If you haven’t heard of Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, it’s fairly safe to assume that the rock you’ve been living under must at least have wi-Fi. Tiffany is quickly becoming America’s favorite personal financial educator. The Budgetnista is founder of the LIVE RICHER Challenge.
Since 2008, The Budgetnista has specialized in the delivery of financial education that includes seminars, workshops, curricula and trainings. Tiffany is the bestselling author of the books, The One Week Budget and Live Richer Challenge (#1 Amazon / budgeting), and she and her financial advice have been featured on: the TODAY show, PBS, TIME, The New York Times, Reuters, ESSENCE Magazine, FORBES, Fox Business, MSNBC and CBS MoneyWatch. She also blogs about personal finance for The Huffington Post and U.S. News and World Report.
The past year has shown the impact as well as the future potential of the Live Richer Challenge.
• 20,000 women participated.
• Participants in all 50 US states and in 65 countries
• $400,000 worth of debt paid off
• $3.5 million saved
Here are a few first-person accounts from women who participated in 2015’s Live Richer Challenge:
Michelle’s Story
When I joined this challenge, I had just lost ‘everything’ (business, apartment, etc.) and had moved back home to start over and rebuild. I had right around $13K+ in debt, was ready to file my 2nd bankruptcy in 8 years. I had exhausted all my savings, investments, and was living ‘upside down’ ! Had more bills than money and had no idea what I was going to do. Credit score had plummeted to the low 500’s, and was being sued by two creditors. Well….fast forward to now, 11 months later, I have eliminated just about 8 thousand dollars worth of debt, had both lawsuits thrown out! I started an automated savings account, earning interest (rebuilding my emergency/savings fund), I am developing an active budget, and am now more conscious of how a I view, treat, and value my money! I’m no longer afraid to face build collectors when they call, and my credit score has jumped well over 100 points and I am in the mid-high 600’s now! For my remaining bills, I’ve learned how to boldly negotiate payment arrangements and terms that benefit me, and I am confident that I will be able to tackle my remaining debt without having to file another bankruptcy! I’ve even discovered a few ‘side hustles’ to help increase my income/revenue streams! I have truly learned to #LiveRicher!!! Can’t wait to start the new challenge in January!
Melissa’s Story
The LRC has changed my outlook entirely. I started in July and learned so much that I “thought” I knew. Smh. smile emoticon
1 – I was able to create a budget, a working budget and I know where every penny goes.
2 – I learned that a simple phone to creditors can help in so many ways. I decreased my car insurance by $80 a month, cell phone by $60 and upgraded 2 regular credit cards to reward cards.
3 – I no longer rob Peter to pay Paul. Thank God!
4 – I’ve had 3 negatives removed from my credit report. And my scores are no longer in the 500s..Yes!
5 – I was able to create an emergency fund that helped me recently when my car needed fixing..
The list goes on.. but what I’m particularly proud of is that my mindset is decreasing debt and not creating more.. the old me would have gotten a new car and I’ve been itching to BUT, now that I’m without a car loan I can attack my student loans and other debts. I’m DETERMINED to live richer! Thank you Tiffany O. Aliche for being selfless and educating others like myself. Thank you! You are inspiring and because of you, I have a handle on my finances and is on the right path.
Cynthia’s Story
I jumped on the bandwagon late in the year but man let me tell you…..I have a working budget in my life, I now have 2 major credit cards with decent credit limits, my credit utilization is low, (I also learned things like credit utilization )my credit score has risen to the 700’s because of the discipline and knowledge learned about how to use my cards. Oh, I have a checking account a bill paying account, and 2 online savings accounts. I had an emergency fund built up, but I had an emergency that depleted it, but heck that’s exactly what it was for. Mannnn, this has been the greatest challenge I have ever enjoyed and have stuck with. There are still steps I haven’t ventured out on, but when 2016 gets here it’s on like a hot bag of popcorn.
Terri’s Story
Started LRC in January…hadn’t really thought about my financial outlook..but God said it was time…was surfing the internet on day and “stumbled” on the Live Richer Challenge…since beginning the LRC my credit score has increased, I now have 3 savings accounts, a Roth IRA and a mutual fund account. I have my bills on autopay and I have a financial adviser. I have proudly saved 10,000 this year. AMAZING!!!! I THANK GOD for dropping Tiffany O Aliche link into my search ( my search had nothing to do with finances!!) I am more knowledgeable, responsible and empowered!!!!
Valerie’s Story
Welp, here goes… I started the LRC in July. I had hit a wall when my credit card payments become more than my mortgage (and I was still using them between pay periods and as my emergency fund). I’ve read books and read articles on the internet here and there, BUT the LRC moved me from thinking about it to DOING something about it. I got a part-time job, refinanced the house, and trimmed my budget everywhere I could. Fast forward to present – I now have two savings, one linked to my checking for emergencies and one online that I don’t touch for long-term goals. Also, I have not used my credit cards since July (with the exception of a business trip that my job will be reimbursing me within 2 weeks so I don’t really count that). Also, being in the Dream Catcher’s group keeps me going every day!
The new 2016 Live Richer Challenge is the Savings Edition.
How the 2016 Challenge will be different:
• It’s shorter – 22 days vs. 36 days
• The focus: How to Save More Money & Make More Money
• There is a new book, Live Richer Challenge: Savings Edition
Are you ready to participate in the Live Richer Challenge for 2016? Here’s what you need to do. Click this link and sign up for the new 2016 Live Richer Challenge: Savings Edition! It’s that simple!
