Amy Livingston
Amy Livingston is a freelance writer who can actually answer yes to the question, "And from that you make a living?" She has written about personal finance and shopping strategies for a variety of publications, including ConsumerSearch.com, ShopSmart.com, and the Dollar Stretcher newsletter. She also maintains a personal blog, Ecofrugal Living, on ways to save money and live green at the same time.
How to Create a Holiday Budget and Stick to It
The silver bells of the holiday season can certainly take their toll on your wallet. In a November 2019 Gallup poll, Americans said they expected to spend an average of $942 on holiday gifts....
4 Ways to Shop Local and Support Small Businesses in the Economy
Suppose you’ve just accepted a new job in another state, and there are two nearby areas where you could live. The first is a nice-looking suburb with well-kept houses and neat green lawns. But...
30 Best Gift Ideas for Foodies (on Every Budget)
Chances are you know at least one person whose greatest passion in life is good food. Not only do they watch the Food Network religiously, they actually make the recipes they see on TV....
9 Best Browser Extensions to Save Money While Shopping Online
Browser extensions are easy to install and can save you a lot of money on everyday purchases. All you have to do is install a browser extension, a plug-in that extends the capabilities of a Web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Internet Explorer. Extensions like Honey's browser plugin offers an Amazon price comparison feature while Coupon Cabin Sidekick offers cash back deals.
What Is a Roth 401(k) – Retirement Plan Rules & Limits
For years, the traditional 401(k) plan has been the most popular workplace retirement account. However, there's a new alternative that's been growing steadily in the past decade: the Roth 401(k). According to data from global...
How to Choose the Right Investments for Your 401(k) Plan Allocation
You've just started a new job, and one of the benefits it offers is a 401(k) plan. That's great news for you since this type of plan is one of the best ways to...
5 Black Friday Shopping Alternatives – Reasons to Stay Home & Still Save
The Friday after Thanksgiving, or Black Friday, is traditionally considered the kickoff to the holiday shopping season. That’s less true today than it used to be, with many stores unveiling their holiday deals well...
How Long to Keep Important Documents (and What You Can Shred)
Just a decade or two ago, people were predicting that the society of the 21st century would be paperless. Everything from work documents to electric bills would exist strictly in digital form, and the...
Should You Pay for a Credit Monitoring Service to Protect Yourself?
In 2017, credit bureau Equifax announced hackers had broken into its servers and gained access to the personal information of over 140 million people, putting them at risk of identity theft. In the wake of the attack,...
9 Best Credit Monitoring Services – Free & Paid
In the summer of 2019, I got an email with some good news. As one of the millions of people whose personal information the 2017 Equifax data breach exposed, I was entitled to compensation from...
Borrowing From Your 401(k) – 6 Reasons Not to Get a Loan
When it comes to retirement savings, there's good news, bad news, and more bad news. The good news is that most Americans today have access to a workplace retirement plan, such as a 401(k). A 2017...
6 Health Insurance Options If You’re Self-Employed
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 1 out of every 10 American workers is self-employed. That number includes business owners, both small and large, and people who work on their own as...
