Can you believe that it’s already March? Just the other day we were making resolutions and setting goals for what we hoped would be an excellent year. For me, it’s going great so far. I’ve met lots of interesting people and happened upon some amazing opportunities which have to potential to change my life.
I’m still continuing on my plan to check out what’s going on in the blog world and spending some time reading. Like I mentioned in a previous post, Rockstar Finance is the inspiration for this and I look forward to those daily posts the same way I look forward to having a great and productive day.
In honour of March Madness (because I can’t quite get over that we’re halfway through March already); I’ve decided to feature blogs that I recently found in my internet digging. Many of them have been around for a long time, and others seem to be just starting out. So many blogs are started each and every day and it’s understandable that many of them will never be seen or heard by the masses.
These posts are varied, but they hold fast to things that we hear about every day. Budgeting, quitting the 9 – 5 rat race; living the divorced parent life; how to get motivated about our money; getting over a crappy day in a crappy job; weighing whether or not to invest cash or pay down a mortgage; and steps that should be taken when you are laid off in your fifties.
4 Rules for Creating a Personal Budget (Educated But Broke)
Do you know where does your money go each month? A personal budget is a road map that directs your money where to go. Budgeting is hard, especially when you are clueless about what you are doing. These four steps will teach you how to create an effective budget that works well.
Life After the Nine to Five is Not Totally Awesome (Slightly Early Retirement)
I used to think of retirement as that period in life where you do nothing. This article is an interesting look at what can happen after you retire. Yes, there are some benefits to having the freedom to do anything that you please. But then there are those moments when you realise that work was not that bad after all.
How a Divorced Single Parent Can Pay Off Huge Debts and Rebuild Her Life (XRAYVSN)
In this gust post submission, there are some helpful tips for the divorced single parent. One of the biggest adjustments is getting used to facing financial challenges on your own. You will have to make some financial sacrifices, resolve to bring in extra cash through things like freelancing; pay down your debt bit by bit and change your lifestyle to reduce your expenses.
Maybe Fear Should Motivate Our Finances (I Pick Up Pennies)
I can tell you that fear already motivates my finances. I’m a bit anxious about my financial future and I keep thinking about how I can prepare for the unknown unknowns. This post highlights how fear can motivate your finances and pushes you to make financial decisions. At the end of the day, I think most people hope to achieve a certain level of comfort and fear keeps us on our toes to achieve it.
How I Deal When I’m Not 100% Feeling My Job (The Luxe Strategist)
When I’m not feeling my job, I spend the day in bed. However, the Luxe Strategist has a slightly different approach. These six tips are actually quite good and make perfect sense. The tip that resonated with me the most was number 6 which talked about having something that no one can take away from me. I have Odd Cents and it’s my outlet for self-expression and academic scholarship – two things that I hold dear.
Should I Invest My Extra Cash or Pay Down My Mortgage? (Mortgage Burning Party)
My love-hate relationships with mortgages primarily stem from the fact that you are married to the financial institution until you can pay them off. And with job losses looming like a comic book villain, you could find yourself houseless as well. Margot explains that you could pay off your mortgage early and possibly change your life. Not only is this a financially freeing experience, it preserves your mental state as well.
Layoffs: 3 Steps to Take When You Lose a Job in Your 50s (Pete the Planner)
No one is ever prepared for the shock of losing their job. Losing a job in your 50s and 60s can be very scary, especially if you’re still trying to get your life together. A job loss at any age requires a hard look at where you are, the resources that are available to you, and the next step that you will take. Dealing with the financial aspect is only one part of this event. You have to manage your emotions and your mental state as well.
I love that these bloggers take on the things that not many people like to talk about, even though they’re a part of our daily lives. I hope that you’re enjoying the March Madness thus far and looking forward to a brighter April.