Mel's Big List of Budget Resources: PART 2

Part 2 of 2 on money, budget, and financial resources. 

Yesterday, I shared topic-specific articles to help with money questions you might have. Today, I have a list of websites, blogs and other resources that are my go-to's for all money-related information. 

20-Something Finance

The Billfold - Intended to create an open place to share tips and information, from varying perspectives it steers clear of "expert advice" and instead just attempts to make the money discussion as easy as possible.

Budgets are Sexy - "A personal finance blog that won't put you to sleep." This is a great place to start to overcome the fear and nervousness the often accompanies money. The blog is aimed at the younger crowd (hence the name) and intended to make money and budgeting fun!

CNBC - This news-based site has great resources for investing and the market and to track your stocks.  

Financially Wise Women - A great resource aimed at empower women to take control of their financial futures and to be "financially wise!"

Fox News - This news-based site is my favorite for small-businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Free Money Finance

Get Rich Slowly - I especially love their "Essential Money Skills" section about half-way down on the right-hand side-bar.

Kiplinger - This website (based off the familiar magazine) is chock-full of financial news and information. Some of it is hidden behind politics, current events and other not-so-related information, so my advice is to focus your attention on the "Tools" and "Family Finance" tabs for the most helpful information.

LearnVest - From their Mission Statement: "To empower women everywhere to take control of their personal finances so they can afford their dreams." This site is easily at the top of my list for helpful resources on literally everything from paying down debt to starting a business. {Especially read anything in the Knowledge Center}

LifeHacker - This site (owned by the same people who run Gawker and Jezebel) is not just a money-related blog. It has hundreds of tips and tricks to "hack" your life (i.e. make it easier) in every way, but they often serve as my gateway source to many other great articles and resources. 

MoneySense - Canadian-based magazine and blog, providing a wide spectrum of information on money, careers, real estate, and investing. 

Money, Your Way

Mortgage101 - Centered around mortgages and home-buying. I recommend checking out their mortgage learning library for info on everything from pre-approval to default to refinancing.

SavvySugar Money - A subpage of a larger female-focused blog-a-zine that contains many great tips for career, money, and spending.

Wise Bread - "Living large on a small budget" 

**It is important that you seek professional advice and consult various sources before making major financial decisions. None of these articles are deemed to be the best option for you, nor do they take into account any personal circumstances that might drastically change your decisions. These articles should be used as an information portal and a place to start learning about how to handle money. For loans, debt payoff, money management, and especially investments, you should consult a professional first!

Mel's Big List of Budget Resources: PART 1

Part 1 of 2 - Money, budget and finance resources. 

Today, I have some great articles for your reading pleasure and tomorrow I will post a list of blogs, websites, and other resources I use when I have a question or need to understand a particular money-related topic. 

Budgeting

A geek's guide to budgeting hobbies - LifeHacker

How to deal with a fluctuating income - Money, Your Way

The Priority Pyramid - MoneySense

Mortgages and Other Debts

How to prepare for mortgage pre-approval - Mortgage101

Student loan deferment, forgiveness, and forbearment options - 20-Something Finance

When you should and shouldn't rent - WiseBread

Savings

Helpful Banking Tips for 20-somethings - SavvySugar

Your Guide to Saving Money - Real Simple

Other Tips

10 Money Conversations Everyone Should Have - Real Simple

Investing 101: How to start investing - The Everygirl

Put your investments in the right type of accounts - Get Rich Slowly, via LifeHacker

What really counts as a financial 'emergency' - Learn Vest

What to buy when - Learn Vest

Your credit score de-mystified - Financially Wise Women

And a bonus article about a man who gave up his money and possessions and has lived that way for over 12 years! It is not something the vast majority of us would be willing to do, but it does provide a great perspective on how to live without money dictating our lives! 

**It is important that you seek professional advice and consult various sources before making major financial decisions. None of these articles are deemed to be the best option for you, nor do they take into account any personal circumstances that might drastically change your decisions. These articles should be used as an information portal and a place to start learning about how to handle money. For loans, debt payoff, money management, and especially investments, you should consult a professional first!

Saturday Share

Can you believe this is the last weekend in May? I have been living in Colorado for a whole month already! We are headed out for a camping trip this weekend with another couple, so I won't be back until after the Monday holiday. 

In the meantime, here are your Saturday links: 


READ: "Spouses See More Job Choices" by Lisa Daniel at Military.com

LEARN: About the great tablets on the market by TechRepublic
(And help me pick which one I should buy, other than Apple iPad.)

SAVE: Money for these 6 major expenses via Money.Yourway


WATCH: This video on the new workout craze - Dance Walking via Healthy Homefront

7 Money Rules for Life: A Giveaway

I am hosting another giveaway!

This time the prize is a book: 7 Money Rules for Life by Mary Hunt

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Full disclosure: I won this book from HUN, but after scanning through it, decided that it would probably serve others better than it does me. 

The contest will run until I return from my Minnesota graduation weekend on Monday!

Good Luck!

Saturday Share

Today, I am taking the first part of my bar exam: the MPRE. It is designed to test you on the rules of ethics for attorneys, but just like any standardized test, does a better job of testing your test-taking ability than it does anything else. Either way, I still have to take it (and get above a certain score) to qualify for my license in Colorado (and Minnesota - it's the same score, luckily.)

In the meantime, enjoy my favorite links of the week.

LEARN: How money management can help your career 

DO: Get past your inspiration block, by just getting started via Lifehacker

(Oh, how I needed this reminder this week!)

WATCH: Act of Valor (in theaters now) 

If you need convincing, read JG's review here.

Finally, in honor of the Day of Green, READ about the history of St. Patrick.

Happy Saturday!

Saturday Share: Money Management

Al and I got back to Minnesota yesterday, but we are out at the farm spending the weekend with his parents. We're also working on our taxes and some other budget issues, so I thought I would focus this Saturday Share on how to manage money.  On a personal level, I often lose sight of the reason for saving money and protecting our financial future. I found that some of these articles and resources rejuvenated and re-inspired me to keep on the frugality track - I hope these links can help you too!

LEARN: More about how to be frugal:

Frugality v. Deprivation via Lifehacker

Frugality is not Deprivation by Mr. Money Mustache

USE: An online budget manager like Mint.com

MAKE: A Home Management Binder to help you stay organized 

via A Bowl Full of Lemons

{And other great financial tips and organizers from her site!}

LISTEN: To anything on Dave Ramsey's radio show or website

{I especially enjoy his tips on marriage and money}

BUY: One of these splurges, if you must splurge at all

Happy Saving, lovelies.

My Fall Goals

Since school is already in full swing and I am struggling to stay organized and focused, I unveiled my blogging plan over the holiday weekend. One aspect of this is staying on top of my fall goals. Most of these goals will be non-school goals, because things like homework and meetings have to get done. The things on the below list are, instead, other to-do's that are intended to keep me focused, balanced, happy and productive in the other aspects of my life. They all part of my personal promise to live purposefully and increase my daily contribution.

1. Spend Wisely & Maintain Budget

Al and I have a monthly and long-term budget, including a savings plan. Beyond that, our individual spending is up to us to use how we wish. In addition to maintaining our budget goals as a couple, I want to spend more wisely on my own. I have put myself on a clothes/accessories spending budget, which I track here.

2. Complete my long-paper

I will be tracking the progress of my long-paper requirement. Sure, this is school related, but since I am required to monitor my own practice and it is the only non-class requirement I have left for graduation, I want to insure I am on top of it. I hear so many horror stories from graduating students who struggled to push out their paper in the last couple months and I refuse to do that. Final draft = Due December.

3. Visit Al at least once before Christmas

I am sort of "cheating" on this since I have already booked a ticket to visit over my fall break in October. I created this goal list, however, before I did so and I still think it counts. Plus, don't all the experts say that the best way to be motivated to complete a to-do list is include something you can check off right away?!?

4. Complete at least 3 sewing projects

I really, really want to get better at sewing, and this means forcing myself to sit down and do it. I want to complete at least 3 sewing projects, but they can consist of mending or altering something I already own or making something from scratch. More likely the former, but I've got to start somewhere.

5. Blog less, but with more purpose

I hope I've already started myself on the path to accomplish this. I want the days that I take time to write something outside of the scheduled memes to be purposeful and worth-wile. Less negative attitude and more fulfilling writing so I can keep a positive and productive outlook.

6. Lose 15 lbs.

It's crazy to me that I spent the entire summer in Texas sitting on my butt and did not work out at all! Sure, I was regularly active as far as being outside and walking and such, but nothing that produces weight loss, muscle gain, or over all health increase. This is simply not acceptable for me. Here it is, in black and white - I will lose 15 lbs. by Christmas.

7. Join a fitness class

To tie in to the above goal, I want to join a fitness class. It is unlikely that I will pay to join a gym while I'm staying at my parents (we have a home-gym) but I do want to do a yoga or spin class and finally a boxing class. Any combination of the above would be great, but actively going to a class once-per-week is my realistic goal.

8. Maintain a healthy life

Again, this is related to the above two goals, but also to our timeline for baby-making. I want to be eating healthy, getting enough sleep and taking my vitamins. I know these things sound so simple, but it is really easy to neglect some of the basic life necessities when you're as busy as I am. This includes no smoking (4 weeks smoke free!) and staying away from pop (which I've also all-but given up.) Coffee will remain a significant part of my diet, but if that's my worst habit, I can accept that!

9. Attend church once per month

I am a little embarrassed to even put this on here, because it's something I should do without "scheduling" it, but it's so easy to brush aside when I'd rather sleep in on Sunday morning. Along with taking care of my mind and body, I have to take care of my soul too!

10. Be active in my relationships

This means making the people I love a priority. Specifically, checking my bad days at the door when I am talking to Al or my mom. I also want to have monthly friend-dates with my faves and a monthly date with my momma. I want to make sure I stay active in my sisters' lives also.

Each Monday, I will check in on my goals and let ya'll know how I'm doing.

**All end-dates are December, at which time I will create a new goals sheet for the new year.