Money Habits

10/13/2026

https://moneyhabitsforme.com/socialism-and-capitalism/

Explore socialism and capitalism in plain language: fair-share taxes, benefit cliffs, and the incentive to work, build wealth, and move beyond assistance.

10/09/2026

https://moneyhabitsforme.com/taxes-and-banking/

Taxes and banking made practical. Understand take-home income, accounts, fees, withholding, refunds, and records. Choose a clear next step.

10/08/2026

https://moneyhabitsforme.com/how-to-challenge-and-negotiate-a-medical-bill/

Negotiate a medical bill by checking for errors, comparing insurance charges, asking about discounts, and discussing a payment plan you can afford.

10/08/2026

Ever look at your bank balance and think, “Wait—where did it all go?”

You don’t have to untangle everything in one sitting.

The free 7-Day Money Habits Challenge gives you one short email a day, simple steps, and downloadable worksheets. Set aside about 5–10 minutes to get started.

Here’s my suggestion: don’t just read the emails. Try one action, write down what you notice, and keep one useful habit going after the week ends.

No perfect budget required. Just a place to begin.

👉 Join the free challenge:
https://moneyhabitsforme.com/7-day-money-habits-starter/

Start the free 7-Day Money Habits Challenge with short daily emails, practical worksheets, and simple steps you can use.

09/14/2026

Have you ever made a credit card payment, watched your available credit increase—and then used the card again?

I did exactly that for far too long. It felt like I was managing the bill, but I was really keeping myself trapped in the same cycle.

That experience changed how I think about budgeting. A useful budget isn’t a punishment or a collection of perfect percentages. It should help you recognize the habits making today easier while making next month harder.

In this updated guide, I explain how to build a spending plan around real life—not an imaginary month where nothing ever goes wrong.

08/31/2026

Ever wonder where you should keep money you want to save but don’t necessarily want to invest?
A regular savings account, high-yield savings account, money market account, and CD can all make sense. The difference is how easily you can get to your money, what the account pays, and what restrictions come with it.
In this post, I break down the differences in plain English — not to pick a winner, but to help you understand which type of account might fit different situations.
And one reminder: don’t choose based on the interest rate alone. Sometimes the fine print matters more than the number in the ad.

08/22/2026

Living paycheck to paycheck can make advice like “just save more” sound almost laughable.

When nearly every dollar already has a job, where is that extra money supposed to come from?

In my latest Money Habits post, I take a more practical approach. Getting ahead doesn’t have to begin with a three- or six-month emergency fund. It can start with $25, $100, or simply making it through the month without adding new debt.

The goal is to create a little breathing room—and then build from there.

If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, here are some realistic steps that can help you start moving in the other direction.

👇 Living Paycheck to Paycheck? How to Finally Get Ahead

Living paycheck to paycheck? Learn practical steps to create breathing room, build savings, manage cash flow, and finally start getting ahead.

08/16/2026

https://moneyhabitsforme.com/the-habit-gap-advance-reader/
Ever feel like you **know** what you should be doing with your money, but actually doing it is another story?

That’s the idea behind my upcoming book, **The Habit Gap: Learn The Money Basics and Put Them Into Practice.**

Before it’s published, I’m putting together a small **Advance Reader Copy (ARC) team**.

ARC readers will get an early copy of the book and a few weeks to read it. In return, I’m looking for something pretty simple: **your honest opinion.**

Not a guaranteed five-star review. Not a sales pitch. Just real feedback from real readers.

If you’re interested in personal finance, want to build better money habits, or simply enjoy getting an early look at a new book, I’d love to have you consider joining us.

**Space is limited. Learn more and sign up here:**

The Habit Gap helps readers learn the money basics and put them into practice. Join the ARC team and read the book before publication.

08/11/2026

Most of us never got a real class on money. We figured out paychecks, credit cards, and budgeting through trial and error — usually the expensive kind. If you've got a teenager (or you're just tired of learning this stuff the hard way yourself), here are 5 money lessons that actually stick.

Most schools still don't teach money basics. Here are 5 money lessons every kid should know before 18 — and how to start teaching them today.