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The Time I Bought Amex Gift Cards with My Target Card: Desperate Money Hacks to Avoid Payday Lenders or Missing a Payment
The Time I Bought Amex Gift Cards with My Target Card: Desperate Money Hacks to Avoid Payday Lenders or Missing a Payment

This list is intended to be for temporary financial situations - like a government shutdown, for example, or the time between graduation and a job start date. This list is not specifically intended to be used as a general money management strategy, but frankly, if it helps you get current on your bills, have at it. I’m not going to judge you improving your situation if improving your situation right now would mean a 16% interest rate on a credit card vs a 300% APR on a payday loan.

Surviving Semi/Unemployment: I Lived Off of My Credit Cards Because Spending an Emergency Fund is Actually Terrifying
Surviving Semi/Unemployment: I Lived Off of My Credit Cards Because Spending an Emergency Fund is Actually Terrifying

I know using credit cards will cost you money. And this may not be the solution for everyone, but it worked for me, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’re facing some kind of paycheck interruption and you don’t want to (or can’t) rely on your emergency fund for any meaningful length of time. Do what you have to do to stay afloat.

2018 was The Year of Mental & Physical Health. 2019 is The Year of...
2018 was The Year of Mental & Physical Health. 2019 is The Year of...

2018 was the year I committed to my mental and physical health, pretty much no matter the cost. It was the year of 2x/week personal training, weekly therapy, binging ER, and letting my brain rest when I wasn’t working on my blog or doing things with my people. The foundation is sustainable enough that I can build on it BIG TIME in 2019 without spending nearly as much money.

2018 Recap: Champagne & Capital Gains is 9 Months Old! Blog, Money & Life Highlights
2018 Recap: Champagne & Capital Gains is 9 Months Old! Blog, Money & Life Highlights

Happy 2019, everyone! I’m looking forward to 2019, although I can’t believe it’s already here! 2018 seemed like it just started (and also like it was 85 years long…anyone else?) Can’t wait for new challenges and to build on everything I accomplished in 2018. The blog is nine months old, and I had lofty goals for the fourth quarter of the year, so let’s get to it to see how I did!

You Need Emergency Friends Just As Much As You Need Emergency Funds
You Need Emergency Friends Just As Much As You Need Emergency Funds

A lot of people talk about, and even celebrate, burrowing on their debt free journeys. They turn down social invitations. They revel in their nights in, alone. Don’t get so caught up in a debt-free, wealth-building, or self-improvement adventure that you neglect to build that community.

Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Phoebe Buffay
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Phoebe Buffay

Phoebe really is the odd duck in the group. It’s like she dropped out of someone’s mental image of a stereotypical, leftover hippie from the Woodstock era and the rest of the group is a bunch of overgrown frat stars living The Life in NYC. But she certainly has a few moments that can teach us about finance, and that’s what we’re here to discuss, amirite??

Money Lessons I Learned From Friends: Chandler Bing
Money Lessons I Learned From Friends: Chandler Bing

One of the things I love about Chandler is his strong story arc. He learns to be in an adult relationship after he and Monica have their first fight and develops emotionally over the course of the show. He also ditches his corporate career near the end of the series to pursue something different, riskier, and more creative. And, of course, Chandler is a model of personal finance success.

Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Monica Geller
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Monica Geller

Monica serves as a romantic foil to Rachel’s absurd dating successes, reminding Rachel that sometimes when men say they’re going to call, they’re not actually going to call. She’s afraid she’ll never find a partner. She’s particular about…everything. And she’s almost always right. I relate to Monica a lot. And she learns (and teaches) quite a few financial lessons to which I certainly can relate, and I’m hoping you can too!

Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Joey Tribbiani
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Joey Tribbiani

Joey…I’m trying to find the words to describe this [guy] without being disrespectful. Joey doesn’t share food, but he does share his money with his friends when he has it (which is admittedly rare) and he learned a lot of money lessons the hard way.

Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Ross Geller
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Ross Geller

One of Ross’s “things” is that he enthusiastically loads up on hotel toiletries and other “free” items in hotel rooms. Chandler gets into it and returns with some great items (USA Today, two apples - “Nice! We’re only 4 apples short of a bushel!” squeals Ross), but the record scratches when Chandler reveals salt and pepper shakers. Ross is beyond appalled and tells him: “You have to find the line between stealing and taking what the hotel owes you.”

Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Rachel Green
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Rachel Green

Anyway, I was thinking about my previous post about Minimalism in which I mention “everyone should have a Monica Closet,” and I thought about all the other things Friends characters taught me about money. Turns out the Friends dealt with money in their lives and with each other quite often! And not always very well…up first, Rachel Green!

Approaching Debt Repayment as a Moderator Instead of an Abstainer Will Make Your Life Easier
Approaching Debt Repayment as a Moderator Instead of an Abstainer Will Make Your Life Easier

Completely putting off entire types of wealthbuilding is NOT for everyone. And some personal finance gurus and bloggers preach Abstention from Wealthbuilding Until All Debt is Paid like it is the Gospel. So what are your choices and how do you know which one will work for you?