Section 1: Key Financial Questions
Wealth is built one smart decision at a time—stay consistent, stay intentional.
Here are a few tips that may help accelerate your path to wealth.
Effortless Saving with the Power of Rounding Up!
This will show my age (or at least how old my car was), but when I first started driving, I used the ashtray that my car had as a change holder. Anytime I made a purchase with cash, I would tuck the change I received into that ashtray instead of my wallet. This is what I would use sometimes to grab a quick burger or ice cream during lunch or after work. This was a small, almost effortless way to save, and it allowed me to splurge a little without hitting my wallet.
Today, we can see how cash is becoming increasingly obsolete; however, there are still ways we can use this round-up concept to grow our savings without feeling the pinch.
Traditional Cash:
As described above, this is one most of us know about and probably did at some point. Every time you spend with cash, you toss the leftover coins into a change jar or container. Some will even up this to every dollar or five five-dollar bill they receive, meaning every time they get a one or five-dollar bill, they will also put that aside into a savings container. Over time, those small amounts add up, creating a stash of cash you can use to increase your savings, for something fun, or to have for an unexpected expense.
Now, with most everything being digital, this method can still work, but with a little creativity.
Credit Cards:
Some credit cards offer a round-up savings option. This may work, but it’s essential to verify that there are no additional fees and that you pay off your credit card bill in full each month. If you do not, you’re negating any savings you may be trying to accrue.
Checking Accounts:
My personal favorite is to use the round-up savings method in my checking account. Some banks and credit unions offer this feature that automatically transfers spare change from debit card purchases into a savings account. If they do not, you can do this for yourself by rounding up your expenses to the nearest dollar or five dollars when recording transactions. This can be like having a virtual change jar. It’s a simple way to set aside extra cash without much sacrifice.
Once a month (or whenever you review your checking account transactions), add up the round-up amounts. You can then decide whether to transfer that round-up amount into your savings account to build that up more quickly, leave it where it is to build a bigger round-up balance, or use it to purchase small investments (such as stocks or cryptocurrencies) or to make a purchase of something fun.
When using this round-up method, you can choose to round up to the nearest dollar, five dollars, ten dollars, etc. Whatever works best for you.
Here is my personal tip for round-up savings in your checking account.
When recording your transactions, be sure to write one transaction for the exact amount of the purchase and then record a second transaction for the round-up charge. This will help when balancing your checkbook and ensuring that the correct amounts are debited.
Example 1: You spend $47.25. Log one transaction for your purchase of $47.25, then log another transaction in your checkbook register for your round-up of $0.75. This means you will “subtract” a total of $48 from your account, but you will easily see the actual purchase amount and the round-up amount for future reference.
Example 2: You spend $47.25. Log one transaction for your purchase of $47.25, then log another transaction in your checkbook register for your round-up of $2.75. This means you will “subtract” $50 from your account, but again, you will easily see the actual purchase and round-up amounts for future reference.
These small extra amounts may seem minor, but over time, they quietly build momentum without throwing off your budget.
Small habits can build a Big Impact over time.
For other savings tips, check out this Savings page.
Fuel future you, not just Friday you.
Unfortunately, many of us (including me) find it hard to save or hold onto extra money. It seems to slip through our fingers faster than water as we always feel the urge to spend whatever is left over. However, what if you could flip your spending habit into a hidden strength? Could you still satisfy the shopping impulse and build long-term wealth at the same time?
There are more investing options than ever before, and with today’s tools, it’s easier than ever to invest in your future. Many companies now offer fractional shares, allowing you to buy small fractions at a time. This means you can begin investing with only a few dollars.
So, what if, before the impulse hits, you buy something that benefits the future you? This may still satisfy the urge to spend while building a legacy rather than clutter.
How to Spend to Your Advantage
Here’s the trick: If you find yourself with extra money, then consider spending it on investments (such as stocks, ETFs/Index funds, precious metals, good cryptocurrencies, or even putting it into a high-yield savings account that will accrue more interest for you) before it disappears to a shopping trip at your favorite store. Each dollar you “spend” on investments keeps working for you.
Every payday, or whenever you sit down to review your budget, take a moment to check how much remains after essentials are covered. Then ask yourself if there are any investments that reflect your values and future vision. If you haven’t already, set up accounts on the platforms needed to invest in those opportunities. From there, begin directing those extra dollars into those assets. This is also a great DCA (dollar cost averaging) approach.
*PLEASE NOTE: This should ONLY be considered after you have your emergency fund in place and have all high-interest debts paid off. Trying to do this without an emergency fund or with high-interest debts could be detrimental to your financial independence journey.
Why does this approach work?
Psychological Shift – You still get the satisfaction of spending your money, but it will be in a way that benefits you long-term.
Passive Growth – Instead of vanishing, your money will continue to grow, compounding over time. "Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn't, pays it," – Albert Einstein.
Built-in Discipline – By automatically redirecting your extra funds into investments, you turn an impulsive habit into a wealth-building strategy.
If you have a hard time holding on to extra money and love the feeling of putting money to work for you, consider investing those extra dollars. This could give you the same reward that spending gives, except this time, you’re setting up future financial wins.
Pay Your Mortgage Biweekly
Many people assume that accelerating mortgage payments requires a significant amount of extra money, but that’s not always the case. By simply splitting your monthly payment in half and making bi-weekly payments, you can make an extra full payment each year without significantly altering your monthly budget. While a couple of months may include three half-payments, syncing this with your paycheck cycle can make it seamless. The sooner you set this up and budget for it, the better positioned you’ll be for long-term savings and financial freedom. Setting this up early on your financial journey is a game-changer and can save you thousands over time.
Benefits of Biweekly Mortgage Payments
Faster Loan Payoff – Since there are 52 weeks in a year, this method results in 26 half-payments, which is equivalent to 13 full payments for the year. This one extra payment per year can potentially reduce the number of years you have to pay on your mortgage.
Reduced Interest Costs – Since interest accrues daily, paying more often minimizes overall interest payments, which can save you thousands over time.
Better Budgeting – Aligning payments with your paycheck schedule can make budgeting and managing your finances smoother.
Starting this strategy early means more financial flexibility down the road, without requiring more income now.
This simple shift could accelerate your path to financial freedom!
How to set up a biweekly mortgage payment plan:
Check with Your Lender – Not all lenders allow biweekly payments, so confirm whether they offer this option. Some may charge a setup fee.
Set Up Automatic Transfers – If your lender supports it, request an automated withdrawal every two weeks. This ensures consistency and helps avoid late payments.
Use a Separate Account – If your lender doesn't offer biweekly payments, you can set up an account where you deposit half of your mortgage amount every two weeks. Then, use those funds to make the whole payment once a month. By the end of the year, you should have enough in your account to make at least one extra payment for the year.
Confirm Extra Payments Apply to Principal – The real benefit comes from reducing your principal faster. Ensure your lender applies additional payments toward principal rather than future interest.
Monitor Your Mortgage Statements – Regularly review your statements to ensure payments are processed correctly and that you're benefiting from reduced interest costs.
By following these steps, you can reduce the lifetime interest paid and pay off your mortgage faster.
Find Additional Ways to Live More Frugally.
Are you keeping housing costs to no more than 25%-30% of your gross income?
(This includes principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and potentially utilities.)
Have you considered house hacking? Live in part of a property and rent out the other part to cover expenses.
(It's a great way to save money, but research local regulations.)
Can you switch to cheaper services?
(Examples include cable, internet, cell phones, insurance plans, etc.)
Can you reduce your grocery and gas budget?
Are you eliminating debts that aren’t contributing to your financial growth?
Can you increase your income?
(Do you have stuff you can sell? Are there chores you can do for others that they may be willing to pay for? Can you take on a temporary second job or start a side hustle?)
Are you maximizing rewards?
(If you have credit cards or other rewards programs, are there opportunities to benefit more from those programs?)
Have you found your community?
(Connecting with people who share similar goals can keep you motivated. It’s far harder to save money when everyone around you is spending like crazy.)
Check out the F.I.R.E. Community for more tips on frugality.
Fridge Hack That Saves Money and Encourages Healthier Snacking
It’s easy for fresh produce to vanish into the abyss of your refrigerator drawers—out of sight, out of mind. Keeping produce front and center can help reduce food waste, save money, and even boost your healthy habits one snack at a time.
Visibility makes all the difference!
Keep your fruits and veggies in the refrigerator door right at eye level. Why? Because when you’re aimlessly peeking into the fridge wondering what to eat, you're not likely to dig through drawers... but you will grab what's staring back at you. Like crisp carrots, a juicy apple, or leftover grapes you may have forgotten about.
Condiments are typically a grab-and-go situation—you’re in, you’re out. It’s unlikely that you frequently stand with the refrigerator open, pondering between condiments like mayonnaise and ketchup. You usually already know precisely what condiment you want, so you grab it quickly and move on. That’s why, if you’ve got space, they can work great tucked away in a drawer. But by placing your fruits and veggies on the door shelves, they stay visible and tempting. You will be more likely to eat them before they wilt or rot, and less likely to waste food and money.
This is an ADD organizing hack I learned, and I had to give it a try. I was surprised to see that over the course of a month or so of trying this out, I witnessed my teenage son walking around with an apple in hand several times, and we ate through a whole bag of apples from Sam's Club. That’s rare for us. They are usually tossed in a drawer and forgotten, and I often end up having to throw away the last couple or several. It took some creativity and getting used to, but so far we have been happy with the switch.
Try it out for yourself, and see if you notice a difference. Small shift, big impact. Your wallet (and your salad game) will thank you.
Prep Now, Save Later (Freezer Cooking and Pantry Meal Kits)
The Power of Freezer Cooking and Pantry Planning
Freezer cooking and shelf-stable meal kits/pantry meal kits aren’t just for busy nights; they’re quite money-saving machines.
When meals are prepped ahead or stocked on your shelves, you're far less likely to resort to pricey takeout or last-minute grocery runs. You buy ingredients on your terms (often in bulk, on sale, or in season) and you use what you have with intention.
These kitchen habits can also reduce food waste, stretch your budget, and bring peace of mind. Knowing dinner is handled is one less thing to stress over, and one more way your habits work in support of your financial goals.
Stock smart. Cook once. Reap the savings.
Here are a few resources to help with meal planning and stocking up:
For recipe and meal plan ideas, check out:
For stocking up recipe book templates and printables, check out:
To learn more about freezer cooking, check out:
To learn more about Shelf-Stable Meals/Pantry Meal Kits or how to organize a stock-up pantry, check out:
Keep A Tidy Home
One surprising habit of people who don’t overspend. They keep their home tidy.
A clutter-free space naturally curbs impulse spending. When your surroundings are organized, you’re more aware of what you already own, so you're less tempted to buy duplicates or chase that “quick fix” thrill of something new. You realize that every item you own comes at a cost—not just the purchase price, but the time and attention required to manage and maintain it. It needs a home, it needs to be dusted and upkept, it needs you.
Think of it as financial housekeeping: every item in its place, every dollar with a purpose.
Let your home reflect the peace you're building in your finances.
Capsule Closet
A capsule wardrobe isn’t just about style—it’s a strategy.
By curating a small collection of versatile, well-loved pieces, you sidestep the trap of endless shopping and the “nothing to wear” frustration. Fewer clothes mean fewer impulse buys, and when you know exactly what works for your lifestyle and body, you shop with purpose.
When it comes to your wardrobe, invest in quality, not quantity. This by no means indicates that more expensive clothes are necessarily better, but it can be beneficial to invest a little time in researching the pieces you are buying, which can help prevent your closet from overflowing with pieces that you never wear or that will wear out quickly.
Focus on function, not fleeting trends. With every outfit you confidently put together, you’re reminded that simplicity saves not just time and energy, but also money.
Simplify the closet to strengthen your mindset and finances.
Check out this Project 333 minimalist closet to see if it would be right for you
Watch, Reflect, Resist
Ever binge a show on hoarding, cleaning, or minimalism and suddenly feel inspired to declutter... or at least rethink your next shopping trip?
There’s a reason for that. Watching others navigate the emotional and financial toll of excess can help shift your own perspective. You start to see how every purchase has a price beyond the receipt—space, time, energy, and peace of mind. It’s a visual reminder that more stuff doesn’t equal more happiness.
Minimalism isn’t about living with nothing. It’s about making room for what truly matters.
Sometimes, the best way to curb spending is a reality check. A powerful mindset shift can begin with something as simple as a well-timed documentary.
Recession Proof Yourself: A Plan for Peace of Mind
You can’t control the economy, but you can control your preparation and perspective. Prepping isn’t just for doomsday scenarios. Prepping can also help you recession-proof your life and set yourself up in a way that allows you to capitalize on opportunities that may arise during uncertain times. On average, recessions happen every 6-8 years. Learn how to build smart habits now that can help shield you from potential financial stress later, such as job loss, stock market crashes, inflation, and cyberattacks that may affect your employer or bank. Whether it’s strengthening your emergency fund, diversifying your income and assets, or trimming unnecessary expenses, learning strategies to help you be more self-sufficient can give you options, especially during times of uncertainty. It’s not about fear; it’s about freedom.
For ways to help you prepare your finances and your home, check out the links below:
