Ellie Kay

Being part of a gold star family is like being part of an honored and exclusive club—but one that no one wants to join. The gold star indicates that a member of that family died while serving their country. We are a three-star blue star family, which means we currently have three family members serving …

Remembering Our Fallen on Memorial Day Read More »

When I married my husband, we had five babies in seven years and moved 11 times in 13 years. I also had two stepdaughters for a total of seven children to support. I left a nice job as a broker to have a more rewarding career as a SAHM (stay at home mom). One of …

Mom, Here’s How to Calculate the Value of Your Time at Your Job Read More »

The Kay family had five babies in seven years. That roughly adds up to three kids in diapers at once, 10 years of not sleeping through the night, four teenage drivers at the same time, three kids in college at once and today, we have five Millennials in their 20s simultaneously. But the good news …

5 Christ-Centered Habits to Ensure Your Financial Health Read More »

On Black Friday and Cyber Monday of every year, I get all my shopping done so that we can have a simple holiday–no last-minute panic, no stress–just a simple life. But a few Christmases ago, I got talked into having “some work” done in our kitchen that was a “three-day job.” I remember stressing to …

7 Stress-Free Suggestions for Keeping Christmas Simple Read More »

As far as military families go, I’m a brat, a grandbrat, a wifebrat and a mombrat. Yes, military service runs deep in the Kay family. My grandpa died as an aircrew member in World War II, my dad retired as a chief master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force; my hubby flew fighter aircraft in …

8 Ways to Thank a Veteran—This Veteran’s Day and Every Day Read More »

My husband brought me the credit card bill and asked “What did you do on your last trip to New York?” He was stunned. “These charges are to a tattoo shop, an liquor store and a series of bars. Please tell me this is some kind of mistake!” It was a classic case of identity …

Life Hack: Avoiding the Nightmare of Identity Theft Read More »

“My kids will never come back to live with us after they are launched.” “I don’t have worry about boomerang children; mine have great jobs.” “Junior would never get into trouble and need me to bail him out; he’s a good boy. Have you ever made a declarative statement that you had to take back …

Life Hacks: Dealing With the Millennial Boomerang Read More »

“Bye, bye!”  I smiled and waved from the front porch, Bob by my side, “Nice to meet you!” Speaking like a ventriloquist, I continued to wave at my son and his girlfriend. “I give It less than one week,” I told my husband, “Two weeks tops.” Bob smiled, giving his very poor ventriloquist rendition, “I …

For Love or Money: Premarital Financial Advice Read More »

“Mama, can you ask Miss Natalya if I can hold the baby?” my 6-foot-4-inch son asked with hopeful expectation. Moments later, he was holding the pretty little 3-month-old baby girl and smiling proudly, “Now, take my picture.” Ever since he was a teenager, he absolutely loved babies. Holding them. Having his picture made with them. …

Budget Baby: 8 Tips for Saving Money on Those Precious Little Ones Read More »

My longtime friend Edith and I found heaven on earth this past weekend and we were determined to milk it for all it was worth. Milk chocolate, that is! We took a day trip to Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania from her new house in Mechanicsburg, and we racked up the discounts all day. There was a Groupon for …

Bargaining—the James 4:2 Way Read More »

This week, I got a phone call from Jonathan, my fighter pilot son, sharing his latest bargain. He may have gotten his flying abilities from the world’s greatest fighter pilot, but he learned how to save from another family member, who will remain nameless. He talked about how he scored a new bedding set at by layering …

These Brilliant Everyday Saving Tips Could Change Your Life—and Your Bank Account Read More »

(Editor’s Note: See Part 1 of this article here.)  When people ask me how we are putting our kids through college debt-free, the answer is multi-fold. First, we train our children from a young age that going to school, doing your homework and getting good grades is their primary “job.” By teaching them a good work ethic, …

Life Hacks: 4 Astounding Ways to Keep College Costs Down (Part 2) Read More »

When our daughter Bethany was 4 years old, she came running in the house, sobbing uncontrollably. I smoothed her blond curls and held her. “What’s wrong, Bunny?” “I don’t want to leave you and go to college!” Her chubby arms held my neck tight. “Um, well, Bunny, you don’t have to go to college anytime …

Life Hacks: 4 Astounding Tips to Keep College Costs Down (Part 1) Read More »

There are no quick fixes, but there are ways to gain control over bad credit-spending habits. Many years ago, I read in a financial self-help book that if I had a problem with credit card spending, I should put the card in a bowl of water and freeze it. The idea was that it would …

Find Freedom From Debt Read More »