Free From Broke

A Personal Finance Blog for Regular Folks

Life

The Greatest Impact On My Finances

Published or updated by

You can have your spreadsheets, online budgeting sites, statements, etc…  Want to know what the single greatest positive impact on my finances has been?

Is it a great lawyer that helps me with business decisions?  An awesome CPA to guide me with tax questions?  A fantastic financial advisor to direct my investments?

Nope, they got nothing on this person.

I’ll tell you – it’s my wife.  Let me explain…

Back in the day I was in debt, had no savings, no investments, and my net worth was measured in “things” I owned (not like a house but more like guitars and music CD’s).

I wasn’t the picture of good financial health.

But I slowly worked my way out of my financial funk.  I educated myself.  I paid off my credit cards.  I contributed to my 401(k).  I started saving.

I did these things on my own.  Had I not met my wife I would have continued to improve my finances but not to the extent that they are at now.

My wife turbo-charged my finances, well, OUR finances.

Here’s why my wife is the greatest impact on my finances and my best financial tool: [Read more…] about The Greatest Impact On My Finances

Organic Food Is Not Expensive

Published or updated by 63 Comments

In a previous article I talked about small steps to eat healthier.

Well, a study is out showing a possible link between certain pesticides and ADHD.  The survey studied over 1,100 children between the ages of 8 and 15.  Interviews with the parents determined which children had ADHD.

The findings then found that for those kids with the most frequent pesticide found in their urine samples, 20% had ADHD as opposed to 10% in kids with no trace amounts.

So I ask you this: Is eating organic food really expensive?

[Read more…] about Organic Food Is Not Expensive

Eating Healthy One Step At A Time

Published or updated by 31 Comments

I think most people want to eat healthy.

But for many it’s too tough to start (especially eating healthy on a budget).  We get into eating habits, that aren’t great, and its just too much to give them up and change our lifestyles.

So what do we do?  We don’t bother; it’s too hard.

Does this help a person?

Nope.  Does this sound like anything else we don’t take care of because its too hard?  Yup, personal finance!  So what’s the answer to eating healthy?  Just like your personal finances, you can start with baby steps and move from there.  Make small changes to your habits, little by little, and build up over time.
[Read more…] about Eating Healthy One Step At A Time

Costs In Buying A Home Besides Your Mortgage

Published or updated by

“What are these home costs?!?” you scream to yourself as you start your life in your new home.  You went through your budget with a fine tooth comb, making sure you could afford the mortgage payments.  You negotiated the house price and got a good interest rate on the mortgage.  You know what your local taxes will be and you home insurance costs.  You thought you were set.  Then the OTHER costs rear their heads.  You quickly realize that owning a home isn’t all about being able to pay the mortgage.

There are a number of other costs you need to consider before you buy a house:
[Read more…] about Costs In Buying A Home Besides Your Mortgage

Wedding Questions With Anja Winikka Editor At TheKnot.com – Presented By Married On MySpace

Published or updated by 10 Comments

I had the pleasure to interview Anja Winikka, editor at the well-known wedding website TheKnot.com. We discussed affordable weddings and how the current economy is affecting wedding decisions.

Hope you enjoy!
[Read more…] about Wedding Questions With Anja Winikka Editor At TheKnot.com – Presented By Married On MySpace