Tag Page finance

#finance
Betty Scott

I’m starting a real-life money lab

Last month, I sold an old coffee machine for $50. It wasn’t much, but it reminded me of something: Most people don’t fail at making money because they’re lazy — They fail because they never try enough experiments. So here’s what I’m going to do. For the next two months, I’m turning my life into a money lab. I’ll run 4 back-to-back challenges. Every dollar I earn from one challenge becomes the starting capital for the next. No loans, no handouts, no skipping steps. This isn’t a “get rich quick” stunt. It’s a public experiment to see how far a small seed can grow, and how many roadblocks I’ll hit along the way. If I fail, you’ll see exactly where and why. If I succeed, you’ll have a blueprint you can copy tomorrow. First challenge drops next week. I’m starting with the simplest idea possible: Turning junk into cash. Let’s see how far $0 can go. #Finance #MakeMoney #SideHustle #MoneyChallenge

I’m starting a real-life money lab
Betty Scott

I started a make money experiment for people like us

Last week, I was staring at my inbox, juggling bills, tuition reminders, and that sinking feeling you get when you check your bank account mid-month. I realized something: we all want to make money, but most of us don’t have the time, the courage, or the “trial and error” allowance to really try things out. I’m 42, married, with two kids, and a 9-to-5 that keeps the lights on but never feels like enough. I’ve spent years hearing about side hustles, investments, flipping stuff online, and every “quick win” seems to either need a loan or a tech PhD. So I decided to do something different: start a make-money experiment—like a lab—where I try out strategies so you don’t have to risk as much. This isn’t about overnight riches. It’s about real ways to earn, save, and invest smarter, step by step. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be taking on small challenges, each building on the last. The first one is simple: finding money that’s already mine—unused subscriptions, forgotten gift cards, clutter in the garage—and turning it into cash. It might not be huge, but it’s a start, and every dollar will help fund the next experiment. I’ll share what works, what fails, and what surprises me. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes guide for people like us, trying to make a little more without losing our sanity. If this sounds like your kind of journey, stick around. The first real challenge starts tomorrow. #Finance #MakeMoney #MoneyExperiment

I started a make money experiment for people like us
Karen Winters

teaching my son about compound interest with $20

Last month, my son asked me for $20 to buy a new game skin. I told him, “You have two options. One: you get $20 now, and that’s it. Two: you let me hold it for a month, and I’ll give you $22 back.” He laughed and said, “Dad, that’s only $2 more.” Exactly. But then I asked him to imagine if he kept doing this, month after month, for years — with bigger amounts. We sat at the kitchen table, pulled out my laptop, and ran a compound interest calculator together. His eyes got wide. The best part? He chose option two. A month later, I gave him the $22, and he decided to “reinvest” it with me instead of spending it. Now, every time he gets allowance, he asks about “the growth rate.” Teaching kids about money doesn’t have to be a lecture. It can be as simple as turning $20 into a real-life lesson. And honestly? I wish someone had done this for me when I was 12. #Finance #Family #MakeMoney #PersonalFinance #Parenting

teaching my son about compound interest with $20
Karen Winters

the lesson my son taught me about budgeting allowance

My son has a small weekly allowance. For months, I just let him spend it however he wanted — video games, candy, small toys. One day, he came to me worried: he wanted a bigger Lego set but realized he didn’t have enough. Instead of just giving him more money, I showed him a simple budgeting method. We divided his allowance into three jars: spend, save, and share. He tracked his spending, saw how much he needed to save each week, and eventually got that Lego set after a couple of months. What struck me wasn’t just that he learned delayed gratification — I realized the same principles could apply to our family finances. Automating savings, tracking expenses, and setting tangible goals makes even big financial targets feel achievable. And if a 10-year-old can grasp it, so can anyone. #Finance #Family #MakeMoney #Budgeting #FinancialHabits

the lesson my son taught me about budgeting allowance
Karen Winters

how i turned my kid’s college worries into a savings plan

Last summer, my daughter came home stressed about college tuition. She had some scholarships, but not enough to cover all expenses. Instead of panicking, I decided to make a game plan with her. We sat down with a whiteboard and listed all costs: tuition, books, dorm, meals, and extra fees. Then, we reviewed what we had saved so far and where the gaps were. I explained to her how small, consistent contributions could make a huge difference over time, and we set up automatic transfers from my checking account into a high-yield savings account earmarked for her college fund. The real magic? She started pitching in from her summer job and applying for small grants. By breaking it down into actionable steps, what felt like an overwhelming financial burden became something tangible and manageable. Planning with the kids not only relieves stress but also teaches them how money can work for them if they start early. #Finance #Family #MakeMoney #Savings #CollegePlanning

how i turned my kid’s college worries into a savings plan
Karen Winters

why i started a “family emergency fund” after my son’s soccer accident

Last month, my son took a nasty fall during soccer practice. He wasn’t seriously hurt, but the ER visit still set me back over $600. I realized something obvious: we didn’t have a dedicated fund for unexpected family expenses. So, I opened a separate savings account labeled “Family Emergency Fund.” I automated a small monthly transfer — nothing that would sting, just enough to grow over time. Then I showed my kids the account and explained, in simple terms, that this money is for emergencies only. The surprising part? The kids got involved. My daughter started putting aside part of her allowance, my son started pitching in from his babysitting money. Now, our small fund is growing steadily, and I’ve noticed a shift in how my kids view money — it’s not just for toys or snacks; it’s about planning and security. Even small, consistent contributions can turn a once stressful surprise into a manageable expense. Teaching kids this way doubles as financial education and a real-life safety net for the whole family. #Finance #Family #MakeMoney #Savings #FinancialEducation

why i started a “family emergency fund” after my son’s soccer accident
Karen Winters

how my daughter learned to “negotiate” her chores

My daughter hates doing dishes. Last week, she came to me and said, “Dad, if I take over grocery shopping this month, can I skip dish duty?” I could’ve just said yes or no, but instead I treated it like a real-life business deal. We sat down and listed out the value of each chore — dishes, grocery shopping, laundry, lawn mowing. We talked about time, effort, and even the “market rate” if we were to hire someone to do it. She realized grocery shopping actually took more time than dishes, so she countered: “Okay, I’ll do shopping AND meal planning, but you owe me $10 for the difference.” She got the $10. And without realizing it, she learned how to quantify her work, understand trade-offs, and negotiate for better terms — skills that will matter far more than whether the plates get washed tonight. Sometimes the best way to teach kids about money is to let them run their own tiny “economy” at home. #Finance #Family #MakeMoney #LifeSkills #Parenting

how my daughter learned to “negotiate” her chores