- What a Difference One Degree Makes!
Having a discussion about home energy consumption and saving money can sometimes seem intimidating so it might be best to start with the fundamental equations at the heart of the issue. E (energy) = M (money) Therefore, more energy equals… read more…
- 529 Plan vs. Coverdell ESA
If you’re a parent, paying for college can put a serious strain on your budget, especially as tuition prices continue to climb. According to a U.S. News study, during the 2022-2023 school year, the average cost of tuition at an… read more…
- How to Give Money to Students and Avoid Gift Tax
It’s that time of year when new grads are taking that long walk across the stage to collect their degrees and first-time students are preparing to head off to college for the first time. From a parent’s perspective, both events… read more…
- 5 Ways to Safeguard Your Finances During a Divorce
Getting a divorce can take an extreme emotional toll on everyone involved and it can also pack a wallop when it comes to your money. Even if you don’t have a substantial amount of assets to divvy up you need to be prepared to untangle the knots of shared financial responsibilities. Doing as much as… read more…
- 5 Reasons to Hoard Salt Packets in Your Desk
When you get delivery or takeout from your favorite restaurant on the job, chances are you’ll get, along with your plastic cutlery, a handful of tiny paper packets of salt. If food needs it, we typically use one or two… read more…
- Tips for Dealing With Financially Dependent Parents
At some point, parents have to decide when to permanently close the Bank of Mom and Dad and allow adult children to stand on their own two feet. If you’ve taught your kids smart money habits from an early age,… read more…
- 5 Reasons To Take the City Bus
I’ve recently started taking the city bus to work. Some of you reading this might yawn and say, ‘so what?’ Some of you might think, ‘I would never take the city bus.’ Every city transit system is different, and while it may seem like a no-brainer to take public transit in New York City, it… read more…
- Fired just before retirement? It’s not time to panic yet
The unfortunate truth is that most people do not feel prepared financially for their retirement years. A 2013 survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling found that 75 percent of people agreed that they were not financially ready for their post-work… read more…
- The Four Types of Finance Experts
If you are hoping to make smarter decisions with your finances, seeking out professional help may get you closer to your goals. Financial advisors can offer guidance on the best way to manage your money but they’re not all created… read more…
- Does Shopping at the Dollar Store Really Save You Money?
In the wake of the recession, millions of Americans have found themselves looking for ways to trim their budgets. With the economy still recovering, many consumers continue to rely on frugal tricks like clipping coupons, scouring bargain bins and shopping… read more…
- 5 Ways to Financially Support Elderly Parents
This is a guest post written by the Editors of CreditDonkey. It’s a tough economy out there, and even tougher for elderly folks. According to the Pew Research Center, around 20 percent of adult children ages 40 to 60 years old… read more…
- What to Do When You Can’t Pay Your Medical Bills
A trip to the emergency room or an unexpected illness can be a recipe for financial disaster if you don’t have health insurance or your coverage isn’t that great. According to a study released earlier this year, medical bills are the number one factor leading to personal bankruptcy filings in the U.S. If your medical… read more…
- How I’m Donating This Year… and It Won’t Cost Me a Cent
It’s the time of year when many of us think about giving back. You can donate money or time, new toys or old coats. But this year, I decided to donate my hair. It doesn’t cost a thing (often the… read more…
- Consumers Hoarding Cash – Temporary Trend or New Normal?
Five years after the Great Recession and resulting financial crisis, the economy still has not recovered to the degree that economists and policy makers had hoped. Unemployment is on the decline, the threat of deflation has abated, and the stock market is at all-time highs. Yet Americans are not spending. Consumer spending is the final… read more…
- Do You Really Need Pet Insurance?
Estimates vary, but Americans aspent between $110 billion and nearly $125 billion on their pets in 2021. By 2030 that figure will have jumped to $275 billion, according to Morgan Stanley. The largest percentage went towards food. But pet owners… read more…
- 5 Tips for Handling a Financial Windfall
Everyone dreams of being on the receiving end of an unexpected wad of cash but landing a financial windfall can quickly become a nightmare. Without some careful thought and planning, you could end up squandering the money before you’ve had… read more…
- How Budgeting Can Help You Avoid Bankruptcy
If the bills are piling up and creditors are hounding you over unpaid debts, it may seem like the only way out is to file bankruptcy. While filing bankruptcy can give you a financial clean slate, it’s meant to be… read more…
- New vs Used: 8 Things You’re Better Off Buying Secondhand
If you’re looking for ways to trim your budget, buying things that have been previously owned can save you a lot of money. While it’s true that you get what you pay for, buying secondhand doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sacrifice quality. If you take the time to shop around, you’ll find that there… read more…
- Fast Food Advertising, Obesity and the Cost to Everyone
In the U.S., there is growing national concern over the obesity epidemic. According to public health workers, anyone with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 is considered obese. Nearly, one-third of Americans are obese today, and it is estimated… read more…
- 5 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Real Estate Attorney
When it comes to buying and selling real estate, there are certain situations where it helps to have a qualified legal professional on your side. If you’re looking to get into real estate investing, attempting to purchase a short sale… read more…
- The Best and Worst Things to Buy in September
With Labor Day behind us and the summer unofficially officially over, the great fall sales beckon shoppers to dole out some cash on end-of-the-season sales. The transition into fall makes it possible to find deals on summer products and snatch… read more…
- Smart Guy Buyer’s Guide to the Home Office
Whether you consult on a freelance basis, work remotely or operate your own business, your home office is a hub for focused productivity. It can also serve as the space where you keep your personal finances organized. With the right… read more…
- What to Do When You Can’t Repay Your Student Loans
For many freshly minted grads struggling to find their footing in a tough job market, the arrival of their first student loan bill is a harsh reality check. Just as student loan debt is approaching an all-time high, default rates are also skyrocketing. According to a report, approximately 5% of all student loans are in… read more…
- How to Keep Your Sanity When Shopping for a Cell Phone Plan
Are you getting the best deal on your cell phone? Did you ever take the time to compare other companies or do you just pay your phone bill because you don’t want to take the time to shop around? I am one of those people. I love to save money but I can never get… read more…
- 5 Tips For Renting Your Home
People choose to rent their homes for a variety of reasons. Maybe they were temporarily relocated by their employer or their relocation was so fast, they didn’t have time to sell. When the housing market crashed, a new wave of landlords emerged. Many people found themselves upside down in their homes, but needed to move… read more…