GUEST BLOGGER: EMMA PARKHURST

Every January it seems many of us set a resolution to go to the gym and exercise more frequently. If you have decided to tackle those fitness goals this year, getting a gym membership may be a smart move. Did you know that research shows those with a gym membership were 14 times more likely to meet the weekly physical activity guidelines? Sounds great, right?! But what if your budget is tight and a gym membership doesn’t quite make the cut for your 2020 financial goals? Not to worry – there are many ways to shave costs off your monthly gym bill:

​Sticking to a financial resolution can be challenging when our excitement exceeds our preparation. The excitement and drive to set a goal to get out of debt or save for a vacation is so valuable to help keep us going when we’ve taken some time to prepare and plan successfully. Here are my 5 tips to make and stick to a family budget in 2020. 

GUEST BLOGGER: LIZ VANCE

​The most common New Year’s resolutions seem to always be about health and money. But we all know those resolutions can end up being frustrating or forgotten all together a few months, or even weeks, into the year. If only keeping our resolutions was as easy as making them! We’d accomplish so much! Try some of these tips to help make financial resolutions a little easier.

GUEST BLOGGERS: WILLIAM D. DANKO, Ph.D. AND RICHARD J. VAN NESS, Ph.D.

​​Shop ‘til You Drop?
So many articles have been written about becoming an efficient shopper. It’s exhausting just reading about the techniques that people devise in order to have the ‘best’ shopping season ever. Year-round, buying to assure the best deals, studying the desires of gift recipients, most appropriate wrapping for each person, and on and on. Some even specialize in gift shopping for pets. Seems that all of the major newspapers report on the masters of the creative passion of gift-giving for Christmas and other occasions. Time is a precious commodity, so why do some people participate so vigorously in such activities? Just pause, relax, and breathe. There is no fatal consequence of not attending the circus chaos.

GUEST BLOGGER: LIZ VANCE

If you are a big Black Friday shopper, you KNOW it takes more than just showing up at a store to make the most of it. Preparation is a big part of finding the best deals. The same is true about your budget. Make a plan so you can end your day feeling like you've conquered Black Friday rather than it's conquered you!  Check out this step-by-step guide on how to prepare financially for Black Friday.