Finding freedom financially can sometimes feel like trying to climb a greasy pole. One moment, you’re making progress; the next, you’re slipping back down. It’s the wild, wild west of personal finance out there, where the law of the land is often “every penny counts.” Read more now on http://www.reddit.com/r/freedomfinancially/

What is the name of my friend Jerry? Spender of textbooks. He bought a kitchen gadget that he will never use just last week. It made me wonder: How many of us are guilty of the same madness? Before you know it, you’re down fifty bucks on something that will gather dust faster than you can say, “Impulse buy!”

Taming financial chaos feels like wrestling an octopus. Arms of debt wrap around us, and just when we think we’ve pinned them down, another arm appears holding an unexpected expense. But hey, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Small, consistent efforts, like the nuts a squirrel stores for winter, can yield big rewards in the end.

Have you ever tried the “latte” factor? You can save money by making your own coffee. I swapped Starbucks for homemade brew and guess what? By the end of the month, I had an extra $90. This can be a pair of stylish shoes or money towards the credit card bill.

Have you ever wondered how a budget makes you feel? Like wearing a tight pair of jeans. Once you’ve broken them in, it will be your favorite item. Budget is not a dirty term. It’s more like your best friend – the one that tells you those neon green pants are a no-go.

Savings? Consider it your financial fortress. It’s your financial fortress. Car broke down? You know what to do. You’ve got it. Handled. It offers peace of mind like nothing else. Grandma used to say, “Save money for rainy days.” It turns out that the old bird was a sage.