Get Financially Fit! | Travel Food Costs

When it comes to travel, food costs can break the bank! Trent Hamm, contributor to U.S. News & World Report and writer on his website, TheSimpleDollar.com, shares with us How to Cut Food Costs While Traveling.

In a nation as big as the U.S., travel is often a big part of people's lives. Whether trekking to visit family or friends or simply to enjoy a national landmark, Americans frequently hit the road or fly the friendly skies.

Once you're away from home, however, one of the biggest financial challenges is food. Without the contents of your cupboard and the convenient tools of your kitchen, how exactly can you avoid spending a fortune on sustenance?

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Get Financially Fit! | GUEST POST: Living and Saving as a Millennial Living with Your Parents

Living and Saving as a Millennial Living with Your Parents

The generation of the internet age is one of the largest and most diverse in the U.S. Although Millennials have been defined by a relationship to technology, the generation has been steadily redefining adulthood. Millennials have adapted and endured in a post-recession economy, their social and global values have inspired change in the labor market, and now one-third of Millennials are living in a parent’s home.

For the first time in the Modern Era, this is the most common living arrangement for 18 to 34-year-olds. This new normal has not come without its challenges. Many are saddled with student loans, consumer debt, and a serious lack of savings – both emergency and retirement. The silver lining? Living at home provides some much desired financial breathing room, just when it’s needed most.

If you’re a Millennial about to move back in with your folks, who has been living at home for a while, or is looking for a launching pad to independence, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time at home:

Get Financially Fit! | Father's Day

Dads—This Father's Day, treat yourself by investing in yourself! Josh Felber, contributor to U.S.

News & World Report, Entrepreneur.com, Inc.com, Businessinsider.com and Forbes.com, shares with us 5 Ways for Dads to Invest in Themselves to Save Money.

To all you working dads out there: It's time to break away from your busy days to focus on investing in an important asset: yourself! With Father's Day around the corner, you're bound to receive a variety of gifts from your loved ones, but don't be afraid to treat yourself, too. Whether it be tending to your personal finances or enjoying a vacation, now is the time to start investing in yourself for your future.

Investing in yourself might be the most important financial decision you make. Not only will you see a future return, but it's a surefire way to improve your quality of life and become the best dad you can be. This Father's Day, consider these five ways to invest in yourself – and save a bit of cash while you're at it.

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Get Financially Fit! | Self-Care

Recharging your batteries is an important piece to achieving work-life balance. But some of the ways to recharge can be quite spendy—upwards of a couple hundred dollars! Can't afford pricey spa treatments or yoga retreats? Susan Johnston Taylor, contributor to U.S. News & World Report shares with us how to recharge for less—6 Ways to Treat Yourself on a Budget.

American consumers justify a myriad of expenditures under the guise of personal care, from massages and spa treatments to meditation retreats, yoga and adult coloring books. The massage therapy industry alone raked in an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion in the U.S. in 2013, according to the American Massage Therapy Association.

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Budget or Bust at New Richmond High School

Our New Richmond Office Supervisor, Josh Lindseth, is at the New Richmond High School today playing WESTconsin's Budget or Bust board game in two of Mrs. Huber's personal finance classes. Budget or Bust is a hands-on board game for students to play—built around real life money management and budgeting.

Get Financially Fit! | Graduation Parties

It's graduation party season! Let the planning begin, but don't break the bank! Sabah Karimi, contributor to U.S. News & World Report, shares with us How to Throw a Graduation Party on a Budget.

As graduation season approaches, many proud families will plan parties to celebrate their high school or college senior’s accomplishments. Larry Fredlund, a Minnesota dad whose blended family includes seven kids, is a graduation party veteran, having celebrated four already. This June, he and his wife will celebrate their daughter’s high school graduation with a budget-friendly bash in their eldest son’s yard and garage.

Here’s a look at money-saving strategies from Fredlund and several party-planning pros.

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Get Financially Fit! | Debt Organized

Are you trying to get out of debt? Start by getting organized. John Agate, Senior Marketing Manager
for Mint.com, shares with us how to get organized in order to pay off or down debt.

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Get Financially Fit! | Bad Money Habits

We've heard it time and time again—don't spend more than you earn. There are other not-so-obvious habits that can lead your finances astray. Kathryn Vasel, reporter for CNNMoney, shares with us bad money habits that are keeping us from getting rich.

It's no secret that spending more than you earn is bad for your budget. But there are some not-so-obvious habits that can lead your finances astray.

"The easiest way to becoming a millionaire for most people besides discipline is automation, priorities and goal setting," said Cary Carbonaro, a certified financial planner and managing director at United Capital.

Here are financial habits that money experts said can hurt your long-term savings:

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Get Financially Fit! | Money Moves in Your 20s

Establishing healthy savings and spending habits early on in life can help you steer clear of many financial woes and better prepare for financial success. Sabah Karimi, contributor to U.S. News & World Report, shares with us The 6 Best Money Moves to Make in Your 20s.

Whether you're just wrapping things up at college or are pushing forward with your career, you'll need a smart money strategy to count on during some of your biggest life changes.

Your 20s are the perfect time to adopt good money habits that will help you steer clear of credit card debt, help you build a savings account and make financial decisions that give you a high return on your investment.

Behold, the six best money moves you can make in your 20s.

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Save for a Rainy Day

What better day than a rainy day to think about SAVING for a rainy day? http://ow.ly/Zuk7k

Get Financially Fit! | Spring Break on a Budget

Spring Break on a Budget
Written by Jen Bailey, WESTconsin Credit Union

Spring Break is coming up! Do you still need to make travel plans? Well look no further! Here are a some tips to help you save money on your travel arrangements.

Get Financially Fit! | Health Eating on a Budget

Eating healthy doesn't have to break the bank! Food Network has compiled a sign dedicated to
Healthy Eating on a Budget. Visit this site for tips and tricks to shop smarter, create tasty meals and lose your guilt along the way!

View Healthy Eating on a Budget.

Get Financially Fit! | Affordable Gifts

Valentine's Day is this Sunday! Still in need of a gift for that special someone? Deacon Hayes,

financial expert and founder of Well Kept Wallet, recently wrote an article for U.S. News and World Report. In this article, Hayes shares with us 20 Valentine's Day gifts under $50.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, it’s time to put on your creative hat and find gifts for your loved one that are both affordable and unique. From cozy to delicious, there’s a bounty of gifts to fit any style or personality.

If you want to give a gift that’s both special and affordable this Valentine’s Day, here are 20 great gifts with a variety of price tags, all under $50.

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Get Financially Fit! | Budget Basics

Budget Basic is an e-learning course offered for free from GreenPath University. This course will teach you how to start a budget, how to maintain your budget and how to integrate your plans into your financial landscape.

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Start planning your Thanksgiving now!

Start planning your Thanksgiving now with our Frugal Fall Frills & Feasts board on Pinterest!

Follow WESTconsin Credit Union's board Frugal Fall Frills & Feasts on Pinterest.

GUEST BLOG POST | Five Tips for an Affordable Thanksgiving Dinner

Five Tips for an Affordable Thanksgiving Dinner

The following post comes from the Military Saves Blog.  Follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

November 20, 2013

Food is a necessity, and Thanksgiving is the time you feel it’s okay to go all out. However sometimes in the spirit of the holiday, we overdo it. While it may be a special occasion, don’t forget that it’s still important to save money wherever possible. Here are some tips to help you save this Thanksgiving:

NEW RICHMOND | Welcome to Mad City Money!

Students at New Richmond High School will soon take part in Mad City Money—a simulation to help students learn healthy financial habits and prepare for their future: http://ow.ly/UxlRE

Saving on a Tight Budget

Saving on a Tight Budget

Source: http://www.americasaves.org/for-savers/make-a-plan-how-to-save-money/saving-on-a-tight-budget

How can those who currently aren’t saving afford to save money? And how can those saving only a little save more? Here are our top ten tips for saving money when budgets are tight.

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GOBankingRates | 5 Signs You Have a Spending Problem

5 Signs You Have a Spending Problem

By Cameron Huddleston

July 31, 2015

One in five Americans spent more than what they earned in the last 12 months, according to a Federal Reserve Board survey released in May. Some might be relying on credit or dipping into savings to cover their spending because they are having trouble making ends meet. And, some might be simply living beyond their means.

Regardless of the reason your spending exceeds your income, “overspending is harmful because it could be a sign you’re out of control with your finances,” said Leslie H. Tayne, an attorney who concentrates in debt resolution solutions and author of “Life & Debt.” Your overspending might be making it hard to pay bills, have money for emergencies and save for the future. It could also lead to serious consequences, such as bankruptcy.

Here are five warning signs that indicate you are spending too much, how your overspending can hurt you and how to get your spending under control:

Back-to-School Savings for Your Household Budget

Back-to-School Savings for Your Household Budget

Students aren’t the only ones who’ll need to pull out the pens, paper, and calculators for the back-to-school season. Parents who want to keep back-to-school spending under control should consider doing the same.

Backpacks, paper, books, pens, pencils, calculators, computers, clothes and shoes are basic necessities that can add up quickly and become significant expenses for any household. Developing and sticking to a solid spending plan is the key to avoiding overspending. If you are in charge of back-to-school shopping, here are tips to help keep your budget on track: