Americans are notoriously bad eaters. A 2013 study confirmed we’re in last place when it comes to health stats among similarly wealthy democracies. We eat too much unhealthy food, in too large quantities, and we don’t move enough. Bulk stores, like Costco, have become a staple of the American grocery shopping routine. While it might seem […]
budgets
How I’m Paying off That $1,200 Credit Card Bill
Last week I went on a mind blowing spending spree. I spent $1,200 in a matter of three days, all in the name of earning credit card rewards. It was actually really fun and kind of freeing in a way. Having spent the last year and a half in extreme frugal mode, where even spending on […]
A New Timeline For My Financial Goals, Part One
Way back in June, after I had paid off all my student loan debt and was riding high, I came up with a financial plan for the rest of the year. I wanted to save for my road trip in early September, another road trip in October and max out my IRA all before the […]
Why Blogging is My Jam
The first thing I ever wanted to be was a writer. I filled notebooks with short stories or character descriptions or drawings of the fantasy worlds I was creating in my head. I was dead set on being a writer as a grown up. I got a little sidetracked over the years with other ambitions: […]
Smart or Dumb: The Decision is In!
A few days ago I asked the second question in my ‘Smart or Dumb’ series. I was torn between using some of my emergency fund cash ($1000) to help pay off my remaining debt this month. I’ve been carrying debt since 2011 and I am only $2,700 away from being debt free. As any reader of […]
Being The ‘Broke One’ Sucks
For my entire life I have been the ‘broke’ friend in the group. Growing up, my family never had a lot of money. I started my first job when I was 14 and I’ve been working ever since. This year, my 27th of life and my 13th of work, is set up to be my […]
San Diego: I haven’t Saved a Penny Yet
The other day I was grooving around my room to Beyonce, as I often do. 7/11 is her latest hit and a great dance song. The video is Bey dancing around in hotel rooms and it is amazeballs. The sight of hotel rooms reminded me that I haven’t saved a single penny for San Diego. […]
No-Spend February: Update Two
As I am more than halfway through this no-spend month, I figured it was time for another update! How is no-spend February going deep in the heart of Texas? Sunset over my city! KaraKara Perez is the original founder of From Frugal To Free. She is a money expert, speaker and founder of Bravely Go, a […]
No Spend February Update
I am officially one week into my No-Spend February and I thought I would update everyone on how this challenge is going. Newsflash: almost nothing in my life has changed! Turns out I already sort of live a no spend lifestyle. The only money I have spent thus far is $12.00 for gas. When coaching I […]
Smart or Dumb: The Decision Is In!
Yesterday I pulled the trigger on my first financial Smart or Dumb decision. Was I going to take a trip to San Diego in May with my best friends from home, incurring some major expenses along the way? Or was I going to save that money and continue with my debt pay off plan and […]