fitness, and faith. I hit many of my goals, but I'm struggling with a few of them and look to hit these with my April goals. Here are my April goals! What are yours? Share in the...
Frugal Tip: Review Your Paychecks
Have you happened to review your paychecks in the past year? You work hard for your money, and you deserve to keep it all (aside from taxes and deductions). Most HR/payroll professionals are highly detailed-oriented (if they weren’t, they wouldn’t last too long in...
9 Ways to Get Free Yoga Classes
I love yoga. It’s challenging and has numerous physical benefits – it makes you more flexible, it makes stretching easier, and it strengthens your muscles. It has plenty of mental benefits as well. I leave yoga feeling centered, calm, and refreshed. The first time...