- The Average Cost of an American Commute
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American spends roughly 26 minutes commuting by car from their homes to their workplaces. That means we’re collectively spending billions of hours on unproductive and unfulfilling commutes. But it’s not just time that we’re spending on our commutes – we’re spending money, too. The average cost of an American… read more…
- The Average Cost of a Divorce
Even the most amicable of divorces generally involve some kind of expense. The average cost of a divorce varies greatly based on how complicated the case is and on the kind of divorce you seek. At the very least you’ll have to pay court costs and filing fees for divorce paperwork. But if lawyers are… read more…
- Which Documents Should You Shred?
Even if you’ve opted to go paperless on things like bank statements, you probably still receive important mail related to your finances. These could be medical bills, old tax returns or explanations of benefits from your insurance companies, for example.… read more…
- How Much to Spend on Wedding Gifts
The average cost of a wedding is now well over $30,000. Coming up with enough cash to pay for the reception, the dress and the food can be difficult for brides and grooms. Wedding guests can also find themselves in… read more…
- What Is COBRA Continuation Coverage?
COBRA continuation coverage lets you stay on your employer’s group health insurance plan after leaving your job. COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. It’s shorthand for the law change that required employers to extend temporary group health… read more…
- Top 5 Biggest Threats to Your Net Worth in Your 20s
If you’re in your 20s, your net worth might be the last thing on your mind. But it’s never too early to start creating long-term wealth. Many twenty-somethings are financially challenged, but it’s possible to maneuver around wealth-blocking obstacles if… read more…
- How to Mine Bitcoin
Maybe you’re already a bitcoin user and you want to start mining bitcoin, or maybe you’re totally new to the bitcoin world. Either way, we’ve got you covered with our guide to how to mine bitcoin. It’s not a walk… read more…
- How Much Is the Average Electric Bill?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average monthly residential electric bill for Americans was $117.46 in 2020, up from $115 in 2019. However, several factors such as location and home size will affect the price of your electric… read more…
- 7 Ways to Boost Your Net Worth
Your net worth is one indication of your financial well-being. It’s the value of your assets after subtracting your liabilities. While you might know what your favorite celebrity is worth, you might not have a clue as to your own… read more…
- The Most-Googled Personal Finance Terms (Map)
Google search traffic has been shown to be a useful tool for measuring the interests and concerns of the general public. For example, it has been used to predict both unemployment claims and retail sales. Recently it has also been used to forecast election results with greater accuracy than many electoral prognosticators. At a less… read more…
- The Economics of Raising Chickens
Does the idea of raising your own chickens appeal to you? It’s not for everyone (apartment-dwellers, we’re looking at you) but it can be a rewarding project. If you haven’t taken the plunge yet, you may be wondering whether it’s… read more…
- The Economics of Video Streaming Services
Over 40% of U.S. households have access to a video streaming service, according to a 2015 Nielsen report. What’s more, 13% of households have more than one streaming service membership. If you use Netflix, Hulu Plus or one of the… read more…
- The Economics of the Pet Industry
If you’ve ever walked down the pet aisle at a big supermarket you’ve gotten a sense of the scale of America’s pet industry. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), total pet industry expenditures reached $60.59 billion in 2015. That’s up from $58.04 billion in 2014. Let’s take a closer look at the economics of the… read more…
- 5 Reasons to Have a Winter Wedding
You could marry the love of your life when the temperature rises above 70 degrees. Or you could plan to say your vows in the dead of winter. If you’re a fan of sunshine and warm weather, you might think… read more…
- Pros and Cons of Holiday Shopping Layaway Plans
Since their debut during the Great Depression, layaway plans have allowed Americans to make large purchases without having to pay for them right away. While a layaway program can be a good alternative to using a credit card to buy… read more…
- 4 Tips for Avoiding the Pink Tax
Research and recent articles have brought to light a phenomenon known as the pink tax. Evidence shows that certain products designed for women have higher prices than the same products marketed toward men in the U.S. and other countries. Annually, the pink tax costs women nearly $1,400 above what men pay for the same products. Unless you… read more…
- 10 Things You Need in Your Winter Survival Kit
Winter is coming. That’s right, another season of snow, cold and darkness is on its way. If you can’t get out of winter by flying south, get into winter by making the best of the season. One way to make… read more…
- Everything You Should Know About a Fed Interest Rate Hike
The Federal Reserve, facing surging inflation it once dismissed as “transitory,” has hiked a key interest rate by a half percentage point – a move the U.S. central bank has not made for more than two decades. The interest rate hike, along with the Fed’s announcement of plans to shrink its bloated balance sheet, takes… read more…
- 10 Personal Finance Myths – Busted
With all the personal finance advice on TV and strewn across all corners of the Internet, it can be hard to know what’s fact and what’s fiction. So we’re here to help. Below are 10 popular personal finance myths that people… read more…
- 5 Smart Ways to Spend Leftover 529 Plan Money
Socking away money into a 529 plan is a smart move for parents who want to help their kids with the cost of college so they don’t end up overburdened by student loans. Compared to a Coverdell Education Savings Account,… read more…
- SmartAsset Talks to The Budgetnista (Video)
Tiffany Aliche is The Budgetnista. She teaches financial empowerment through speaking engagements, workshops and her bestselling book. Her motto is “LIVE RICHER” and for this edition of SmartAsset Talks she explains what that means and how you can join 10,000… read more…
- The Top States for Unclaimed Property
There are people walking around right now who are owed hundreds, thousands, or in some cases even millions of dollars in unclaimed property. In fact you might be one of them. Let us explain… Find out now: How does my 401(k) work? Every year, thousands of businesses across the country find themselves in possession of money and… read more…
- When Are Pet Expenses Tax-Deductible?
When you’re trying to score a break at tax time, maxing out your deductions can potentially lower your bill or result in a bigger tax return. Apart from the standard write-offs for things like mortgage interest or business travel, you… read more…
- 5 Tips for Asking for Financial Help
You hate it, I hate it, everybody hates it. Sometimes, though, asking for financial help is the only way out of a jam. With the holiday season coming up, chances are your relatives are asking you what you want as… read more…
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Bulk Buying
Everyone loves a bargain. Manufacturers and retailers have understood that fact for decades and the result is bigger boxes with less content because it provides the impression of being a good deal. The process is simple: They offer consumers five… read more…