Girls Just Wanna Have Funds Women's Personal Finance Blog

Southwest Air is hands down my favorite airline, second only to Jet Blue.  When I came across the Southwest Rewards card  I jumped on the deal because I have quite a few trips planned this year. And earning free airline tickets via the Rapid Rewards program can’t hurt!  If you travel a lot then you know expenses racks up quickly and anything you can do to get a few freebies and perks makes it easier on your wallet.     You’ll love Southwest Air for the following reasons: No baggage fees Great customer service Always on time (flights are rarely ... Read More »

Should students have or even use credit cards?  This is a highly debatable topic since so many feel that credit cards  + students often equal financial disaster.  Because of this,  banks and financial institutions have become more risk averse than before in the aftermath of the recession and the financial meltdown, when defaults grew at an alarming pace. More and more banks now offer credit only to people they deem financially responsible. Banks use credit scores as reported by the major credit reference agencies, such as Experian and Equifax, to determine whether an applicant is in good standing.  What this ... Read More »

Who doesn’t like a little retail therapy occasionally after a bad day or even a good one?  But what happens when that retail therapy veers into the lane of operating like a shopaholic? Shopaholic. This is what we usually call someone who shops a lot.  Who are we kidding.  That’s what we call a woman when her shopping habits are out of control!  And, we all know someone like this. There’s clearly a spending addiction at play and sometimes it can be difficult to determine if there’s a true addiction or if the person just needs help controlling their spending. ... Read More »

Are credit cards really evil?  Not at all.  In fact, credit cards can be used to leverage your existing cash while teaching you boundaries and limits when spending using credit. Believe it or not, while there are consumers who struggle with debt repayment, there are some who benefit tremendously from using credit cards wisely.   If you travel, pay for gas or groceries or even use the ATM, there’s a rewards card out there with your name on it. The following details tips that you’ll need to keep in mind when choosing a rewards credit card. Lifestyle Credit Cards For example, ... Read More »

Shame on you if you’re lending the government money interest free, however, Gerri Willis over at Fox Business shares few tips just in case you happen to be getting a tax refund this year.  Check out her recommendations below:           Save, Save, And Save Again! If you don’t already have three months of savings set aside for emergencies, start that fund now. Look, not only could it be a lifesaver if you get sick or lose your job unexpectedly, but it’s always nice to have that pot of dough if you want to walk away from ... Read More »

I know we’re mostly progressive, independent women here and to some that question might even be offensive.  Really, who wants to be thought of wanting to be saved?  Saved from what?  Ourselves? But the reality is that some of us secretly think this way.  We’re overwhelmed with work, kids, family life and obligations as well as a host of life events. Managing our finances may not be at the top of the list. Heck, even Sheryl Sandberg admitted to this during her Lean In tour and that raised a few eyebrows.  Most of us think that powerful women like her ... Read More »

If this offends someone. Good.  That means you’re doing something wrong and should read the rest to make sure you’re not making dumb money moves that typically lead us to Judge Mathis’ or Judge Judy’s court room. Seriously, I can’t tell you how many women show up on a judge show begging to be compensated for something they should have never done with a recent paramour.  Read on to find out if you’re one of them:   Please Don’t Buy Him Furniture If you’re not engaged to be married then you have no business buying a guy furniture that you ... Read More »

After my divorce, the importance of having a standard 9-5 diminished because with it came demands that no longer had space in my life.  While married I was able to throw myself into my work and deal with being on call, late night emails and text messages and it was OK back then. At this point in my life, my perspective has changed and I want to leave work at work.  I want to be able to attend Bible study on certain days, work out in the mornings and have the flexibility to attend to life issues as they come ... Read More »

We’ve all felt the fear.  A credit card payment is coming up and you can’t pay it.  Panic sets in and you don’t know what to do.  Ignore it, reach out to the company, take a cash advance on another card, sell a kidney?  What is the best approach? The first thing to know is that floating a payment on one card with a cash advance is a surefire recipe for disaster.   It’s the marijuana gateway drug to a full-blown heroin addiction.  Just don’t do it.  There’s no coming back from that type of credit card shifting.  You need a ... Read More »

Recently, Float Money (www.floatmoney.com), unveiled their unique online borrowing model that they predict will reinvent the consumer credit industry. Float has created a unique loan and credit product for the average American Jane – it gives members the opportunity to access a line of credit that is repaid interest-free. Float members leverage their regular shopping with Float’s retail merchants into a tangible asset that can be borrowed against for no cost to the consumer. How Does it Work? Float members build a credit line (your Float Line) which is determined by two things: Your Membership Level, which is initially determined ... Read More »

The Winter Carnival is one of the biggest events in Quebec and its events celebrate the cold months with activities like snow baths, ice canoe races, night parades and more!  Winter in Canada is long and cold, so why not celebrate when it is ends with a rollicking festival? This event has been held Feb. 1 – 17 since 1894 and is how the city lifts its spirits in the dreary cold. These days, the festival brings an estimated one million visitors to Quebec City every year and it has been named by Reader’s Digest as “Canada’s Best Winter Festival.” ... Read More »

Creating a realistic budget for your bathroom renovation wasn’t easy, but you’ve finally determined exactly how much capital is required to install that beautiful marble vanity or amazing travertine flooring. Unfortunately, when the job is done and the workmen are gone, you’re left with a beautiful, empty bathroom and no money for accessories. From the ideal shower curtain to amazing light fixtures; accessories are what make an elegant, modern bathroom feel like home. Even if you haven’t renovated, adding fresh accessories can fool your friends and family members into thinking you spent a small fortune overhauling the space. Shower Surrounds ... Read More »

Unless you’ve been living under a rock then you know that the ongoing recession has devastated homeowners all across the country.  Jobs have been lost, homes went into foreclosure, retirement savings were decimated and there’s still much uncertainty about our country’s economic future.  One of the main issues that contributed to the crisis was mortgage loan interest rates. Many buyers accepted interest rates that were either too high or unpredictable given the above-mentioned state of the market.  This is where greed stepped in on all sides. Buyers wanted houses they couldn’t afford in a sticky market and lenders saw dollar ... Read More »

Love is in the air and in the name of Love and Money we’ve got this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance – Love and Money Edition! Editor’s Pics Joy from Her Every Cent Counts presents Helping My Boyfriend Get a Job, and says, “My boyfriend is 30 and unemployed. In order to help him kick start his career, I’ve created his resume and put together a list of jobs he should apply for, along with options for graduate school.” Peter from Bible Money Matters presents 3 Simple Steps to Take to Change Your Financial Life, and says, “If you know ... Read More »

You’re planning a family vacation to Queensland but don’t want to spend the entire trip lugging your teenager’s bags through shopping centres or easing your queasy stomach after enjoying too many rich foods and roller coasters at an amusement park. Luckily, there are three compromises that will actually appease every member of the family: zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries. Aside from being a welcome distraction from the constant cries of “Are we there yet?” and “I’m bored,” these educationally enriching attractions actually allow you to slip a little learning in with the fun. Here are a few of the best ... Read More »