11 Guidelines For Using Cash In Your Budget

Written by Sam

Here’s how to tell in which categories you should use cash.

1. You Don’t Have To Use Cash For Everything

To reap the benefits of using cash in your budget, you don’t have to go exclusively to cash. Some may choose to go exclusive, but it’s not necessary. Instead, identify which categories will be most effective for using cash using the tips below.  You should use cash for categories where either you tend to overspend or where there are a lot of transactions in a month.

Groceries are a main perpetrator of both those criteria which is why I absolutely recommend funding that category with cash. Other problem categories are ones relating to household spending (light bulbs, cleaning products, etc), eating out, personal, and entertainment.

5 Basic Money Skills Many Americans Don’t Know

Ashley Donohoe  Thu, May 29, 2025   GOBankingRates

A Pew Research study found that 46% of Americans didn’t have at least a fair amount of knowledge of personal finances. Unfortunately, lacking financial literacy can put you at risk of taking on too much debt, not having enough for retirement and being unable to cover expenses.

In a YouTube video, money expert George Kamel reacted to this study’s findings and gave straightforward advice on handling five essential money tasks that many American adults struggle with. Learn how to boost your skills in these popular weak areas.

5 Money Mistakes Even Financially Savvy People Make

Cindy Lamothe  GOBankingRates

No matter how great you are at managing your finances, no one is immune to making the occasional money mistake — and some of these can be dire.

“It’s important to recognize that some seemingly minor errors can have significant long-term effects,” said Michael Ashley, finance expert and founder of Richiest.

While everyone has financial blind spots, the good news is you can learn about them before they cause you problems. Here are some of the top money mistakes even the most financially savvy folks make.

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

10 Sources Of Emergency Cash, Ranked From Best To Worst

Christine Benz of Morningstar  Tue, May 27, 2025

If unanticipated expenses exceed your emergency fund, here’s a look at where to go next.

1. Your Own Emergency Fund/Short-Term Securities

Emergency funds should be held outside of tax-sheltered wrappers and include highly liquid investments like bank savings accounts, money market accounts, and so on.

2. Low-Risk Assets In Taxable Account

Next, look at other taxable holdings: investments in brokerage accounts, outside the confines of tax-sheltered vehicles.

5 Things You Should Discuss During Your First Meeting With a Financial Advisor

Gabrielle Olya  

A financial advisor can be an excellent resource to help you make a plan for your money both now and in the future. But if you’re new to this world, you might not know how to make the most of your time during an initial meeting. In today’s “Financially Savvy Female” column, we’re chatting with Jane Voorhees, CFP, director of financial planning at ALINE Wealth, about how to prepare for a first meeting with a financial advisor and what topics you should be discussing.

5 Suze Orman Money Tips For a Financial Fresh Start

Nicole Spector   Tue, May 27, 2025   GOBankingRates

Financial guru Suze Orman has long been dedicated to helping the average American reach financial freedom. In an article posted on Oprah.com, Orman delved into 10 of her top tips on how to get a fresh financial start, which can help you get your finances on track.

GOBankingRates highlighted five of Orman’s standout, practical and realistic tips.

Is Lending Money To Family Always The Right Thing To Do?

Monique Danao   Thu, May 22, 2025  Moneywise

I’ve hustled hard to make something of myself. Now my sister, 29, wants to borrow money — again. What do I do?

Consider the case of Eric, a 33-year-old who is debt-free, owns his own business and lives comfortably after years of hard work and risk-taking. When his 29-year-old sister recently asked him to cover a few months of her rent, he said no.

What Is Your Emotional Money Score? Suze Orman's 20 Questions To Determine If You Are In Control Of Your Money Or If It's In Control Of You

Kaili Killpack  Mon, May 19, 2025  Benzinga

Do your emotions drive your financial decisions — or do you stay calm and calculated no matter what's happening in the market or your bank account? According to personal finance expert Suze Orman, understanding the emotional side of money is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward long-term financial security.

On a recent episode of her "Women & Money" podcast, Orman introduced listeners to the "Emotional Money Score," a self-assessment tool that helps people measure how much their emotions are influencing their financial choices.

The Do's And Don'ts After Receiving An Inheritance

Brad Smith·Host  Tue, Apr 16, 2024,

As older Americans prepare to transfer their wealth or will it to their family, what should inheritors know before receiving this large sum of money?

Wealthstream Advisors Financial Advisor Katharine George explains the do's and don'ts when inheriting wealth, which includes money and even real estate property.

"I try to stay away from rules of thumbs but I would say in general, [avoid] making big decisions. I would say wait about six months or so, especially if you're grieving," George says. "These big changes... in that short period of time when you're grieving if it was someone close to you, we don't want to make any decisions that are rash. So buying another property or going on a big vacation.

These big changes, it could be that you need these assets invested and saved for your long term or it could be you could retire tomorrow. It really depends on the personal situation but not making any of these big decisions immediately after is really important, really let the dust settle."