Jackie Makes Cents was created with the goal of sharing money-saving tips, wealth-building strategies, and general budgeting advice to help put more money in your pocket.
I graduated college with over $50,000 in student loans in my own name, as well as Parent Plus loans (translation: I was in major debt!). I started at my first job out of college in Arlington, V.A. and soon realized I needed a plan.
I have always been creative when it came to saving money, but I was introduced to the Big League (a.k.a. Adulting!) of personal finance: employer-sponsored 401ks, choosing healthcare plans, student loan repayment options, apartment leases, monitoring utility usage, credit cards, cash flow, taxes…the list goes on. I was never taught much about personal finance growing up, so I decided to do what I always do: jump in with two feet!
While I made some (read: a lot) of mistakes along the way, I also had some pretty big wins. I also learned a number of facts regarding taxes, retirement accounts, budgeting techniques, and even little ways to compound savings at the register. I like to think that saving even a few bucks here and there makes a difference: money that is re-routed from the cash register and into a bank account is a good thing!
I hope to help anyone who reads this blog learn something new: whether it be a creative way to save money on your favorite goods, or introduce you to a personal finance topic you might not have known much about.
Financial literacy costs nothing, and can help grant you financial freedom to do all of the things you love to do. So be sure to bookmark Jackie Makes Cents!