Groceries can take up a significant portion of your budget each month. However, if you carefully choose what you buy, it doesn’t have to be that way. Purchase affordable yet nutritious foods that help you stay healthy and save every time you head to the checkout.

A sinking fund is a cash reserve in your account that holds calculated funds for future expenses. There is usually a stand-alone account for each sinking fund category. This account is separate from your regular checking, savings, and emergency fund.

In choosing your next big vacation destination, “nowhere” might not have been at the top of your list, but it may be worth a second look. Far from a default setting or consolation prize, a staycation may go toe to toe with a big family vacation due to its ease – not to mention putting less stress on your finances.

When looking across all the elements of a vacation such as transportation, accommodations, food, and activities there are strategies to shave costs off each one. Here are travel saving hacks at the trip planning stage as well as ideas for responsible spending at your destination.