When snow is in the forecast, something strange happens. Grown adults suddenly feel compelled to rush the grocery store and buy every loaf of bread and gallon of milk within a 50-mile radius. Why? No one really knows. Will we be making French toast for a week straight? Possibly. Is it tradition at this point? Absolutely.

In today’s economy, it is essential that you do what you can to save money. Many people are afraid of sacrificing the things they enjoy in order to keep more cash in their pockets. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can save money without having to give up the lifestyle you enjoy. Here is a look at some easy ways to save money without sacrifice.

The start of a new year is sort of like a fresh slate, prompting lots of people to set New Year's resolutions. Some of the most common resolutions are eating healthier, becoming more physically active, saving money, improving personal relationships, learning a new hobby or skill, reading more, etc. 

However, others avoid making resolutions altogether because they never stick to them or get the results they're looking for. You know, the folks who say things like "I always break my resolutions" and "I always give up by mid-January."

One reason New Year's resolutions are so difficult to keep is that they require you to change. Change is hard, and people tend to resist it because it involves a lot of work, willpower, and motivation to do things differently than you have in the past. It's a lot easier just to keep things as they are, especially if you don't have a plan of action with detailed steps on how you're going to make a change.

Whether you call your personal goals New Year's resolutions or not, there is a better way to achieve them: creating good habits. When your actions become a habit, you don't have to remember when, where, why, or how to do them. They just get done because they become part of your daily routine.

Remember, habits- good or bad- result from small decisions we make over time. Our lives today (e.g., finances, health, career achievements) reflect our past habits. To make personal changes, focus on creating habits and routines. Decide now who you want to be next year and prove it to yourself every day by creating lasting habits that make positive changes in your life.

Many people look for ways to slim down when the new year rolls around. They flood the gyms and fill up the parking lots, all in an effort to shed those holiday pounds.

If you've been looking to make positive changes in your life or just looking for a fresh start, there's no better time than the beginning of a new year. Starting now, you have 365 days to make changes in your life and work towards new goals. I encourage you to reflect this week about areas of your life that you want to improve and set attainable goals to make positive changes.

If you're looking to improve your financial health in 2026, check out the BALANCE blog below for a few tips. Also, be sure to subscribe to my weekly blog posts for encouragement and tips to keep you on track throughout the year. 

It's almost time for my favorite holiday, Black Friday. Of course, I'm kidding, but as someone who loves to shop, I do look forward to Black Friday and Cyber Monday each year.

Shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be a great time to score deals on items that you've wanted to purchase, but you can also get easily sucked into overspending if you're not prepared. Check out the BALANCE blog post below for tips on how to avoid overspending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

There's no better way to spend the holiday season than spending time with those you love, and there's no better way to enjoy each other's time than with a home-cooked meal. However, cooking at home can often add up if you're not prepared. Check out the BALANCE blog post below for six ways to save on homemade meals.

Your credit score can have a major impact on your life. Not only do creditors typically check your score when deciding whether or not to approve your loan application and what interest rate to charge you if you are approved, but landlords, insurance companies, and even employers often check it as well. Having a good score can help you achieve your goals quickly and at the lowest possible cost.

As online retail continues to grab market share, more and more consumers are turning to the internet for everyday staples, holiday gifts, and even groceries, but how do you keep your spending under control?

We've all heard the saying, "put your money where your mouth is," but what if we started trying to put our money where our heart is instead.