Now that we're a few weeks into the year, is your New Year's budget sticking? Here's an awesome tip that may help you keep that goal rolling through the whole year! Having a personal allowance helps you have the freedom to spend money on yourself but the control to not over do it. Have you established a personal allowed? If so, how has having a personal allowance helped you? 

GUEST BLOGGER: EMMA PARKHURST

In the age of self-care, “treat yourself” has become an increasingly popular mantra over the past couple of years. The general gist of the saying is that we should spend money to increase our own happiness. While it may feel good to reward ourselves and splurge on this or that, treating ourselves can quickly get out of hand if we are not aware of our spending habits. There can be a lot of stress that comes along with personal finances, so how can we practice good money habits but still treat ourselves? Consider these tips to help transform your relationship with money and self-care:

GUEST BLOGGER: ELIZABETH DAVIS

Back to school shopping can be wonderful quality time and an opportunity to make happy memories with our children. However, back to school shopping may also be a time of financial stress, feelings of insufficiency and occasionally whining (my kids and probably me too). I have both witnessed and experienced children whose desire to obtain an object is the impetus behind poor behavior.

​A few years ago, we made a change... 

GUEST BLOGGER: KATHY RIGGS

​A common question for parents may be, “At what age should I begin teaching my children the value of money- earned or gifted?” University of Illinois Extension specialists have compiled a list of the top things children should know about money by the time they reach middle school. We’ve added money concepts for ages 16 and up from the Teaching Children Money Management publication and broke them out, by age, below. 

According to financial experts, an allowance is “a fixed amount of money children receive on a regular schedule, with the understanding that they will pay for certain agreed-upon expenses.” When best practices are followed, allowances can be one of the best ways to teach your children financial responsibility. Below are some hacks for turning an allowance into an educational tool.