Make Real Cents

05/16/2024

I have open my doors for financial coaching, kicking off with clients in June. Fast forward to the end of 2024 and you've [insert money goal here]...

- paid down a credit card
- maxed out your Roth IRA for the first time
- implemented a money system that works best for you
- more confidence about your money situation
- saved enough money to book that vacation in 2025

We'll be leveraging Rudder Fi (the new financial coaching platform I created) so there is no need to fuss with pulling your financial data, spreadsheets, or losing track of emails. Rudder Fi will take care of all of that and you'll have a portal where you can log in any time to quick in on your financials and communicate with me when you have questions.

You can get more information about my coaching packages and pricing information here --> https://lnkd.in/e34rnGdt

If you're a financial coach looking to take your financial coaching business to the next level, learn more about Rudder Fi by visiting www.rudderfi.com

11/11/2023

Much is a budgeting tool focused on helping individuals pay down debt because at the end of the day, high interest rate debt can eat you alive if you let it and take away a lot of short-term and long-term opinions for you to use your money in other more fun ways like saving for a vacation or retirement.

So why is having a debt payoff strategy is crucial?

1️⃣ Reducing Stress: Debt can feel like a heavy burden, but having a clear plan in place lifts that weight off your shoulders. It's empowering to know you're actively working towards a debt-free life. 🌈

2️⃣ Saving Money on Interest: The longer we stay in debt, the more we pay in interest. By focusing on paying off debt, we actually save money in the long run – money that can be invested in our dreams and future. 💸

3️⃣ Improving Credit Score: Reducing debt improves your credit score, opening doors to better interest rates for future loans, like a mortgage. A good credit score can be a game-changer! 🏡

Now, let's talk about strategies: the Debt Avalanche 🏔️ and the Debt Snowball ⛄.

🏔️Debt Avalanche: This method involves paying off the debt with the highest interest rates first, while making minimum payments on others. You'll want to put as much money as you can into the debt with the highest interest rate while paying the minimum on all the other debts until that debt with the highest interest rate is paid off. Then you rinse and repeat. It’s a powerful way to minimize the total interest paid and get out of debt quickly. Perfect for those who like to tackle the biggest challenges head-on!

⛄Debt Snowball: Here, you start by paying off the smallest debts first, gaining momentum as each one is cleared. You'll want to put as much money as you can into the debt with the smallest balance paying the minimum on all the other debts until that debt with the smallest balance is paid off. Then you rinse and repeat.This method is great for quick wins and keeping motivation high. Seeing debts disappear one by one is incredibly satisfying!

Both strategies have their merits, and the key is to choose the one that resonates with you and your financial situation. Remember, the journey to being debt-free isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. 🏃‍♀️🏃

11/09/2023

ICYMI Mint, the popular budgeting app, is shutting down at the end of the year. They are encouraging users to sign up for Credit Karma but here's the catch. Credit Karma will not be offering a budgeting tool. If you're a Mint user looking for a new home - https://buff.ly/3OrjgWD has you covered. Take advantage of our free 30-day trial and let me know what you think.

11/08/2023

When it comes to budgeting for the holiday season, there are several important things that people should remember to include. These items can often be overlooked, but factoring them into your budget can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable holiday experience.

First and foremost, consider travel expenses. Whether you're planning to visit family or go on a vacation during the holidays, it's important to allocate funds for transportation, such as flights, trains, or gas money for road trips. And don't forget to account for any parking fees or tolls you may encounter along the way.

Next, decorations are a key part of the holiday season. Budgeting for decorations can help create a festive atmosphere but are often forgotten. This could include purchasing things like reefs, a tree, lights, table decorations, candles, plants, and other decorative items. If you prefer DIY decorations, remember to include the cost of supplies in your budget.

Gifts are probably going to be your most significant expense during the holiday season. The best way to budget for gifts is to make a list of everyone you plan to buy gifts for and allocate a specific amount of money for each person. This will help you stay on track and avoid overspending. Shop Black Friday deals, remember discount codes, and student discounts. Don't forget to factor in any additional costs, such as gift wrapping materials or shipping fees for online purchases.

If you're planning to stay in a hotel during the holiday season, be sure to include this expense in your budget as well. Research the average prices for hotels in your desired location and allocate funds accordingly. Keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the specific dates and location, so it's a good idea to book in advance to secure the best rates.

Remember, budgeting for these items will help you plan and enjoy the holiday season without breaking the bank or stressing about the tiny things at the last minute.

11/02/2023

If you haven’t heard already, Mint, the popular budgeting app is shutting down at the end of the year.

Intuit recently disclosed plans to discontinue Mint, the widely-used personal finance tool, by January 1, 2024. The company is steering Mint users towards Credit Karma, another Intuit product, for their financial management. This decision stirred a storm within Mint's Reddit community. If you aren't...

10/31/2023

High interest rate debt can eat you alive if you let it. Take control of your money and know where you stand with Much.

What would life look like for you if you didn’t have debt? The possibilities are endless.

Www.usemuch.com

09/08/2023

Want to develop a healthier relationship with money?

Feeling stuck with where you're at?

Ready to build new habits in 2024?

Well this is for you. If I could go back and do my debt free journey all over again, the first thing I would do would be to examine my relationship with money. It's hard to fix or find a solution for things we aren't aware of and spending time learning more about yourself and your relationship with money is a critical step for building a healthier relationship.

I knew how to be broke what I didn’t know where my blockers that were keeping me there.

If you're ready to uncover new things, identify money triggers, and explore how to build a healthier relationship with money in 2024. This is for you because the work starts now, not January 1.

We’ll use this time to go through exploratory money prompts and exercises to help us identity new things. We can't fix what we don't know and what we don't know requires us spending time with ourselves to figure out what those areas are.

Worksheets will be emailed on the day of the event!

Registration link is in the Much Community feed and Much Community Newsletter. Don't have a Much account? You can sign up for free to access the event live for free. buff.ly/3Kgjduf

09/05/2023

There is something for everyone here 😂. Which one resonates with you?

09/04/2023

Impulsive purchases happen to the best of us, but more times than not, they often end up making us feel some level of regret.

With the holiday season upon us, it's important to keep a few things in mind before you make a purchase and end up with loads of regret later on.

The more you can plan and prepare for a purchase, the less financial regret you'll feel later on.

Save this post for later!

09/02/2023

Are you making this common investing mistake?

Funding your account is one thing, but purchasing assets with those funds is another. A common investing mistake I see is when individuals start their investing journey, they set up their individual retirement account or [insert any other type of investment account here!] and set up their automatic transfer. Then, they shut down their computer and go about their day.

Months or even years later, they check in to see how their “investment” account is doing just to see a balance almost precisely the same as the amount they put in.

You have to use the money you put into your account to buy assets. It’s a two-step process: send money to your account and then use that money to buy an asset/invest in something.

Homework: Check in on your investment accounts and ensure the money you put in there each month is automatically invested in an asset. You can triple-check this by checking your portfolio tab to see your current holdings.

08/31/2023

Saving money is always fun. If you're a book lover or enjoy audible (.app) this app could save you some money.

Libby is a free app where you can borrow ebooks, digital audiobooks, and magazines from your public library. You can stream titles with Wi-Fi or mobile data, or download them for offline use and read anytime, anywhere

Have you heard of Libby?

08/30/2023

📝Budgeting gets a bad rep👎 . Most people find it impossible to follow, too restrictive, boring, and limiting. Sometimes, that can be because there isn't enough to budget. If that's the case for you, then looking at increasing your income is always the first step to leveling up your finances so you truly effectively leverage different financial tools.

But if you have disposable income, your money problems may stem from overspending what you make, thus putting pressure on your income. If you can change your preceptive on budgeting, it might help open up a world of possibilities for your finances.

1️⃣ Financial Awareness: Budgeting forces you to track your income and expenses, giving you a clear picture of where your money is coming from and where it's going. This awareness helps identify unnecessary spending and areas for potential savings.

2️⃣ Prioritized Spending: Creating a budget helps you allocate your money according to your priorities. You can designate funds for essentials like bills and debt payments and allocate money for savings goals such as an emergency fund, retirement, or vacation.

3️⃣ Debt Management: Budgeting enables you to allocate extra funds towards paying off debt systematically. Whether it's credit card debt, student loans, or a mortgage, a budget allows you to allocate more money to debt payments, helping you become debt-free faster.

4️⃣ Goal Achievement: With a budget, you can set and work towards financial goals more effectively. Whether it's buying a house, starting a business, or saving for education, a budget provides a roadmap for how to allocate resources to achieve these objectives.

5️⃣ Reduced Stress: A well-structured budget can significantly reduce financial stress. Knowing you have a plan for your money and a safety net through emergency funds can provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your life.

📱And to make this even easier for you and less overwhelming, a budgeting app like Much can help.

Remember, a budget isn't about restricting yourself; it's about making intentional choices with your money to align with your financial goals and values.