Tag: money saving tips

In the Greek myth of Sisyphus, he was condemned for eternity to roll a boulder up a hill, just to see it roll right back down.

For those of us trying to build up emergency funds of short-term savings, it can feel like a similar exercise. As soon as you manage to put some cash aside, you have to draw it down for sudden expenses—and then start all over again.

Natalie Smigielski knows the feeling all too well. About a year and a half ago, the 33-year-old from Toronto had scrimped and saved enough to come up with a $5,000 emergency fund.

With the holidays rapidly approaching, many couples are faced with an increase in spending. We all know money doesn’t grow on trees, especially during this season. Moreover, in today’s economic climate, many people are funding their holiday shopping with credit cards, causing them guilt and numerous financial resolutions come January 1.

No matter what stage you are in a marriage, the amount of money needed to survive the holidays can rack up. Newlyweds may find themselves with additional gifts to buy for in-laws and double the amount of holiday dinners to attend.

When Leticia Barr is ready to start back-to-school shopping, her first stop is going to be her own closets.

A former teacher turned blogger, Barr knows that her family probably has on hand much of what they need already—from last year's binders that are still good to stashes of pencil-top erasers. With her daughter about to start seventh grade and a son going into fifth in Washington, DC, Barr's goal is to keep a lid on spending by focusing only on what they do not already have.

The average family with kids in grades K-12 is forecast to spend an average of $673.57 this year, according to the National Retail Federation, much of that going toward clothing and electronics.