I hate to carry cash. I don’t know why exactly. Maybe because trying to dig the exact amount of cash I need out of my wallet seems inefficient in the world of the debit card. So, when I started trying to find an easy way to budget my money and someone suggested that I use the cash envelope system, I cringed and immediately shot the idea down. 

Deciding to be more responsible with your money doesn’t have to mean creating a crazy strict budget or putting half your paycheck into savings. Create small goals that are easily achievable to improve your financial habits. Then, those small financial successes will help propel you forward to eventually setting and achieving larger financial goals in the future. 

Creating an emergency fund has a ton of benefits, most of which you’ve probably heard before… it reduces the amount of money you have to put on credit when you get hit with a big bill for an unexpected expense, it’s there in case you’re suddenly out of work, it gives you peace of mind... the list goes on. (I’ll link some articles to why you need an emergency fund here, here, and here.) But, when you’re living pretty paycheck to paycheck and have very little money to spare, how do you find money to put into savings? 

If you’re like most people, when you are considering a landmark purchase like a new home,
car or even a business, it is necessary to think first about taking out a loan. Applying for a loan can be confusing, especially if it is your first time. Knowing the factors that lenders take into account when considering your loan will help you understand and be better prepared to have your ducks in a row before turning in your application. Let’s take a closer look.