American household debt hit a record $16.9 trillion at the end of 2022, up $2.75 trillion since 2019, according to the Federal Reserve. If you had to write that check it would read $16,960,000,000,000. Source: Debt.org – Americans in Debt Saving for debt repayment is more important than ever. According …
How to Save Money for Disability Expenses
According to the Social Security Administration, more than 1 in 4 of today’s 20-year-olds will experience a disability before reaching age 67. Additionally, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that over 1 in 4 adults (28.7%) in the United States live with some type of …
Think You Need a Huge Salary to Buy a Home? Think Again
When I first started thinking about buying a house, the numbers sounded intimidating. According to a 2025 Bankrate study, Americans need an annual household income of roughly $117,000 to afford a typical U.S. home. The income needed to buy a home has risen much faster than median wages in recent …
I Started Buying Refurbished—and My Budget Thanked Me
A few years ago, I realized I was spending far too much on gadgets and other tech gear. New phones, laptops, kitchen appliances, even headphones—my budget took the biggest hit every time I “needed” the latest version. Then I started digging into the refurbished market and discovered a world of …
Before You Buy a Valentine’s Gift, Read This
Valentine’s Day spending in the U.S. has reached record levels in recent years. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Consumer spending on Valentine’s Day is expected to reach a record $29.1 billion. Americans spent a considerable amount on Valentine’s Day, on gifts, cards, candy, and experiences. At the same …
Affordable Valentine’s Ideas That Feel Surprisingly Luxurious
Valentine’s Day has a reputation for being expensive, but the truth is that most of the pressure to overspend comes from marketing—not from what people actually want. In the U.S., Valentine’s Day spending regularly reaches record highs, with average per-person spending hovering around the cost of a utility bill or …
Why Most Families Waste Money on Subscriptions (And How to Stop)
Subscription fatigue is real, and many families are paying for it—literally. Recent data shows that nearly one in four Americans spends over $100 per month on streaming and subscription services, which adds up to more than $1,200 a year for just a portion of recurring charges. On top of that, …
How I Keep My Pets Happy and Healthy on a Tight Budget
I’ve always known that pets are like family, but I didn’t fully appreciate the financial commitment of caring for them until I started paying the bills myself. In the United States, pet spending has grown dramatically in recent years, the pet spending will total almost $200 billion in 2030 driven …
Filing Taxes in 2026? These Apps Could Save You More Than You Think
If the idea of tax season makes your stomach drop, you’re not alone. In the U.S., the modern way to prepare and file taxes has overwhelmingly shifted to digital tools — in fact, 90.5% of individual tax returns were filed electronically in 2023, and 87 million taxpayers used self-preparation software …
I Learned This One Rule and Cut My Clothing Budget in Half
When I first looked at my annual spending reports, I was shocked. In the U.S., households typically spend about $1,434 per year on clothing and apparel still consumes a meaningful slice of discretionary income for many families. On average, clothing and related services account for roughly 2.6% of total household …