This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Giving Assistant. All opinions are 100% mine. "I ordered it online." Isn't it amazing how, just a mere 10 years ago, you wouldn't hear this phrase as often as you do now? Just recently, I bought a book, diapers, and a pair of shoes for my three-year-old. Online shopping is the go-to move around this house and, I would guess, for many families as well. I can't even remember the last time I went to the store. I love ordering things online because I can: Order from my own home Find good deals Compare prices Read … [Read more...]

Thank you to PatPat for sponsoring this post. All content and opinions expressed are my own. I was eight-years-old and hustling for side income. Okay, I wouldn't put it that stark, but even at that age, I was already trying to make money. It started with a "cleaning service," complete with ads I still have today: "Want your house cleaned? Tell Nina," the 5.5 x 8.5" ad said in bubble letters. I don't think my mom bought into that venture. Then I moved on to $3 massages. I'd massage my mom and sisters and charge $3. Sometimes $1 when I threw in a discount. When that ran its course, I … [Read more...]

Thank you to Wells Fargo for sponsoring this post. All content and opinions expressed are my own. I thought I was being smart with money and credit. I paid everything in cash. I carried no debt. I made sure I didn't spend more than I made. I tracked all the money I spent and earned, down to the penny. And I saved almost half my income (this was, if you couldn't tell, before I had kids!). So when my husband and I were considering buying a house, we checked our credit scores. His was great. Mine? Turns out, I had no credit all these years. I assumed that because I didn't take any debt … [Read more...]