Guest Contributor: Christina Pay, USU Extension Assistant Professor

​There are three shopping events each year in Utah that savvy shoppers look forward to with anticipation. These are known as case lot sales. Generally occurring in January, March and September, buying pantry items at case lot prices can save you money while helping you stock up on items you use on a regular basis.  However, don’t be fooled. Without a plan you may end up spending more money than saving it, so follow the tips below to help you make your own plan to find the best case lot bargains.

Guest Contributor: Andrea Schmutz, USU Extension Assistant Professor

Amid the current COVID craziness, there are a few things that remain certain: summer is winding down, our kids continue to grow up, and they’re probably going to need some new clothes for school. As the start of school rapidly approaches, are you asking yourself, “Do I really have to spend a lot of money on clothes when they are just going to outgrow them before they wear them out?” Guess what? You don’t! Here are five simple ways to clothe your kids without breaking the budget:

Guest Blogger: Tasha Killian, USU Extension Assistant Professor

​I love decorating! There is something exciting to me about making your place your own through décor. Buying new pieces, creating different styles, and finding things that fit into what you want in your space is a lot of fun, but can also end up costing a lot. If you are like me and you don’t have a lot of extra cash to purchase some of the items you’d like, it can be a challenge to find things to fit your style and your budget. Luckily, there is a solution, so you do not have to live with bare walls! That solution is doing it yourself. 

​Are you finding that the restrictive nature of COVID-19 has had an effect on your spending willpower? I have! I’ve been more prone to scroll Amazon and purchase things that I want but don’t really need. Maybe you’re like me or maybe you’re looking to cut back spending in general as part of another personal finance goal. Either way the 10 questions below will help you navigate spending decisions and amp up your spending willpower!

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: ELIZABETH DAVIS, USU EXTENSION ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Money affects every facet of our lives, particularly our relationship with our partner. Marriage.com lists financial stress as the No. 2 reason for divorce among couples. If you and your spouse don’t have positive communication around money, it can lead to disagreements, fighting, and significant problems.   
 
In order to prevent financial stress from damaging your relationship, it is important to talk about money with your partner in a positive way. Do not wait until there is a problem (unanticipated bill, unbalanced budget, or overspending). There are numerous courses, apps, and money management tools that can assist us in the managing of our money (Check out the PowerPay Money Mastery Online Course!), but how can we learn about how we (and our spouse) feel about money?