5 Fun Ways to Rest & Recharge Over the Weekend When the weekend rolls around, it’s tempting to try and complete everything you didn’t get done during the week—which is the opposite of resting and recharging! Giving your mind, body, and soul a break is just as important as having a productive weekend.  Trust us: it does get tempting to create an intense to-do list for your weekends and days off, but you need to slow down sometimes to really recharge. You’ll never be able to gain perspective or fully enjoy life if you’re constantly buried in emails and tasks! Check out these five fun ways to rest and get your energy back over the weekend. Marathon Your Favorite ShowThe number of new shows that are being produced and hitting the streaming services and TV channels is overwhelming! Let’s be honest—as soon as one good show is over, there are two more ready for you to watch. One thing you can do to help recharge is to get your mind off of work, and onto the latest shows (or an old favorite!). Marathon watching your favorite shows helps give you an escape from the working world and all the usual stress it brings. Marathoning can be done solo, or with your homies and family members. There are even ways to watch TV and movies simultaneously in your separate homes! Not only is this affordable, it’s also a lot of fun. Simply grab your favorite snacks and beverages, gear up for the marathon in appropriate attire (aka your comfiest sweats and a baggy T-shirt), and press play. Unplug from Electronics Sometimes the weekend calls for a break from the screens, instead of more time in front of them! There are many pros to technology, but a break now and then is also helpful—even if it feels a little anxiety-inducing at first. When you unplug from your electronics, you get the chance to be fully in the present moment and focused on what’s happening around you, rather than what you might be missing somewhere else. Take time to reconnect with yourself by unplugging, even if it’s just from work-related technology after hours and on the weekend. It’s amazing what you can do when you’re not glued to your phone or computer! When Friday evening rolls around, consider that the weekend stopping point for work-related technology. If you want to take it a step further and have no technology at all on the weekend, we know your time off will be full of restful naps and rejuvenating activities! Read a Book There aren’t just tons of new shows to watch—there are also plenty of new books out there! If you want to give your eyes a break from the screen and your brain a break from thinking about work, picking up the latest release from your favorite author is a therapeutic way to spend the weekend. Another great thing about reading is that it’s way more portable than your TV, and it’s a COVID-friendly outdoor activity! We suggest going to your local park. Pack a few snacks, your book or e-reader, and get cozy. Letting your mind get lost in the reading material of your choice is advantageous in a number of ways. Reading lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and reduces stress while aiding in sleep readiness. Not only that, reading can fight depression symptoms! It’s a great break from technology and an ideal way to rest and recharge over the weekend. Bond with Family With all the uncertainty in the world, it’s important for everyone to take a beat and spend some time with loved ones. It’s essential to surround ourselves with family and friends who can offer support in times of both joy and distress. Tomorrow is never promised, so be sure to carve some time out of your schedule to hang out with those who matter. Studies show that having supportive relationships is a strong protective factor against mental illnesses, and helps to increase our overall well-being. Even with social distancing in play, maintaining social bonds is possible—and even more important! Connecting with family may look and feel different, but keep in mind that the people who matter are just a click away. Take a Staycation A staycation is a short period of time during which an individual or family stays at home, participating in leisure activities within day-trip distance of their home. Staycations are great, because you don’t have to worry about securing accommodation, packing, travel expenses, or unexpected bad weather! Taking a staycation is a great way to save money, enjoy your weekend in a new way, and avoid the stress that can happen with a longer trip. Another cool thing about a staycation is you can do it with friends, family, or solo! A change of scenery always shifts the mindset. So, get out, get some air, and enjoy your life! We encourage you to use your weekends as opportunities to catch up on sleep, hobbies, and relationships, rather than cramming in more work! Lack of sleep is connected to increased stress and anxiety, so use your weekend hours to catch up on sleep and feel rejuvenated. What are some fun and affordable ways you like to rest and recharge over the weekend? Have you tried any of the suggestions in this article? If so, how did it go? Check us out on our Facebook page and chime in the conversation with the rest of the community! We love hearing from you, so drop us a comment any time, and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe to our YouTube and IG … 5 Fun Ways to Rest & Recharge Over the WeekendRead More »

5 Scary Truths About Carrying Debt Long-Term With over a trillion dollars in student loan debt alone, a majority of the population has debt. Whether it’s a mortgage, auto loan, credit cards, student loan or personal loan, debt is real and it’s out there. If you have debt, especially debt you’ve been carrying long term, then you probably know it’s doing more harm than good. Haven’t prioritized paying off your debt just yet? I want you to reconsider. I’m sharing 5 scary truths about carrying debt long term – not to make you feel bad about your situation, but to motivate you to start being strategic with paying it off. It doesn’t matter how far away debt freedom seems; it only matters what you do right now to get you closer to it. #1 Carrying debt long term costs you a lot of money Have you ever taken the time to read your credit card statement? By law, it’s required to tell you how much interest you’ll pay over the course of the debt by just making the minimum payment. It also has to tell you that you can pay it off in 3 years by putting an extra X amount towards the monthly payment. Just look at the numbers. Depending on your interest rate, you could be spending thousands and thousands of extra dollars, just in interest. Carrying debt over long periods of time costs you so much more money than you originally borrowed. When you look at your debt from that perspective, it really makes you reconsider accumulating more debt. #2 The longer you have your debt, the worse you feel Coming from a girl who had debt for years and got herself into and out of debt multiple times, I can attest to this scary truth. Debt makes you feel bad. The weight of knowing you owe so much money to other people is heavy. Sometimes, it can even feel like there’s no hope. This is a scary truth about debt. No matter how bad your debt situation looks, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is a way to slowly chip away at your balances. However, the longer you put off paying down your debt, the longer you’re going to feel weighed down by it. #3 Debt can make it harder to reach your life goals There’s nothing worse than wanting to do something like buy a home or new car, but you can’t because of your current debt situation. Lenders most certainly look at the debt you currently have before they offer you more credit. If you need credit to help you reach your goals, your long-term debt can postpone you from getting started. #4 Carrying debt long term may make it hard to take on more debt Like I mentioned above, the more debt you have, the less likely you’ll be approved for more credit. At some point, lenders are going to assume you’re taking on more than you can chew. This will absolutely result in a credit request denial. While taking on more credit may not be in the cards for you right now, that doesn’t mean you won’t want it in the future. Your debt can come back to haunt you if you let it go long periods of time without paying it off.  #5 If you keep putting it off, it will keep accumulating Lastly, and probably most importantly, the longer you keep your debt, the more expensive it will become. Forbearances and no payments required may sound nice, but the interest is still accruing during that time. Once the forbearance ends and payments are required, you now have a bigger balance to pay back. I share all these truths with you not to make you feel bad about your situation, but to remind you to prioritize paying off your debt. It’s just going to make you feel bad and cost you more money if you avoid it. Let the reality of the situation hit and then get to work on paying your debt down. You got this! Related: What No One Tells You About the Debt Free Journey The long and short of it? Debt isn’t doing you any favors. Carrying debt long term keeps you chained to paying someone else back, for more than you originally borrowed. Most of us need to debt to get a home or a car, but we don’t need to carry that debt for the rest of our lives! We can (and should) prioritize paying it off. Do you have debt that you’ve been carrying for a while? What game plan do you have in place to pay it off? Share your debt journey in the comments … 5 Scary Truths About Carrying Debt Long-TermRead More »

7 Tips to Give Your Wardrobe a Boost Sometimes you need to give your wardrobe a boost. Not only is it emotionally and mentally beneficial for you to feel good about yourself and your appearance, but it can actually make you more successful! Multiple studies have shown that dressing well can increase your performance and heightens others’ impressions of you.Giving your wardrobe a boost is one creative way to convey your personality and tastes to those around you. Check out these seven tips to upgrade your style and give your wardrobe a boost without breaking the bank!#1 Add a BeltWithout a belt, some pants and outfits look as if a vital element is missing. Though some slacks, trousers, and suit pants can do without, that’s now always the case. When you think your outfit is in need of something extra, add a chic belt to give your look a stylish update.Belts can be used to create contrast or balance out an oversized design. Either way, this waist-defining accessory is a must-have item. Adding a belt to your wardrobe can add an instant layer of sleekness.Keep in mind, though, a mismatched belt or one that makes the outfit look too busy is worse than no belt at all—don’t wear a belt just to fill the loops. Think carefully about whether your belt adds to the outfit or serves as a distraction.#2 Include ColorColor might seem obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to forget what’s sitting in our wardrobes, or constantly opt for the same dull shades over and over again. If you glance at your outfit and notice something lacking, don’t hesitate to pop in some color!Adding a bit of color also lets you mix and match different items and get the most bang for your wardrobe buck. Including color can even influence the way we feel! Bright colors cheer us up, while darker tones can seem more serious or somber.Thinking through the color palette of your closet will allow you to create tons of outfits, which will make getting dressed way easier.#3 Try Something NewOne reason we tend to get stuck in style ruts is that we get attached to certain shops and head there over and over. Of course, it’s essential to have some core favorites that you trust and whose material you know will last!But there are always so many new and amazing brands hitting the market and just waiting to be discovered. Don’t sleep on them! Keep high-end designer labels in mind for occasional treats in addition to the more affordable mid-range brands.Fashion is a never-ending swinging door—there’s something new to discover all year round.#4 Include AccessoriesAccessories are the icing on top of your outfit, and can be a lot of fun! They’ll allow you to dress your existing clothes up or down, eliminating the need for special “evening” clothes.When including accessories, make sure you choose items that let your personality shine through. Even the right pair of shoes can be an accessory.Get creative with the pairing of your accessories, too. Match simple items with heavier or brighter ones, and use accessories to add that pop of color mentioned earlier. Accessories are important details for tying your look together.#5 Pair a PurseYou never leave home without your handbag, so naturally, you want it to match your outfit and other accessories. Plus, as with clothes, your bag can accentuate your best features.If your outfit has a print, pick a color from the print and pair it with a bag of the same color. If your outfit is solid colors, a brightly printed bag can be an excellent highlight!If you’re dressing up, a sporty bag is a no-no (even if you’ve seen it on the runway!). Stick with a clutch for an elegant event like a wedding. It’s all about choosing the right color, length, and shape of the bag so that it complements your outfit and silhouette.#6 Wear Reversible ItemsReversible clothes are the perfect solution for after-work happy hours. A reversible garment is one that can be worn two ways—there is no true “inside out” since it’s designed to be fashionable either way!They can add color to your travel wardrobe and give you plenty of space-saving options, all in one garment. Look for items that have bright patterns on one side and basic neutrals on the other for maximum use!Garments that are commonly made reversible include hats, jackets, vests, sweaters, shirts, trousers, and skirts.#7 Mix & MatchNo one should aim to have an entire wardrobe made up of the same colors and items. However, the most stylish people in the world do have something like a uniform—they keep it simple and classic.Learn what you look good in (shape, style, and color) and stick to that formula when choosing new pieces. Not only does this ensure you have clothes that you know are a good fit, it also makes it easier to mix and match!To give your wardrobe an extra boost, go for a piece from a designer you love, but choose something slightly different from the norm.We love prints and textures. You can achieve all kinds of unique looks with a printed or textured garment, but you have to keep everything in balance. Your goal is to be eye-catching without being loud.Related: 5 Pieces You Need in Your Closet This Year What tips have you found to be most helpful? Would you try ay of our tips we suggested? If so, which ones? Don’t forget to like and join our community City Girl Savings Facebook page. It’s a safe space to chat and get meet like-minded people. Like and follow us on our Instagram account @citygirlsavings, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!- … 7 Tips to Give Your Wardrobe a BoostRead More »

5 Small Skincare Tweaks to Glow All Day Tweaking your skincare routine can lead to healthier, happier skin. Your skin is the largest organ you have, so it’s important to take care of it! From sweat-induced breakouts to the sudden oiliness that triggers a makeup landslide, there are a lot of aspects of skincare to be aware of. Although the weather you expose your skin to has a lot to answer for, there are other factors that affect your skin. Check out these five small skincare tweaks that will ensure you glow all day! #1 Moisturizer The first and most important rule of skincare is moisturizing. Moisturizing is key, and should never, ever, be skipped. If you only take away one tip from this whole article, make it this one! Moisturizing reduces your chance of other skin problems popping up. It’s important to have an understanding of the basic structure of skin so you can get a sense of what your moisturizer actually does. For example, you’ll want to know your skin type—is it oily, dry, or combination? This will determine what type of moisturizer you should use. One of the key things moisturizer does is prevent skin from becoming dry and irritated, which leads to breakouts and acne. And remember, having oily skin does not mean you should skip out on providing your skin with moisturizer! #2 Cleansing Don’t forget the cleansing step before moisturizing and never skip it. Skin cleansing is an important part of any skincare routine. Cleansers help to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin, leaving it feeling refreshed and looking brighter. While there are many different types of cleansers on the market, those with natural ingredients are often the best choice for your skin. Natural cleansers help to gently cleanse the skin without stripping away its natural oils. Goat milk soap is one type of natural cleanser that can be especially beneficial for your skin. Goat milk soap contains lactic acid, which helps to exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. Additionally, it is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which help to nourish and protect the skin. Aloe vera soap is another natural cleanser that helps exfoliate the skin. Aloe vera soap also contains glycerin, which helps to keep the skin hydrated. When choosing a natural cleanser for your skin, also consider what type of skin you have to make a better choice. #3 Go Affordable Just because something has a fancy name doesn’t mean it will always get the job done. Ditch the rich stuff and go for something that is budget-friendly but effective. Going for products that are easy on your pocketbook does not mean you’re doing your skin an injustice! There are plenty of affordable products that work just as well as the expensive ones. Speaking of richness, don’t just stick with rich face creams—these can cause irritation and make your skin look overly oily. Look for lightweight, hydrating products, especially in the summer. Hyaluronic acid-loaded gel formulas that bind moisture to the skin are a great, inexpensive option! #4 Blotting Papers Blotting papers are an easy, affordable tweak to incorporate for an all-day glow. Simply press a blotting paper lightly over your T-zone to mop up any grease and instantly reset your makeup. Using blotting papers will ensure you’re ready for your royal meet-and-greet! Or, you know, the socially distant get-together down the road. Trade those heavy-pressed powders for blotting paper—we promise you won’t be disappointed! #5 Find your Technique Every technique provides a different outcome. Something that works for your friend may not work for you, and vice versa! Instead of applying layers and layers of makeup in the hope that the look will last longer, find a more nuanced approach that actually does last. There are a ton of different techniques you can try when applying makeup and skin care products, and one that tends to work well for many people is called the “sandwich,” which is pretty self-explanatory. To sandwich, you’ll first prep your skin with a high-SPF primer for all-day protection. Make sure you’re applying SPF every morning, even on days when it rains or the sky is overcast. This has the double benefit of preventing oil from seeping through your makeup while also ensuring your skin won’t drink up foundation in those dryer areas! Next, lightly apply a long-wearing foundation with a brush or beauty blender. You don’t need to overdo it on the foundation! Last, finish with a dusting of loose setting powder to lock everything in place and give you a photo-ready appearance. Remember, not every technique is for everyone—if sandwiching doesn’t work for you, experiment until you find what does! Bonus Tweak: Switch Concealers When warmer weather arrives, sweat-induced breakouts aren’t far behind. If you’re anything like us and find yourself reaching for the concealer more often than usual, try switching up your formula from a stick to a cream. This will keep the concealer from sliding right off your face! As we all know, walking around with a cake face is so not it, so don’t put yourself through that embarrassment! When you use a concealer that’s not right for your skin, you also increase the chances you’ll wind up with a breakout anyway. Related: 5 Tips for Radiant Skin Glowing skin is seen as a sign of health and vitality. If you’re experiencing dull or dry skin, it can make you feel less than your best. As many of you know, a little can go a long way! We encourage you to try out these small tweaks. Moisturize your skin with products that lock in moisture, promote healing, and have antioxidant properties to provide a youthful glow. Speak to your primary care provider or a dermatologist if you’re concerned about how your skin looks. Dull, dry, flaky, or patchy skin can be a symptom of other health conditions. What tips do you suggest to achieve an all-day glow? Check out our Instagram @citygirlsavings and join in the conversation via our City Girl Savings Facebook group! Be sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube for more CGS cont … 5 Small Skincare Tweaks to Glow All DayRead More »

7 Healthy Habits to Add to Your Daily Routine Healthy habits are not as common as people think—we probably all have room to improve! Though many of us have a stressful, demanding schedule, we can develop habits that will help us live healthier and more productive lives, and it only takes a few small tweaks.  The sad truth is that in the pursuit of success, many people find the easy way out, and take shortcuts where their health is concerned. Those shortcuts ultimately leave us suffering from various ailments that we could have avoided with better habits. Check out these seven healthy habits that you can add to your daily routine! Each habit is advantageous to your health, without requiring a lot of money or time.  #1 Turmeric  Turmeric is a spice that has been used for its healing properties for centuries. It is an anti-inflammatory spice, meaning it’s great for joint and muscle pain. It can also aid with clearing your skin, improving your memory, and helping you sleep! Turmeric has incredible versatility, too. If you’re craving something warm on a chilly day, you can add it to hot water or milk. There are also many recipes that call for turmeric. You can sprinkle it on roasted veggies, and add it to hummus, smoothies, and soups.  If you are not using it already, we highly encourage you to start! Dried, ground and fresh forms of turmeric are available in most grocery stores.  #2 Lemon Water It’s important to drink plenty of water on a daily basis, and adding a little bit of citrus yum takes it to the next level. Infusing your water with lemon slices or lemon juice aids digestion, boosts your immune system so you can better ward off cold and flu bugs, and helps keep your skin clear.  Lemon water is a nice way to wake you up in the morning, too! Squeeze a lemon (ideally fresh and organic!) directly into hot or cold water, and that’s it! Try to drink it before eating, as it can also boost your metabolism.  #3 Bone Broth Although bone broth might sound gross, it carries a lot of nutritional elements! Although this nutritional powerhouse has been around for centuries, bone broth has skyrocketed in popularity in the last couple of years—and for good reason.  Bone broth is made by simmering the bones of leftover meat (my favorite is chicken, but beef and pork are great too!) and vegetables long and slow to extract every last bit of minerals, nutrients, gelatin, and collagen from the bones.  Bone broth is excellent for your own bones and joints, and aids in growing hair and nails! It is also great for helping to improve your sleep.   You can use bone broth as a traditional stock or broth in a soup simply by warming it up on the stove and adding in fresh herbs, Himalayan pink salt, turmeric, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and plenty of black pepper.  #4 Collagen Consuming high-quality collagen every day can help strengthen your skin and increase its elasticity, helping you look more youthful and radiant. Collagen has also been shown to help your hair grow thicker and healthier! Collagen peptides are a great source of protein, making it an ideal addition to a smoothie, like Jennifer Aniston does every day. It has no flavor, so it won’t change the taste or consistency of whatever you add it to. Collagen is the ultimate beauty secret weapon! #5 Essential Oils Essential oils can be used to create a cozy atmosphere, and the aromas of certain oils can have a calming or energizing effect. It’s amazing how well they work! Buying an oil diffuser is a little more costly upfront, but totally worth it in the long haul. All you have to do is add some filtered water and a few drops of oil.  If you’re in the mood for something calming and relaxing, go with warm and floral scents like cinnamon, chamomile, or lavender. Diffused oils like orange, grapefruit, and peppermint can keep you alert and focused—perfect for those busy days working from home.  #6 Apple Cider Vinegar  Apple cider vinegar is another amazingly versatile health tool. Apple cider vinegar, like lemon water, is great for clearing your skin, boosting your immune system, supporting digestion, and it can aid in weight loss. (Just be sure you don’t have too much in one sitting, as it can upset your stomach!) You can integrate apple cider vinegar into your daily routine in many ways—this is a great multipurpose tool. It can be used in many recipes, and it’s even helpful if you have a sore throat! Try adding it to a shot of juice, like pineapple or orange, along with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.  Make sure you buy organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. This type contains the “mother,” meaning it is full of probiotics that offer so many health benefits.  #7 Garlic Garlic is a member of the allium family, making it a close relative of shallots, leeks, and onions. In modern times, it has most commonly been used as a cooking ingredient; however, throughout ancient history, it was known for its medicinal properties.  When you eat garlic, your arteries and veins actually widen, a process known as vasodilation. When this happens, larger amounts of blood are able to flow through your veins and arteries, meaning more oxygen is delivered throughout your body.  Adding garlic into your regular diet can enhance your athletic performance, as well as improving your brain function! Garlic can be eaten raw, included in a wide range of recipes, and even taken in vitamin form.  Removing a bad habit and replacing it with a good one is the best thing a person can do for themselves; preventive health care in the form of healthy habits will keep your body feeling good and your medical bills low! Related: 8 Simple Self Care Habits to Start Now Every bad habit you replace with one of these good habits can help ensure a long healthy life for the road to come. Have you tried any of these healthy habits? If so, how did it make you feel? Find healthy habits that work for you, and stick with them! Follow and join the City Girl Savings community by following us on IG and Twitter @citygirlsavings. For even more connection, chime in via our CGS Facebook page. We love hearing from o … 7 Healthy Habits to Add to Your Daily RoutineRead More »

February 2021 Money Review When … February 2021 Money ReviewRead More »

5 Easy Ideas to Help You Master Your Budget While many people view a budget as a straightjacket that will keep them from doing what they want, the truth is that budgeting means you’re being purposeful with your money before the new month begins. Once something has been budgeted for, you can spend that money without feeling guilty! Many people even say they have “extra” money after they create a realistic budget and stick with it—and that is what we call winning. Check out these five easy ideas to help you master your budget! #1 Pay off Debt Pay off your debt. Attack it! Get mad at it! Stop letting debt rob you of the very thing that helps you win with money—your income.  Traditional budgeting tends to work best for people who are over-spenders, trying to pay down debt, or those who want to increase their savings and don’t mind getting into the nitty-gritty details of categorizing all their spending and debt repayment.  Once you pay your debt off, the freedom you will feel is priceless. If you have debt, especially high-interest debt, paying it off needs to be a top priority.  Having a budget is key to reaching financial success because laying out all of your income and expenses will show you exactly how much extra money you have to throw at your debt every month. However, budgeting is not one size fits all! You have to find a method that works for you.  Some folks find it helpful to have an accountability partner or online support group so that you’re held accountable for choices that add to your debt instead of paying it off. Accountability partners and support groups are also there to support you and celebrate every win along the way! #2 Track your Progress It’s also important to track your progress through the month and the year when developing your budget. This will let you know when you’re on track and when you might need to make some adjustments. If you don’t know where your money is going every month, then you have a serious money management problem. One key category to keep a close eye on is your grocery shopping. The amount of groceries you need varies depending on your household situation, but it’s important to find what works best for you and stay on track—too many people fall prey to impulse purchases at the grocery store and in the checkout line.  Be sure you examine your earlier budgets from time to time, too, so you can see how far you’ve come. When you track your progress, you will start to see what areas are taking most of your money and affecting your budget—and where you have been saving money! Take time to celebrate even the small wins.  #3 Give Yourself Grace At times, we are our own number one critics. Tough love can be helpful sometimes, but it can also cause stress. It’s important to remember that it can take 3-4 months to get a handle on this whole budgeting thing.  Your budget won’t be perfect the first time, or the second, and progress doesn’t happen in a single step—but you will get there! Mastering a budget means developing discipline, consistency, and patience.  One way to extend yourself a little grace is to set up automatic drafts out of your checking account to pay bills at the same time each month, so you never have to think about it. Buying your groceries on a set day also helps! #4 Have Goals When budgeting, ask yourself why you are deciding to make these changes. Are you trying to travel more? Building an emergency fund? Once you have figured out your “why,” then the rest will be easier! Knowing your why helps you get a clear perspective on the importance of saving, and reminds you that dipping into those funds should be off-limits. Instead of feeling like you’re depriving yourself just to have a larger savings account, remember that your money is going toward a specific goal.  Many people find it difficult to say no to impulse purchases, eating out, or a morning coffee habit. Comparing those short-term pleasures to your long-term goals can help you prioritize your spending in a way that honors your future self! Another good goal is to budget based on a low-earning month, and to use that figure as your budget income. Money is a tool, and a budget is an instruction manual for how to use it.  #5 Prioritize your Spending  Once the cash runs out, stop spending! Cash can be the ultimate accountability partner, whether it’s an actual envelope of bills or an upper limit on a spending category in your budget. When you have gone through your spending cash for the current time period, do not dip into any other funds! Dipping into other funds to continue spending in another category means you are no longer saving or budgeting correctly, but instead putting yourself into debt—and debts have to be repaid one way or another.  It helps to have a small amount of money set aside for unexpected expenses during the month. This can be a miscellaneous category in your budget that will help you prioritize your other spending.  Be mindful throughout the money, and continue tracking expenses that frequently pop up—you may want to create a more specific budget category for things that show up repeatedly. That way, when something comes up, you are able to cover the expense without dipping into money that is allocated for other purposes.  Budgeting is truly about being intentional with where your money goes. Once you figure out that budgeting isn’t meant to limit your freedom, but instead creates freedom, you’ll be on the road to loving your life and your bank account! Related: Series: 3 Big Signs Your Budget Isn’t Working Like it Should Be Did you find these ideas helpful? Have you already used similar ideas, and if so, how did they help your finances? Follow us on our City Girl Savings Facebook page and join in the conversations. Like and follow us on our Twitter and IG @citygir … 5 Easy Ideas to Help You Master Your BudgetRead More »