Supermarket Loyalty Programs: The Data Mining Schemes Behind Your Discounts

Love those supermarket discounts? Think again. Supermarket loyalty programs are less about saving you money and more about mining your data. Here’s what you need to know about the hidden costs of those enticing rewards. How Loyalty Programs Work Loyalty programs track your shopping habits in exchange for discounts and rewards. While this seems like … Read more

Financial Taboos Americans Can’t Handle

Talking about money can be uncomfortable, but these financial taboos are particularly touchy for Americans. Here’s a look at the topics that make people squirm. Don’t Tell Anyone How Much You Get Paid: The Secret Salary Saga Discussing salaries is often considered taboo. People are hesitant to reveal what they make, leading to secrecy and … Read more

Is Renting in California Actually Smarter Than Buying?

The decision to rent or buy a home in California is complex, influenced by various economic and personal factors. With the state’s soaring real estate prices, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Here’s an in-depth look at whether renting in California might be a smarter choice than buying. 1. Sky-High Property Prices … Read more

20 Hidden Financial Costs of Non-Eco-Friendly Choices You Didn’t Know About

Think your non-eco-friendly habits aren’t hitting your wallet? Think again. Here are 20 ways that not saving the planet is actually costing you money. 1. Higher Energy Bills Ignoring energy-efficient appliances means you’re paying more for electricity every month. Those old appliances are draining your bank account. 2. Increased Water Bills Using outdated, water-guzzling fixtures … Read more

15 Investment Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner

Ever feel like you’re late to the investment game? I’ve been there. Here are 15 practical tips that could have saved me a lot of time and money if I’d known them sooner. 1. Start Early The earlier you start investing, the more time your money has to grow. Even small amounts can compound significantly … Read more

21 Financial Mistakes to Avoid in Your 30s

Your 30s are a crucial decade for building a strong financial foundation. Avoiding common pitfalls can set you up for a secure future. Here are 21 financial mistakes to steer clear of in your 30s. 1. Not Having an Emergency Fund Failing to save for emergencies can leave you vulnerable to unexpected expenses. Aim to … Read more

How to Make Money From Your Hobbies

Turning your hobbies into a source of income might sound like a dream, but it’s entirely possible with the right approach. Whether you’re into crafts, sports, or tech, there are plenty of ways to monetize what you love doing. 1. Sell Handmade Crafts If you’re into knitting, woodworking, or jewelry making, consider selling your creations … Read more

How I Saved $10,000 in a Year Without Sacrificing Fun

Wondering how to save money without giving up on fun? Here’s how I managed to save $10,000 in just one year, with practical, actionable tips that didn’t make me feel deprived. 1. Create a Budget and Stick To It I started by tracking my monthly expenses and setting a realistic budget. This helped me identify … Read more

Financial Frenzy: Are We Obsessing Over Money Too Much?

Money runs the world, and it’s running us into the ground. In our rush to accumulate wealth, are we losing sight of what truly enriches us? Are you guilty of letting dollars dictate your life? 1. The Status Symbol Trap Your self-worth has become intertwined with your net worth. Chasing status symbols means spending beyond … Read more

The Dark Side of Supermarket Labels: What Big Brands Don’t Want You to Know

Ever thought your “healthy” supermarket choices might not be as wholesome as you think? Are your groceries as healthy as you think? 1. Misleading “Natural” Claims Many products boasting a “natural” label are anything but. Despite the wholesome appeal, there are no strict regulations defining what “natural” means, allowing brands to use the term for … Read more

Financial Freedom or Frugality Frenzy: Are We Saving Too Much?

In the era of financial gurus preaching the gospel of savings and investments, the pursuit of financial freedom has taken on an almost religious fervor. But as we squirrel away every spare penny, are we actually enhancing our lives, or just trading today’s pleasures for an uncertain tomorrow? 1. The Promise of Security Saving provides … Read more

Master the Art of the Pay Raise Pitch: 21 Strategies for Negotiating Higher Pay

Negotiating a higher salary is a critical skill, whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, seasoned professional, or newcomer to the workforce. How can you navigate this conversation to ensure you’re getting the compensation you deserve in any industry? 1. Research Your Worth Before any negotiation, know the standard salary for your role in your industry and … Read more

Budgeting Basics: 12 Tips for Managing Your Money Wisely

Embarking on a journey to master budgeting requires evidence-based strategies supported by research to manage your finances effectively and achieve your financial goals. Here are 12 research-backed tips, along with actionable steps to implement them, for mastering budgeting and maximizing your financial well-being: Set Clear Financial Goals Define specific, measurable financial goals that align with … Read more

Financial Freedom: 17 Steps to Financial Independence

So, you’re looking to kickstart your journey towards financial freedom. Well, you’re in luck because we’ve got just the guide for you. Achieving financial independence might seem like a lofty goal, but with the right steps and mindset, it’s totally doable. Let’s dive into these 17 steps that can help pave your way to financial … Read more

Smart Money Moves: 14 Habits for Building Wealth

Building wealth requires smart financial habits and strategic planning. These 14 actionable tips offer insights to help you navigate your journey to financial independence effectively. Leverage Tax-Advantaged Accounts Take full advantage of tax-advantaged accounts like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and 529 college savings plans. These accounts offer tax benefits that can … Read more

Banking on Equality: Financial Inclusion in a Divided Economy

As wealth inequality widens, this gap underlines a shortfall in financial accessibility for vast segments of society. The need for a more inclusive monetary system is increasingly urgent. The government and financial institutions must play a pivotal role in bridging this divide. While financial inclusion remains crucial in addressing these systemic inequalities, it also serves … Read more

Escape the Low-Wage Trap: Navigating Career Advancement in an AI-Driven World

Broken pathways hinder economic opportunity in the United States. Career navigation is critical in addressing stagnant wages and inequality among low-wage workers. The issue disproportionately impacts women and people of color, who find themselves overrepresented in lower-paying roles. Despite decades of economic progress, the wage gap persists, posing significant challenges for these workers and the … Read more

Revitalizing Main Street: Biden’s Small Business Strategy

In a significant move to bolster small businesses, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced a series of new federal initiatives. The moves promise critical support to small enterprises across the United States.  The initiatives, focusing on financial aid and accessibility, aim to strengthen the backbone of the American economy by empowering small businesses to navigate funding … Read more

The Retirement Crisis: Social Security’s Dwindling Funds Threaten Benefits

America’s aging population faces a grim reality as Social Security trust funds teeter on the brink of depletion.  Fund reserves for Social Security and Medicare will be exhausted by 2034, posing challenges to maintaining benefits for current and future beneficiaries.  The situation presents a dire financial crisis for millions of retirees, as cuts to payments … Read more

Preparing for Prosperity: Are Millennials Ready for Boomers’ Trillions?

As Baby Boomers approach their later years, transferring their wealth to younger generations is set to mark one of the most significant financial shifts in history. This unprecedented change is more than a transfer of assets. It represents a critical juncture for families grappling with the logistics and implications of wealth succession.  It raises crucial … Read more

SafeMoon Execs Face Charges in Major Crypto Scandal, Raising Concerns Among Investors

SafeMoon, a name once synonymous with skyrocketing crypto gains, is now the center of a major scandal. U.S. authorities have charged the top executives with fraud. SafeMoon’s Downfall SafeMoon executives have been indicted for fraud. The company’s once high-flying token has plunged, causing concerns among crypto investors. Who’s Been Charged? Founder Kyle Nagy, CEO Braden … Read more

Divorce After 50: Is Gray the New Black?

Long-term marriage vows were once seen as unbreakable, yet people over 50 are increasingly parting ways. This surge in ‘gray divorce’ presents challenges and implications extending well beyond the couple.  Grey divorce refers to the growing number of older couples, usually over 50, getting divorced. The term is becoming far more commonplace as the rate … Read more

Health Care Costs are Making America Sick

Rising healthcare costs and the burden of medical debt are not just straining personal finances; they are impacting health outcomes and quality of life. As many Americans grapple with these challenges, healthcare affordability is now a national crisis.  This alarming trend underscores a deepening problem for millions of citizens. Even those with insurance are not … Read more

Aging Americans Forced to Work Longer: Is 70 the New 65?

The classic goal of ending your work life at 65 with financial peace of mind is slipping away. Previous generations looked forward to winding down in their mid-sixties. Now, a growing number of workers find themselves compelled to stay in the labor force longer than they ever anticipated.  Mounting costs of living, dwindling savings, uncertain … Read more

The Domino Debt Effect: Crippling Student Loans Are Threatening Family Life and Long-Term Financial Freedom

The American dream, once painted with the promise of education and prosperity, is being overshadowed by a looming cloud of student loan debt.  This financial burden is not only altering the course of individual lives but is also reshaping family dynamics and the pursuit of financial independence.  The rise in student loan debt is a … Read more

How I Made $1,400 With Textbroker

How I Made ,400 With Textbroker

Mama Say What?! is the new name for Thrifty Guardian. Textbroker is a great way to start out when you’re first looking to freelance as a ghostwriter or content developer. Generally, there’s a lot of freelance work out there, if you can find it. Many sites like Upwork, promise the concept of getting some side … Read more

Americans Seek Urgent Money-Saving Solutions Online as They Face More Economic Hardship

home jobs

Americans have become increasingly concerned about saving money, with over 12,800 citizens searching for monthly tips to hold onto their cash. Among them, Oregon is most concerned.  As part of their recent merger with Thrifty Guardian, news outlet Mama Say What?! conducted a study that indicates that money-saving searches are spiking in Oregon as of … Read more

Connecticut Residents Lead the Country in the Search for Higher Income and Alternative Ways to Make Money

As Americans continue to face the threat of rising prices at the gas pump, checkout counter, and mortgage hikes, many are turning to the internet to explore alternative means of making money.  According to a recent study, residents of Connecticut have been increasingly interested in how to make money quickly, with a massive spike in … Read more

Sharp Decrease in Home-Improvement Sales Could Mean East Coasters Are Freeing Up Cash to Counter Inflation Costs

The high volume of home renovations undertaken during the pandemic may finally have peaked, as Home Depot announces its first drop in sales in years.  This dip, paired with the findings of a recent study on home improvement investments across America, may indicate that folks on the East Coast, in particular, are stepping back from … Read more

Californians Devote Largest Portion of Income to Housing Costs, but Relief Is on the Horizon

California homeowners may feel the sting of sustained inflation as they continue to spend the most significant percentage of their income on homeownership costs.  The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) released on August 10 demonstrates the massive imbalance of contributors to last month’s inflation – shelter costs being by and far the most significant factor … Read more

Investment Confidence in Gold on the Rise Amidst Continued Inflation

Where to sock away your money when inflation is at its peak? The goods are in gold, according to recent research.  A new study by Retirement Living reveals that as Americans grapple with the impacts of inflation on their traditional investments like stocks, bonds, and 401ks, they’re beginning to turn their mind to precious metals … Read more

Record-Breaking Interest in Home Equity Line of Credits Among Americans Indicate Rising Fear of Recession

A recent study released by RubyHome indicates that Americans are searching the internet for the term HELOC, short for Home Equity Line of Credit, at the highest rate in internet history. This new data comes off the tail of U.S. housing mortgage rates rising dramatically and the latest announcement by the Federal Reserve approving another … Read more

SurveySavvy Review

Mama Say What?! is the new name for Thrifty Guardian.

What if I told you I’ve found a survey site you could sign up for? Better yet – what if I told you I’ve found a survey site that can earn you hundreds without wasting your time? It’s SurveySavvy!

Read more