Aside from a root canal appointment, there aren’t many other life situations that are as nerve-racking as the job interview. The interview is traditionally the first time you will meet face-to-face with the potential employer, so the pressure is on. You want to make an unforgettable first impression, but you don’t want to seem like you’re trying too hard. But you also don’t want them to think you haven’t put in any effort. This person has your career in the palm of their hand, and the tiniest slip will mess it all up.

Nervous yet?

Here are the 5 clever ways to impress an interviewer! Continue reading →

Are you planning to splurge this Memorial Day weekend? Think twice! There are a variety of ways you can enjoy this extra-special weekend without exceeding your budget. This is a time to celebrate America and the bond we share with family and friends, so there is no reason why you should be breaking your bank to enjoy it. Read on for some cheap, fun ways to enjoy this holiday! Continue reading →

Craft breweries and brew pubs have become more of a common sight in the North Country as of late, and things show no sign of stopping. Although craft breweries have a tendency to be on the pricier side of the spectrum, I think I may have found one which offers top notch quality, but for an incredibly reasonable price. Continue reading →

Now that graduation season has come around, you might be thinking of ideas for a worthy graduation gift, for your friend or family member. For such an important time in someone’s life, you don’t want to get them just “anything.” A graduation gift should always be sincere. And while most graduates would certainly love to receive a gift card or cash, I feel it is always better to give something a little more personal. Here is my list of inexpensive but thoughtful gift ideas for a recent graduate. Continue reading →

Can you think of a more uncomfortable situation than lending money to friends or family? (I didn’t think so.)

We take pride in our relationships with our loved ones, and any time that we agree to lend, there is a strong risk in damaging the core of the relationship. I have seen quite a few relationships that have deteriorated over the topic of money.

So in an effort to save you from that tension, here are the 3 golden rules to follow whenever you are asked to lend money, whether it is a friend or family member. Continue reading →

Let’s face it, money is the most stressful component of life, so why would you want to break your bank for something that’s supposed to RELIEVE stress? Using both my research and personal preferences, I’ve created a list of 7 “must-haves” for those of us who could use a little less stress in our lives. Continue reading to learn about these inexpensive tools for comfort and relaxation! Continue reading →

Parents always want to protect their kids from the mean and scary aspects of society. Sometimes the things they’ve said have stuck with us over the years. For example, I remember being told that my pool had a urine-revealing chemical that would catch those who pee in the pool with a special ‘dye.’ …I just recently learned that this is a total myth. (I was an impressionable child, what can I say?)

But more often, parents are deterring their children from reckless spending and bad money habits by filling their brains with these alternative facts about money. Sometimes, parents pass these alternative facts along to their children because even the parents, themselves, believe they are true. Read on to see your childhood myths, busted! Continue reading →

Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs of all, and it’s not easy to find a great Mother’s day gift that will reflect your gratitude- especially if you’re on a budget.

What it really comes down to is how much ‘heart’ you put into the gift.  So with this very deserving holiday right around the corner, do you know what your mom (or mother figure) is getting this year?

Read on for some inexpensive, thoughtful gift ideas… Continue reading →

This financial faux pas has become a common scapegoat for a growing number of people in this country, and unfortunately, the number doesn’t seem to be going down. “Using retirement savings to cover an emergency is a permanent setback to retirement planning,” says Bankrate.com Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride.

He says “One in four Americans don’t have an emergency fund.” With the amount of retirement savings withdrawals on the rise, it is clear that people need to get in the habit of designating a portion of their income to an emergency-only savings account.

You may be thinking, “It’s not as easy as it sounds!” …and I am in total agreement with you. I have found it to be increasingly difficult to designate funds for savings without touching them.

But there’s hope. If you ask yourself these 3 questions (courtesy of Kelly Smith, Junior Writer for the Penny Hoarder) before you decide to withdraw from a retirement plan or savings, there is a greater chance that you will make the right decision… Continue reading →

Tipping is arguably the most stressful part of eating out. If you asked 20 people how much to tip in a given situation, you’ll get a slew of answers and strong opinions about the “right” thing to do. But is there even a “right” thing to do? There are no set rules that tell you the exact amount you should give for each service provided to you. Often, I’m left guessing how to convert service quality into a few dollars.

Clearly, I needed to do some research on the tipping predicament. With my findings I have compiled a list (thanks to CNN Money, MoneyTalksNews, and the Original Tipping Page) which shows just how much you should have been tipping this entire time, for any given situation! Continue reading →

Can’t seem to go without that morning cup, or cups, of coffee? You’re not alone. For so many of us, it’s a necessary part of our day. But it does come with a cost, and for those of us who drink coffee daily, it will add up.

USA Today Network has produced a coffee cost calculator to help you find out how much you’re coffee is costing you, whether it’s coffee that is purchased or brewed at home.

To see how much your coffee is costing you, click here.

The calculator gives two options: ‘Starbucks’ or ‘Make at home.’ Unfortunately, there isn’t a Starbucks where I live, (probably a good thing for my wallet) but there are equivalents- such as Dunkin Donuts, Stewarts or Tim Hortons. Therefore, I selected the ‘Starbucks’ option to represent my morning trips to Stewarts, for that iced coffee I can’t seem to live without.

After you calculate how much you currently spend over the period of a month, year and even decades, take a look below to see what you could’ve purchased with your coffee money! Continue reading →