Managing your family budget with a variable income can be a challenge. Irregular paydays can test even the most astute budgeter so it’s important to be vigilant when planning how you’ll manage your money when your income fluctuates. Super important 2025 update: I wrote this article in 2016, when our costs were lower – approx … Read more
Becoming debt-free is a goal for many of us. And let me tell you, there is no feeling like making that final payment on your credit card, car loan or even your mortgage (that event deserves a party!). 10 Debt-Free Habits to Adopt No matter what level of debt you’re tackling, there are 10 simple … Read more
I’m not naturally frugal – I actually love spending money. But sticking to a budget is what made it possible for me to pay off $30,000 of debt, clear my mortgage in five years, and still travel to 40 countries (20 of those with my kids in tow). Budgeting didn’t shrink my life – it … Read more
An emergency fund is something that most people should have, but very few actually do. It’s not always easy to save, especially with all our other financial obligations. However, it is so important for a family to have an emergency fund because you never know when life will throw you a curveball and quickly leave … Read more
If you’ve ever wondered ‘Can money buy happiness?’, you’re not alone. That’s not just because you’re reading a blog formerly called Money Can Buy Me Happiness (rebranded to Mumsmoney in 2019). When I started this blog, I had some criticism. One person told me she associates the name of my site with the desire to “accumulate … Read more
Managing your money is easier than ever with these free budgeting printables. When you are ready to create a budget, free printables can be a smart tool to help visualise how your finances look now and how you want them to look in the future. We’ve compiled a list of 16 of the best money … Read more
While many banking services can now be accessed online or through mobile apps, there are still times when visiting a bank branch is necessary. Whether you need to open a new account, apply for a loan, or simply deposit a large sum of cash, having access to a nearby bank branch can be incredibly helpful. … Read more
Budgeting – the first step in your journey to financial freedom. No matter how much you earn, a custom-made plan of how to divide up your income can go a long way towards gaining control over how much you spend and save. People often go wrong when making a budget by accidentally leaving out … Read more
Have you ever logged in to check your retirement or investment accounts and felt a wave of panic? I know I have. One day, we saw our fund drop by over $800—more than we’d contributed that month. It’s unsettling, even when you know that market ups and downs are completely normal. We’re in this for … Read more
When your income is stretched, it’s easy to feel like your money disappears the moment it lands. That’s where a zero-sum budget can help — by giving every dollar a job, you’ll stay in control, even in tight times. What is a Zero-Sum Budget? A zero-sum budget means every dollar you earn is assigned a … Read more