Prior to joining The Financial Gym, my husband and I handled our money in a very basic way.  We’d receive our income, check our calendar of bill due dates to what needed to be paid before the next pay period, pay those bills, and the rest went to whatever we needed.  Simple, right? We’d plan on saving some of those remaining funds, but then one of our cars would need a repair, one of our pets would need an immediate vet visit, and just like that our savings would be wiped out. So much for our $1000 emergency fund! 

Have you ever felt like if you just made a couple hundred dollars more per month your life would be different? Your life would be better or easier and you could double down on your goals and stop stressing all the time? The good news is that you can earn $200+ per month with these five legit side hustles.

Whether you’re satiating your wanderlust solo or traveling with the entire family, planning an elaborate summer vacation can take time. And since summer is officially upon us, you might feel like it’s too late to get a trip on the books.

But according to the latest data from Skyscanner, the best time to book a domestic flight is 30 days in advance, meaning you still have time to enjoy the best weekend getaways in the U.S. Here’s a list of last-minute travel ideas that’ll help you enjoy the summer sun this season.      

Until last year, we closed the Gym for one week in the summertime which was easier when we just had 400 clients and 8 full-time employees. This summer, we’re fast approaching 2,500 clients with 22 full-time employees so closing the Gym is no longer an option.

There are countless money management tips online that may or may not work for you. Some are super hands-on with spreadsheets to help you manually track money going in and out of your checking account, while others are much more simpler.

If you find yourself too busy to get a handle on your budget, a “set it and forget it” approach might be a fit for you. One of the best ways to save money and reach your financial goals is by automating your finances. 

Here are the five basic money areas to automate starting today.

Summer is here and the Fourth of July is just around the corner. It’s exciting to get a day off in the middle of the week and take some time to celebrate our freedom. The fourth of July can be a time of fun and festivities but if you’re not careful, it can add up quick. Here are some budget-friendly ideas for celebrating the Fourth of July on the cheap.

Although the act of clipping Sunday mailer coupons has a therapeutic quality to it, it’s no longer the most efficient way to cut costs at the register. And as more shoppers rely on their smartphone to help make life easier, consumers are leveraging cash back apps as a way to fast-track savings on everyday purchases.

The key to making this savings strategy work is ensuring you’re not buying more than you intended just to get cash back — in this scenario, you’re actually taking your savings in the opposite direction.

If you can use these apps wisely and already plan on making certain purchases, earning cash back on those transactions is a no-brainer. Here are today’s best cash back apps for busy, but frugal, shoppers.

As the summer season is in full effect, it’s time to enjoy and have some fun. Summer seems to pass by so fast, so you want to get the most out of it and live and love life. All of that fun can come at a cost, though. Luckily, there are ways you can enjoy the summer on a budget. Here are eight ways to have fun in the summer without breaking the bank.

Every May and June, graduates across the country leave their old college life behind to begin a new chapter of adulthood. It’s an exciting time full of lots of transitions. To congratulate the graduate in your life for all of their hard work, you want to get them something to commemorate the beginning of their new life. Here are seven graduation gifts to consider for the new grad in your life.

Father’s day is around the corner. You know you want to get a gift for the dad in your life, whether biological or not, but don’t want to spend too much. What gifts can you give that show that you care but won’t cost you a pretty penny but also won’t look cheap? We’ve got you covered with these five affordable father’s day gifts.

As an adult, your credit score plays a huge role in your life. It can lead to better interest rates, can help you get approved for an apartment and mean the difference between getting a loan or not. The most common credit score is the FICO credit score. But what actually makes up your FICO credit score? Read on to learn more.

All of us have a financial story that is influenced by our childhood. That story can lead to overspending and mismanaging money — and if we're honest, it's tough to break. Financial Gym client, Rebecca, is working with us to ditch her spending habits after a childhood in poverty and learning how to keep the money she makes. Not only that, she's now paying it forward to others in her community. Read on to learn more. 

It seems like every month there’s news of a new data breach. The risk of identity theft and fraud are high. So what can you do to protect your privacy online and secure your financial data? Here are six tips for more personal information security.

Whether you’re just starting out at a job or have been there a while, there’s one thing that you should know: your employee benefits. Your employee benefits add so much value to your compensation. But if you don’t understand your employee benefits, you might not get the most out of what they offer. Here’s a quick guide to understanding your benefits at work.

When you hear the word “investing”, what do you think of? You might instantly think of The Wolf of Wall Street or think of men in suits or terms that seem like another language. Let’s face it, everything about investing can seem confusing and like it is for “them” and not “us.” But here’s the thing. Investing is for everyone and is one of the few surefire ways to build wealth and beat the cost of inflation. But if you don’t know much about investing or how to get started, it can prevent you from taking action. No more excuses! Here’s your beginner’s guide on how to start investing.

I am an avid home cook that enjoys baking, hosting dinner parties and of course meal prepping.  I have always prepped most of my breakfasts, lunches, post-workout snacks, and dinners so that I could enjoy one too many cocktails on the weekend and brunch with friends.  

Do you feel like you’re over your head in debt? You’re not alone. It’s easy to be in denial about how much debt you’re in or feel overwhelmed with the process. While paying off debt isn’t easy, it is possible. Here are five tips for debt management.

If you’re investing for your future, give yourself a pat on the back. Whether you’re investing in a 401(k), ETFs, mutual funds or other investment vehicles, you’re already ahead of the curve. It’s great to start investing as it beats the cost of inflation and can help you build wealth for your future. The problem most newbie investors face is how to make sense of all the information they get from the brokerage firm. Brokerage firms are required to provide monthly or quarterly brokerage statements. It can look like another language if you’re not sure how to read it. If you have a brokerage account, here’s how to understand your brokerage statements.

You’ve finally had enough of being broke and overspending and are ready to get financially fit. There’s just one problem. Bae isn’t on board. Let’s be real, getting financially fit requires some changes and when you must do things differently, not everyone in life will be as thrilled about it as you. But your relationship can have a huge impact on your journey so how do you get your SO on board? Here are five tips for getting your significant other on board with your financially fit journey.

Whether you’ve just found out Grandma Betty died and left you a sum of money, or you got a huge bonus or miraculously won the lotto, you’re probably wondering one thing: What’s the best way to use your newfound wealth? There are no shortage of ways to spend money but without having a plan, you can easily stick to where you’re at or be more worse off than you were before the windfall.