The holidays are coming, and with rising costs everywhere, the pressure to spend feels heavier than ever.

You might be bracing yourself for a joyless, budget-stretched season or even thinking debt is the only way to make it special.

But what if you could have a festive, joyful Christmas without the financial hangover?

Don’t let money worries steal your holiday spirit!

In this guide, you’ll find clever, no-stress Christmas shopping hacks to save money while still making the season magical.

Ready to have a merry Christmas and keep your wallet happy?

Keep reading – these tips will change how you shop this season.

13 Christmas Shopping Hacks to Save You Money

#1. Take Advantage of Cash Back Stacking

Want to maximize your savings this holiday season? Get into cash-back stacking!

This is my #1 trick to save money throughout the year (and definitely during the holidays).

Start by shopping online through a cash-back portal like Rakuten.

You’ll earn money back on every purchase, like finding free money in your couch cushions!

But wait, it gets better: pay with a cash-back credit card for even more savings!

It’s like layering your discounts for a delicious savings sundae.

And don’t forget to install a browser extension like Honey, which automatically applies coupon codes at checkout to save you even more.

This is the cherry on top of your savings sundae.

Here is a breakdown of my recent savings when I was buying some vitamins I needed. (Yes, I use this trick all year long to save thousands of dollars.)

Stacking Item	Savings Percent	Savings Amount
Rakuten	10%	$8.80
Honey	20%	$22
Cashback Credit Card	2%	$1.76
TOTAL		$32.56

Before any of the discounts, my order total was $110. Honey found a coupon code for 20% off, saving my $22 on the spot.

With my new total being $88, I earned $8.80 cash back from Rakuten and $1.76 with my credit card, for a total savings of $32.56.

Yes, it really is this easy.

#2. Leverage Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes are the ultimate holiday gift hack when you’re trying to save money.

Here’s how you can win big: sign up for a free trial or discounted first month, and instead of gifting the whole box to one person, split up the goodies among several people.

A box of snacks? Boom, you’ve got stocking stuffers for the family.

Skincare products? Break it down into mini gift sets for your friends.

It’s like buying one gift and turning it into five! And the best part?

You can cancel the subscription after the first month to avoid any extra charges.

So, you’re scoring multiple presents for the price of one. Now that’s some Christmas magic.

Here’s a bonus trick: sign up for a free Swagbucks account and take advantage of the free trial offers they promote.

You’ll earn points just for trying them out, which you can then redeem for free gift cards or cash.

And as a welcome bonus, Swagbucks will give you $10 just for creating your account!

#3. Check Out Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a goldmine for scoring holiday gifts without paying full price.

You can find everything from gently used toys to practically brand-new gadgets.

And because it’s local, there are no shipping fees or long wait times, just a quick drive to pick it up.

• Read now: Here is what to do if you can’t afford Christmas gifts

If you are feeling more adventurous, you can check out Craigslist, Freecycle, and other second-hand shopping sites to score more deals.

#4. Take Advantage of Gift Card Sales

Gift card sales are a sneaky way to give and get at the same time.

Here’s how it works: around the holidays, stores you already shop at often run promos where if you buy a certain amount in gift cards, you get a bonus card for free.

So grab a $50 gift card to give to someone, and boom, you’ve got a $10 card for yourself!

Or if you need a stocking stuffer, keep the $50 gift card for yourself and gift the $10 one.

It’s like rewarding yourself for being a thoughtful gift-giver.

You’ll knock out a present and pocket a little something for those post-holiday self-care splurges.

Alternatively, you can find ways to get discounted gift cards all year long to stock up so you have them ready when the holidays roll around.

#5. Pay Attention

Want to make holiday shopping easier and cheaper?

Pay attention! People drop hints about what they want all year, whether it’s your friend raving about a new gadget or your sister eyeing that cozy sweater.

If you listen, you can snag gifts they actually want instead of guessing and stressing.

And we all know when we don’t know what to get someone go window shopping a lot more and usually end up buying a lot of stuff we don’t really need.

The other benefit of paying attention is you might get clues about gifts months before the holidays.

This allows you to shop ahead and catch sales instead of scrambling at the last minute when prices might be sky-high.

#6. Give Delayed Gifts

Who says holiday gifts have to happen in December?

Consider giving a “delayed” gift – something fun to do in the spring or summer, like concert tickets, a weekend getaway, or even a dinner out.

Not only does this give you time to save up (because, let’s be honest, your bank account will probably look better in a few months), but it also spreads the holiday joy into the warmer months.

Plus, when everyone else is done enjoying their gifts, your recipient will still have something to look forward to!

#7. Do Group Gifts

Want to score an amazing gift without breaking the bank?

Consider organizing a group gift!

Get a few friends or family members to chip in for one fantastic present that’ll really wow the recipient – think a top-notch gadget, a spa day, or a weekend getaway.

It’s like crowdfunding your holiday cheer, and the best part is that you’ll all look like gift-giving rock stars without maxing out your credit cards.

Plus, you can use the “strength in numbers” approach to snag something way better than what you could afford on your own.

#8. Skip Physical Gifts

This holiday season, why not skip the physical gifts for parents or grandparents who already have everything?

Instead, offer the priceless gift of your time!

Plan a family dinner, a game night, or even a cozy movie marathon.

These experiences create memories that last far longer than any sweater or gadget.

Plus, let’s be honest – most parents and grandparents would probably prefer a home-cooked meal over another set of bath towels they didn’t ask for.

It’s a win-win: you save money, and they get quality time with their loved ones.

#9. Bring Up Politics at Thanksgiving Dinner

Are you thinking about how to save money on gifts this year?

Here’s a cheeky strategy: bring up politics at Thanksgiving dinner!

Nothing spices up turkey day like a heated debate about current events.

Sure, it might offend a few family members, but on the bright side, you’ll suddenly find yourself off the hook for gift-giving.

“Oh, Aunt Karen isn’t talking to me anymore? Guess I won’t be getting her that scented candle!”

#10. Reduce Your Circle

Are you tired of feeling obligated to buy gifts for every distant cousin or that one friend you haven’t seen since last year’s holiday party?

It’s time to reduce your gift-giving circle!

Take a good look at your list and start trimming the fat.

If you rarely see them and they never send you a gift in return, why are you stressing over what to get them?

This year, set a rule: if you wouldn’t invite them to your holiday dinner, they don’t make the gift list.

Instead, focus on those who truly matter and bring joy into your life.

This way, you can focus your energy and budget on meaningful gifts for the people who really matter.

#11. Spread The Cost Out Throughout The Year

Want to dodge the post-holiday credit card hangover?

Starting in January, spread the cost of gifts throughout the year!

Instead of scrambling for cash in December, save a little money each month for your holiday budget.

Treat it like a secret Santa to yourself by setting aside just $25 a month, and by the time the holidays roll around, you’ll have a cool $300 ready to splurge.

That’s enough for some seriously awesome gifts or even a little holiday cheer for yourself.

Plus, when the shopping season arrives, you’ll be sipping hot cocoa, not sweating over your bank account.

#12. Pick Up Free Gift Cards

Love the idea of saving for the holidays throughout the year but money it too tight?

Sure, you might be able to put away $10 a month, but you need more than $120 for gifts.

What should you do?

Why not turn your downtime into dollar signs by picking up free gift cards throughout the year?

You can play online games, take surveys, or use apps that pay you in gift cards for doing simple tasks – like answering questions or binge-watching videos (yes, please!).

It’s like getting rewarded for your procrastination!

Set aside a few minutes each day to rack up those points while scrolling through your phone or lounging on the couch.

Before you know it, you’ll have enough gift cards to cover your holiday shopping without spending a dime out of pocket.

#13. Give Scratch Off Lottery Tickets

Are you looking for a fun and affordable gift idea?

Consider giving scratch-off lottery tickets!

At just a couple of bucks each, they’re a cheap way to spread holiday cheer – and who knows, your friend or family member might just uncover a life-changing jackpot!

It’s like giving them a mini thrill ride; they’ll scratch, squeal, and maybe even scream with excitement (or despair).

Plus, you get the joy of watching their reactions as they reveal the numbers—it’s entertainment and a gift in one!

• Read now: Discover the best ways to make money for the holidays
• Read now: Learn how to turn unwanted gift cards into fast cash

The post 13 Christmas Shopping Hacks to Slash Holiday Gift Costs in Half appeared first on Money Smart Guides.

How to save money on a tight budget?

It may seem impossible for the 54% of Americans who live paycheck-to-paycheck or the nearly 40% of people earning $100,000 per year who are similarly strained. There is no shame in living this way, but you can fix your situation. By making some changes and thinking outside the box, you can have breathing room and reduce your stress.

Saving money may be more challenging when working with tight resources but with greater motivation. Many people have been where you are now and have transitioned to better ground.

Saving money is easier when you have a purpose, like setting financial goals. You may need motivation, determination, and perseverance to tackle any bad habits or mistakes you want to correct.

It may be challenging to make changes, but it is quite satisfying to discover that there are manageable costs to cut out of your budget. That’s the low-hanging fruit you can grab.  Having breathing room and being less financially stressed will feel good.

You can have more financial flexibility to take care of your current needs and plan for your future by saving money. That starts when you look at your current financial situation and realize you can start saving more money.

12 Ways To Save Money On A Tight Budget

 

1. Start With Budget And Examine Your Categories

If you don’t have a monthly budget yet, you need to create a budget using a type that fits your lifestyle. The 50/30/20 budget rule is often a rule of thumb to divide your after-tax income (i.e., take-home pay) into three broad spending categories:

• 50% go toward necessities.
• 30%  for your wants or discretionary spending.
• 20% is for savings you can allocate to pay down debt, emergency funds,  investing, and retirement.

However, it is a good idea to review all significant budget categories periodically. Looking at your incoming cashflows coming into your household (i.e., your total income) minus the monthly recurring bills reflects the basic living costs you need to pay.

Typically, housing, food (i.e., groceries and eating out), and transportation are our highest costs,  accounting for 63% of total household expenditures.   However, looking at all spending categories, you may find cutting small amounts that provide you with meaningful savings.

If the 50/30/20 budget doesn’t fit you, try other methods.

2. How Much Do You Spend on Subscription Services?

For example, you may be splurging on entertainment, especially streaming services, without realizing it. When you review your monthly bills, your Netflix bill doesn’t seem much, but we tolerate higher provider costs.

JD Power’s latest study showed that the average household had increased the number of streaming services we use to 4.5  with a monthly spend of $55 (compared to $39 just a year ago). These providers have not been shy to raise their prices given the higher demand for more services, despite more competition. It may be time for us to limit some of these services, especially if you still have traditional cable services.

It is not just your streaming services but all of your subscriptions that you should review. Look closely at your phone data plans, cloud storage, Apple,  Peloton, and other gym memberships, yoga, meditation, and such.

Cancel any paid subscriptions you no longer are using at home. Many trials we sign up for automatically convert into a paid subscription, and we miss the opportunity to decline the service. 

3. You Need An Emergency Fund

Having savings in an emergency fund for unforeseen events may seem counterintuitive in a tight-budget household that finds it challenging to save money. Almost 54% of Americans can’t pay for a $1000 emergency.

However, when emergencies arise, and you don’t have the funds, you are likely to reach for your credit card to pay for that car repair bill. That means you will find it difficult to pay that card bill in full and add to your growing balance in what becomes a vicious debt cycle. Build your emergency fund to an ample amount that can cover six months of your basic living expenses and feel more secure.

4. Pay Yourself First

Make savings a priority by paying yourself first. You may find it hard to allocate 20% of your take-home pay to savings. You can start with a smaller percentage, like 10%. Making savings a more significant amount will help you fulfill financial goals for buying a house, a car, going on vacation and investing in your future.

5. Automate Your Savings

One of the best ways to save money is to make it automatic. By automating your savings, you can allocate a certain percentage of your paycheck to a savings account or tax-advantaged accounts like retirement savings or a 529 college savings plan.

When you use pretax savings options for your 401K retirement, health savings (HSAs), and 529 accounts, you’ll be making these savings work for you, especially if you earn your employer’s 401K match contribution. Sign up for Acorns or other Roundup apps so that you can invest spare change to your investment account.

 

6. Spend Less Than Your Means

By tracking your spending each month, you may find that you spend well over what you earn. Your cost structure may be out of sync with your annual income.  That is a recipe for disaster in the long term.

Cut your spending so that you keep at a level below your take-home pay. Just because a common budget rule allocates 30% of after-tax income to your wants doesn’t mean you need to spend that amount. Save more of that money instead by reducing your debt, adding to your emergency fund, or invest in the stock market.

7. Grocery Shopping

You can save money when you go grocery shopping. Make sure you have a good shopping list and don’t go when you are hungry. Without doing that, you may find you overspent on things you don’t need.

The average household spent $8,169 on food (including dining out), or 9.9% of pretax income in 2019. Depending on your shopping habits, this is usually ripe (sorry for the pun!) for reduced spending. Grate your cheese, cut your fresh produce, always look for generic brands, and don’t bulk buy perishables.

Saving money on groceries through couponing or other methods will keep your budget in check.

8. Make More Meals At Home

It is healthier and cheaper to dine at home rather than going out to dinner every night. I lost a few pounds during the pandemic when we skipped eating out or ordering food. We used to eat out most nights, given our busy schedules for years until we had kids. 

When cooking, you tend to buy fresh produce and healthier food, and only the occasional Cheetos for my kids.  Mindful eating and spending go together very well. It doesn’t mean you can’t eat out but there are ways to do so on a budget. 

9. Shop Around And Negotiate More

When you review your monthly recurring bills, you assume that the rates you are paying are non-negotiable. That’s probably true for many, but not all of them. During the worst of the pandemic, many people lost their jobs and found themselves unable to pay their bills and were able to negotiate with their providers. You may have more bargaining power than you think.

It is a good idea to understand your monthly bills, what is the going rate for their services and their competitors. It is always an excellent time to do some comparison shopping.  Become a detective, review bills, and compare them to competitive prices you see online. We constantly find errors like on our medical or dental bills, which are particularly worth looking closely at. Besides errors, you may be paying higher prices for services you didn’t know you were paying for and don’t need.

Check out your car insurance premiums. If you and your family have good driving records, you may be due for a tick-down in price. Of course, if you just put your 17-year-old son on your insurance as we did, you may want to wait longer.

Your cable, TV, internet, and cellphone bills can be a costly part of your budget. Your providers face increased competition and may be more willing to reduce your prices than in the past or consider eliminating some services.

Negotiate your next lease, but only if you are a tenant in good standing with your landlord.

10. Comparison Shopping

Whether for groceries, a car, services, or non-essentials that you want, do comparison shopping. It is a very satisfying feeling to pay a lower price after looking around.

I enjoy the hunt for bargains almost as much as the item itself. On the other hand, my husband often is more of an impulsive shopper than I am.

As we are opposite ends of the shopping spectrum, we often clash when shopping for the household. I admit that I can go overboard with spending too much time looking for mattresses, for example, when we moved a couple of years ago. We spent too much time sleeping on borrowed Airbeds, so I nearly had a family revolt on my hands. Finally, we all ended up with excellent mattresses at great prices.

11. Better Handling of  Your Credit Cards

The convenience of a credit card often a double-edged sword. Credit cards can become toxic very quickly. They can cause overspending for things we buy impulsively and can’t afford to pay for them in full. If you are only paying the monthly minimum required, your issuers are happy to your detriment.

When you add debt to your balance at exorbitant interest rates, it becomes hard to manage, particularly if you are trying to save money on a tight budget. Pay these bills in full. If you are unable to do that, reduce your spending and pay for some things in cash.

Americans carry a lot of debt, not just on their credit cards which are incredibly costly. 20% of Americans use 50% of their income to repay debt. The more obligations you have, the less money you have to save for emergencies, retirement, or invest for the future.

12. Make Extra Money

It is often hard to save money from solely reducing your expenses. If you have spare time, you should consider making extra money so that you can contribute some of the added income to bulk up your savings.

Think about where your interests lie and what you like to do to inspire you to boost your income. You may be able to work online from home, use your car to become a driver, or leverage creativity and skills to write or be a proofreader.

Final Thoughts

It is a challenge to save money on a tight budget. However, it is doable with hard work and determination. We found 12 ways you can save money on a tight budget. By consistently saving money and making it work for you, you will have better financial flexibility for your future.

(Sorry guys, this post isn’t likely to be directly useful to you, but you can share these tips with the girls in your life and look really knowledgeable and respectful about girlie things.)

Makeup is one of those items that I have a love/hate relationship with. I love trying new colors, dolling up my best friend’s teenage daughter for prom, and goofing around with the girls for a spa night at home.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I can go weeks without wearing makeup and be perfectly happy; it’s not essential to my life. But it’s fun to be creative and play with color combinations and application techniques.

Makeup also holds great potential for a shopping addiction. Before I had kids (when I had considerably more spending money), I used to shop for makeup on a regular basis. I stopped shopping at the drugstore and began venturing into the department store’s line of more pricey products. The products were nice, but the price tag was outrageous. When my kids came along, I simply couldn’t afford to keep up. I learned how to make what I had last longer and how to spend significantly less on my makeup.

Here are eight of my top tips for saving money on makeup:

1. Start with skin care.

No amount of quality cosmetics will make up for basic skin issues. Dry skin, blemishes, enlarged pores, etc must be treated in order for your make up to wear well and look good. If the canvas is a poor quality, the makeup doesn’t matter. If you’re going to spend more on anything, splurge on a quality skin care kit and use it regularly.

2. Buy your pressed or loose powder a shade darker than usual and mix in a little talcum powder.

This makes your powder last much longer and doesn’t affect the overall look of your makeup.

3. Mix in a little quality moisturizer with your liquid foundation to make application smoother.

This also stretches how long your foundation will last since you’re essentially using less each day. This technique allows me to purchase a single bottle of high-quality foundation and make it last for 10-12 months.

4. Always apply cosmetics with a brush, not your fingers.

Applying foundation with your fingers means you’re wasting makeup on your hands that will be washed down the drain. Using a brush allows you to precisely apply the product exactly where you want it.

5. Shop for your favorite makeup regularly.

Popular drugstores like Rite Aid often have half-off sales to help clear out older inventory and make room for new products. You can stock up on the essentials at a fraction of the price during these sales. Sometimes you can even find a too-bright shade on clearance and mix it with a lighter shade you already own to make it useable.

6. Visit your local department store’s cosmetics counter for a complimentary make over.

Most companies don’t charge for this service (knowing you’re likely to buy something before you leave) and this a great way to get a fresh look for special occasions without investing in new cosmetics.

7. Experiment with color.

Many items, such as nail polish, blush, and eye shadow can be mixed to create new colors. This can result in a new favorite shade or a new look without spending a dime on additional colors.

8. Always use a setting product to hold your look in place.

Topcoat for your nails, lipstick treatments, and loose powder are wise investments since they prevent the need for touchups.

Even if you’re addicted to a pricey name brand cosmetics line, you can still save money by adding a few steps to your daily routine and being on the lookout for a good bargain.

What money-saving makeup tips have you found to be useful?

10 comment(s)

The post Beauty on a Budget: 7 Timeless Tips to Save Money on Makeup first appeared on MoneyNing.

Discover key indicators that reveal you’re financially healthier than you think, from budgeting habits to debt freedom.

We’ve been doing a few touch-feely emotive articles lately, so as a change of pace today’s article is going to be about something completely different: Harvesting Capital Gains! Why Would You Do This When you own something like stocks, bonds, or real estate that have gone up in value, that’s a capital gain. Unlike interest or dividends which are taxed when you receive it, capital gains don’t become taxable until you realize that gain by selling it. That makes capital gains special because you can control when you pay taxes on it. If you own an ETF like VTI that […]

The post How (and Why) To Harvest Capital Gains appeared first on Millennial Revolution.

Just the numbers really as I’m flat out at work and at home. Plus I’m exhausted. But holiday soon though, hence the ‘busyness’. And my wrist is better, though not 100%. Anyway, here goes for October! I saved 22% of … Continue reading →

The post October 2024 Savings, plus other updates appeared first on Quietly Saving.

Table of Contents

1. What is Stoicism?
2. Stoicism in the modern world
3. Core Principles of Stoicism
4. Who are the ancient Stoic philosophers?
5. Applying Stoicism in your own life
6. The best books on Stoicism

I. What is Stoicism?

Stoicism was founded in the 3rd century BC in Athens by Zeno of Citium. Coming from a wealthy merchant family in Citium, now part of Cyprus, Zeno initially pursued the family trade. However, after losing his fortune in a shipwreck near Athens, he turned to philosophy. Zeno’s journey highlights a common path to finding solace and understanding through philosophy.

Stoicism teaches logic and a unique perspective on life. It emphasizes distinguishing between what is within our control and what isn’t. Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, summed it well:

“To achieve freedom and happiness, understand that some things in life are under your control, and others are not.”

We truly control only a few aspects of life, such as our beliefs, desires, aversions, and attractions, according to Epictetus. Everything else is beyond our control. Stoicism, therefore, is about letting go of worries over what we can’t control and focusing our energy on what we can.

II. Stoicism in the modern world

How is the ancient philosophy of Stoicism relevant today?

Stoicism isn’t just about enduring hardship. To me, Stoicism is a practical philosophy that you can start using right now, no matter what life throws your way. The key is to focus on what you can control.

For example, instead of getting angry and frustrated at being stuck in traffic, a Stoic recognizes that such events are out of their control. So they focus their energy on other things, like making plans or even listening to an audiobook.

Stoicism also emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. It’s easy to get caught up in constantly planning for the future or dwelling on past mistakes. But by focusing on the present and accepting things as they are, we can find more peace and contentment in life.

III. Core Principles of Stoicism

Reason

This is our mind’s ability to figure out what’s true, make good guesses, and come to conclusions. It lets us think clearly and logically about the world. By using Reason, we can look at evidence and arguments, consider different opinions, and make smart choices. It’s key for critical thinking and solving problems.

Self-control

This refers to managing your emotions, thoughts, and actions to reach your long-term goals. Self-control is key to doing well in school, succeeding in your career, and having good relationships. It allows you to resist things that won’t fulfill your goals, and act in accordance with your values and beliefs.

Indifference

Being indifferent to external events means you don’t get too attached or upset about things you can’t control. It’s about accepting the world as it is, without letting anxiety, anger, or frustration take over. This doesn’t mean you don’t care about others’ suffering. It’s about understanding that we can’t always change what’s happening around us, but we can work on being at peace with ourselves.

Inner Strength

Inner strength means being able to handle stress, tough times, and challenges without giving up on what you believe in or who you are. The key is to build a mindset that welcomes change and growth. People with a lot of inner strength can deal with life’s ups and downs better, and recover from setbacks more easily.

IV. Who are the ancient Stoic philosophers?

You have likely come across these prominent Stoic philosophers already. Their wisdom is relatable and useful, so they are often quoted.

Several ancient Stoic philosophers laid the groundwork for Stoicism that the modern world would come to embrace and study.

Who is Seneca?

“All cruelty springs from weakness.”

Born around 4BC, Seneca the Younger is the son of the wealthy writer, Seneca the Elder. Attalus the Stoic tutored the young Seneca. From Attalus, Seneca learned the value of applying philosophy for real-world improvement.

Despite his drive for self-improvement, Seneca’s father steered him towards a political career. In his fifties, Seneca withdrew from public life to write philosophical works. He was later implicated in a conspiracy against Emperor Nero and was forced to commit suicide in AD 65.

Who is Musonius Rufus?

“If one accomplishes some good though with toil, the toil passes, but the good remains; if one does something dishonourable with pleasure, the pleasure passes, but the dishonour remains.”

Gaius Musonius Rufus is a Stoic philosopher who lived during the same time as Seneca, in the first century AD. He was born into an aristocratic family. Scholars often refer to Musonius Rufus as the “Roman Socrates” for his emphasis on the practical application of philosophy and his insistence on living a virtuous life.

Musonius Rufus’ teachings centered around self-discipline, moral fortitude, and living in accordance with nature. He emphasized the importance of practicing what one preaches and leading by example.

Who is Epictetus?

“When you set about any action, remind yourself of what nature the action is.”

Epictētos is Greek meaning “acquired.” Epictetus was born into slavery, and his given name remains unknown. Epictetus walked with a limp, and it’s uncertain whether a slave master twisted it or he was born with it. Despite that, Epictetus wasn’t broken.

He famously stated, “Lameness is an impediment to the leg, not to the will.” He believed in the power of choice, which was central to his philosophy.

Epictetus gained his freedom after Nero’s death. He then dedicated himself to philosophy, teaching in Rome for 25 years until Emperor Domitian expelled all philosophers. Epictetus moved to Nicopolis in Greece, where he founded a school and taught philosophy until his death.

Who is Marcus Aurelius?

“Time is like a river made up of the events which happen, and a violent stream; for as soon as a thing has been seen, it is carried away, and another comes in its place, and this will be carried away too.”

Marcus Aurelius, born in AD 121, became co-emperor of Rome at the young age of nineteen. He extended Rome’s dominion to include regions that are today known as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, along with parts of the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. This expansion meant he essentially ruled over nearly all of Europe.

Stoicism deeply influenced Aurelius, who often cites Epictetus in his sole published work, Meditations. This book contains Aurelius’ personal musings and philosophical thoughts. The emperor wrote these during some of the most challenging times of his reign.

V. Applying Stoicism in your own life

The keys to applying Stoicism in your life are twofold: Focus on what you control, and live in the present. Below are major areas of life where we can apply Stoicism. I’m listing my best articles on each topic so you can easily learn more about them.

Self-Improvement and Productivity

You can boost your personal growth and productivity with stoicism by setting small, reachable goals. It’s important to concentrate on the journey, not just the end result.

• Stop Putting Imaginary Pressure on Yourself – The “I need to do X (action) otherwise Y (bad outcome) will happen” thinking is a waste of your energy. And yet, we all do it. Here’s how to change that thinking pattern.
• How to Use Setbacks as Energy – When I wrote this article, I had just experienced two health and career setbacks: I got a stomach virus after eating ice cream at McDonald’s, and our family business engineer, who’s also a personal friend of mine, suddenly quit so our workflow took a huge hit and we’re all scrambling to maintain consistency. Here’s how a Stoic mindset helped me push through.
• Small Habits That Rewire Your Mind to Be Better – Many used to believe that aging halted brain evolution. But recent research found that our brains exhibit “neuroplasticity,” which means it’s constantly shaping our identity. Each new skill learned prompts our brain to adapt, changing in size and structure to accommodate new knowledge. Our brain evolves continuously. And we can help evolve it better with certain small habits.
• Strategic Opportunism: How to Thrive in an Unpredictable World – My book, The Stoic Path to Wealth, was supposed to come out in February 2024. But my publisher decided to push it further to July 2024. When I heard about the new publishing date, I had already started with the marketing strategy for the new book. This meant I had to suddenly change my strategy and mindset.

Money, Investing, and Personal Finance

Stoicism advises us to separate our feelings from our finances. It encourages us to see money as a tool, not a source of happiness. This mindset helps us make smart financial choices aimed at long-term success, not just immediate pleasure.

• The Stoic Path to Wealth: An ancient investing strategy for the modern world – When this article first came out in 2021, nearly a thousand people emailed me to learn more about stoic investing strategies. This inspired me to write a book about the topic. After more than 2 years of writing and editing, The Stoic Path to Wealth book is now available.
• Stoic Investing: Mastering Your Emotions Will Make You Rich – Stoicism is a philosophy that favors the long-term over the short-term. If we apply that philosophy to investing, it means that Stoic Investing is about putting your money to work today so that you don’t have to work later. Stoicism can help you to become a more consistent investor, through the ups and downs of the market.
• A Life of Pleasure: How to Enjoy Yourself Without Destroying Your Wealth – An overly luxurious lifestyle will destroy your wealth. But even the ancient stoics didn’t believe in living like a monk. Seneca said it well: “The wise man does not consider himself unworthy of any gifts from Fortune’s hands.”
• Get Rich With Stoicism – If your only reason to acquire money is so you can buy a fancier car, go on more luxury vacations, and wear better clothes, you’re missing the point. I believe that everyone should apply the principles of Stoicism to their finances. Without a Stoic mindset, one will succumb to greed.
• Investing and The Fear Of Missing Out – The two biggest emotions in investing are fear and greed. Because there are so many opportunities in the market, you feel the pressure to jump on every stock that seems to be going up. Stoicism helps us make better investments by managing our emotions.

Decision-making, mindset, and happiness

Use stoicism to improve your decisions, mindset, and happiness by focusing on what you can control and accepting what you can’t. We can’t control things like the economy, the job market, etc., but we can control how we react and what choices to make.

• The Stoic Mindset: How to Use Ancient Lessons to Face Life’s Challenges – I apply Stoicism to my happiness, work, finances, and even relationships. This Stoic mindset allowed me to leverage ancient lessons into my entire life.
• 5 Classic Stoic Principles to Live By for a Happier Life – Before I discovered stoic principles, I went through life without a clear purpose. Without any idea of how to live a good life. I simply imitated the actions and behavior of those around me.
• Five Timeless Life Lessons from Seneca – Detaching your self-worth from material success, pursuing financial independence but not at all costs, making an impact on others, being content with what you have, and valuing your time more than your possessions.
• Living with Intention: Lessons on The Brevity of Life – How would you change your life today if I told you that in 3 years, you would die? That’s a good thought experiment if you want to live your life with intention. Look, life is short. We all know it. And yet, we get stuck in the mundanity. Here’s where Stoicism comes in.
• Stoicism as a Way of Life – I’ve been reading philosophy since I was 17. And out of all the philosophies I’ve read in my life, I identify most with Stoicism. I came to this conclusion after 13 years and hundreds of finished books.

VI. The best books on Stoicism

If you want to learn more about Stoicism and the teachings of the ancient Stoic philosophers, then I recommend the following books.

The Manual For Living by Epictetus

“It is the act of an ill-instructed man to blame others for his own bad condition.”

A short book. The Manual For Living is exactly what the title says it is. This book also gives you a larger perspective on humanity. People have always had problems with self-confidence, family, work, other people, etc. In a way, nothing has changed. And that’s pretty comforting.

Arian was a student who transcribed Epictetus’ lessons in the early second century AD. Arrian’s notes propelled him to fame in Rome as a political advisor, military commander, and author.

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

“Constantly test your mental impressions – each one individually, if you can: investigate the cause, identify the emotion, apply the analysis of logic.”

Meditations is a unique document, revealing the private thoughts of one of the world’s most powerful men advising himself on fulfilling his duties. Marcus Aurelius regularly engaged in spiritual exercises to cultivate humility, patience, empathy, generosity, and strength. Reading this book will help you during difficult times. It’s practical philosophy at its best.

The Stoic Path to Wealth by Darius Foroux

“At its core, Stoicism is a survival strategy. Stoicism is not just a set of beliefs; it is a way of protecting your sanity. But you can also apply Stoicism to protect your money… The Stoics were (in essence) investors. They gave up instant gratification and bad habits to increase their odds of living a peaceful life. That’s exactly the key: to find financial fulfillment is to invest in yourself.”

The Stoics understood that if you can control your reactions and manage your emotions, you can achieve success. The same principles apply to our financial lives today. That’s because money and investing are not logical – they’re mostly emotional.

Combining ancient wisdom with practical investment strategies drawn from analysis of the greatest investors of all time, The Stoic Path to Wealth will teach you how to:

• Cultivate an investing edge by managing your emotions and developing your unique skills and talents.
• Develop the discipline to ignore short-term market fluctuations and avoid living in the future.
• Foster a mindset that allows you to enjoy what you have and avoid greed.
• Create a sustainable approach to trading

As financial markets become increasingly unpredictable and chaotic, The Stoic Path to Wealth offers the key to weathering any economic storm while building wealth that will last a lifetime and beyond.

Focus on What Matters by Darius Foroux

“Without accepting that we don’t control most things in life, we can never have lasting happiness. Getting concerned with things outside of our control is a habit.”

Focus on What Matters is a collection of 70 letters/essays I wrote about different aspects of life, from happiness, wealth, health, relationships, and much more. These letters, inspired by the original works of the Stoic philosopher Seneca, serve as reminders to focus on the right things in our chaotic lives.

Focus on What Matters is inspired by those letters. It will show you..

• Simple thought exercises to become resilient and focused
• How to live in the present moment every day
• Authentic Stoic values for a life of happiness
• A way to build more discipline

In short, this book helps you live well despite daily life’s challenges.

The post Stoicism for Beginners: An Ancient Guide for Living Well appeared first on Darius Foroux.

Welcome to Wise & Wealthy: A weekly newsletter full of proven ideas to become smarter and wealthier. I send this every Monday.

#149 – November 4, 2024

Was this shared with you? Sign up here.

---

Stoicism for beginners

How is the ancient philosophy of Stoicism relevant today?

Stoicism isn’t just about enduring hardship. To me, Stoicism is a practical philosophy that you can start using right now, no matter what life throws your way. The key is to focus on what you can control.

For example, instead of getting angry and frustrated at being stuck in traffic, a Stoic recognizes that such events are out of their control. So they focus their energy on other things, like making plans or even listening to an audiobook.

Stoicism also emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. Seneca talked about the dangers of living on autopilot:

“Often a very old man has no other proof of his long life than his age.”

There are plenty of things you can do in a month, a year, or ten years.

• You could start a daily running habit
• Begin writing your first book
• Build inevitable wealth using long-term investing strategies

But people who are constantly planning for the future or dwelling on past mistakes let the time pass and find themselves with “no other proof of [their] long life” other than their age.

This is the power of Stoic philosophy. Though it’s thousands of years old, it reminds us that time functions for humans today just as it has throughout history.

We only have one life and we can’t afford to waste it.

In this comprehensive guide to Stoicism, I explore key aspects of the philosophy that you may find valuable and practical. Things like what Stoicism actually is, its core principles and philosophers, how Stoic principles can be related and applied to modern life, and the best books on Stoicism.

You can read more about the philosophy below.

↳ Stoicism for Beginners: An Ancient Guide for Living Well

---

One interesting thing

If we’re too comfortable, it means we’re dying slowly.

As the Indian philosopher, Osho, said in Courage: The Joy of Living Dangerously:

“Life can only be lived dangerously—there is no other way to live it. It is only through danger that life attains to maturity, growth. One needs to be an adventurer, always ready to risk the known for the unknown.”

Doing new things always feels scary. And that’s exactly what keeps life interesting.

---

Thanks for reading! I hope you found this edition of Wise & Wealthy useful.

All the best,

Darius

Join the 7-day Stay Centered challenge

I’ve created a one-week email course that you can do together with a group. It’s called Stay Centered, and it will help you to reclaim focus and live a meaningful life.

When you’re centered, nothing can hurt you. You will have inner peace no matter what happens.

How to unlock Stay Centered

You can join the challenge for free. Every day, you’ll receive a short email with a small challenge that inspires you to live better. 

I highly recommend sharing it with your friends so you can go through the program together. I did it with my team, which was a lot of fun. 

Join here: dariusforoux.com/stay-centered

The post Wise & Wealthy: Living dangerously and Stoicism for beginners appeared first on Darius Foroux.

The IRS recently published the annual inflation updates for 2025. If you have questions about a particular amount that I do not mention here, you can likely find it in the official IRS announcements:

• Rev. Proc. 2024-40 contains most inflation adjustment figures,
• Notice 2024-80 contains figures relating to retirement accounts, and
• Rev. Proc 2024-25 contains figures relating to health savings accounts (HSAs).

Single 2025 Tax Brackets

Taxable Income	Tax Bracket:
$0-$11,925	10%
$11,925-$48,475	12%
$48,475-$103,350	22%
$103,350-$197,300	24%
$197,300-$250,525	32%
$250,525-$626,350	35%
$626,350+	37%

 

Married Filing Jointly 2025 Tax Brackets

Taxable Income	Tax Bracket:
$0-$23,850	10%
$23,850-$96,950	12%
$96,950-$206,700	22%
$206,700-$394,600	24%
$394,600-$501,050	32%
$501,050-$751,600	35%
$751,600+	37%

 

Head of Household 2025 Tax Brackets

Taxable Income	Tax Bracket:
$0-$17,000	10%
$17,000-$64,850	12%
$64,850-$103,350	22%
$103,350-$197,300	24%
$197,300-$250,500	32%
$250,500-$626,350	35%
$626,350+	37%

 

Married Filing Separately 2025 Tax Brackets

Taxable Income	Marginal Tax Rate:
$0-$11,925	10%
$11,925-$48,475	12%
$48,475-$103,350	22%
$103,350-$197,300	24%
$197,300-$250,525	32%
$250,525-$375,800	35%
$375,800+	37%

 

Standard Deduction Amounts

The 2025 standard deduction amounts are as follows:

• Single or married filing separately: $15,000
• Married filing jointly: $30,000
• Head of household: $22,500

The additional standard deduction for people who have reached age 65 (or who are blind) is $1,600 for each married taxpayer or $2,000 for unmarried taxpayers.

IRA Contribution Limits

The contribution limit for Roth IRA and traditional IRA accounts remains at $7,000.

The catch-up contribution limit for people age 50 remains at $1,000.

401(k), 403(b), 457(b) Contribution Limits

The salary deferral limit for 401(k) and other similar plans is increased to $23,500.

The catch-up contribution limit for 401(k) and other similar plans for people age 50 and over remains at $7,500. For people who turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 in 2025, the catch-up contribution limit is $11,250.

The maximum possible contribution for defined contribution plans (e.g., for a self-employed person with a sufficiently high income contributing to a solo 401(k)) is increased to $70,000.

Health Savings Account Contribution Limits

For 2025, the maximum HSA contribution for somebody with self-only coverage under a high deductible health plan is $4,300. The limit for somebody with family coverage under such a plan is $8,550.

The HSA catch-up contribution limit for people age 55 and over is not inflation adjusted, so it remains at $1,000.

Capital Gains and Qualified Dividends

For 2025, long-term capital gains and qualified dividends face the following tax rates:

• 0% tax rate if they fall below $96,700 of taxable income if married filing jointly, $64,750 if head of household, or $48,350 if filing as single or married filing separately.
• 15% tax rate if they fall above the 0% threshold but below $600,050 if married filing jointly, $566,700 if head of household, $533,400 if single, or $300,000 if married filing separately.
• 20% tax rate if they fall above the 15% threshold.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)

The AMT exemption amount is increased to:

• $88,100 for single people and people filing as head of household,
• $137,000 for married people filing jointly, and
• $68,500 for married people filing separately.

Annual Gift Tax Exclusion

For 2025 the annual exclusion for gifts will be $19,000.

Estate Tax

The estate tax exclusion is increased to $13,990,000 per decedent.

Pass-Through Business Income

With respect to the 20% deduction for qualified pass-through income, for 2025, the threshold amount at which the “specified service trade or business” phaseout and the wage (or wage+property) limitations begin to kick in will be $394,600 for married taxpayers filing jointly and $197,300 for single taxpayers, people filing as head of household, and for married people filing separately.

What is the Best Age to Claim Social Security?

Read the answers to this question and several other Social Security questions in my latest book:

Social Security Made Simple: Social Security Retirement Benefits and Related Planning Topics Explained in 100 Pages or Less Click here to see it on Amazon.

Disclaimer:Your subscription to this blog does not create a CPA-client or other professional services relationship between you and Michael Piper or between you and Simple Subjects, LLC. By subscribing, you explicitly agree not to hold Michael Piper or Simple Subjects, LLC liable in any way for damages arising from decisions you make based on the information available herein. Neither Michael Piper nor Simple Subjects, LLC makes any warranty as to the accuracy of any information contained in this communication. The information contained herein is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. On financial matters for which assistance is needed, I strongly urge you to meet with a professional advisor who (unlike me) has a professional relationship with you and who (again, unlike me) knows the relevant details of your situation.

You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of this email (or by removing this RSS feed from your feed reader if you have subscribed via a feed reader).

Inflation has been a major issue lately, affecting everything from groceries to housing. With the 2024 election just a day away, some voters are curious about how the candidates plan to deal with this economic challenge and how their ideas will impact us everyday Americans. Money Magazine recently looked at the economic plans of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, showing how they differ and what they might mean. This blog post we’ll attempt to break down some of their proposals and see how they might affect us and our wallets.

The Current Situation with Inflation and Its Impact

Before we look at the candidates’ plans, it’s important to understand how bad inflation has been. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, some prices have gone up by over 22%! Keep in mind, While inflation continues to be a significant concern for many Americans, it’s important to note that it has begun to come down and moderate. As mentioned in the source article, annual inflation is currently nearing the Federal Reserve’s target range of 2% over the long run. This suggests that while the overall effects of years of price growth are still being felt, the rate at which prices are increasing has slowed down considerably. Although people are struggling with the high prices that resulted from inflation previously, the rate of inflation is not as high as it once was.

Some of the areas that have been hit especially hard:

Groceries: Prices have jumped almost 26%

Housing: Costs are up over 24%

Vehicles: Sticker prices have increased 25%

These increases have made it challenging for some Americans to afford basic things, and inflation still remains one of the top concerns for voters. This topic is even more important than issues like immigration, political extremism, and gun violence.

Trump’s Plan is to “Make America Affordable Again”

Trump’s main goal in his campaign is to make America affordable again. He says the Biden-Harris administration is the reason for the current inflation problem. He claims there was no inflation during his presidency, but prices did go up by 7.7% during his time in office.

Trump’s plan to fight inflation is:

1.  Unleashing U.S. Energy: Trump wants to lift restrictions on domestic oil and gas production to lower energy prices.

2.  Slashing Federal Spending: He wants to cut back on federal spending to stabilize the economy, even though this can sometimes cause inflation.

3.  Ending Wars Abroad: Trump thinks that ending international conflicts, like the Israel-Hamas war and the conflict in Ukraine, will lower prices because supply costs and shipping routes will be more stable. However, he doesn’t say how these conflicts would be resolved or how they would affect U.S. consumer prices.

4.  Cutting Regulations: Trump promises to get rid of a lot of rules that he says cost American households $11,000, but he doesn’t say which rules would be targeted.

5.  Curbing Illegal Immigration: Trump says that a lot of undocumented immigrants have made housing, education, and healthcare more expensive. He thinks that if they’re stopped from coming into the country, demand will go down and prices will go down too.

But economists are worried that Trump’s plan, especially his idea of putting taxes on imported goods, could actually make inflation worse. Tariffs are like taxes on things that come from other countries. They’re supposed to make people in the U.S. make more stuff, but they often end up making things more expensive for consumers. The Tax Foundation says that tariffs that Trump put in place during his first term hurt the economy, made prices go up, and didn’t create many jobs. Economists say that if Trump puts up even more tariffs, they could cancel out any good effects of his other inflation-fighting plans.

Harris’s Plan is to Build an “Opportunity Economy”

Harris knows that high prices are putting a strain on people, and she’s committed to fighting inflation. Her plan is to create an “opportunity economy” that helps the middle class save money and get financial relief.

Here are some of her main ideas:

1.  No More Price Gouging on Groceries: Harris thinks that companies taking advantage of emergencies to raise prices has made grocery prices too high. She wants to make it illegal for them to do this, but it’s not clear if this will help with the current high prices since the pandemic is over.

2.  Lowering Healthcare Costs: Harris wants to make sure that everyone can afford healthcare. She plans to keep the Affordable Care Act subsidies that make healthcare more affordable, especially for low-income families. She also wants to build on recent Medicare policies that lowered out-of-pocket drug costs for people who get Medicare.

3.  Saving on Energy Costs: Harris wants to reduce our reliance on foreign energy by investing in clean energy and expanding domestic natural gas production through fracking. She plans to build on the Inflation Reduction Act, which gave people tax credits for buying clean-tech upgrades. But some experts say that the Inflation Reduction Act hasn’t really helped with inflation.

4.  No More Hidden Fees: Harris promises to keep going with the Biden administration’s efforts to get rid of hidden fees, like bank overdraft charges and resort fees. These fees add up to a lot of money for the average household, about $650 a year!

5.  More Houses: Harris thinks that building more houses will lower home prices and rent. She wants to add 3 million new houses in her first year in office. There would also be the creation of a program to help people with down payments.

While Harris’s plan has a bit more detail than Trump’s, some economists say it still doesn’t really address the main reasons why inflation is so high.

Both candidates have been criticized by economists for their inflation-fighting plans.

Here’s a breakdown of how their plans might affect everyday Americans

Energy: Trump wants to increase domestic oil and gas production, which could lower energy prices in the short term. But this might go against his goal of fighting climate change. This also could have bad effects on the environment in the long run. Harris wants to focus on clean energy. Clean energy could help keep prices stable in the long run. It’s typically better for the environment. However, clean energy would most likely cost more money up front.

Healthcare: Harris wants to expand Affordable Care Act subsidies and lower drug prices. This could help a lot of people who can’t afford healthcare. But it’s not clear if these programs will be able to pay for themselves in the long run.

Housing: Harris wants to make it easier to get a mortgage, which could help people buy houses. But it might take a while to build enough new houses to make a big difference. The success of her down payment assistance program will depend on how it’s set up and how it’s run.

Groceries: Harris wants to stop people from raising prices too much during emergencies. This could help protect people from getting ripped off. But it’s not clear if this will really make a difference in everyday grocery prices.

In the end, how well either candidate’s plan works at fighting inflation will depend on a lot of things. We’d need to see how the specific policies are put in place. As well as how the Congress works with them, and how the global economy is doing.

The 2024 election is a big choice for voters about how to deal with inflation. Both Trump and Harris have plans to fight rising prices, but economists are not sure if they’ll work. Voters need to carefully think about each candidate’s plan and how it might affect them personally. It is also important to think of the economy as a whole. Regardless who you vote for please keep those horns up and go vote! m/ m/

The post How Trump and Harris’s Economic Plans Could Affect Inflation and Your Wallet appeared first on Heavy Metal Money.