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When I first started Financial Samurai back in 2009, I had idyllic dreams of helping as many people as possible achieve financial freedom. My finances were crumbling during the global financial crisis, and I wanted to break free from the corporate grind. So I wrote about how to do just that. But like anything, over […] The post You Can’t Save The World, So Mind Your Own Finances appeared first on Financial Samurai.
At one point, being frugal was a dis on you, and your family too. A harsh word lumped together with being cheap. Then the stock market took a swan dive, inflation reared up like an angry pimple, and uncertainty multiplied like gremlins fed after midnight. Suddenly, frugal is fresh. A frugal fanatic takes thriftiness beyond the socially accepted habits like coupon clipping, conserving water while brushing teeth, or opting for generic brands. Instead, they take frugality, give it sugar and a carnival ride, and see what excess explodes forth. The post Signs You Might Be a Frugal Fanatic appeared first on Budget Life List.
I officially got married over the weekend. While I’ve been excited for this next chapter of my life for a while now, I wasn’t as sure on how my wife and I would approach our finances. After all, how do you get two individuals who’ve managed their own money for so long to bring their financial worlds together? I’ve heard many different solutions to this problem. Some say that you should pool everything together into a joint account while others insist that you keep your money separate. Which is better? Honestly, I’m not sure. I’d seen couples thrive using both approaches. But, what if there were a better way? A way that encourages collaboration while also preserving each person’s financial independence? Well, I believe there is. After many discussions with my then fiancée at the beginning of the year, we created a system that meets both of these seemingly competing goals. Best of all, it made our relationship even stronger as we tried it out over the last six months (before we were married). Let’s look at how it works. The Separate + Joint Method Before merging your finances, make sure that your assets prior to the marriage are under your control. As much as I want to create a collaborative financial environment, I believe it is also crucial that each partner have their own money that is theirs and theirs alone. I believe this is especially important for women, who may be unwilling or unable to exit abusive relationships if they don’t have the financial resources to do so. Once your separate accounts are set up, then you will need to set up a single joint bank account. This account will be the financial hub for your marriage. Here’s how it works: All of your income and your partner’s income flows into this joint account. That income is used to pay for all shared expenses. Any excess left in the account (above a certain threshold) can either be left in the account or distributed equally between you and your partner (to your separate accounts). In using your joint account in this way, it serves a few important functions. First, it creates a central location that both you and your spouse will have access to. Second, it allows you to easily monitor your household’s financial progress on a monthly basis. If all of your income goes into this account and (almost) all of your expenses come out of it, then it will become quickly apparent whether you are living above (or below) your means. If you and your spouse are making a good income and staying financially disciplined, you should see that the money in your joint account grows over time. If this happens, you can choose to do one of the following with the excess income: Distribute it evenly between you and your spouse Acquire shared assets (investments, property, etc.) Leave the money in the joint account While I generally don’t recommend (3)
Today we look at some ideas for saving money on train and tube fares! The post Tips to save money on UK Tube and Train tickets appeared first on The Financial Wilderness.
How to Make Your Tax Return go Further: What to do to make and save more with your tax return. The post How to Make Your Tax Return go Further appeared first on The Thrifty Issue.
Back in the Before Times, we published an article titled Ethical Consumption: How to Pollute the Planet and Exploit Labor Slightly Less. Since then, times have, uh… changed! Because tariffs! And while much of our advice on ethical consumption still holds true, today I’m going to be revisiting that advice. My goal is to shine a light on how we should all approach shopping during The Stupidest Trade War while still maintaining our morals and savings rates. We really know how to have fun here, don’t we? Let’s kick things off with a question from a follower called Blossom: Hi Auntie Bitches! I have a question regarding an impasse of ethics and finances, so of course I figured you’d be the experts! I live in the USA, and absolutely hate the direction things are headed in. I’m inspired by hearing that Canada and a ton of countries in Europe are boycotting absolutely everything American made. This is genius because the only way to hurt the greedy pricks at the top is to hurt their bottom lines. I really want to join in and buy as few goods that are made in the states as possible. However, I also live here and my household budget is already pretty tight. With this ridiculous trade war going on, imported goods will become even more costly. I’m stuck between a possibly unlivable budget if fully switching to goods that aren’t made here; or being a tad more financially sound but forced to feed the fascism machine by using American goods. Please, I’d love some advice on how to navigate this? – Blossom, alert citizen of Bitch Nation Blossom is clearly paying attention. We couldn’t be more proud of them for considering activism in the face of personal hardship. We should all be more like Blossom. But I think there’s a fundamental flaw in how they’re approaching the problem. Nevertheless, I think we can come to a solution that does the least amount of harm to Blossom’s bottom line… while still supporting the changes they want to see. Let’s unpack that! [embed]https://youtube.com/watch?v=-IWYzncCepc&feature=oembed[/embed] What are tariffs and why do they matter? A tariff is an import tax. It’s paid by the importing country, to the importing country. The importing country can only impose tariffs on good coming across its own borders. It cannot force another country to pay tariffs. Blossom’s whole question is based on the Trump administration’s sweeping new tariffs on goods from nearly every country and penguin-inhabited island on earth. So it’s worth going over what tariffs are, how they work, and how this self-imposed economic hardship is affecting us. I will now explain this in a very serious fashion using very real and important economic policies. A case study in self-defeating tariffs Narnia regularly imports vibranium from Wakanda. It’s a crucial ingredient in the manufacture of magical wardrobes. But Narnia, a notably lion-worshipping society, gets offended at Wakanda’s panther-centric culture. So Narnia decides to encourage
If you’ve ever looked around your home and felt overwhelmed by stuff, or checked your bank account and wondered where did it all go?, you’re not alone. Many of us are realising that chasing more—more things, more obligations, more spending—isn’t making us happier. In fact, it’s making us stressed, stretched, and stuck. That’s where minimalism … Read more
Another spendy month – think Spring/Summer is just spendy – which included social outings and a new pair of glasses (my prescription continues to change, for the better I might add). I really enjoyed the bank holiday weekends, although the … Continue reading → The post May 2025 Savings, plus other updates appeared first on Quietly Saving.
The Big Picture on Car Washes As Investments: Modern express car washes can generate 5–12% returns with minimal staffing and high automation. Car washes perform well during downturns as people maintain existing vehicles instead of upgrading. Accelerated and bonus depreciation allow significant tax write-offs, especially in the first year. Disclaimer The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult a licensed real estate consultant and/or financial advisor about your investment decisions. Real estate investing involves risks; past performance does not indicate future results. We make no representations or warranties about the accuracy or reliability of the information provided. Our articles may have affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link, the affiliate may compensate our website at no cost to you. You can view our Privacy Policy here for more information. [embed]https://youtube.com/watch?v=q4NmAG_Gr7E&feature=oembed[/embed] When most people think about diversification, they picture a pie chart split between stocks, bonds, and maybe some real estate. But if you’re only thinking in those broad strokes, you might be missing out on some of the most exciting and overlooked investment opportunities — ones that can offer both cash flow and appreciation. In a recent conversation with Whitney Elkins-Hutten, Director of Investor Education at PassiveInvesting.com and author of Money for Tomorrow, we explored one such niche: investing in express car washes. Yes, you read that right — express car washes. And no, we’re not talking about those quarter-operated stalls behind gas stations or the full-service locations with a dozen employees scrubbing down every car. Whitney’s talking about a totally different beast — the “Chick-fil-A of car washes.” What Makes Express Car Washes So Special? Modern express car washes are highly automated, environmentally conscious operations that can clean 400–500 cars a day with only 2–3 full-time employees. Equipped with long tunnels, barcode scanners, and water reclamation systems, they’re not just efficient — they’re cash-flow machines. Whitney explains that these facilities operate like a hybrid of a business and a piece of real estate, which means you get the benefits of both worlds: predictable income and potential property appreciation. (article continues below) Real estate investments? Awesome. Being a landlord? Less fun. Learn how to earn 15%+ on passive real estate investments in our free video course. Access Free Course But What About Recession Risk? Surprisingly, express car washes hold up exceptionally well during downturns. Data shows that during economic slumps — including the 2008 crash and the 2020 pandemic — people tend to take better care of their current cars rather than trade up. And that means more trips to the car wash. In fact, during the 2020 lockdowns, car washes became a form of family
Frugal living with ADHD isn’t always simple, and if you know someone with ADHD, or live with it yourself, you already get it. I have a couple of close family members who have ADHD (aka Neurodivergent), and I’ve seen firsthand how challenging even the smallest tasks can feel some days. Things like sticking to a budget, remembering when a bill is due, or keeping up with housework can quickly snowball into frustration. And let’s be real—frugal […]
A fundamental strategy for any U.S.-based DIY retirement planner is to accumulate as much retirement money as possible in a Roth IRA. Roth IRA contributions and conversions grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free and not subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs). I didn’t have a Roth IRA for the first 15 years of my investing… The post Roth IRA Contributions from a Taxable Brokerage Account appeared first on Retire Before Dad.
Last Updated on May 28, 2025May 28, 2025 2 Comments This post may contain affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure.This post may contain affiliate links. Financial Panther has partnered with AwardWallet and CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Financial Panther, AwardWallet, and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact on how and where card products appear […]