“Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day, and at last we cannot break it.” ~ Horace Mann Have you ever taken time to really think about how you make decisions? Many of our choices seem to be made on automatic pilot. From food to finances to family dynamics, we tend to react […]
money management
Money Matters in Relationships
According to a recent study released by the National Endowment for Financial Education three in 10 Americans say they have lied to their partner about financial matters. This dishonesty can range from lying about small purchases to having secret bank accounts. However little or small, financial matters are of critical importance to a relationship. Taking […]
Win the “Snowball” Fight with Creditors
In January we often think more seriously about reducing our debt as we recover from holiday buying, make plans for the New Year, and think about paying taxes. For people who owe multiple creditors, it can be challenging to keep up with the payments. Sometimes there is not enough cash to pay all of them […]
Changing Behavior: How Do We Make New Year’s Resolutions Stick?
Behavior happens because it is something we have done over and over, i. e. it is a habit, OR it is something that we do because we have a reason for doing it. Changing behavior, therefore, requires different strategies for these different types of behavior. Researchers have studied intentional and habitual behavior and have some […]
Have a Debt Free Holiday!
If you are like a lot of Americans, January is the worst month for you. This is the time that all the credit card bills come in the mail for all the presents you bought in December. The glow of the holidays has worn off, all the presents have been opened and used and the […]
They Add Up Fast: Calculate Your Small Repeated Expenses
The small repeated expenses are the “budget busters” for many people. It can be hard to know the impact of these small items on your overall expense picture without adding them up. The eXtension Financial Security for All web site features a new calculator for estimating the annual cost of small repeated expenses. Go to […]