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Continue reading →: 2025 Financial Goals: Progress and PlansThe update details the progress towards various financial goals for 2025, including a school fund, a new phone, and an emergency fund. Achievements include a significant percentage of funds allocated, with deadlines ranging from March to December 2025. Future goals, such as additional school funds and a celebratory anniversary, are…
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Continue reading →: How Credit Cards Enhance Your Emergency Fund StrategyThe author diverges from Dave Ramsey’s anti-credit card philosophy by using credit cards as part of their emergency fund strategy. They utilize cards for large expenses, manage balances closely, receive cash back rewards, and view credit limits as a means to enhance their financial safety net, effectively tripling their emergency…
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Continue reading →: Boost Your Savings with the Magical Third PaycheckThe “magical” third paycheck month occurs bi-annually for those paid bi-weekly, providing an opportunity for financial boosts. Whether saving for emergencies, paying down debt, or easing budget constraints, this extra paycheck can facilitate various goals. The writer plans to allocate this check towards savings and a future consignment event.
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Continue reading →: Estimating Your Taxes: A Step-by-Step GuideThe post details personal strategies for estimating taxes during tax season, emphasizing the importance of accurately calculating estimated income and deductions. The author shares their method, including considerations for overtime, benefits, and standard deductions, while stressing the significance of seeking professional advice for personalized tax situations.
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Continue reading →: The Power of Focus: Tackling Debt One at a TimeThe author’s personal finance journey began with over $110,000 in debt, managed by focusing on small steps. They struggled with larger debts but eventually found motivation through family changes. An unexpected inheritance allowed them to pay off the remaining debts, transforming their financial situation and enabling future savings.
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Continue reading →: Steps to Move from Savings to InvestingThe author expresses hesitance towards investing outside retirement accounts, perceiving it as risky and unfamiliar. They highlight the advantage of high yield savings accounts, which provide significantly higher interest compared to regular accounts. While not replacing stock market investments, these accounts support financial goals and offer extra savings to facilitate…
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Continue reading →: Take Control of Spending: The Cash Detox MethodCash forces you to stay in budget. Work with what you have access to until you have access to what you want to work with.
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Continue reading →: The Hidden Costs of Reactionary SpendingThe author discusses the impact of reactionary spending on their budget, which is often triggered by specific events. After needing car repairs, they ended up spending more unexpectedly on lunch and additional items at Big Lots. This impulsive spending significantly strained their monthly savings, highlighting the need for better control.
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Continue reading →: Managing Finances After Paying Off DebtThe author shares their budgeting insights, primarily influenced by Dave Ramsey’s principles, focusing on debt repayment and financial goal setting post-debt. They created three accounts: Large Escrow for significant yearly expenses, Small Escrow for minor costs, and an Envelope account for everyday needs, ensuring preparedness for overlooked expenditures.
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Continue reading →: 2025 Savings Goals: A Personal Finance BlueprintThe author shares their ongoing personal finance journey, transitioning from debt to savings and the challenges involved. Despite some setbacks, they outline savings goals for 2025, prioritizing essential and time-sensitive expenses. Emphasizing a balanced approach, they acknowledge the importance of adaptability in achieving financial objectives while maintaining transparency about their…
Real-life money: budgets, small steps, and gentle systems.
Welcome to Lacking A Nail
I’m crafting life from the middle of the story. Make money manageable – budgets, sinking funds, simple systems. Slowly moving from a money focused life ruled by a scarcity mindset to a creative self-discovery, small adventures, and experiencing life on a mindful budget.
This is a blog/public Journal. I post my opinion. I am not an expert. Everything posted is for entertainment purposes.
Lacking a Nail 