I made a list of what I'd do if I had more money. It became my vision board and helped me build the life I wanted for my family.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Mom and son
The author was able to buy her own house.

Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

My daughter is in college and almost never asks me for money. Instead, she works on campus and budgets $100 a week.

Tech Insider : Business
Jenna Brooks and her daughter
The author (left) says her daughter doesn't need money while at college.

Courtesy of Jenna Brooks

From mindset shifts to 'no spend months,' early retirees and financially independent people share top savings tips

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Michela Allocca
Michela Allocca is the founder of Break Your Budget.

Courtesy of Michela Allocca

I make $300,000 and don't feel financially secure living in Seattle. It's still not enough to support my family of four.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Travel
Senior Product Manager Eshaan Jain
Senior product manager Eshaan Jain

Courtesy Eshaan Jain

With a family of 6, I have to keep an eye on our budget. Thrift shopping has helped me furnish our home and buy luxury clothes.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
A woman shopping in a thrift store.
The author (not pictured) has decorated most of her home with thrifted items.

Olena Malik/Getty Images

The problem with America's $1 trillion military budget

Tech Insider : Business, Style

US defense spending is on track to top $1 trillion for the first time in history. Congress approved $900 billion for defense in 2026, and President Donald Trump has since proposed a staggering $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, the largest request in decades.

I stopped spending $2,000 a year at the nail salon. A $10 press-on find helps me still feel put together.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Woman showing off nails

Courtesy of t the author

My 17-year-old has her first job. She's learning how to save, and I charge her for rides to work.

Tech Insider : Business
A teen wearing a yellow hoodie, headphones, and a backpack counts cash.
The author i letting her daughter (not shown) learn some lessons about money by trial and error now that she has her first hob

Zarina Lukash/Getty Images

I hosted over 140 people at my house for my kids' birthday party. I only spent $800, and everyone had a blast.

Tech Insider : Business
Kids lining up to get cake
The line for cake at the birthday party.

Courtesy of the author

I've been on over 50 cruises. Here are 5 things I never buy on the ships.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
megan posing in front of a cruise ship at a port
I've been taking cruises for the last 15 years, and there are some things I still won't spend my money on.

Megan duBois

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