Free From Broke

A Personal Finance Blog for Regular Folks

Personal Finance

Personal Finance is a catch-all for anything that falls under the umbrella of taking care of your money. A lot of people think of their personal finances as some "other" thing they don't always have to pay attention to. I think it's integral to your life and health.

Take a look at the articles below and get your personal finances in shape.

Your Guide to Setting SMART Goals For Your Finances and Life

Published or updated by 36 Comments

It’s that time of the year where people start fresh and make new goals, and many of those are financial. But are they smart goals?

Did you know that according to a 2007 survey by British psychologist Richard Wiseman, 88% of resolutions end in failure?

We tend to try to do too much with little willpower to achieve our resolutions.  We need systems to help us along.

SMART Goals is one such system.

One way we can help ourselves to success in our resolutions and goals is to make them S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

The following guide will walk you through SMART goals so you’re not one of those whose goals fizzle out by March (if not much earlier).

Everything You Need to Know About S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Your Finances

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What Are Your Kids Gift Expectations?

Published or updated by 32 Comments

I hear people complain that they have to buy expensive things for their kids because it’s what they (the kids) expect.

Some don’t know what they are going to do this holiday season as times might be tight for them. How are we going to get little Johnny the latest (insert expensive popular toy here)?!?

Here’s what I say – Don’t!!

Where do your kids get their expectations from? Do they get them from friends? From television? Those are influences but not the real source.

Children get their expectations from their parents!!

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Your Guide – Tips for Holiday Tipping (and My Story Working for Tips)

Published or updated by 21 Comments

TiThis week, I’m reviewing all of the people who provide me with services, and figuring out how much to tip them.  The following are my tips for holiday tipping.

It’s appropriate to tip service providers that you see on a regular basis at holiday time. And avoiding services in December in order to weasel out of tipping someone who provides you with services throughout the year is frowned upon.

Read on and see my story on working for tips and who I think you should give a little extra to for the holidays.

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6 Personal Finance Books to Give for the Holidays (or Read Yourself)

Published or updated by 11 Comments

It feels good to give, doesn’t it?

But most of the things we tend to give to family and friends have a short-term effect.  They get a gift, consume it, and then it’s on to the next thing.

That’s cool and all but would it be great to give a gift that could really impact a person’s life?  

When I started getting my head straight about my personal finances books were the place to go.  The internet didn’t have as many useful sites about the subject.

But you know what?  Even with all of the information out there I still turn to books for information.

Below are some great books that I’ve either read or have heard so much about they are on my reading wish-list.  Take a look and consider checking these out.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on the books and what your favorite personal finance book is in the comments.

Oh, and you don’t have to give one of these to someone else for i to be a gift.  This could be a gift to yourself too!

Here are some of the best personal finance books that would make great gifts:

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7 Ways Your Finances are Scarier Than Zombies

Published or updated by 27 Comments

Thanks to the Walking Dead zombies are more popular than ever this Halloween.

You might even say they’re cool.

But do you know what’s scarier than zombies?  Facing yet another Halloween with your financial demons!

Here are 7 Ways Your Finances are Scarier Than Zombies…Read on…IF YOU DARE!!!

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