GUEST BLOGGER: EMMA PARKHURST

​One of my favorite things about summer is that it’s officially yard sale season. There’s nothing quite like organizing and tossing long forgotten items to make one wonder, “why do I have so much stuff”, or “why did I even buy this in the first place??” Applying principles of mindfulness to spending can help to avoid these common thoughts, and as an added bonus, can help us feel goodabout purchases. But first, what is mindfulness? 

GUEST BLOGGER: ELIZABETH  DAVIS

Money is a necessary part of each of our lives. A great deal of time and energy goes to earning it, budgeting it, stressing over it, spending it, and hopefully some time managing it.  One day last fall I attended a conference about relationships and during the course of the conference met a lovely woman, Syble Solomon, who was promoting a Money Habitudes card game. This intrigued me so I asked to learn more.
We had an enjoyable conversation and I learned that each of us have our own money habits and attitudes that determine our money decisions.  The Money Habitudes card game is a simple activity that helps individuals determine what money means to them. Does it represent security, status, selflessness, spontaneity, planning, etc.? It was an enlightening activity that I enjoyed so much, I purchased several decks of her cards and took them to a family reunion for my siblings and their spouses to play.
It was interesting to observe the light bulbs that went on...

AMANDA CHRISTENSEN

Ever wonder what the “secrets” are behind happily married couples’ personal finance tactics? It’s no secret that while we do choose our spouse, we don’t choose each other’s personal financial background, habits, attitudes, money personalities, or ability/inability to balance a monthly budget. Financial harmony in marriage isn’t automatic. Head over to my friends at the Utah Marriage Matters blog to see my latest guest blog post about six, research-based, money management strategies used by couples in great marriages (Skogrand, Johnson, Horrocks, & DeFrain, 2010). As you read, consider which tip you could implement now!

GUEST BLOGGER: KATHY RIGGS

According to America Saves, The easiest and most effective way to save money is automatically. This is how millions of employees save through 401(k) and other retirement programs at work. It is also how millions of Americans save at their bank or credit union.
How to Save Automatically- 
​​*  Every pay period, your employer deducts a certain amount from your paycheck and transfers it to a retirement or savings account. Ask your HR representative for more details and to set this up.

AMANDA CHRISTENSEN