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Before you all come for me. Although, I imagine my last post triggered some of you and you’ve already let me have it in the comments. My budget in the last post was an IDEAL WORLD, not my reality and certainly not currently. Right now, it’s basics and debt.

However, there are two things I haven’t shared with you about my current finances. And based on the subject line, you can probably guess what one of them is.

I am saving for Christmas.

Saving Plan for Christmas

You will all remember that this past Christmas was a real struggle for me. But I ended up being really proud of what I was able to do with my $2.

Right after Christmas, I knew that I did not want to be in that position ever again if I could possibly help it. And I started interviewing for this new role right after the new year so I was pretty full of hope for this year.

I’ve written before about my Not Spending $5 Bills.

That is how I’m saving for Christmas this year – change and $5 bills. All go into a shoebox in my closet.

Again, I know this won’t sit well with the BAD Community. So I want to caveat this with two things:

I don’t have cash very often so this is not a mass amount.
Playing games like this helps keep me motivated.

We shall see how it turns out come the end of the year. But I wanted you to know that I am doing this. (This is one of those things that make personal finance, personal.)

I will share the other thing I haven’t shared yet in a week or two. I am hopeful it will make at least a few of you happy with me. But you never know.

Hope

Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.

But life has a way of rewriting your plans.

A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.

Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.

Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.

She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.

Is Moving to Tenessee the Right Financial Move for You?

by Semify

If you’re looking to make a move to Tennessee in the near future, there are some things to keep in mind about your money and finances. Depending on where you’re coming from, the cost of living may be a more positive thing for you. Keep reading to see what you need to keep in mind when making that move to Tennessee.

Cost of Living

Compared to the rest of the country, the state of Tennessee has a cost of living that’s lower than the national average, even in the larger areas where the cost of living may be higher. There are low property taxes found throughout this state, and you have the option to choose really rural properties and suburban properties. In addition to property taxes, there are lower costs for daily expenses and utilities found throughout the state. If you’re maintaining an average salary, you’ll end up saving money by making this move in terms of cost of living.

Visiting the grocery store and other areas for shopping is something that you’ll find to be cheaper. Most items in stores are cheaper, and you can find a variety of things throughout the state. These deals that are made for in-store purchases only are great because, according to Fohlio, 73% of purchasing decisions are made in-store anyway.

No State Income Tax

One of the greatest things about the state of Tennessee is the lack of state income tax for residents. All you have to file is the federal taxes, but the rest of the taxes that are brought into the state come from sales tax. Tennessee has several areas that generate a lot of sales taxes due to the tourism industry. One of the most visited National Parks, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park brings in millions of visitors to East Tennessee each year, which makes it easy to fund the state without income tax.

Free Community College

If you have children that you’re taking with you to Tennessee, consider the option of free community college. This will help with your money and budget, which can be a great idea to help get your kids introduced to the college lifestyle at a discounted cost. They can take these courses when they’re fully enrolled or right after graduating. The tuition at public institutions is also pretty affordable, and some of the best in the country.

Fines For Jail Time

If you do happen to get arrested after moving to Tennessee, however, you will feel it in your money and finances. They are known for having fines on their sentencing and use that as a way to fund local governments. In Tennessee, a DUI 1st conviction will have a mandatory 48 hours in jail, a $350 fine, 11 months and 29 days of probation, the loss of your license for 1 year, and alcohol education classes, so make sure you aren’t drinking and driving on Tennessee highways.

Sustainable Recycling

In many parts of the state, Tennessee has moved to sustainable recycling, with recycling centers available for residents in rural areas to use at no additional cost. If you don’t want to have a monthly trash pickup, you can use these options and save money on your monthly expenses. According to Environment America, each American throws away around 4.9 pounds of trash per day, and that is close to the same amount being tossed out in Tennessee. These recycling centers make it easy to be sustainable and offer a greener lifestyle for all residents.

If you’re planning to move to Tennessee for family, work, or just a change of scenery, you will find that you may have more money at the end of the year and it’s a good move all in all. Whether you’re looking to move to the East, West, or middle of the state, there are lots of great towns with great cost-of-living and benefits that will make it worth your while to move.

Blogging Away Debt Blogging Away Debt follows real people on their journey to debt freedom — with tips on the debt snowball, budgeting, cutting expenses, and staying motivated.

Saving for Christmas