Like many parents, I chose to stay home with our kids when they were younger in part because the costs of daycare would outweigh my income. We put a lot of thought into how it would work and which of us should stay home. In the end, the hubby’s job …read more    

Have you ever wondered how grocery store prices are determined? $1.99, $2.48, $3.77? Believe it or not, there is usually a strategy behind the number. One of the best ways to save money at the grocery store is to pay attention to pricing trends and sales. Sometimes, it’s as simple …read more    

I’ve tried a few over the last …read more    

Reading non-fiction books can provide inspiration to payoff debts, advice to lower your monthly budget, and tips for living a more frugal lifestyle. I’m always looking for more help with our finances, and this year I am participating in a citywide reading challenge with 1,000 of my closest friends.

<a target=_self href="http://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/arts/2013/12/27/read26indy/4222087/" …read more    

When news first leaked of the Target security breach, I panicked along with every other holiday shopper. I breathed a sigh of relief when I remembered our holiday cash budget was a handy barrier. My Black Friday purchases had not gone on a credit or debit card at all — …read more    

As a web developer, my husband’s job has always been very portable. He took advantage of every opportunity his employers gave to work from home. He lobbied for flex time and worked from home on weekends rather than taking vacation time for appointments and kids’ activities.

We had a list of …read more    

One of the most important things to financial peace is having a savings account with funds available for emergencies. But, there are bills to pay and unexpected expenses and kids who eat you out of house and home.

It’s so hard to break the cycle and get to the point of …read more    

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for many years now — the exact same amount of time I’ve been a mom. 16 years and three kids later, I’m also working full time from home. Things are a lot different now, and while having it all has never really been a goal, …read more    

When my husband started his first real office job, it didn’t take us long to realize we needed a new budget category — the office lunch. He was leaving work daily on his break, spending an hour away with coworkers over lunch. It wouldn’t have been as big of a …read more    

For several years, I watched in awe as my friend Cherie Lowe worked toward paying off her family’s consumer debt and student loans. She was intense about keeping her family’s budget under control so they had more money available to eliminate debt.

What Is a Loan?
A loan is money, property, or other material goods given to another party in exchange for future repayment of the loan value or principal amount, along with interest or finance charges. A loan may be for a specific, one-time amount or can be available as an open-ended line of credit up to a specified limit or ceiling amount.

Loans are typically issued by corporations, financial institutions, and governments. Loans allow for growth in the overall money supply in an economy and open up competition by lending to new businesses. Loans also help existing companies expand their operations, learn how to apply for a payday loan when in need and find the right professionals help. The interest and fees from loans are a primary source of revenue for many banks, as well as some retailers through the use of credit facilities and credit cards. They can also take the form of bonds and certificates of deposit.

How a Loan Works
The terms of a loan are agreed to by each party in the transaction before any money or property changes hands or is disbursed. If the lender requires collateral, this requirement will be outlined in the loan documents. Most loans also have provisions regarding the maximum amount of interest, as well as other covenants such as the length of time before repayment is required.

In 4 years, she and her husband paid off …read more