Category: Budget

The Rivera family — Maria, Carlos, and their two kids — faced a financial pinch after overspending during the holidays last year. To recover, they reviewed their finances and created a realistic budget. They listed their combined income from Maria’s teaching job and Carlos’s freelance work, then categorized their expenses: rent, groceries, debt payments, and discretionary spending, such as streaming services.

They identified cutbacks, reduced dining out, and canceled unused subscriptions. Maria set an initial goal to build a $2,000 emergency fund, while Carlos focused on paying off a $5,000 credit card balance. They automated $200 monthly savings transfers post-payday to stay disciplined.

Using a budgeting app, they tracked spending weekly, ensuring accountability. To curb impulse buys, they made grocery lists and stuck to them. Each month, they adjusted their budget for rising utility costs and new school expenses.

By following these budgeting tips, the Riveras regained financial control, reduced stress, and laid a foundation for a secure upcoming year.

73% of US adults believe they would be further ahead financially if they’d had early personal finance education.

_{Source: Financial Literacy Crisis in America, Ramsey Solutions, 2025}

_{Client Profile is based on a hypothetical situation. The solutions discussed may or may not be appropriate for you.}

Do you ever wish you could find extra money for your child’s college expenses or retirement? Maybe you would like to take a bucket list vacation or buy a larger home. Whatever your financial goals, finding the money to help pursue them can be challenging but not impossible. Here are some ways to find more money:

1. Eliminate one designer cup of coffee per week. At $4 per cup, you’ll save over $200 for the year.
2. Skip one monthly $70 restaurant outing and save more than $800 annually.
3. Clean out your basement or garage and sell unwanted items online, through an app, or yard sale.
4. Keep your car or SUV an extra year or two. When your car loan payments end, you could save thousands if you keep your vehicle and avoid another car payment.
5. Review your television and smartphone apps to eliminate paid services and features you don’t use. You might stream rather than watch TV through more traditional outlets, which can save you a bunch.
6. Find ways to exercise at home and cancel your gym membership. Save hundreds.

Find money in these and countless other ways and establish an emergency fund to ensure surprise expenses don’t get in the way of your plans.