Savings Accounts

Getting out of "paycheck to paycheck"

Dear Christine, I have been living paycheck to paycheck for at least three years now. Whenever I think that things are going better an emergency comes up and I am right back to where I started again. I have a good job as a nurse but I work long hours and all I want to do is crash when I get home. I can’t do some of the things that I want to do like go on vacations, got to lunch with friends or buy nice things. How can I get out of this cycle? “Down in Denver” Dear "Down in Denver," … [Read more...]

"Tricking" Yourself To Save Money

Dear Christine, I have the worst time saving money. My “rainy day” fund is used up every other paycheck. From a new set of tires here…to a new set of brake pads there -- I cannot keep up. Someone said that you need 5-8 months savings. I can’t even save up 5-8 days! Why is it so hard? “No Savings in Salt Lake” Dear “No Savings,” Life gets expensive and things come up all of the time; I know. There is a big trick to savings when you have a lot of expenses – saving small amounts and then … [Read more...]

Is it too late to change my career?

Dear Christine, I am completely unsatisfied with my job. I make a lot of money because I have been here so long so it is hard to leave. Plus I worked hard to be where I am now. But I dread going in every day. I just turned 38 and I am worried that it is too late to start over. “A career in jeopardy” Dear "career in jeopardy," I understand how hard it can be going everyday to a job that makes you unhappy. We have all had a job or two like that but we were conflicted because the … [Read more...]

Help! I don’t have any money saved for my kid’s college! (Part Two)

An article by BudgetQueen Kids are great fun. They are unpredictable. They are naïve but sharp. They are completely lazy some times while completely motivated other times. You will be proud one day and then the next say, “What were they thinking?” When I look back at my friends who went to college, I see a wide variety of personalities. I saw kids whose parents paid for everything party like the end of the world was a few days away. I also saw the kids whose parents that were not able to help … [Read more...]

Help! I have to move back in with my parents!

Dear Christine, I am mortified. My husband, son and I have to move in with my parents. My husband was out of work for a few months and it set us back with all of the bills pilling up. He is working again but for nearly half of what he made before. My parents are being really nice about the whole thing and I think they want us back. But it is really embarrassing. Plus my son has to switch schools. My husband is not taking it well at all. Can you offer any advice about this? “Homeward bound” … [Read more...]