I know we've bounced this around a few times before, but a reader wants to know: My next goal is to build a fully funded emergency fund. (I’m following the Dave Ramsey plan). I struggle with how much I will need in that fully funded emergency fund. Sometimes I think I need to take my income minus...

At a time when unemployment has jumped from 5.5% a year ago to 9.4% in May, 2009 it's understandable that people are concerned about their jobs. source : Bureau of Labor Statistics And their response has been predictable. The personal savings rate (personal savings as a percent of disposable personal...

We have tossed around ideas for ways to save a bit more money, ways to make money to save and where to put savings. Setting financial goals is an important part of having a successful plan for your money. What are your goals for savings? Do you have something specific you are saving for? How close are...

Last week, on our monthly Target trip, my daughter and I ran into an unexpected problem – almost everything we were looking for was missing. Generic diapers and wipes were not on the shelf and the loss leaders we hoped to snare were nowhere to be found either. I found an associate and asked her to run...

Dear Haverwench, You could go it alone, without further income by your husband, for 8-10 YEARS, not just MONTHS! Wow! I am truly impressed by your conscientious savings over the years! Love in Him, Deb

Well, our cable went out last night. We are now living in a small town where we only have one locally owned cable company to choose from. Never mind the fact that 15 minutes down the road, we could have Comcast (although, from what I hear, I'm not sure if that is a good choice or not!). My husband...

I will never forget the day I found out we were expecting. We had $75.00 in the bank (checking and savings combined, mind you!), had just quit one of my part-time jobs (and was only a few days away from being fired from my other) and was holding a positive pregnancy test in my hand. Actually, I was holding...

Saw an interesting phrase last week. It was supposedly ancient Chinese wisdom. Went something like this. "The best time to plant a tree is ten years ago. The next best time to plant a tree is today." The more you think about it, the truer it is. If you wanted shade or an apple today it would...

Hi! Just thought I would share a free newsletter called Penny Pinchers Daily . It has tons of freebies and clearance that is 80-90% off and coupons and other money saving items. It is nice because there are no spammy type ads to weed through. Just clearance and real freebies. With the crazy gas prices...

I saw this video clip from this morning's Today Show for five websites that can put $50 in your pocket... check it out: http://tv.popcrunch.com/today-show-5-sites-to-put-50-in-your-pocket-including-couponmomcom-video/