Spending plan, cash flow plan, budget.
I don’t care what you call it.
You need to have a plan for your money.
[Read more…]
Commit. Plan. Take action.
Spending plan, cash flow plan, budget.
I don’t care what you call it.
You need to have a plan for your money.
[Read more…]
If you’re needing some motivation on your own journey, this interview is sure to deliver.
Alicia and Ralston Vaz have cut their debt by $255,000 in five years!
[Read more…]
If you are single and want to be smart with your money, you face different challenges and advantages than married people.
Last week I wrote a post about two things you should do before starting your debt free journey. Because I am married and this blog is called “Our Debt Free Family,” I focus my writing primarily toward married couples and young families.
But I have received some requests to write to the single person’s perspective.
Last week we started getting ready for your debt free journey. We discussed the importance of getting your spouse on board (if you have one) and promising yourself that you are done with debt.
Now we are ready to jump in to assessing your current financial picture. You need to know where you are starting from in order to begin your journey.
Today, I have something a little different to share with you.
Instead of sharing more about my family’s debt free journey, I have a special guest who has agreed to share his debt free story.
Ron Noble tells how he and his wife Thu paid off $167,500.00 in seven years! They are a true debt free family because they have paid off all of their debt including their house!
Continue reading to find out how they did it and what they have been able to do since becoming debt free.
[Read more…]
You’re ready for a change.
You have committed to getting out of debt, but you don’t know where to start, right?
You’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck and seeing your hard-earned money go toward interest to the bank or credit card company.
You bring home a decent income, but before you can actually enjoy what you’ve worked so hard for, you have to pay all of the bills. And what’s left over for you? Not much.
Well, I am here to help!
Part 3 of a 3-Part Series
My husband and I decided to pay off all of our debt, including our mortgage, as quickly as possible.
We understood it was a huge endeavor and estimated that it would take us about eight years to do, but we knew the feelings of freedom and achievement once we met our goal would be well worth the dedication, sacrifice, and hard work in the end.
As the saying goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
We still have a long way to go before we are completely debt free, but in this three-part series, I am taking you through exactly what we did to pay off over $65,000 from August 2013 through June 2014.
Click here for Part 1 and Part 2 if you missed them.
Part 2 of a 3-Part Series
At the end of July 2013, my husband Mike and I decided to pay off all of our debt, including our mortgage, as quickly as possible.
We understood it was a huge endeavor and estimated that it would take us about eight years to do, but we knew the feelings of freedom and achievement once we met our goal would be well worth the dedication, sacrifice, and hard work in the end.
As the saying goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
We still have a long way to go before we are completely debt free, but in this three-part series, I am taking you through exactly what we did to pay off over $65,000 from August 2013 through June 2014.
If you missed Part 1, you can check it out by clicking here.
My husband and I decided to pay off all of our debt, including our mortgage, as quickly as possible.
We understood it was a huge endeavor and estimated that it would take us about eight years to do, but we knew the feelings of freedom and achievement once we met our goal would be well worth the dedication, sacrifice, and hard work in the end.
As the saying goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transcended its role as a futuristic concept to become an integral part of our daily lives. Beyond its applications in various industries, AI has proven a powerful tool in personal finance, offering innovative ways to save money and make more informed financial decisions.
Unknown to many, there are 10 impactful ways AI can revolutionize your finances and contribute to significant cost savings.
Traditional budgeting methods can be time-consuming and prone to human error. AI-powered budgeting tools like Mint and PocketGuard offer a more thoughtful and efficient approach.
These tools use machine learning algorithms to analyze your spending patterns, categorize transactions automatically, provide real-time updates on your financial status, and even find you the best loans like NetCredit. By automating budgeting and expense tracking, you gain a comprehensive understanding of your financial habits, allowing you to identify areas where you can cut unnecessary expenses.
Investing can be complex and intimidating for many individuals. AI-driven robo-advisors simplify the investment process by using algorithms to create and manage a diversified portfolio tailored to your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Platforms like Betterment and Wealthfront leverage AI to optimize your investments continually, ensuring that your portfolio aligns with market trends and adapts to changing conditions.
Using AI isn’t just about growing wealth. It’s also about managing debts intelligently. AI-powered debt management tools analyze your financial situation, identify high-interest debts, and create personalized repayment plans.
These plans may include strategies for debt consolidation and negotiation with creditors. By leveraging AI in debt management, individuals can make informed decisions to pay off debts strategically, saving money on interest payments and achieving financial freedom sooner.
Retailers and service providers increasingly use AI to offer personalized recommendations based on consumer behavior and preferences. Apps and platforms employ AI algorithms to analyze your spending habits and present tailored suggestions for discounts, promotions, and cashback offers. By taking advantage of these personalized recommendations, you can save money on everyday purchases without compromising your preferences or lifestyle.
AI significantly promotes energy efficiency in smart homes, leading to tangible cost savings. Smart home devices with AI algorithms can learn your behavior patterns and optimize energy consumption accordingly.
For example, smart thermostats adjust heating and cooling schedules based on your usage patterns, reducing energy bills. Investing in AI-powered smart home solutions enhances your lifestyle and reduces utility costs, leading to long-term savings.
Many individuals subscribe to various services, from streaming platforms to magazines, and it’s easy to lose track of these subscriptions. AI-powered subscription management tools like Truebill and Trim analyze your bank statements to identify and cancel unused or unnecessary subscriptions. By eliminating redundant subscriptions, you can free up funds previously spent on services you no longer need, contributing to significant savings over time.
Understanding financial concepts and making informed decisions is crucial for saving money. AI-driven financial education platforms, like Albert and Cleo, use machine learning to provide personalized financial advice and insights.
These platforms assess your financial situation, offer tips for saving money, and even provide guidance on investments and debt management. Incorporating AI-driven financial education into your routine gives you the knowledge to make sound financial decisions, ultimately leading to long-term savings.
AI excels at predictive analytics, and this capability can be harnessed for effective expense planning. By analyzing historical spending patterns and external factors, AI algorithms can predict future expenses with a high degree of accuracy.
This foresight allows individuals to plan and budget more effectively, avoiding last-minute financial stressors and enabling better control over their finances. Whether it’s planning for upcoming bills or setting aside funds for irregular expenses, predictive analytics can be a valuable tool for saving money.
Financial security is a top priority, and AI is crucial in safeguarding your assets. AI algorithms analyze transaction data to detect unusual patterns and flag potentially fraudulent activities in real-time. This proactive approach helps prevent unauthorized access to accounts, protecting individuals from financial losses and the hassle of resolving fraudulent incidents.
Tax season can be stressful for many individuals, but AI can simplify the process and potentially lead to significant savings. AI-powered tax optimization tools, like TurboTax and TaxJar, use advanced algorithms to identify eligible deductions and credits, ensuring that you maximize your tax savings. These tools stay up-to-date with the latest tax regulations, reducing the risk of errors and helping you navigate the complexities of the tax code more efficiently.
From automated budgeting and intelligent debt management to personalized recommendations and tax optimization, AI empowers users to make informed decisions that contribute to long-term financial well-being. With AI technology advancements, managing finances has become more accessible and less daunting. Using these tools and using them to their full potential, individuals can take control of their finances and achieve financial stability.