Amber Gilstrap | Money Under 30

Extreme Couponing: Are These People Brilliant or Just Plain Crazy?

August 23, 2011 By Amber Gilstrap

I’ve been hearing a lot lately about extreme couponing. The hit reality show on TLC and dismal economy seem to be driving interest in this phenomenon that takes clipping coupons to, well, extremes. (This is not the neatly-organized coupon folder … [Read more...]

Why So Many People Are House Poor and How You Can Avoid the Same Fate

August 7, 2011 By Amber Gilstrap

Wouldn’t it be nice if buying a home were as easy as walking into a store and out with a new smartphone? Unfortunately, it’s hardly so simple. As I'm finding out, getting ready to buy a home requires a ton of preparation (not to mention … [Read more...]

Wedding Expenses: Worth it or Worthless? Thoughts on What Counted on my Big Day

July 29, 2011 By Amber Gilstrap

If you’re planning a wedding---or even just imagining getting hitched anytime soon---the thought of paying for all that stuff can be overwhelming. The list of typical wedding expenses is long, and few are cheap. Now that it’s been a bit … [Read more...]

How to Save Money While Planning a Fabulous Wedding (Plus: A Free Wedding Budget Spreadsheet and Guest List)

March 8, 2011 By Amber Gilstrap

I’m in the homestretch of my engagement. My wedding is 99% planned: loose ends are coming together, I’m attending wedding showers thrown in my honor, butterflies are fluttering around in my stomach, and I’m this close to gaining one new last … [Read more...]

Organize and Thrive: How Small Changes Now Can Better Your Finances Forever

February 3, 2011 By Amber Gilstrap

“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” -- A. A. Milne Do you WANT to change your financial situation but wonder why you NEVER make progress? Are you always reading about how … [Read more...]

Two More Years of Tax Cuts (Here’s What The Extension Means For You)

December 20, 2010 By Amber Gilstrap

The recent Congressional debate on whether to extend Bush-era tax cuts was long and drawn out, but it looks like our government may have finally reached a compromise, conclusion, agreement---whatever you’d like to call it---for now, anyway. But … [Read more...]

Self-Employed? Need to Deduct Big Ticket Items? Get Crackin’ with the Section 179 Deduction

December 13, 2010 By Amber Gilstrap

If you're self-employed or a business owner and you haven’t heard of the Section 179 deduction, it’s time to get familiar with it, because the Small Business Jobs and Credits Act of 2010 has increased the thresholds on this valuable tax deduction … [Read more...]

Side Income: Is It a Hobby or a Business?

December 1, 2010 By Amber Gilstrap

Shannon works in sales where she makes decent money and lives in a nice house with her family. Shannon doesn’t dislike her job, but it’s not her passion. So every Friday, at the end of a draining 40-hour work week, Shannon hurries home to spend … [Read more...]

Fringe Benefits For the Win: 15 Tax-Free Perks of Working for the Man

November 17, 2010 By Amber Gilstrap

Do you know how much do you earn? (Hint: If your employer provides benefits, it's actually more than you think.) See, if your salary is $50,000, you don’t earn just $50,000. The actual value of your pay is comprised of both salary and benefits, … [Read more...]

Understanding The Differences Among Tax Credits, Deductions, and Adjustments

October 28, 2010 By Amber Gilstrap

Anytime somebody mentions a tax "write-off”, it sounds pretty good. It means the money you're spending now is money you don't have to pay in taxes...right? Not so fast. The term tax "write-off" is thrown around too much. And, unfortunately, … [Read more...]