max wongs budget

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Can a Paint Job Help an Old House Pass a Re-Fi Appraisal?

After two not-so-successful attempts at a mortgage re-fi, Max is ready with a plan. Will the third time be the charm?

My 2016 Budget Challenge: What to Do With a Totaled Car

Things took an unfortunate turn for Max — somewhat literally — on the 110 Freeway. Can she find the silver lining in her totaled set of wheels?

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Three Lessons About Saving One Husband Learned in a Year

Max's Mr. Spendypants has learned his own share of frugal living lessons during Max's savings challenge year.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Reduce Debt or Save for an Emergency?

Life's curveballs have Max and her Mr. evaluating their budget challenge as a whole. Should they stay the course?

My 2016 Budget Challenge: How to Decide When to Sell Your House

Max is facing one of the biggest decisions in her budget challenge yet — should she sell her house? The decision is amusingly complex.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Where to Find Cheap Training for a New Career

Max is feeling the crunch. With $21K still left to go, will she hit her budget goals and find a new job by December? Stay tuned!

My 2016 Budget Challenge: How to Lose Weight Without Counting Calories

Max has added a new goal to her budget challenge; lose some weight. Find out how she's slimming down on a dime.

My Budget Challenge 2016: How to Live Frugally When You Have No Time

Sure, saving money takes time and effort. When it comes to living frugally, if you make the time, you'll find the money.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Does Taking a Regular Day Job Mean Giving Up?

The freelance life ain't always easy. Max is on the hunt for a regular, good old fashioned job offer — and money isn't the only reason why.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: How to Buy a House When You Live Paycheck to Paycheck

Max shares what she learned about compound savings while saving for a house — and how she's using those lessons in this year's budget challenge.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: How to Turn Your Spouse Into a Money Saver

Max is owning her crazy in her journey to save $31K this year. Her husband, Mr. Spendypants, is along for the ride.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Affording Education

For Max, a new career means learning a whole new skill set. Find out how she's achieving it while keeping to her strict budget.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Am I Ruining My Career?

Make a little money now, or a lot of money later? Corporate grind or freelance life? Max weighs the pros and cons of her gig focused income stream.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Finding Food

From the streets of LA to the forest floor, Max Wong is finding brilliant ways to cut food costs on her way to finding an extra $31K this year.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Job Creation

From sourcing vintage car parts to freelance photography, Max Wong is tackling her budget challenge by conjuring jobs out of thin air.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Everything Breaks

The second installment of this Wise Breader's budget challenge finds Max on the verge of a breakdown.

My 2016 Budget Challenge: Why I Need to Find $31K This Year

Wise Bread writer Max Wong needs to find an extra $31,000 this year. She's up for the challenge, and we're along for the ride.