Couple Money Podcast: Build Your Marriage and Wealth Together

Shopping online? Learn how to protect finances and identity from the biggest online shopping scams. Jason from DealSpotr shares tips and we look into how to fight back on identity theft.  [smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E19_Protecting_Yourself_from_Online_Shopping_Scams.mp3″ social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ] What’s Covered in Today’s Episode Special guest Jason Feller from Dealspotr comes on the show. On the podcast today we look at:  * some of the big scams out there right now and how you can avoid being netted by them * how to fight back if you or a loved one is a victim of identity theft * how you can make shopping even more rewarding Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. DealSpotr 101 If you a deal hunter can be a fantastic resource. Not only can you find coupons and low prices on items, you can also make some money by sharing the deals you find! As you level up, you earn points that are good for an Amazon giftcard. You earn points for sharing valid deals, flagging bad ones, helping out other users, referring members, and more. Dealspotr is very community oriented and has plenty of resources to help you snag a low price but shop smarter with their guides. Learn how you can protect your finances and identify the next time you shop online! http://ctt.ec/n4dq0+ #money #podcast Helpful Resources to Online Scams If you want to be a smarter shopper, here are some ways you can protect yourself and others from scams. * FTC’s Handy Guide to Dealing with Identity Theft * How to Protect Yourself from the Latest Scams * Consumerist-  Scam Alerts * How to Create Strong Passwords  Thoughts on Online Shopping Scams If you have any more tips or stories about protecting yourself when shopping online, please leave them in the comments!  

Want to invest using your expertise? Do you want to do more and put your money in what matters to you? Hardeep Walia founder of Motif Investing explains how thematic portfolios can be the solution.  For this edition of the podcast, we’re discussing investing – doing it effectively, efficiently, and within your values. Is it possible to do all three? What are some options currently out there? Today’s guest Hardeep Walia, founder of Motif Investing, makes a compelling case for thematic portfolios. Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. Why Diversification and Low Costs Matter with Investments If you’re investing for retirement, you’re probably looking for a few things:  * you want it grow over time with some reasonable consistency * you want to minimize costs so more of your money is working for you Diversified investments can give you some protection. While the stock market as a whole has risen in the long term, I’m sure you’ve seen the news where individual company stocks have bottomed out or one sector had a bubble that burst. If you are closer towards retirement, it can be stressful. When your investments are spread out over different sectors, asset classes you minimize that volatility. Buying a ton of individual stocks, though, can be incredibly expensive. One solution is investing in mutual funds. With a well though out fund you can be diversified over a sector. But with actively managed funds, you’re paying for the fund manager. Besides when active funds are compared to index funds, they tend to lose in the long run. Index funds can be a practical solution for those who want to have diversified portfolio with low costs. But is there a way for you to take the advantage diversification and tap into your insights? Not stock picking and going on hunches, but using your expertise and invest in what you know and what matters to you? And can it be done for a low cost? Meet Hardeep Walia, Founder and CEO of Motif Investing Since 2012 Motif Investing has grown by offering investors the abilities to create and customize thematic portfolios that contain up to 30 stocks or ETFs. He serves on FINRA’s Technology Advisory Committee. Hardeep also has a regular column on Forbes and has been a guest on Bloomberg TV and CNBC.  What’s Covered in Today’s Episode * How diversification can help you weather volitility * The advantages of index funds over activetly managed mutual funds * What thematic portfolios are and how you can get started Helpful Resources * Motif Investing * Finding the Best Way to Invest for You

Want to retire early so you can enjoy spending more time with your kids? Simi, Mrs. Money Mustache comes on the podcast to share how she and her husband Pete have designed their lives to not just be financially independent, but be more involved parents. [smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E17_Early_Retirement_and_Parenthood.mp3″ social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ] Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. How to Simplify Your Finances and Enjoy Parenthood More With parenthood comes all the joys and responsibilities. As we try our best to protect and prepare our kids for the world, there are plenty of things to worry over. One huge source of stress for many parents is finances. How can we not only provide the necessities, but make sure our kids are thriving? Another problem for parents is not having enough time in the day to enjoy the family time. For some of us, our schedules are maxxed out. But what if there was a way to relieve pressure on both those problems? What if you could design your lifestyle to savor those moments and still have your finances alright?   Simi joins us on the show and shares her story. We look at: * how she and her husband Pete set things up so they could retire early * how they are passing on values including finances to their son * getting relatives on board with intentional, more conscious spending This show isn’t about how extremely frugal  they are, but rather it’s example that we can learn and build from about designing your life around what you value most (and what it takes to get there). Resources to Help You Simplify Your Finances as Parents If you two are looking at having less stress with finances, here are some wonderful posts to read and discuss: What do newborn babies really need? Nearly Free Kids Toys that Keep On Giving Great News: You’re Allowed To Have Only One Kid! What is the Real Cost of Raising Children? Baby Expenses Series: When we found out we were becoming parents, I started tracking down things and looked for ways to save.

Are you a work from home parent? Learn how to make the most of your limited time so you can grow your business and enjoy time with your kids.  I had so much fun talking with Nick Loper about starting side hustles. I think it’s a great oppurtunity to explore your skills and reach your goals quicker. Today I want to address those of you who already have a business and you’re working from home, either part-time or full time. Some of you may also have the addition responsibility of raising kids. I’m in the same boat so I know how difficult and rewarding it can be. And while we can’t do it all every day, we can be more productive at work and enjoy time with our kids. [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E16_How_to_Be_a_Rockstar_Work_from_Home_Parents.mp3″ social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ] Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. Being a Successful Entrepenuer While Having Little Ones in the House I recently did a piece for Entrepreneur on being productive while working from home with little ones. I reached out to several parents who work and run their business from home while raising kids to see if they had advice about what works for them. And even though they’re in different fields – author, financial planner, a baker, and video personalities – there were a few ideas that kept coming up. So if you’re looking at be more productive with work, here’s what they had to offer: * Design your schedule to minimize disctractions * Lighten and share your load * It’s all about systems * Take time away from the kids * Roll with the punches I hope these tips will help you be productive and give you more time with your little ones. Next week on the podcast we’ll have Simi, or Mrs. Money Mustache as she’s known to some, discussing how she and her husband have designed their life to savor this time with their son. Even if you’re not a parent, this is a cool episode. She has practical thoughts on simplifying and learning to gain pleasure less from stuff and more from expiriences.  You may be surprised to see how well you can live with less. I hope you have a wonderful weekend; until next time take care!

Nick Loper, creator of Side Hustle Nation, shares how you can earn more money as a part-time entrepreneur. Learn how you can find a profitable idea and build some income with side hustles.  [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E15_Ready_to_Join_the_Side_Hustle_Nation_with_Nick_Loper.mp3″ social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” social_linkedin=”true” social_stumble=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ] Financial Freedom With Side Hustles While I’m a big believer of frugality, I also realize there are many circumstances where cutting back on expenses may not be viable.  Earning more income may be the solution to your problems. The concern, though, is about the time and effort involved to build up another stream of income. Most of us have plenty on our plates. This is where a side hustle can be a practical solution. Nick Loper creator of Side Hustle Nation comes on the show to share how he made this transition. He also explains and discusses: * the highs and lows of part-time entrepreneurship * why you need to diversify your side hustles * the productivity tools he uses to manage his business and finances Hope you enjoy! Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. Resources to Help You Launch a Side Hustle  If you’re ready to make the leap, here are some more resources to help you build another income stream. * 79 Side Hustle Business Ideas You Can Start Today * Developing a Money Making Hobby * The 5 Step System to Quit Your Job In the Next 12 Months * Launching a Business as a Creative Entrepreneur * Building a Location Independent Business of Freedom and Travel — Even With a Family * Work Smarter  * Schedule Once * Toggle Thank You to Our Partner Support for this podcast comes from Personal Capital. Easy to set up & easy to use. You can have all your investments, income, and expenses all pulled into one place. Did I mention it’s free? Give Personal Capital a try today!

Learn how you achieve your goals as a couple even if you have a limited budget right now. Stuart Ritter VP of T. Rowe Price‘s Investment Services shares how you can effectively create goals, figure out what investment or savings account is right for you, and how to compromise when you two can’t agree on goals.  [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/S2E14_How_to_Find_Your_Priorities_and_Make_Your_Money_Work_Towards_It.mp3″ ] Defining Your Goals and Dreams as a Couple What do you two want to do? Not just for the year, but beyond? Do you want buy a house or start a family? Do you want to own your business or travel more? Most people I talk to have several dreams,plans, goals, whatever you want to call them. Once you get started it can be hard to stop. But you know what’s really difficult? Get started. There are a ton of reasons, but a reality most of us have to deal with is….we’re don’t the money to do it all. Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. Prioritizing What Matters to You  If that sounds like you, I think today’s show will be a huge help. We’re discussing: * how to define our goals effectively so we can actually achieve * how to figure out where to keep your money for these goals * how to tackle personal goals when the two of you don’t agree Helping us out is Stuart Ritter. He’s a financial planner and Vice President of T. Rowe Price’s Investment Services. Resources to Help You Reach Your Goals Whether it’s a joint or personal goal, there are handy resources available to help you two achieve your dreams. * Should I Have a Roth IRA? * How Our Financial Goals Followed Our Family * What’s Your One Page Financial Plan? Your Goals and Dreams What do you two want to accomplish before the year is over? What are you hoping to achieve next year?

About to make a big decision? Learn how to work together with big financial changes to reduce the stress and tension with these transitions. Certified Financial Planner Hannah Moore from Guiding Wealth shares her stories and tips on what to expect.  [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E13_Working_Through_Big_Changes_as_a_Couple.mp3″ ] Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. How to Talk to Your Spouse When Making a Big Decision If you are thinking on a major decision and you’re a bit nervous about getting started I have four steps to make this process easier.  Discuss the Why Begin with understanding and discussion the core reason for this decision. Why do you want to make this change? Why make this change now? How is this transition bringing you closer towards your shared goals? Come Up with a Plan Together Compromise and communication are essential if you’re going to build a plan that works for both of you.  Go over your plan to make sure it address any concerns you or your spouse has. You may not agree on every point, but the plan should respect your viewpoints.  Have Regular Check-Ins Set aside some time each week to keep on one another in the loop. Things can change quickly, so it pays to be on top of them before they get out of hand.  You can also use this time to encourage one another. Change can be intimidating and overwhelming. Listen to one another carefully. Repeat Just because you two have a plan, doesn’t mean it’s over. Significant changes take time so make sure you devote some of it to one another. Resources Mentioned on the Show If you two are planning a major change soon or are in the middle of one now, please check out these resources: * Why It’s Hard to Talk About Money in Marriage * How to Leave the Personal Finance Tempest for Calmer Waters * Staying Together During a Money Crisis * Getting Out of Debt and Finding Financial Peace * Surviving (and Thriving from) a Layoff * Baby on the Way? How to Save Quickly and Easily Thank You to Our Partners Support for this podcast comes from partners like Personal Capital. Easy to set up & easy to use. You can have all your investments, income, and expenses all pulled into one place. Did I mention it’s free?

Dr. Barbara O’Neill, professor at Rutgers University and Certified Financial Planner, explains how important it is to educate yourself on finances and shares resources to help you get started.  Over the past few weeks we’ve had this informal series where we examined how you can get motivated about your money. Today’s interview is with someone who’s career has been about educating and empowering others. [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E12_Educating_and_Empowering_Yourself_About_Money.mp3″ ] Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. Educating Yourself About Finances Dr. Barbara O’Neill is a professor at the Rutgers University, an Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management, and co-author of Money Talk: A Financial Guide for Women. She joins us today to discuss: * the important financial basics women need to know to be empowered with their money * explain why insurance matters * resources out there to educate yourself about money * how small changes can add up to big transformations Money Talk: A Financial Guide for Women If you’re looking for an overview about how to square away your money, Money Talk is that resource. It’s deliberately thorough. While overall the material is beneficial to most people, it’s designed to help women. The book address some financial situations women tend to deal with such as: * longer life expectancy * gaps in employment * lower wages Before jumping into the numbers, Money Talk opens up with the emotional connections we have with money. Our behaviors with money usually has some root in past experience, whether its our own or something we’ve picked up from our parents. The next section of Money Talk is about insurance- how you can find the right amount of coverage to suit your needs. Another huge, but essential topic covered in Money Talk is investing. It’s given two section in the book. The first part explains the fundamental of stock, bonds, and funds and their roles in your portfolio. It also clears up risk tolerance and how that affects your investment choices. Once that’s cleared away, Money Talk shows how diversification and asset allocation are important to your portfolio composition. Resources Mentioned in the Podcast Dr. O’Neill was kind enough to share a few resources that can help you become more comfortable with your finances. * Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement * Wi$eUp: Financial Planning for Generation X & Y Women

Want to get your finances in shape quick? Shannon McLay, financial planner and author, comes on the show to share how you two can work through your issues and get your finances closer to your goals and dreams. I hope last week’s episode about jump-starting your finances and building momentum motivated you. This week we’re stepping back from the big picture why and now examining how. To do that we’re going to talk about being fit. [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/Getting_Financially_Fit.mp3″ ] Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. Getting Financially Fit This week we’re discussing financial fitness. You may be surprised that they are a lot of commonalities between being physically and financially fit. To help explain things, Shannon McLay is on the show today. She’s the author of Train Your Way to Financial Fitness. We’ll be discussing: * Figuring out if you’re financially fit, fat, or skinny (and what they mean) * Identifying your problem areas and exercises to work through them * How you two can get fit together without fighting about money Resources Mentioned in the Podcast If you want to dig into this topic a bit more, here are some resources we mentioned on the show along with some additional information. * Martinis and Your Money * 5 Smart Money Tips for Couples * Three Toxic Habits to Stop When Talking About Money * How to Stop Fighting About Money and Build Wealth Instead Financially Fit Giveaway As an added bonus, Shannon was kind enough to sponsor a giveaway. She’ll mail 3 listeners signed copies of her book – Train Your Way to Financial Fitness. All you have to do? Simply join the podcast community! With the newsletter, you’ll be kept up to date on the podcast and be the first to know about future giveaways. Click here to sign up! Next Wednesday (October 28, 2015) I’ll randomly pick three winners. Thank you Shannon!  

Marsha Barnes from The Finance Bar shares her top tips on how to jump-start your finances and build momentum with your money.  [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E10_Starting_and_Building_Momentum_with_Your_Money.mp3″ ] Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. The Finance Bar – Empowering a Community and Educating About Money Marsha Barnes, Certified Financial Educator, knows a lot about taking charge and helping others with finances. When she saw a need for more financial literacy and education in her community, she created her non-profit The Finance Bar. She travels to schools, organizations, and corporations  in and around Charlotte, NC with the first mobile financial literacy hub! As she has worked with clients and the community over the last few years, she created resources to help others get a better handle on their money. Besides the mobile hub, she’s created: * The Finance Bar app to help manage expenses * The Members Club to give women the tools, knowledge, and community they need to improve their finances * A blog full of practical and handy tips on money  So if you need a boost with your money mindset, she’s the one! Tips to Build Your Financial Momentum A recent post covered twenty tips on how to gain financial momentum. She was kind enough to go on the podcast to share and explain some of some of her personal favorites. * Finding your why. Why do you desire to change your financial situation? * Face the facts of your situation. They’re real yet temporary. * Embrace the process. * Acquire an appetite for financial success. Thoughts on Fixing Your Finances How many of you are working on your finances? Have you ever felt like you’re in a rut? What has help you to break free and make progress on your goals?

Want to retire happy? Emily Guy Birken, author of Choose Your Retirement, shows how you can plan ahead and live a rich life when you retire.  [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E9_Choose_Your_Retirement.mp3″ ] Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. Understanding Retirement Can I ask you something? What are your plans for this weekend? As you mentally go through it, do you have a general idea or no plans? How many of you are you adding up the expenses, seeing how much it costs? How about next month?  Do you have a budget down? Money all set? Now what about next month….in five years?  How much money will you need? Does it seem too fuzzy? Can you imagine having to decide how much money you need for one month in time in the future, but having plan out expenses that will last for decades? Crazy, right? Welcome to retirement planning! Choose Your Retirement In this episode, Emily Guy Birken shares some insights on how the two of you can build a retirement plan that fits your personalities (and will most likely not cost millions of dollars!) and values. Unlike most online retirement calculators which seem to only focus on your current income and/or expected expenses, Birken starts the retirement process by examining what kind of life you want to live. Once the two of you have a clearer picture of whre you want to go you can then plan how you’re going to get there. Talking About Retirement Together If you two haven’t already, set some time up this weekend have a date. Relax and forget the money for a minute and just discuss what each of you picture for retirement. Choose Your Retirement,can take you through what steps you need to take.  Are you getting close to retirement? Check out The Five Years Before You Retire. More Resources on Retiring Happy There are many ways you can approach retirement planning. If you are looking for others figure out their plan, here are some resources to check out: * Most Common Mistakes Couples Make When Planning for Retirement * The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement * How to Calculate Your Retirement Plan with Excel  

Dad to be Alan Steinborn from Real Money asks his questions about becoming a father. J from Budgets are Sexy comes on the podcast to share his thoughts and stories on parenthood.  [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E8_Parenting_Stories_and_Advice_For_Dads_To_Be.mp3″ ] In today’s episode, Alan asks a ton of questions, such as: * What sorts of conversations can I expect with my wife? * What was the biggest challenge as a parent? * What was the biggest surprise? * How do you balance  work and time as a dad? Want to prepare for your little one? Listen to my episode on how to save for your baby! I share how you two can build a baby fund. Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. Answers to a New Dad’s Questions This has got to be one of my favorite episodes and it only has a smidge of finance in it! The other week when I was in Charlotte, Alan came to me with this idea. He’s a dad to be and he’s expecting his first kid in few months. He already has a lot on his plate now with running Real Money, but he wanted to take time now to prepare for this huge transition. He has so many questions that he wanted to ask. Beside chatting with me, he wanted to get a father’s take on it and so he suggested J , who is the creator of Budgets are Sexy. I was thrilled that J would be willing to come back on. He helped me when I was pregnant with our second daughter and I was anxious. I felt honored that he wanted to do this on the podcast. Becoming a parent is life biggest transformations and to be able to be a guru, but a guide is a pleasure. While we did have some serious moments of reflection, we had plenty of laughter and stories. But most importantly we had an honest talk about the joys, the challenges, and the changes with being a parent. Not just with finances, but with your relationship and finding time for yourself. Resources Mentioned on the Show There was so much covered so  I gathered links to what we covered in the episode. I also have a few favorite podcasts and posts I love and found handy. * Baby Makes Four (or More): When J helped me when we were expecting our second kid. * We are Parents!: Derek and Carrie share their thoughts, experiences with a home-birth, and they have a beautiful video. * Parental Responsibilities: Expectations And Approach: There are a ton of episodes you should listen, but this one is a recent favorite. * Financial Independence and Parenthood: Matt goes into how you two can work together to raise kids and become financially independent. Your Parenting Stories As always, please chime in on the site to share your own family’s stories.

Looking to raise money smart kids who are also giving? Aja from Principles of Increase shares her experience as a mother of two kids who are both generous and self starters when it comes to money. [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E7_Raising_Generous_and_Money_Smart_Kids.mp3″ ] Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to use with a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out on Twitter and Facebook. More Than Numbers: Helping Kids with Finances I’m excited to share this interview with Aja about how she and her husband are building up positive money habits with their daughters.  As a mom, I’m curious to see how other families work to get ideas on how we can do a better job with our kids. As if she didn’t have enough on her plate as a parent, Aja is active in her community and can be found teaching about personal finance, wealth building, and entrepreneurship in church, high school and business settings. She’s also the author behind Debt Free in 24 Hours.  Some highlights and takeaways from the interview include: * Model the behavior you want to see: While it’s good to tell your kids to budget and watch their money, lessons stick when they see you do it. * Make talks about finances a regular thing: As the family was working towards becoming debt free the girls were surrounded with positive money talk. * Teach about money on their level: While her daughters may have been too small to understand all of the family budget, Aja and her husband did use opportunities like visiting friends and taking care of neighbors to impart important money lessons. * Allow your kid to find their niche: Part of life is about exploration. Aja’s girls have an entrepreneurial streak that they encourage. Resources on Kids and Money If you’re looking at teaching your children to be smarter and more generous with their money, here are some articles and resources to check out: * 5 Reasons I Don’t Buy Toys for My Kids * 5 Ways to Teach Kids Money Principles * Tips For Giving Kids an Allowance * The Opposite of Spoiled: Teaching Kids about Money (and More) Thoughts on Teaching Kids to Give and Make Money I’d love to hear from you – what lessons are you passing on to your children? How are teaching them? What money habits did you pick up as a kid?

Looking for an easy way to budget and have more control over your money? Today we explore zero based budgets with EveryDollar and review 50/20/30 budgets to see either work for your family.  [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E6_Budgets_for_People_Who_Hate_to_Budget.mp3″ ] I mentioned last show that this episode is about budgets for people who hate budgets. Okay, hate may be a strong word, but I’ve heard from others that making and keeping a budget is difficult and frustrating. With that in mind, this episode will:  * See if 50/20/30 budgets are really as easy and effective as they see * talk with Chris from EveryDollar about how zero based budgets can give you more control over your money * I’ll share apps and sites that help you boost up your finances. Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to usewith a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out onTwitter and Facebook. Using 50/20/30 Budget for Easy Budgets Basically with 50/20/30 budgets, your net income is divided into three buckets: * 50% of your money goes towards essentials like rent, food, and necessary bills * 20% is directed at financial goals like paying off debt or investing for retirement * 30% goes toward lifestyle choices such as vacations Besides the simple three options, this budget does make sure you have at least 20% of your money going towards your financial goals so it may be a good fit if you’re new to budgeting. EveryDollar and Zero Based Budgets to Maximize Our Money If you’ve been following my site, you know that I recently went reviewed our monthly budget to optimize it. I used the free version of EveryDollar to allocate our money. We managed to tighten our finances and save a bit more money than usual. If you haven’t heard of it, EveryDollar is an only tool and app that helps you set up a family budget in about 10 minutes. Designed by Dave Ramsey and his team, it flawless fits in with his Total Money Makeover framework. Helpful Budget Resources If you want to find more ways to manage your money, here are some sites and apps to check out! * Is the 50/20/30 Budget Right for You? * How to Make a Zero-Based Budget * Personal Capital: A free tool that makes it easy to get a financial snapshot of your finances and keep tabs on your money. * Mint: Another free option to help the two of you stay on the same financial page. * You Need a Budget

Buying a new laptop? Listen to find out how to find the right one for you. We look at the specs that matter most and which ones aren’t worth the extra money.  Welcome to Part Two of how to buy the best laptop for you. Last week was focused on getting a great price on your tech. This week we’re going to look a bit into the specs, specifically figuring out how much is enough and what’s just overpriced bells and whistles. In today’s show, we’re examining how you’re using your tech so you can find the best solution for you. [smart_track_player url=”http://media.blubrry.com/couplemoney/traffic.libsyn.com/couplemoney/CM_S2E5_How_to_Find_the_Best_Laptop_Specs_for_You.mp3″ ] Subscribe to Couple Money Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or copy this link to usewith a podcatcher of your choice. You can also find me hanging out onTwitter and Facebook. Buying a Laptop: Looking at the Specs Everyone is different so my answer may be same as yours, however I do want to share some general guidelines to make the decision process that much easier. I understand the basics; I used to build my desktops. But as I was sorting through laptops, I was a bit overwhelmed by the specs being thrown at me. Fortunately, my husband keeps up with tech so I asked him questions and asked his advice as I whittled down my list to a few contenders. Seeing that others are in the boat I was, I convinced him to come back on the podcast to answer some questions. So if you’re in the market for a new laptop, you might want to save this episode and give it another listen before you shop. Resources Mentioned on the Site There’s so much information out there, so here are a few resources we talked about on the podcast to help you find the best tech solution for you. * What is a Core i3, Core i5, or Core i7? via Tech Quickie * Intel Processors: What You Need to Know to Get Started via Tech Radar * Intel’s 6 Generation Processors