Author Archives: Michelle Vandepas

Thoughts on Inherited Money:

First, let me say I’m sorry for your loss. As someone who’s recently been through a death in the family I know how devastating it can be. During this time you may come into some money, but it is not a time you should be making financial decisions. Most experts agree – take your time before spending any inheritance. Make sure that you take all the necessary steps – canceling any social security, turning off the phone, (if you are responsible) and then take a step back. The amount of money you’ve come into doesn’t matter – it could be … Continue reading →

The $10.00 Club – Giving Away Goes a Long Way.

Over the last few days I posted a blog about giving away your money, and another with a few tips on how to do so. Today I am going to share one way some friends and I got together to give away only $10.00 per month – and how it helped a bunch of local organizations. Here was the premise: Everyone spends $10.00 that month. No more or less, We each budgeted $10.00 We choose a local organization that needed our help and/or supplies. The organization provided a short presentation about their cause to us when accepting our donations. This … Continue reading →

More Tips on Giving Away your Cash

In my last post I talked about giving away a bit of your cash. Start with a small amount, but do it every month and watch your horizons expand. The principles of giving can be found in every spiritual practice from Christian tithing to Hindi Seva (giving of yourself). Why is giving encouraged? Giving does more for you than for the person receiving, although of course it helps the person in need as well. It helps build our inner strength, character, stretches our compassion, helps us live outside of our selfish selves. In other words, giving is good for us. … Continue reading →

Tips for Giving Away your Money

People get confused about giving when you are on a budget. During the last string of devastating hurricanes, it came to light in the news that the majority of givers – donators to various causes, are regular people with low to middle class incomes. Not the rich guys with bundles to spare. Giving helps the one who gives. It is one of those strange phenomenons – that giving actually helps your heart, making it stretch. When you give to others you can see the good in humanity and feel part of a bigger world. It is all about you baby! … Continue reading →

Hotel Reservations – Spending Wisely

Hubby and I occasionally travel and stay in various hotels. The amenities and therefore the amount of money we will spend, depends upon the type of trip we are taking, and what luxuries I’d like while we are there. I always try to upgrade without spending extra! The most important tip is to ask. On a recent trip I needed wireless internet access which meant I could work from the hotel on my laptop. The price of the hotel went up in the area we were looking at, but it was worth it to me. Then I found a hotel … Continue reading →

Bickering with Spouse about Money?

Married? You are probably arguing about money. Most of us do. Overall, women like to have a nice cozy emergency fund and the roof over their head secure. Men prefer toys. Nice generalizations huh? Lets just pretend that these myths are true. Women want to have a nice emergency fund of about four months of living expenses. For most people that is between $10,000 and $20,000, but could reach much higher. I don’t recommend having less than $10,000 in an emergency fund as it will take this much or more for the average family to rebound after a job loss, … Continue reading →

American Numismatic – Library and more!

In a previous post I talked about libraries and how they are great resources for getting free books, DVD’s and reference materials. Heck, you can even get someone to look stuff up for you – all for free. Have you ever had a question about money? Maybe you want to know what currency was used in Romania years ago? There is a resource to help: Today I’d like to introduce you to a little known resource available to everyone – The American Numismatic Association Library. A money library. The Association itself is in Colorado Springs, but everyone can have internet … Continue reading →

Rediscover your local libraries – Four tips!

My co-blogger Miriam wrote a great post a while back about reading books on finances to keep you informed and motivated on your own personal financial journey. She wrote about specific books and a magazine that you can subscribe to, and I’ve found her information valuable. However, my book budget this month is zero. Well, I could probably squeeze out about $10.00, but basically I don’t have money to spend on books. What to do? Here’s my advice: Rediscover the libraries in your town. 1. We all know about the public library. Make sure you have a current library card … Continue reading →

Adults can save for college too!

Thinking about going back to school? Need a new trade, like mechanic, hairdresser, computer analyst? A college savings fund can help you make your dreams come true – without going into debt for school! Adults can open a 529 college savings fund – for yourself. You don’t have to be a kid to save for college. Maybe you are twenty something, newly married, have a child and are thinking about going back to school in a few years after the kid is grown a bit – but you aren’t sure if you’ll be having more children, therefore putting off the … Continue reading →

Holding off the Creditor and Collection Calls

In debt and over your head? Make sure you open communication with all your creditors. Call them, write them and inform them that you will be paying them off, but that ou need extra time. The key is to initiate the phone call, don’t wait until they have to start calling you. One of the worst mistakes people in debt make is to stop answering the phone calls and ignore the warning collection letters. They start too late to work with the debt collectors. If creditors are calling you, arrange a time when you can talk – away from work … Continue reading →