Use Back-to-School Shopping to Teach Your Kids Money Skills
The back-to-school shopping season is a unique time to teach your kids some great money skills. Unfortunately, in the rush of buying back-to-school clothes, notebooks, and other school supplies, most parents are letting this valuable teaching moment pass by without much thought. To avoid that mistake, here are five tips to use amid back-to-school shopping […]
A Quick Primer on How to Live on the Minimum Wage
Fast food workers in at least seven cities around the country – including New York City – are striking over the federal minimum wage. Here’s what all the fuss is about and what you can do if you’re living on the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Should You Apply for Social Security Benefits Now or Later?
Q: Hi Lynnette, I am 65, still gainfully employed; in great health but, heavily in debt with student loan debt and installment loans. I plan on working another three years. Would it make sense to apply for Social Security benefits now, to pay down on my debts or, still wait another 10 months, when I […]
Is Privacy an Illusion?
By Eva Velasquez The term “privacy is dead or is dying” has been bandied around for the last few years. It makes me wonder if the real issue isn’t that privacy is dead, but that it never really was alive in the first place. Is it that times have changed with the Internet so much […]
Debt Collector Harasses Consumers, Slapped With Record Fines
Have you ever had a crazy debt collector who just wouldn’t leave you alone? I’m talking about the kind of bill collector that calls you at all hours of the morning and night, who calls over and over and over again, or who calls you on your job – even after you say you can’t […]
99 Ways to Save Money – Even When You’ve Already Cut Back
Nearly every wants to save money these days. But when you’ve already cut back on food and restaurant expenses, have stopped all unnecessary shopping and frivolous spending, or you’ve implemented all the usual advice about how to save money, you may feel like you’ve run out of ideas. Don’t worry. Even if you’ve already slashed […]
How to Refinance a Home Loan With Bad Credit
Q: Can I refinance my home with bad credit? I have some blemishes on my credit report. A: To refinance your home with bad credit, you’ll have to jump through more hoops to get a mortgage and you won’t get a rock-bottom interest rate, but it can be done. If your credit is poor, here are 2 […]
The Money Coach and Dr. Oz Help You Cure Money Anxiety Disorder
It should come as no surprise that poor financial health can also hurt your physical health. Money worries can send your stress level soaring, causing high blood pressure, anxiety, tension headaches and more.
Here Are 5 Ways to Stretch Your Summer Dollars
Just because summer is here and you may be relaxing a bit, that doesn’t mean you should take a break from managing your summer dollars wisely. In fact, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day can be a real budget-buster if you’re not careful with your money. Luckily, there are some crafty ways […]
5 Tips To Make Health Care Costs Affordable Amid ObamaCare
For some people, good health insurance coverage can offset some, if not all, of their health care costs. But if you find that you can’t afford to pay your deductible – or if you don’t have any insurance coverage at all – you’ll need a plan to manage your health care costs without driving yourself […]
Save Money This Summer With These Great Tips
There are smart ways to save money in the summer months when the temperature, and your bills, start to go up! Here are some savvy strategies to lower your costs and keep more cash in your pocket as the summer progresses.
Government Offers Low-Income Households Discounted Phone Service
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 […]
Secured Credit Card vs Prepaid Debit vs Visa Gift Card: Key Differences
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 […]
Money Grab: Beware of Banks’ Right to Set Off
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. […]
A Creative Way For Animal Lovers to Make Money This Summer
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 […]