Parafiks - A Personal Finance

Prepare to Launch Your Self-Employment Career: Essential Steps

I’m genuinely excited about moving into self-employment and exploring freelancing full-time. A few weeks ago I published a post about choosing between passion and stable income, and the comments I received sparked a lot of reflection. Now that I’ve committed to this path, I need a concrete plan—and I need to write it down so … Read more

How We Eliminated $162,000 in Debt and Rebuilt Our Finances

Hello! Today I’m sharing an inspiring debt payoff story from a reader, Ashlee Binderim. Here’s how she and her husband paid off $162,000 in debt. Enjoy! When you get married, you expect to ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after, right? That honeymoon phase didn’t last long for us. It came to … Read more

Make Saving Money Fun: A Simple, Proven Way to Grow Your Savings

Right now you might be thinking, “saving money is NOT fun.” But that belief isn’t necessarily true. Perhaps you don’t get as excited about savings as some people do, but there are plenty of practical and enjoyable ways to make saving money feel rewarding. When saving becomes more engaging, you’re far more likely to stick … Read more

What to Do If You Can’t Pay Your Bills: Steps to Take Now

Wondering what to do when you can’t pay your bills can be overwhelming. You might feel stressed, exhausted, angry, or overwhelmed by a mix of emotions. Falling behind on payments affects many parts of your financial life. Common consequences include: Late fees Higher interest charges More expensive borrowing in the future Damage to your credit … Read more

Make Extra Income Selling at a Flea Market Booth

Today’s post explains how to make money selling at flea markets. Shannon Rooney, a reader of Making Sense of Cents, has paid off more than $60,000 in debt through hard work and budgeting. She runs a booth at a local flea market with her mother. Below, Shannon shares why flea market vending is a reliable … Read more

9 Ways to Find Free Gas Cards Quickly and Safely

Are you looking for ways to find free gas cards and reduce how much you spend on fuel?

Fuel is one of the larger monthly expenses for many households. With gas prices higher than usual, finding strategies to save money on fueling up or to obtain free gas cards can make a meaningful difference in your budget.

While gas remains a necessary expense for commuting, getting to appointments, running errands, and staying connected with friends and family, there are multiple practical ways to lower your fuel costs.

This guide gathers resources and realistic options for finding free gas cards, applying for gas vouchers, and enrolling in assistance programs for fuel expenses. It also shares simple money-saving tactics you can use right away.

Whether you need short-term help or ongoing savings, the ideas below can help you stretch your fuel dollars further.

Related: How To Get A Free Car

Looking for the best money saving apps and websites?

Technology makes saving easier than ever. There are many apps and websites designed to help you save, earn, or better manage your money. Below is a curated list of top personal finance tools and a clear summary of what each does so you can decide which ones suit your needs.

What I appreciate most about these tools is how simple they make tracking finances—your phone or tablet gives you instant visibility into your spending, savings, and goals.

Whether an app simplifies budgeting, helps lower everyday expenses, gives cash back while you shop, or helps you invest, these tools can make a measurable difference in your financial life.

With prices rising, every little saving helps. The apps and sites below can help you:

Save money directly from your phone
Earn cash back when shopping online
Manage finances across accounts
Find side hustle opportunities
Save on grocery shopping
Set and achieve savings goals
Invest small amounts for the future
Improve spending habits
Reduce monthly expenses

These services are available on iOS, Android, and web. You can sign up via app stores or each company’s website.

This article explains the top money saving apps and answers common questions like “Are these apps safe?” and “How do they pay users?”

Today’s post is from Chantal. Blogging transformed my life — it helped me pay off student loans, travel extensively, find greater happiness, and earn a reliable income. It may sound dramatic to say blogging saved my life, but let me explain. In the fall of 2014 I was trying to summon the courage to return … Read more

Stop Making Excuses: Start Living a More Fulfilling Life

Do you want to learn how to start living your best life? Here’s how you can change your life and begin living at your fullest.

Have you ever wanted something—like a promotion, paying off debt, or an earlier retirement—but immediately told yourself it couldn’t happen? You’re not alone.

Everyone makes excuses. Many people will continue to do so until they recognize that excuses are just that: excuses. My goal here is to help you move toward living your best life, free of excuses.

As a personal finance professional, I hear a wide range of reasons people give for why they can’t save money, pay off debt, or reach their financial goals. They see others’ success and find explanations for why the same outcome isn’t possible for them.

Think about the last time you said, “That won’t work for me because…”

I hate seeing that because you can start living your best life if you simply decide: “no more excuses.”

On April 18, 2008, my father passed away from cancer. Although that day was very sad, I try to make each day better than the last — just as he would have wanted. I’m dedicating this post to him. I’ve shared these memories before, but I’ve updated them for this year. Reading them still brings … Read more