Phone bills can be awfully expensive. And when you’re not making a lot of money or are living on a fixed income, phone service and other utilities can take a sizeable chunk out of your budget each month. But a government benefit program called Lifeline can help low-income individuals and families save money on those […]
Government Offers Low-Income Households Discounted Phone Service Read More »
Whether you’re trying to build credit, control your spending, or give a flexible gift, understanding the differences between a secured credit card, a prepaid debit card, and a Visa gift card is essential. While these financial tools may look similar in your wallet, their functions, benefits, and limitations vary widely. Let’s break down what sets
Secured Credit Card vs Prepaid Debit vs Visa Gift Card: Key Differences Read More »
Q: What can I do about a credit union that took money out of my account (my SSDI) to pay off a past due bill I owed them? A: If a credit union took your money to collect past due payments it’s likely because they have the right to set off or the automatic right to combine accounts.
Money Grab: Beware of Banks’ Right to Set Off Read More »
A teenager named Madison who I mentor is a huge animal lover. In fact, she’s the kind of 15-year-old that begs her parents to take in virtually any stray dog or cat off the street. Madison’s love of all things four-legged, flying or feathered led her to apply for – and earn – a
A Creative Way For Animal Lovers to Make Money This Summer Read More »
Carrying a prepaid debit card can be a convenient alternative to cash or checks while shopping or traveling, and may also make it easier to access money when you don’t have a regular debit card. You can buy a prepaid debit card just like a gift card, and load it up with whatever amount of
Prepaid Debit Cards Vs. Checking Accounts Read More »
Graduating college is as exciting a time as any. It’s a time for celebration, reflection, and ultimately decision-making. “What’s next?” is a common thought on the minds of millions of graduates this spring; maybe a career, graduate school or … well, who knows? By the way, speaking of graduation. We all know that this special
4 Money-Saving Tips for Recent Graduates Read More »
May 29th is National 529 College Savings Day. A 529 Plan is a state-sponsored college savings plan that can be used to sock away higher-education money on a tax-free basis. Unfortunately, far too few Americans have 529 plans, perhaps because parents sometimes feeling overwhelmed by the ever-growing price tag of a higher education.
Four Reasons to Open a 529 Plan Now Read More »
If you’re struggling with credit card debt and are also working hard on preserving that emergency savings account, you may be wondering if you should switch gears and choose one over the other. Prioritizing your bills is always a good idea, but you need to determine whether the benefits of paying down debt faster really
Should You Pay Off Debt or Build Savings First? Read More »
Your credit score serves as an indication of how well you pay your bills and manage debt. Obviously, not everyone has a pristine credit score, even though having great credit should be a goal for all adults. Sometimes, though, people don’t realize all the ways in which their credit rating affects them – personally,
7 Ways Your Credit Score Affects Your Finances and Your Life Read More »
Your kids and grandkids can develop both good and bad spending habits at an early age. Teaching the younger generation some basic money lessons early can help them get a better handle on their finances later in life, and also keep them out of debt.
5 Ideas to Share with Your Kids and Grandkids to Keep Them Out of Debt Read More »
Crowd-funding and online fundraising campaigns are becoming popular and convenient ways for nonprofit organizations and individuals to request and manage donations. Unfortunately, fundraising scams are also on the rise, and people who donate gifts or cash may not even be donating it to the organization or person intended.
7 Tips to Avoid Fake Fundraising Scams After a Disaster Read More »
If you’re having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments and think you might be headed for foreclosure, there are still some things you can do to ameliorate the situation. Millions of U.S. homeowners have had their properties repossessed in recent years, so if you’re on the verge of losing your home or have received
5 Things to Do Before You Go Into Foreclosure Read More »
Divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure, medical bills; these are all things that can wreck your finances and leave you feeling insecure about your financial future. Even if you are one of the lucky few who have not experienced a financial setback, I’ll dare to say that it is not a matter of if, but when, you will
Overcoming Financial Setbacks Read More »
If you’re wondering whether investing in a timeshare is a wise financial decision, this article provides an in-depth analysis of the benefits and drawbacks to help answer the question, “Is a timeshare a good investment?” Many people choose to invest in a timeshare, or vacation ownership program, to enjoy the freedom of having a second
Is a Timeshare a Good Investment? Read More »
Errors on your credit report—especially duplicate entries—can have a major negative effect on your credit score. Even if you don’t use credit often, reviewing your credit report at least once a year is critical to catching and correcting these mistakes early. Duplicate listings can look like double the debt to credit scoring models, potentially lowering
How to Fix Duplicate Entries on Your Credit Report Read More »
