Healthy Habits - How Diet and Movement Work Together for a Healthier Heart (and Ways to Make Improvements in Yours)

 February is American Heart Month, making it a great time for everyone to evaluate their heart health. While some people are focusing on getting exercise, others are focusing more on their diet. Meanwhile, the best way to have a healthier heart is to consider both diet and movement and how they work together to keep hearts healthier and reduce cardiovascular disease risks.

 

"We all get busy with our routines, but heart health is not something we can keep putting on the back burner," said Jennifer Scherer, registered dietitian nutritionist, medical exercise specialist, certified personal trainer, master-level Pilates instructor and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. "We need to make it a priority because of how serious it is and how the issues with it tend to creep up if you are not paying attention.”

 

The facts surrounding heart disease in the country are alarming. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the leading cause of death for men and women, with someone dying from it every 34 seconds. Each year, in the U.S., there are over 900,000 people who die from cardiovascular disease, accounting for approximately one in every three deaths. These are grim statistics, but the good news is that there are many things people can do to help minimize those risks.

 

Watching what we eat and getting moving are two major ways people can influence their cardiovascular health. The two things are crucial to heart health because what we eat influences the factors that can make our heart healthier, and movement strengthens the heart, which is a muscle. When we get enough movement, it also helps reduce the risk of other issues, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of type II diabetes.

 

Working on only diet or only exercise would be like ensuring that a car is nicely washed and waxed, but filling it up with stale gas. It doesn’t matter how much is in the tank; the motor isn’t likely to run as well. We can’t outrun a poor diet, making it crucial to keep both issues in focus. When we eat a healthier diet and pair that with getting movement, we build a healthier heart and cardiovascular system.

 

Here are some ways to help improve diet and movement to work toward a healthier heart:

• Work with a trainer. Make a commitment to be more physically active. One easy way to help make this a habit is to work with a personal trainer. According to the National Institutes of Health, physical activity strengthens your heart and improves lung function. Done regularly, exercise helps lower your risk of coronary heart disease. More movement helps to keep the heart working better. Find movement that is enjoyable so that it will be easy to continue. Try things like Pilates, yoga, power walking, or pickleball.
• Don’t overlook blood pressure. Often referred to as the silent killer, high blood pressure directly affects how hard the heart is working, and often presents with no symptoms. It’s crucial that people keep an eye on their blood pressure and take steps to improve it if it is elevated, such as reducing sodium intake, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, improving their diet, and managing weight. Some people may also need to speak to their doctor regarding blood pressure medication options.
• Make dietary changes. According to Penn State University, diet is the key to heart health, and it’s never too late to make positive changes. Commit to the idea of improving the diet by upping the amount of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins eaten on a regular basis. Snacking is a problem for many people, so be sure to choose heart-healthy snacks, such as nuts, fruit, and seeds. Start by automating one meal per day with healthy choices. For example, choose what breakfast will be daily during the week, such as eggs with sautéed greens, or oatmeal with nuts and fruit. Keeping it simple and automating it helps to ensure that it will be followed and healthy goals will be met.
• Start small. Many people shy away from making the heart healthy changes they aspire to, simply because they find it overwhelming to do so much at once. Instead of making lots of changes all at the same time, start small. Choose one thing each week or month to focus on. Small changes over time add up to big results.
• Manage stress. It’s important to have ways to manage and reduce stress so that it doesn’t damage heart health. Stress can contribute to high blood pressure, as well as lead people to make unhealthy choices. Find healthy ways to address stress, such as exercising, meditating, or practicing breathing exercises.
• Be patient. It takes time to create a routine, new habits, and feel results. A study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, found that it takes 66 days on average for habits to become automatic. In the study, some habit formation took over 200 days, showing how important it is to stick with health goals and give it time to become a habit. Don’t give up if a day or two goes by where the goals were not kept.

“Sometimes people simply need a road map to get started on the journey," added Scherer. "We have done that for a lot of people and have seen the difference it makes in their lives. We ensure people have the right tools and plan in place so they can make a real difference in their heart and overall health.”

 

At Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, clients work with a registered dietitian nutritionist and experienced movement professionals to develop personalized, realistic plans. Services are offered both in person and virtually and include comprehensive assessments of medical history, nutrition habits, movement patterns, and lifestyle factors. They provide virtual nutrition therapy, medical nutrition therapy, and tailored meal planning through EatLove Pro—delivering scalable support with built-in accountability at every level.

 

The boutique studio also offers semi-private and private training focused on Pilates, strength training, mobility, fall prevention, and medical exercise. With two Fredericksburg locations, the studio provides a highly personalized environment, luxury amenities, and expert instruction across reformer, chair, tower, CoreAlign, and master-level Pilates equipment. Fredericksburg Fitness Studio is proud to be a Medicare provider.

 

In addition, Jennifer Scherer and her husband, Jeff Smith, co-host the Fitness & Finance Radio podcast, which explores the intersection of physical wellness and financial planning for retirement, highlighting how long-term health impacts long-term financial security.To learn more about Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, visit https://www.fburgfitness.com. To listen to Fitness & Finance Radio, visit https://fitnessfinancepro.com.

 

About Fredericksburg Fitness Studio

Founded in 2008, Fredericksburg Fitness Studio offers private, customized health and fitness programs designed to meet each client’s unique needs. By appointment only, the studio provides medical exercise, personal training, Pilates, nutrition coaching with a registered dietitian, and recovery services including acupressure, massage, and assisted stretching. With an integrated, client-centered approach, Fredericksburg Fitness Studio helps individuals improve strength, balance, mobility, and overall well-being at every stage of life. The studio proudly accepts Medicare. Learn more at www.fburgfitness.com.

 

 

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart disease in the United States. October 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

 

National Institutes of Health. Physical Activity and Your Heart. March 2022. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart/physical-activity/benefits

 

Penn State University. Diet is key to heart health. February 2023. https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/diet-is-key-to-heart-health

 

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. The Importance of Creating Habits and Routine. December 2018. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6378489/

Travel Tidbits - Chile

 

Chile is full of surprises. It's kind of like that treasure chest you were allowed to pick from when you were a little kid...full of wonder that awaited you and here, what awaits is an uncrowded, flexible, experiential and exclusive array of fantastical adventures that Vivaterra DMC can create ike: Sleep Under the Clearest Skies on Earth- Luxury lodges are built around private astronomical experiences for stargazing, galactical photography and crisp nights paired with Chilean wines The Atacama All To Yourself- Private dinners surrounded by salt flats and volcanoes complete with chef, sommelier and candlelight under the stars Easter Island Beyond the Moai- Indulge in private storytelling sessions with elders, traditional carving workshops and visits to rare archaeological sites Ride with Chilean Cowboys - From the vineyards to the Andean foothills, spend the day riding high and ending with an open fire asado paired with folk music. Heli-Hike Patagonia- Skip the crowds and fly by helicopter to remote trails...think private landings, untouched landscapes, and picnic lunches with glacier views. Harvest & Blend Your Own Wine- Pick grapes, work with winemakers and create your own blend with a custom label. Ice-Hike on a Glacier Then Sleep in Luxury- Trek across ancient ice fields and return to luxury with hot tubs, crackling fireplaces and gourmet dining.

Healthy Habits - Huckleberry

 Huckleberry, the leader in data-driven parenting support, launched Berry, a specialized, context-aware AI designed to lighten the mental load for families. Moving beyond generic chatbots, Berry bridges the 'context gap' by integrating each child's logged data with deep pediatric expertise. This launch brings Huckleberry's long-standing approach of responsibly shaping technology into family-first AI that parents can trust.

Why Context Matters

Parents don't need more information; they need the right information. While families have logged 5 billion data points with Huckleberry across sleep, feeding, and more, the ones that matter are the individual logs a parent tracked that week which give their guidance context.

When asked about a challenge like short naps, Berry considers that child's real-time patterns alongside vetted expertise to deliver tailored, actionable advice. Justin M., a parent who tested Berry, noted, "It almost felt like we were talking to a pediatrician because you didn't have to give Berry any context about your baby or their age."

Experts in the Loop

At the heart of Berry's development process is Amber LoRe, Huckleberry's Director of Pediatric Expertise, and her team of specialists across disciplines from sleep to lactation to occupational therapy. LoRe utilizes her unique dual backgrounds in structured logic systems and pediatric expertise to guide and test Berry with each update.

"My focus is on ensuring Berry is safe, realistic, and parent-centered," shares LoRe. "I want it to follow the same reasoning our experts use when looking at a family's data to provide advice." This approach provides assurance generic models lack, which was echoed in more of Huckleberry's testing feedback. "It feels so much more trustworthy than googling or using AI that isn't specific to children," adds Marissa R., a mother of a 6-month old.

Families at the Center

Huckleberry has always placed families' needs at the heart of every decision. "Understanding each child's day, patterns, and development to give better guidance has been core to features like SweetSpot® since Huckleberry started," explains Jessica Toh, CEO and co-founder.

"We prioritize what matters to parents, like privacy, which is why we don't use individual data to train public models. We also intentionally designed Berry to help parents get at the root of what they're observing to strengthen their intuition, never to replace it."

Berry is available now with a Huckleberry Premium subscription on iOS and Android.  

About Huckleberry

Huckleberry is on a mission to build life-changing products and experiences that help all families unlock everyday magic. By teaming up pediatric experts with human-centered technology, the Huckleberry app provides over 5 million families with the trusted support they need to find clarity and confidence. Founded by Jessica Toh and Seng Oon Toh, Huckleberry has been recognized globally for its impact on family wellbeing.

Money Matters - Valentine's Day Inflation

 Researchers from InvestorsObserver compared the most popular gifts and their costs in 2016 and 2026, and found that champagne dropped off the list, while a full celebration now costs $774.39, up 51% from $512 in 2016.

Key findings:

• In 2026, the most popular Valentine’s gifts are a greeting card, a box of chocolates, diamond earrings, a dozen roses, and dinner for two, totaling $774.39 for the full package – $262.36 more than the top gifts of 2016.

• In 2016, the most popular Valentine’s gifts were a box of chocolates, diamond earrings, a dozen roses, dinner for two, and a bottle of champagne, totaling $512.03 for the full package.

• In the gift lineup, a bottle of champagne (priced at $51.54 in 2016) has been swapped out for a greeting card (averaging $7.19 in 2026).

• A box of chocolates has the biggest price jump – more than tripling from $15.11 to $50.70. 

• The second biggest price jump: dinner for two more than doubled, rising from $80.46 to $209.

Read the full research report here.

InvestorsObserver is a trusted source of independent financial analysis, market insights, and investment research for individuals and institutions. Founded to empower retail investors with actionable intelligence, InvestorsObserver delivers timely commentary, data-driven studies, and accessible financial tools designed to simplify complex market trends. Its research and insights have been featured by various media outlets, including Yahoo, The Guardian, Morning Star, Nasdaq, and more.

Money Matters - Valentine's Day Affordability

 With Valentine’s Day fast approaching and America’s sweethearts projected to spend $29.1 billion on the holiday this year, the personal-finance company WalletHub has released its report on 2026’s Best Places for Valentine’s Day. It also published its nationally representative 2026 Valentine's Day Spending Survey, revealing that 2 in 5 people say Valentine’s Day activities are not affordable this year.

To determine the most romantic yet budget-friendly cities for celebrating the Day of Hearts, WalletHub evaluated 100 of the nation’s largest cities across 25 key metrics, including florists per capita, forecasted precipitation, and the price of a three-course meal for two.
 

Top 20 Places for Valentine’s Day 2026
1. San Francisco, CA 2. San Diego, CA 3. Las Vegas, NV 4. Atlanta, GA 5. Seattle, WA 6. Denver, CO 7. Pittsburgh, PA 8. Scottsdale, AZ 9. Portland, OR 10. Washington, DC		11. Orlando, FL 12. Austin, TX 13. Chicago, IL 14. Honolulu, HI 15. San Jose, CA 16. Tampa, FL 17. Boston, MA 18. Colorado Springs, CO 19. Phoenix, AZ 20. Cincinnati, OH

 
Valentine’s Day Spending Survey – Key Stats

• Love on a Budget: 2 in 5 people say Valentine’s Day activities are not affordable this year.
   
• Skeptical Sweethearts: 82% of Americans believe that Valentine’s Day is a trick to make people spend more money.
   
• Romance with Limits: Nearly 2 in 5 people have a Valentine’s Day budget.
   
• Love Is Expensive: 33% of Americans say their relationship is a strain on their finances.
   
• Financial Infidelity Hurts: 7 in 10 people think financial infidelity can be worse than cheating.
   
• Bad Credit Might Keep You Single: 48% of people say they wouldn’t marry someone with bad budgeting habits, a bad WalletScore or a bad credit score.
   

 Valentine’s Day Facts

• $29.1 Billion: Total Valentine’s Day spending projected for 2026 ($199.78 per person celebrating).
   
• 2X: Men will spend almost twice as much as women, on average, for Valentine’s Day 2026. 
   
• $13.3 Billion: Amount Americans will spend on jewelry ($7B) and a special evening out ($6.3B).
   
• 60%: Share of marriages that begin online.
   
• 33%: Overall online dating activity increase across the U.S. between February 1 and February 14.
   
• $8.9 Billion: Projected global dating services market size by 2029.

 
“It’s common to spoil your partner on Valentine’s Day, but inflation can certainly put a damper on those plans. Fortunately, the best cities for Valentine’s Day offer a wide variety of affordable date activities, food options and places to buy gifts, so you can show that you care without breaking the bank. It’s never a good idea to go into debt just to enjoy a holiday or give a gift.”
–
“San Francisco is the best place for celebrating Valentine’s Day, in part due to the fact that it has the highest prevalence of affordable restaurants, florists and second-highest gift shops rated at least 4.5 stars. That covers dinner and presents – but the city is also perfect for dates, with an extremely high number of attractions.”

- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst


Expert Commentary

What are some tips for celebrating Valentine’s Day on a budget? 

“So much of Valentine’s day could be done on a budget. Homemade gifts like coupons for a free back rub or a free car wash can be sweet. If there is a holiday that could work well on a budget, it’s Valentine’s day – because many times what people want is just to feel they are loved.”
Kathleen Vohs – Professor, University of Minnesota
 
“There is nothing wrong with getting into the Valentine's Day spirit and surprising that special person in your life with a sweet note or small token gift. But do not go overboard on spending, especially if your finances are already on shaky ground. Rather than pay a premium for what will probably amount to a mediocre restaurant meal, whip up something delicious at home. Instead of jewelry, craft something meaningful, like a personalized mug, for a fraction of the cost. And for the love of sugar, wait until the day after Valentine's Day to invest in a giant box of chocolates. Retailers tend to overstock for the holiday, and you will likely score the same haul for 50% off if you wait 24 hours. While Valentine's Day is not supposed to be a source of financial upheaval, for countless Americans, it inevitably becomes just that. So, this year, take a smarter approach to the holiday. Set a budget in advance, and stick to it, even if it means skipping the roses and sipping champagne at home. At the end of the day, your significant other should appreciate the gesture. And remember: A heartfelt ‘I love you’ is always free.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D – Associate Professor, Lynn University
 

Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year – how might this impact how people plan to celebrate? 

“I suspect that will mean that people have more time to celebrate. Which, if one is on a budget, could be helpful because instead of going to dinner, for instance, someone could make dinner at home for their loved one.”
Kathleen Vohs – Professor, University of Minnesota
 
“When Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday, the shift from a quick weeknight dinner to a full weekend event changes how billions of dollars are spent. According to consumer data, nearly 35% of people plan an experience rather than just a gift, and the Saturday timing makes this much easier to execute… The weekend date turns a single evening into a travel opportunity. Hotels often see a 25% increase in bookings compared to a midweek Valentine's Day, as couples opt for staycations or weekend getaways. Without the pressure of a Friday or Monday workday, the average length of stay for these romantic trips often extends to two full nights… Saturday is already the busiest night of the week for hospitality, so Valentine's Day creates a massive surge in demand. National surveys show that nearly 50% of consumers plan to dine out, and restaurants often see revenue increases of over 100% compared to a standard Saturday. Because the day is wide open, many venues now offer brunch and lunch specials to accommodate the overflow from the high-demand dinner hours… The Saturday timing opens the door for those not in relationships to participate. Statistics indicate that roughly 30% of people buy Valentine's gifts for friends or family members. On a weekend, this often results in group activities like Galentines brunches or social parties, which are much harder to coordinate on a Wednesday night… For those staying in, Saturday allows for much more elaborate efforts. While a midweek meal is usually rushed, a weekend allows couples to spend 3 or 4 hours on food preparation. Studies show that 20% of celebrators plan to cook a special meal at home, and grocery stores see a notable increase in sales for premium items like steak, lobster, and high-end wine during the Friday and Saturday rush.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D – Associate Professor, Lynn University
 

What post-Valentine’s Day deals should savvy shoppers take advantage of?

“If you’re on a budget, or even if you are not, post-Valentine’s day sales are a great way to extend the holiday. You can celebrate with cheap or free lovey things on the day itself and buy candy and chocolate the next day and have a multi-day Valentine’s day.”
Kathleen Vohs – Professor, University of Minnesota
 
“Many retailers offer clearance sales to quickly sell off remaining Valentine's Day inventory. Look for discounted chocolates, flowers, decorations, and other Valentine's Day-themed items… Jewelry retailers often have post-Valentine's Day sales to attract shoppers looking for discounted jewelry… Apparel and Lingerie Sales: Clothing stores, especially those that specialize in lingerie or romantic apparel, may offer discounts on these items after Valentine's Day. It's an excellent time to find deals on intimate wear… Perfume and cosmetics brands may have promotions on their products, especially those marketed as romantic or Valentine's Day-themed… Some restaurants and food delivery services may extend special offers or discounts for couples or singles post-Valentine's Day… If you're planning a romantic getaway, check for travel deals and packages that may become available after Valentine's Day. Some travel agencies and hotels may offer discounts on romantic destinations… Remember to check online and in-store for the best deals, and keep an eye on social media, newsletters, and deal-finding websites for announcements and exclusive offers.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D – Associate Professor, Lynn University


More From WalletHub

• Best & Worst Cities for Singles
• Best Places to Get Married
• Best & Worst States to Raise a Family
• Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family

Money Matters - Family Hobbies Survey

 Hobbies are supposed to make life better, but for many American families, they are becoming too expensive to keep.

CG Trader's new survey shows that rising costs are forcing people to rethink how they spend their free time, and in some cases, abandon favorite activities altogether.

Key findings:

• Florida, Alabama, and Minnesota residents have the most expensive hobbies on average.

• Reading or book clubs and cooking or baking are the top two most popular hobbies in the U.S.

• The average American spends about $94 on their main hobby in a typical month.

• The average American spends about 7 hours a week on their hobby.

• 41% of Americans have had to limit engagement with their hobby because of costs.

• 34% of Americans have had to give up a hobby because it got too expensive.

From cutting back to calling it quits, Americans are redefining what fun looks like right now.

Book Nook - Mom's in There

When the author learns of her mother’s terminal diagnosis, she returns to the city where she was born. Mother and daughter find, re-find, and lose each other in an intimate, poetic portrayal of the end of a life. Paintings by both women provide dimension and respite as we travel with them on a journey we all know about and yet know nothing about. Mom’s in There is a nudge to perception. It invites the reader to participate in the creative energy that being present can awaken. For anyone caring for someone who is dying or still grieving the loss of a loved one, this book is a reminder to be here, now.

Kirana, Née Karen, grew up in Richmond, Virginia. Her elementary education was at Richmond Montessori, and she graduated from Open High School. She loved writing and at age thirteen won "best book" prize for a contest at the Henrico Public Library for her illustrated book "Nike" about a ten-year-old girl who meets two-inch extra-terrestrials (Nikens) that give birth to their androgynous young by blowing bubbles and lack immunity to chicken pox. At Antioch College, she designed her own major, “World Philosophy,” combining her studies of philosophy and anthropology in a senior thesis about how dreams can be used to solve conflict. After graduating, she wandered for four years in Europe and lived on the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Mallorca. She returned to Richmond in 1991 to become a responsible adult and be near her family. While there, she worked at an early childhood daycare center. Deciding against graduate school, she was certified as a yoga teacher. In 1993, she returned to Spain and has lived there since then in Catalunya, near Barcelona. She shares a home in her “peaceful village” with her partner and young adult son and has been the director of her own yoga center since 2001.

Mealtime Magic - Game Day Celebration

 Celebrity chef and lifestyle expert Chef Jamie Gwen is bringing her playbook to you with expert tips for hosting the ultimate game day celebration. From crowd-pleasing recipes and smart time-saving hacks to creative touches that add big flavor and fun, Jamie shows how to throw a winning party without the stress. Whether it’s a backyard watch party or a living room full of fans, her delicious ideas will help every host score big and keep guests cheering from kickoff to the final whistle.

Chef Jamie Gwen is a former MasterChef judge, a Culinary Institute of America and a Le Cordon Bleu Graduate, a Celebrity Chef & Lifestyle Expert, a Nationally Syndicated Radio Host, a Certified Sommelier, and a 7-time Cookbook Author. She brings the best to radio with her weekly syndicated radio show, heard every weekend on 75 radio stations across the country and in Southern California on Talk Radio 790 KABC. Jamie can be seen every week on L.A.’s #1 morning show on KTLA, on the Home Shopping Network and on national news shows sharing her passion for food.

Money Matters - Budget Survey and Tips

 With about 83% of Americans who follow a budget saying rising costs are their biggest challenge, the personal finance company WalletHub today released its report on 2026’s Cities With the Best and Worst Budgeters. The study highlights the places where residents are managing their finances most effectively, while also pointing to areas that have room for improvement.

To identify where the best budgeters live, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 12 key metrics, including average credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and foreclosure rates.
 

Cities With the Best Budgeters	Cities With the Worst Budgeters
1. Seattle, WA	173. Memphis, TN
2. Boston, MA	174. Mobile, AL
3. Fremont, CA	175. North Las Vegas, NV
4. Honolulu, HI	176. New Orleans, LA
5. South Burlington, VT	177. Montgomery, AL
6. San Jose, CA	178. Huntington, WV
7. Minneapolis, MN	179. Charleston, WV
8. San Francisco, CA	180. Shreveport, LA
9. Worcester, MA	181. Jackson, MS
10. Washington, DC	182. Gulfport, MS

 
To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/cities-with-best-worst-budgeters/7666/
 

“Creating a budget is essential because it helps you avoid overspending and enables you to meet your financial goals like paying off debt, building an emergency fund or saving for retirement. Budgeting can also improve your credit score by helping you develop responsible financial habits, and can make it easier to catch fraud.”
 
–
“Seattle has the best budgeters in the U.S., with residents having some of the lowest debt-to-income ratios in the U.S. for credit card debt, student loan debt and car loan debt. Seattle residents also have one of the lowest credit utilization ratios in the country, with residents using around 37% of their credit limits, on average. This is very close to 30%, the recommended maximum credit utilization ratio. Another way people in Seattle show their ability to stick to a budget is the fact that they have one of the lowest 90-day mortgage delinquency rates in the country.”


- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst


Expert Commentary
 
What is the biggest obstacle for consumers trying to stick to their budgets?

“Keeping up with the joneses has always been one of the toughest challenges for disciplined personal finance. As income increases, people tend to proportionally increase spending rather than saving more. The pressure to keep up with peers' visible spending (newer cars, homes, vacations) can derail even well-intentioned budgets. The next obstacle is job loss or other emergencies that can come at someone. However, this is why adhering to a budget and having savings for rainy days matter. However, the psychological difficulty of delaying gratification in a culture built around instant satisfaction does pose a significant challenge, especially now as people live on social media.”
Dr. Suchi Mishra – Professor, Florida International University
 
“Research shows that consumers also regularly underestimate small, unplanned purchases. For example, when going to the grocery store, people almost always pick up a few items that are not on their usual list – such as buying a nicer olive oil for a specific dish or realizing they are out of dishwasher tabs and choosing the largest box to save on cost per tab. Because of this, when budgeting it is important to do what some people call ‘planning for unplanned purchases.’ Just as with large projects, it helps to build in a margin of error. Figure out what a normal grocery bill looks like and budget an extra 10%. Decide how much is reasonable to spend on a day out at an amusement park and add $20. However, people approach it, budgeting for these small, everyday extras makes it much more likely that they will stay within their overall budget, rather than only accounting for large monthly or yearly expenses.”
Helen Colby, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Indiana University
 

How should parents teach children about the importance of budgeting?

“Make teaching budgeting concrete, age-appropriate and fun. Letting them have some consequences is critical. Overspending can lead to losing a privilege whereas savings can result in a nice reward. Let them participate in family spending decisions. Model good behavior openly. Discuss family budgeting decisions in front of children. For example, vacation planning can involve kids in deciding flight vs drive, type of flight, hotel and food etc. They will be excited to participate. Give them responsibility by giving small allowances for discretionary spending, then gradually expand to clothing budgets, phone bills, or car expenses as they prove they can handle it. The goal is to help them understand that money is finite, choices have tradeoffs, and intentional decisions lead to better outcomes than reactive spending. When kids grow into teens they can have a debit card with a limit. Nowadays there are options to get free checking accounts with debit cards and options to lock the card etc.”
Dr. Suchi Mishra – Professor, Florida International University
 
“Parents are children's primary financial educators, yet money remains one of the least discussed topics in many households. Starting financial education early creates lifelong habits. For young children (ages 3-7), use transparent jars instead of piggy banks so they can see money accumulate. Introduce basic concepts like waiting to buy something they want. Teach kids about delayed gratification and the joy that comes from anticipation. Give them small amounts to manage and let them make mistakes with low stakes. For older children (ages 8-12), introduce the concept of earning through age-appropriate chores, distinguishing between expected contributions to the household and extra tasks. Help them divide money into spending, saving, and giving categories. Studies show that children who learn to allocate money to different purposes develop better financial habits as adults. For teenagers, open a checking account together and teach them to track transactions. Involve them in family budgeting discussions, showing how household expenses work. Let them earn larger amounts and make bigger decisions, including mistakes. A teenager who spends their entire summer earnings impulsively learns a more valuable lesson than one whose parents always rescue them. Model healthy financial behavior. Children absorb attitudes about money from watching parents more than from lectures. Discussing family financial goals, demonstrating comparison shopping, and showing contentment with what you have will teach more powerfully than any allowance system.”
Yoav Wachsman – Professor, Coastal Carolina University
 

What tips do you have for consumers looking to make a budget and stick to it?

“First tip is to understand your expenses, what are permanent and which ones are discretionary… Once you have tracked a pattern then you can decide on restrictions based on your goal. Tracking is especially important in an environment where there is a lot of uncertainty in the stock market, and inflationary expectations. Tracking is also important to understand one’s discretionary spending pattern which is typically underestimated. A critical tip is use one of the several apps/software available for tracking expenses automatically and can be exported to a spreadsheet. It may sound stereotypical, but the 50/30/20 rule still helps. 50% needs (housing, utilities, groceries), 30% wants (entertainment, dining out), 20% savings and debt repayment. Adjust these percentages based on your income level and goals… Set up automatic transfers to savings accounts and automatic bill payments. When money moves without requiring constant involvement, it is more likely to stick to a plan… Know your needs and build in some flexibility. Rigid budgets fail quickly. Include a ‘miscellaneous’ category for unexpected expenses and occasional treats. Aim at a positive cash balance in the account no matter how small it is. Quick weekly check-ins (10 minutes) keep you aware without being burdensome. Monthly reviews let you adjust categories that were unrealistic. Once again using a personal finance software/app helps a lot to catch up.”
Dr. Suchi Mishra – Professor, Florida International University


5 Tips for Better Budgeting

1. Start with a plan: You're more likely to succeed and stay on track if you have a solid plan. The budgeting process involves gathering information about your finances, setting goals for what you want to accomplish, allocating money based on how essential each expense is and tracking your progress. Understanding budgeting is important because it can help stop you from overspending, improve your credit score, prepare you for the future and more.
    
2. Use free budgeting tools: You can take advantage of online budgeting tools to build your ideal budget, whether you prefer to micromanage every expense or just create a few general categories.
    
3. Keep your priorities straight: Your monthly debt payoff should be your first priority. Then comes essential expenses, like bills, groceries, and gas, along with saving money for the future. Only after these things are taken care of should you allocate money for “wants.”
    
4. Try out different budgeting methods: There are a variety of budgeting strategies you can use, and the best one may differ from person to person. Some strategies (like the 50/30/20 budget) recommend spending specific percentages of your budget on needs, wants and savings, while others emphasize making sure every dollar is accounted for (zero-based budgeting method) or focus on setting strict spending limits on different spending categories (envelope method). The key is to find out which one works best for you.
    
5. Stick to your budget: Track your spending on a daily basis so you constantly know your progress, or just sync your bank accounts and credit cards with a budgeting app. In addition, keep your long-term budget goals written down in a place where you’ll see them often, and partner with a family member or friend to hold each other accountable.

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