Budget Archive

What is the Best Time to Buy?

Posted by Mary Caraccioli | Filed under Budget, Featured, Lifestyle

When I was growing up my dad worked for a popular department store. He taught me that there was discount season for everything.  Bed linens were discounted in January white sales. Winter coats were marked down in February, etc.  From that exposure... (more...)

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Read more | Comments (1) | February 7th, 2013

New Year New Look

Posted by Mary Caraccioli | Filed under Budget, Lifestyle, housing

With the New Year comes new resolutions and times of change!  For many that includes making changes to our homes.  However, if full on demolition just isn’t in your budget there are some great cosmetic changes you can make for a whole lot less! ... (more...)

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Read more | Comments (0) | December 28th, 2012

Checklist: Some Expenses You May Have Overlooked…

Posted by Mary Caraccioli | Filed under Budget, shopping

Drawing up your holiday budget is an essential part of preparing for the holiday season.  However, it’s easy to overlook certain items and before you know it your budget is through the roof thanks to those pesky hidden costs!  So I’ve put... (more...)

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Read more | Comments (0) | December 21st, 2012

Are you a Scrimping Scrooge or Splurging Santa? Take the Money Confidante’s Holiday quiz and find out!

Posted by Mary Caraccioli | Filed under Budget, Lifestyle, shopping

Does Christmas signal an excuse to splurge or do you dread the holiday season and all the added expense?  Take my quiz and find out if you’re more Santa or Scrooge! (more…)  Read More →

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Read more | Comments (2) | December 19th, 2012

Impress Your Guests for Less!

Posted by Mary Caraccioli | Filed under Budget, saving, shopping

Admit it, one of the best things about the holiday season is the food.  Delicious deserts, colorful cocktails and tasty treats – the holidays are a time to eat and eat lots! (more…)  Read More →

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Read more | Comments (0) | December 9th, 2012

How Gary Cooper Would Scale the Fiscal Cliff

Posted by Mary Caraccioli | Filed under Budget

Forget the cat fight on Capitol Hill over the looming fiscal cliff- screen legend Gary Cooper offered the remedy in his film “Meet John Doe.” Are they capable of this kind of  team work? “To most of you, your neighbor is a stranger,... (more...)

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Read more | Comments (0) | November 29th, 2012

Mary in “O” Magazine

Posted by Mary Caraccioli | Filed under Budget, money

I was happy to share my tips about money makeovers in this month’s O Magazine. I would love to hear your money makeover story. Share them with me at facebook.com/TheMoneyConfidante  Read More →

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Read more | Comments (0) | September 7th, 2012

How to Budget (for people who hate to)

Posted by Mary Caraccioli | Filed under Budget

Budgets can be intimidating.  You think you need to be proficient with a spreadsheet and be great at math.  Worse yet, I hear from folks that they don’t do budgets because they are too restrictive and will prevent them from living their dream.... (more...)

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Read more | Comments (0) | January 11th, 2012

A 5-Year Plan for You!

Posted by Mary Caraccioli | Filed under Budget

The 5-Year Plan by Mary Caraccioli Many businesses have 5 – 10  or 15 year plans. But very few individuals or families do these types of plans for themselves.  I want to change that! I think they are so useful in so many ways. I have broken these... (more...)

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Read more | Comments (0) | January 10th, 2012