Are You Ready to Finally Fix Your Finances - For Good?

Hi, we're Mike & Mollie.

Whether it's paying off debt, making more money, or increasing your savings, we're here to share what we've learned.

As a family of six living off one income, we've had to learn how to live frugally by necessity. What we didn't expect was how much contentment this would lead to.

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Our Recent Blog Posts

The Step-by-Step Process I Used to Invest My Surprise Windfall

August 13, 2025

I recently came into about $100,000 that I wasn’t expecting. To say I’m grateful is an understatement. It’s not exactly “life changing” money for our family, but it truly makes a difference. After letting the money sit in a savings account for about half a year, I realized I was procrastinating on deciding what to…

The 5 Levels of Financial Freedom  

August 12, 2025

I don’t know when the term “financial freedom” came into vogue, but it certainly gets tossed around a lot nowadays. Some people don’t like it, but I’ve always felt it captured something useful. Money is a tool, and what exactly is that tool for? For our family, it helps us to pay the bills, enjoy…

How We Paid Off $70,000 in Debt in 3 Years With Extreme Frugality

August 11, 2025

My wife and I got married the same month we graduated college. We were young, in love, and $70,000 in debt. With two undergraduate degrees in hand, we tied the knot and rented our first apartment without any jobs and barely any money in the bank. Like any young lovers, we decided that we would…

We’re the New Owners of Debt Free Forties (plus FAQ)

August 9, 2025

Hello, Debt Free Forties reader. My name is Mike Donghia, the new owner of Debt Free Forties. If you’re getting this email, it’s because you are still subscribed to this blog’s email list. I would love the opportunity to prove myself worthy of the trust you’ve given, by earning that spot in your inbox. But,…

money exchanging hands

120+ Side Hustles for Women

April 18, 2023

Finding side hustles for women that fit into their busy schedules can be quite the challenge. Chances are you’re already knee deep in a million other responsibilities as it is, so any side gigs you pick up need to be an easy way to make extra cash quickly. There are a billion great side hustles…

Easy money challenges to smash your financial goals

37 Easy Money Savings Challenges

April 18, 2023

If you’re looking for a way to boost your savings or debt repayment goals, try a money savings challenge. Money or saving challenges are a great way to switch things up and jumpstart your savings. What is a Money Savings Challenge? A money savings challenge is a way to save money that makes it fun…

husband and wife in front of a house

The Cheapest States to Live in 2023

April 18, 2023

If you’ve ever wondered what the cheapest state to live in is, you’ve come to the right place!  When it comes to determining which states have the lowest cost of living, there are a lot of different sources saying a lot of different things, especially since the cheapest city to live in the USA is…

clothes hangin on hangers with text reading Poshmark vs Thredup

Poshmark vs Thredup: Which is Better?

April 18, 2023

Do you have clothes that are too nice to donate but aren’t sure what to do with them? Poshmark and ThredUp are two of the best online thrift stores for buying and selling used clothing. They’re both great options, but it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve…

Image of windmills and factory

Arcadia Power Review: A Guide to Clean Energy

April 18, 2023

I started using Arcadia Power over a year ago, and wanted to share my Arcadia review on how it’s working out – if I’ve been saving money, if I’m really making an impact on the environment, and if it’s worth signing up for their services. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, by…

two moms with daughter holding debit card

Greenlight Debit Card for Kids Review (2023)

April 7, 2023

When I first heard about the Greenlight debit card, I was skeptical. Very, very skeptical. The idea of this app, and handing a kid a debit card, felt like the equivalent of giving them an entire cake and fork. (It can’t end well for either of you!) So, I decided to check out as many…

Kids playing on smartphones

How to Earn Money as a Kid

April 7, 2023

Learning how to earn money as a kid is a right of passage that every adult has gone through. The siren call of video games, gas money, makeup, or candy is enough to make the most strong-willed kid pick up a side hustle to earn some cash. We’ve all wanted to know how to get…

Smiling child laying on the living room floor, playing with cars, trucks, and buildings.Text reads fun playroom ideas on a budget that kids will love.

Fun Playroom Ideas on a Budget that Kids will Love!

April 7, 2023

Looking for great playroom ideas on a budget? These tips will help you create a beautiful area for your kids to grow in a fun and organized playroom without spending too much. With some planning and shopping around, you can easily create a beautiful playroom on a budget. Do Kids Really Need a Playroom? Play…