- Budgeting: The One-Size-Fits-All Plan
Handling your money is a personal endeavor. You are the person in control of what you spend on and how much you allocate to your expenses. The amount of pressure and responsibility is part of what makes budgeting so difficult.… read more…
- Penny-Pinching Tips for a Perfect Project Graduation Party
High school graduation is a rite of passage and time for celebration. But unless you’re willing to witness a real life scene from 16 Candles, Weird Science or even worse, Project X, you’d do best hosting a project graduation party. Nowadays, schools across the country participate in some type of chaperoned, drug- and alcohol-free event, which typically on… read more…
- 10 Tips for Secure Online Transactions
Shopping and banking online occur constantly in the Internet marketplace. Unfortunately, online fraud and identify theft occurs just as frequently, thanks to clever thieves and sloppy consumer Internet shopping habits. Online transactions always carry some risk, but consumers can do… read more…
- 3 Ways to Cut Down Health Care Costs
In 2009, the American Journal of Medicine found that at least 60% of all bankruptcies are caused by medical problems. The issues of health care coverage and its costs are often the center of political debate and discussion, and are a main concern of Americans from different classes and backgrounds; everyone needs and deserves to… read more…
- 10 Things You Should be Doing Right Now to Prepare for Your Personal Finance Future
Discussions of personal finance usually end up in one of two ways, with drooping eyelids, yawns and repeated glances at a watch or in raised voices and some variation of “None of this applies to me I know what I’m doing.” Yet every day more and more people find themselves in financial hot water without… read more…
- 12 Affordable Ways to Have Fun on a Tight Budget
Having fun on a tight budget can be tough especially if you live in a big city or anywhere where a lot of traveling is required. However, we found 12 ways anyone – families, friends, couples, or singles – can… read more…
- Everything You Need to Know About Advisor-Sold 529 Plans
According to financial calculators on www.finaid.org, the tuition for a public 4-year college when a child born this year enrolls, will cost well over $50,000 a year. Even in this financial environment, it is not only possible, but extremely helpful… read more…
- Does Debt Affect Mental Health?
It’s clear that debt can impact your credit score. There are few things that cause more stress than the looming specter of debt. Even when you are meeting monthly payments and staying afloat, that silent ball and chain still drags behind you, clinking now and then to remind you that you are not really free.… read more…
- The Busy Family: 5 Tips for Managing Households on the Go
It’s hard to keep a family organized. Who am I kidding – it’s tough to keep yourself organized at times. Imagine trying to keep a household together with kids who are involved in activities and sports, working full time and… read more…
- The Road from Bankruptcy Back to Home Ownership
What if you want to buy a home, but you have a bankruptcy on your credit report? You may be worried that you won’t be able to convince a mortgage lender to provide you with a home loan. There’s good news and bad news. First, the bad:… read more…
- Should You Pay Off Your Student Loans Early?
Many students take out a loan to help pay college expenses — often, even more than one. For graduates who secure jobs with healthy salaries, paying those loans off early becomes a distinct possibility. If you are fortunate enough to be in this situation, you may wonder if paying off your student loans is a smart financial move, or… read more…
- How to Save Money on Your Homeowners Insurance
You found your dream home. You even made an offer that the seller has accepted. Before you close your home loan, you must take one more step: You need to purchase homeowners insurance. Find out now: Who pays for closing costs? Mortgage… read more…
- Fine Print You Should Pay Attention to When Leasing a Car
Leasing a car can be a financially smart decision in certain circumstances. But all leases are not created equal, and the lease details found in the fine print of the contract are often the difference between a good deal and… read more…
- Roth IRA or 401(k)?
You’ve got a limited pool of money to put aside for retirement. How do you choose whether a 401(k) or Roth IRA is best for you? Find out now: How should I save for retirement? Taxing Yourself: Now or Later The main difference comes down to taxes. With a 401(k), you contribute untaxed money and pay income… read more…
- How Much Does a Late Payment Hurt Your Credit Score?
Paying your bills on time each month is one of the most important ways to manage your credit score, not to mention an essential part of being financially responsible. But if you have made some payments after the due date in the past, you may wonder if that’s going to affect your credit score. The answer is:… read more…
- How Much Do You Really Need to Save for Emergencies?
Building an emergency fund is one of the most important financial steps we need to take, especially in today’s shaky economy. The big question for many of us, though, is how much is enough? Conventional advice says we should set aside… read more…