How to Budget Your Way Out of a Tough Spot

We’ve all been there. Looking at the bills coming in, and not having the funds or means to pay for them all. Financial stress is truly one of the most all consuming kinds of stress. 

It lingers in your mind like a fog, spilling over into other areas of your life, making it hard to concentrate on other things until you’ve been able to make a plan to get yourself out of the mess you’re in. It’s difficult to get yourself out, but I promise that eventually you will be out of this tough spot! The first step?

Don’t panic

This seems obvious but is so hard to do! Our instinct is definitely to panic. Letting yourself spiral into a depressive thought cloud of “what ifs” and imagining you’re living in a cardboard box on the street is an easy way to get absolutely nothing done. 

It won’t help your situation at all, and in fact, will probably hinder your problem solving. So, don’t panic. Easier said than done.

Calculate your debt

Okay, so how much do you owe? What kind of mess are you really in? Is it worse than it seems? Writing it all out will help you visualize your problems, and plan out your next steps to taking care of this problem. Whether it’s an unexpected medical bill, a leave of absence, or a huge unexpected home expense. 




Using an actual, physical piece of paper, tally up exactly how much you owe on this bill. Add this amount up against your regular monthly budget. All bills, all expenses, and all income. How much extra are you able to put towards this expense per month?

Put yourself on a payment plan

Depending on what kind of expense you’re dealing with, or if you’re just months behind on your bills, you may be able to sort out some sort of a payment plan, rather than paying the entire lump sum all at once. Talk to whoever you owe the money to, and see if this is an option. 

In most cases, they are willing to be lenient because it means they have a greater chance of actually getting any money back. Be honest about your situation and let them know your plans to pay them back, with monthly amounts and a timeline. Showing that you’ve put a lot of thought and planning into your payment plan will help instill confidence in them!

Find creative ways to make extra money

Obviously, the sooner you are able to get out of this rough financial spot, the better. You have your payment plan, but chances are that you will be paying things down for a long while. You may not be able to do much, but look into some other ways to make a little bit of extra money. Any extra income you are able to bring in, will go straight towards paying off your debts!

Do you have any skills that you could potentially monetize? Are you crafty? If you can knit, crochet, or sew, it’s possible that you could use these skills to make products to sell to niche communities. Look into selling items on facebook marketplace, local online yard sales, and etsy! 

Most people have something up their sleeve that they can produce in their free time without even really realizing it! Maybe you can sew while you are catching up on your tv shows at night.

If you’re not crafty, there are other skills you have that you could make a little extra money off of! If you’re good at writing, apply for freelance writing jobs in your area and online. 

See if you can clean windows, mow lawns, or mend furniture. There is definitely something out there that you are capable of doing and monetizing for a short period of time to help you get out of this spot.

Ask for help

No one likes to ask for help, but sometimes you have to swallow your pride, and see if someone can help lighten your load. This doesn’t have to be financial help. If you need childcare in order to pick up a few extra shifts, reach out to family and neighbors to see if anyone can watch your kids. 

You don’t have to go through this tough time by yourself, and even just having some moral support from friends and loved ones can help you as you navigate.

4 Financial Questions Empty Nesters Should Ask before Retirement

One topic of conversation that’s hardly ever brought up is empty nest before retirement. Having our children move out can have an emotional and financial impact. This leaves people with a bunch of questions that can be difficult to answer.

How Do I Feel about having an Empty Nest?

Sending your little one off into the world can leave you feeling conflicted with your emotions. The emotions parents feel when their kids leave can vary. In fact, some may even experience empty nest syndrome, which is a feeling of grief, sadness and loneliness parents feel when their children leave. 

However, most people fear the anticipation rather than what happens in reality. Truth be told, some parents actually feel happier and relieved once their children walk out the door. Regardless of how you feel, it’s important that you assess how your emotions and feelings impact the choices you make. 




For example, feeling sad about the empty nest may make you spending money and time with your children. On the other hand, if you’re excited that your children are gone, you may find yourself overspending on shopping or vacations.

How Do I Take Advantage of Retirement Saving Opportunities?

Some people think that just because their kids are no longer their financial responsibility, they’ll have tons of money saved. While it is true you may find yourself with a few extra dollars in your wallet, you won’t be loaded. In fact, the average amount that people who have become empty nesters have put into their 401k only goes up to 0.7 percent max.

How Do I Save for Retirement While Prioritizing Debt?

Saving for your retirement should always be on the bucket list, however, it’s important that you pay off any outstanding debt as well. In fact, the interest rates you’re currently paying are most likely higher than the rate of return you could receive from your savings. 

You might even want to sell your condo, as there are many condos for sale on the market. So, naturally, you want to pay off any outstanding debt as quickly as possible.

How Do I Become Serious about Planning My Retirement?

It’s completely fine that you enjoy having an empty nest, but it’s crucial that you plan for the future, and this includes your retirement. Using a dependable retirement calculator can help answer any other important questions you may have. 

These questions may include “When is it safe to retire?” “How much will I need to sustain myself?” “Will I be able to afford health care?” Once you are armed with this knowledge, you’ll be good to go!

An empty nest can leave quite the impact on your life. How you choose to go about it is up to you. Just remember to think things through and plan accordingly.

4 Small Car Repairs to Make Now before They Become Expensive

Your car has been in need of having some minor repair issues done. As with most cars, time has had its way with your car, and it would be nice if you could snap your fingers and everything would be okay. 

Unfortunately, unless you know how to make these repairs yourself, you are going to have to pay a professional to do them for you. The following are four areas of car repair that you need to address now before the repair issues become more expensive.

A Brake Job

The brakes are an essential part of a working vehicle on the road. The problem is that it has been a long time since you had your brake pads replaced. A couple of days ago, you thought you heard them grinding when you engaged them. 

This is a problem you will want to get fixed immediately, because squealing or grinding brakes are a sign that continuing to drive on your brakes could create more extensive damage to your break system.

Alternator Problems

Having issues with your alternator can be a big hassle. You could be out somewhere and not even realize that you are about to find yourself stranded on the side of the road where your car is getting no power. 

What is worse is that alternator problems, if not dealt with quickly, can cause damage to your car’s battery, and that could make this a more costly repair issue out of pocket.

Camshaft Maintenance

Sometimes the easiest and cheapest way to stay on top of a repair issue is by doing the proper maintenance on your car. In the case of your camshaft, the part that regulates air to your engine, regular oil and valve cleanings are a superb way to save you from an expensive camshaft replacement down the road. 

By doing regular maintenance, you prevent the cam shaft from getting clogged up with dirt and debris which prevents damage to your engine too.

Change Your Air Filter

When it comes to cheap repairs, changing your air filter is not an overly expensive component to replace on its own. The problem is that failing to do this routine maintenance issue can get expensive. 

It could lead to a damaged mass air flow sensor that costs hundreds of dollars to fix. But, if that happens, look on the bright side. At least that is not nearly as expensive as a car repair issue that might land your car in a transmission shop.

Keeping an eye out that something is wrong with your car is an essential part of excellent car operation. Ignoring warning signs that something is wrong will, more often than not, end up costing you more in the long run. It is typically better to simply do the proper maintenance and to swiftly address problems that arise than to let simple repair issues grow to become more expensive problems down the road.

Getting a New Car for the Summer? Saving up is the Way to Go

The summer is a thrilling season. People often view the summer as an amazing opportunity to try new things out. If you’re thinking about purchasing a brand new car, the summer may be the right time for you to proceed, too. Saving money for a summertime car purchase doesn’t have to be a downer for you.

Get a Seasonal Part-Time Job

Summer part-time employment can help you save the funds necessary to complete your vehicle purchase. You may want to look into seasonal jobs. Restaurants in your community may be looking for servers who can work late hours. 

Hotels and resorts nearby may be looking for additional staff members as well. A seasonal job can help you get the money you need for a new car relatively quickly.

Put Together a Garage Sale

If you want to save for a new car, it may help to unload some other things. You can think about putting together a yard sale. Go through your belongings and figure out what you need and what you don’t need. 



It may be time to finally get rid of a tight sweater you haven’t worn in years and years. It may be time to get rid of a bicycle you never get the chance to use, too. Throwing a garage sale can help you unburden your life and score some cash at the same time.

Sell Old Belongings on the Internet

Going to a Chevy truck dealer can be invigorating. The thought of actually going through with a car purchase can make you feel energized. If you want to be prepared to make your purchase, however, it can help to sell old possessions on the Internet. 

You may want to auction off an acoustic guitar you haven’t picked up in years and years. You may want to use an online classified listings site to sell a compact refrigerator that you no longer need as well.

Downsize

Downsizing can be a wonderful path for people who want to get new vehicles for the summertime. If you rent a spacious apartment in the city, you may want to consider moving to a smaller one and decreasing your monthly expenses substantially. Doing so can help you get the money you need to buy a new car with ease.

If you want your summer to be unforgettable, you should think about buying a new car. Saving for it shouldn’t be something that turns you into a nervous wreck, either. You can start by looking for part-time seasonal employment.