4 HOA Red Flags I Learned the Hard Way (After Selling Two Condos in the Same Complex)
A recent Wall Street Journal story on spotting HOA risks before you buy a home stopped me in my tracks. I didn’t even need to read past the headline to feel a jolt of recognition. My husband Earl and I lived through our own HOA fiasco not too long ago, when we sold two investment […]
Who Really Pays for Credit Card Rewards?
Credit card rewards can feel like a bonus for spending you were already planning to do. Cash back, airline miles, hotel points, and sign-up offers are attractive because they appear to reduce the cost of everyday purchases. But rewards are not free. A recent study from researchers affiliated with Harvard, Northwestern, Stanford, and Georgia State […]
Your Student Loan Payment Just Went Up: Here’s What You Need to Know
Knowledge Snapshot A survey from the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC), titled “New Survey Highlights Growing Confusion Over July 1st Changes to Student Lending Impacting Millions,” found that: 67% of 3,208 borrowers said they cannot afford their new monthly payment amounts. 72% of Parent PLUS borrowers said they cannot afford their new payments. 62% of […]
More Than 500 Women Applied for 30 Spots at This Financial Wellness Retreat. What Does That Tell Us?
Camp Ca$h Weekend offers a glimpse into what many consumers actually want from financial education: less raw data, and more time, conversation, and space to deal with their money. There is no shortage of financial information. Search for how to create a budget, improve credit, buy life insurance, start investing, or prepare an estate plan, […]
How to Teach Your Kids About Money: A Practical Guide for Parents
Before I tell you how to teach your kids about money, let me tell you what you don’t need: a perfect financial life. You don’t need to have paid off every debt, maxed out a retirement account, or never once bounced a check. Parents come to me all the time feeling like they have to […]
How to Spend Money on Things That Bring You Joy Without Feeling Guilty
During one of my recent appearances on FOX 5 New York, I was asked about an interesting financial dilemma: Why do so many Americans feel guilty about spending money on things that make them happy? My answer was pretty simple. We all work hard for our money. Yes, we have bills to pay, savings goals […]
4 HOA Red Flags I Learned the Hard Way (After Selling Two Condos in the Same Complex)
A recent Wall Street Journal story on spotting HOA risks before you buy a home stopped me in my tracks. I didn’t even need to read past the headline to feel a jolt of recognition. My husband Earl and I lived through our own HOA fiasco not too long ago, when we sold two investment […]
Dolly Parton: 7 Lessons on Money, Marriage, and Mogul Life
I was so sorry to hear the recent news that we’ve lost Dolly Parton. She was 80 years old, and by the time you read this, the internet will be full of tributes to her voice, her songwriting, and her decades on the stage and screen. And she deserves every one of them. Songs like […]
Should You Get a Personal Loan? 7 Rules to Follow Before You Borrow
A personal loan can make sense when you need a specific amount of money for a clear purpose, can comfortably afford the payments, and the loan improves your financial situation rather than simply moving debt around. Before borrowing, compare multiple lenders, look at APR and total repayment costs, choose a manageable term, understand all fees […]
Teen Summer Jobs Are Disappearing: What Parents and Teenagers Need to Know
During a recent television interview on FOX-NYC, I discussed a challenge facing many families across America: traditional summer jobs are becoming harder for teenagers to find. For generations, summer jobs served as a rite of passage. Teenagers worked at movie theaters, amusement parks, restaurants, pools, retail stores, and local businesses to earn spending money, gain […]
When Your Money Becomes a Movement: Inside OurSheconomy’s Campaign to Fund Women Intentionally
How impact investors like Nia Impact Capital are proving that financial returns and social impact aren’t mutually exclusive By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach® For decades, women have been told to “lean in,” work harder, save more, and invest smarter. But what if the real question isn’t just about individual financial success, but about collective […]
Mastering Money: When GoFundMe Becomes the Plan — And What to Do Instead
As you scroll through your social media, chances are high you’ll see a GoFundMe. A friend of a friend is fighting both a cancer diagnosis and sky-high medical bills. A neighbor is asking for help after their daughter had an emergency appendectomy. A coworker’s wife is facing complications from Long COVID and your employer-sponsored plan […]
Best AI Budgeting Apps for 2026 (Ranked by Features)
In an era where financial literacy is paramount, the rise of the Best AI Budgeting Apps for 2026 has revolutionized the way individuals manage their finances. These AI-powered budgeting apps have emerged as indispensable tools for users seeking to gain control over their spending habits, boost savings, and improve overall financial health. By leveraging advanced […]
Post-Holiday Debt Relief: 4 Smart Ways to Pay It Off Fast
The holidays are over, but if you’re like most Americans, your credit card statements are just getting started. Feeling like you went a bit overboard, or that you need to wipe out debt fast? You’re definitely not alone. Roughly 75% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, so those January bills can feel downright overwhelming. […]
What is the Difference Between the Equifax Credit Score and the FICO Score?
The Equifax Credit Score is an educational credit score many consumers can view to understand their credit standing. This article explains what the Equifax Credit Score measures, how it differs from lender-used scores, where to check it for free, and practical steps to raise your score. You will learn how to check, interpret, and act […]