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hand stacking gold coins with text that reads how to use a net worth tracker and why you shoud

How to Use a Net Worth Tracker and Why You Should

Valentine's Day crafts on a white table with text that reads fun and cheap Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for the whole family

11 Fun and Cheap Valentine’s Day Ideas for Family

How to Save More Money This Year

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Must-Have Budget Travel Essentials For Women

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GIVEAWAY! I’m so excited to share that I’ve t

GIVEAWAY!
I’m so excited to share that I’ve teamed up with a couple of my favorite budgeting girls for this giveaway 🤑 We appreciate all your love and support, and to say thank you we’ve decided to giveaway $100🤗 ✨TO ENTER✨

1. Follow me: @centsandpurpose
2. Like this photo
3. Tag a friend in the comments. (Extra tags= extra entries, but only 1 friend per comment). 4. Follow: @heykristinapadgett and @veemakescents

When you’ve completed these steps you’ve entered to win 🎉

Details:
The giveaway will run from February 21st to February 23rd. The winner will be announced February 24th! Open to the US and Canada. Open to the US and Canada residents only. Winner must be following all accounts and have a public account at the time of drawing so we can verify you are following everyone. Winner will have 24 hours to claim prize.
This contest is in no way sponsored, administered, or endorsed by instagram or any of the companies in this photo. By entering, you are confirming that you are 18+ years of age, that you release instagram of any/all responsibility and that you agree to instagram’s term of use. NO purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law.

How are you determining the state of your finances

How are you determining the state of your finances? By the house you live in or the car you drive? By the amount of your income? ⁠⠀
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Did you know none of those things are a good indicator of wealth? The true indicator of wealth is your net worth. ⁠⠀
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It took me a while to actually sit down and calculate our net worth because it always felt overwhelming to me but it's actually super simple!⁠⠀
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Click the link in my bio to read my new article walking you through the exact process AND giving you a net worth tracker spreadsheet...for free!⁠⠀
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Have you ever calculated your net worth??

I want to share the 5 money tools I use on a consi

I want to share the 5 money tools I use on a consistent (almost daily) basis to help me budget and manage my money!⁠⠀
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They are: ⁠⠀
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⏣ Banking sites/apps⁠⠀
⏣ Budget binder⁠⠀
⏣ Net worth tracker⁠⠀
⏣ Budget spreadsheet⁠⠀
⏣ Debt snowball calculator ⁠⠀
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I could totally budget and stay on track without them but they sure do make it a LOT easier...and FUN, if you're as nerdy as I am 🤓⁠⠀
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Head to the link in my bio to watch my new video sharing all about these tools and also grab yourself a copy of my net worth tracker...for free!⁠⠀
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What is your must-have budgeting tool??

I recently received an email from a reader who des

I recently received an email from a reader who desperately wanted to switch to a cash system to help her budget but was worried about having cash on her...⠀
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We love using cash, I always tell you guys that I believe this is one of the main things that helped us the most when working to pay off debt...but I understand that it can feel scary and give people anxiety.⠀
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I used to feel the same way but here's how I moved past it: ⠀
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💰 It will take time, especially if you're "bridging the gap" by putting expenses on a credit card because you run out of money each month. There is no easy fix for this. You have to cut back, go without, hustle, sell crap and just understand that it may take some time before you can decrease your expenses enough to ditch the credit card.⠀
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💰 There is no need to carry alllll your cash on you at all times. Take what you know (or think) you will need when you go out and leave the rest at home in a safe place. If you forget it, go back and get it, go without or use a debit card. The more you do this, the less you will forget your cash.⠀
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💰 Don't keep a ton of cash in your home (this is my personal preference). If we are saving a substantial amount of cash in an envelope - like for Christmas, for example - we will make it a sinking fund instead and save it in the bank. I am not comfortable with $2k of cash sitting in my home. If you are, then cool, ignore this step. ⠀
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💰 Understand that unless you are wearing a sign around your neck that says "I am a cash-spender and have all my cash in my bag/wallet for your convenience", NO ONE has any clue what is in your wallet. You feel worried and anxious because YOU know. No one else. Unfortunately, if someone is going to attempt to steal your purse or worse, they are likely going to do it regardless...not because they have x-ray vision and can see you have fat stacks in your bag.⠀
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💰 You don't have to use cash for EVERYTHING. If you really hate it try using cash JUST for the categories you consistently overspend in. Or try using a debit card instead of cash.⠀
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Any other cash budgeting questions? Have switched to a cash system? Does it work well for you?

How many bank accounts do you have? ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀

How many bank accounts do you have? ⁠⠀
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Until we began our debt-free journey we only had ✌🏼. Just your standard checking and savings account. ⁠⠀
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I began learning how using separate accounts for different money and savings goals could actually help us manage our money more efficiently!⁠⠀
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We now have 5 personal bank accounts (not counting our kids' accounts and multiple business accounts)!⁠⠀
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This method may not work great for everyone but it has made things much easier over here!⁠⠀
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I have a new YouTube video up on my channel sharing which accounts we have (and why) to help you structure your finances in a similar way...head to the link in my bio to watch the video!⁠⠀
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Also - if you are a business owner check out the book Profit First. It will explain how I structure my business finances and bank accounts...it's a great read! (I have it linked in my Amazon favorite books list in my bio 📚)⁠⠀
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So, how many accounts do you currently have? I'd love to hear!

I'm curious! When do you normally file your tax r

I'm curious! When do you normally file your tax return? ⁠⠀
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Are you an early bird like me or do you procrastinate until the last minute?! ⁠⠀
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Personally, I feel stress and agitated until I get this big task off my plate! I always feel as though my finances are in limbo until I get my taxes done and hate the thought of feeling that way any longer than I have to! ⁠⠀
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I just had an appointment with my accountant the other day, I have a few things to finish up and then I'll be good to go!⁠⠀
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You guys know I'm all about doing things myself to save money but this is one area I would much rather pay someone who actually knows what they're doing! ⁠⠀
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How do you handle your taxes? Do you do them yourself or go to a professional? ⁠⠀
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We are essentially a one-income family as I work t

We are essentially a one-income family as I work to grow Cents + Purpose with the goal of earning a full-time income by the end of 2020.
This is a tall order and it stresses me the ?%#& out.

While our money stress is exponentially less since paying off our debt, it's definitely not gone. I still stress. Moreso me because 1) I'm a hot mess and stress over everything and 2) I do all the bills/finances in our family... My husband is wonderful and supportive and I'm so grateful he works hard to allow me to focus solely on my business right now (and I work one day/week at my parents'). I want to get real honest here 🗣

Being debt-free is freaking awesome BUT it doesn't make everything magically perfect the moment you make that final payment... 😑I still get frustrated when I sit down to budget. 😑I still sometimes wonder where our money goes. 😑We still have money fights here and there. Granted, they're now more like slightly-heated money discussions, but they still happen sporadically.

Working to get out of debt was one of the best things we have done in our marriage. I believe it actually saved our marriage. 🙏I am reminded each day that we still don't have a lot extra and right before I start to pity myself I remember how incredibly blessed we are. 🙏 I am reminded how grateful I am that the money fights are much fewer and further between. 🙏I am reminded that I'm now able to pay my mortgage every single month without having to put the rest of our expenses on a credit card to make it through the month. 🙏And I am reminded that one income or not, all the money we make is now our own to keep!

Being in debt was just a season of our lives. This too is a season. This is a season of growth and hard work and I can't wait to see what the next season brings.
If you are feeling discouraged with your current financial season, let this be your reminder... This is only a season. This isn't forever. You are simply passing through the struggle and hopelessness of being in debt.
Sure, there will be struggles in the seasons to come too, but you are strong, you are capable and your financial peace is worth it 💛

Love is in the air 💕⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ It’s Valent

Love is in the air 💕⁠⠀
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It’s Valentine’s Day and everyone loves to feel loved but does it have to break your budget?! ⁠⠀
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There are many ways to show people you love them…on a budget! ⁠⠀
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Check out these fun and cheap Valentine’s Day ideas for family and keep that money in your wallet!⁠⠀
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Head to my bio and click the link to read the full article!

Our February budget is meh. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Even tho

Our February budget is meh. ⁠⠀
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Even though we are debt-free now things are still pretty tight around here as we are mostly a one-income family...⁠⠀
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We had a few unexpected expenses come up and I'm grateful we were able to cover them! ⁠⠀
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My February budget video is up on my YouTube channel (link in bio) where I share our real expenses, cash envelope and emergency fund numbers!⁠⠀
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Did you complete your February budget yet?? If not, get off Instagram and GO DO IT 🤣⁠⠀

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