Lisa

I'm Lisa. I have a husband, a Pokemon Go obsession, and a #weddingblog for the budget and #diybride. I run on coffee, little sleep, & hopes of going viral.

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

I loved being a part of #CreditChat today. It's my favorite chat of the year and I feel so grateful that @Experian asks me to join and share my knowledge with all of you.

Let's keep in touch here on X or come check me out on my blog or social media pages.

See you next year!

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

@Experian @ACCreditCounsel @creditscoop @perspectives83 @LeslieHTayneEsq @JReLLz35 @Glink Thank you for having me (even if my handle is spelled wrong up there haha). #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

@Glink I misread this as you and your partner will both be thick and thin during your married lives and it made me laugh. #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

A10: My best piece of advice to newlyweds is to live within your means and understand "things" are a treat, not a necessity.

You don't need to go out to dinner every night. You don't need the flashiest clothes or car.

What you need is to make sound financial choices.#CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

@Jennifer_Wwhite Our street was built at the same time. The day our water heater went out, our neighbor's three doors down went out too.

My dad took a walk down the block and bumped into someone whose went out the day before (and that's how we got a number for a plumber). #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

A9: In the last 12 months, our washing machine, oven, HVAC, and hot water heater all needed to be either serviced or replaced.

Unexpected costs can pop up at any time.

If you live frugally and save more than you spend, you'll be able to pay when these things happen.
#CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

Q10: What’s your best piece of financial advice for newlyweds? #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

@JReLLz35 ALSO, remember to FEED your vendors. You have to order a meal for your photographers, videographers, band, DJ, etc. Don't expect them to work all day without eating. #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

Q9: Unexpected costs can pop up during big events. How can an emergency fund help protect your wallet and your credit? #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

A8: When you're planning a wedding, a credit card that gives cash back (or double cash back for the first year) is a great one to use to charge all your purchases too. That's a great way to save.

If you have a card with travel points, use those towards a honeymoon.

#CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

Q8: How can you use your credit history or rewards points to your advantage when planning your nuptials or honeymoon? #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

@Jennifer_Wwhite Having a repayment plan is so important. Too many people just think they'll wing it and, honestly, money doesn't work that way. #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

A7: Before making large purchases, like a home, look at the economy. How are interest rates? Can you afford them on your current salary?

If you want to move, compare cost of living where you are now to where you want to go. What would you have to give up to move?

#CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

@JReLLz35 School loans can follow you into marriage too, and then they become your partner's responsibility too. #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

Q7: What factors should you consider before making a large purchase tied to a life milestone, such as buying a home or adding to your family? #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

@Experian It's my favorite chat of the year! And probably the most important one for engaged couples. #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

@Teena_LaRo Both are super important, especially the DJ. Bad music can make a bad wedding. #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

A3: Weddings are expensive if you try to do everything lavishly.

So, decide what one thing is most important to you & your fiancé & spend there. Ours was cake & a band.

Then, find budget ways for everything else. We borrowed chair covers from the wedding before ours.#CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

@Experian Also, make sure your partner isn't co-signing a loan for someone that you don't know about because that can cause a really messy situation later. #CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

A6: We took out a loan when we built a new house after we got married, as most newlyweds do.

I knew, but didn't realize until I saw it on paper, just how much you pay in interest on a mortgage and how little you pay in principle every month.

#CreditChat

[Lisa @abrideabudget]

Did you guys know this? #CreditChat

[Jennifer White @Jennifer_Wwhite]

A5. Some people believe married couples have joint credit reports, but that's false: each person keeps their own. Still, co-signed or joint accounts will impact both partners’ credit since the account, payment history, balances, will be reported on each credit file. #CreditChat