Prepaid Debit Cards Vs. Checking Accounts
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 […]
4 Money-Saving Tips for Recent Graduates
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 […]
Four Reasons to Open a 529 Plan Now
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.
Should You Pay Off Debt or Build Savings First?
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 […]
7 Ways Your Credit Score Affects Your Finances and Your Life
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, […]
5 Ideas to Share with Your Kids and Grandkids to Keep Them Out of Debt
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.
7 Tips to Avoid Fake Fundraising Scams After a Disaster
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.
5 Things to Do Before You Go Into Foreclosure
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 […]
Overcoming Financial Setbacks
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 […]
Is a Timeshare a Good Investment?
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 […]
How to Fix Duplicate Entries on Your Credit Report
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 […]
5 Ways You’re Wasting Money Without Knowing It
If you never seem to have enough money to get through the month without financial stress, you may be guilty of a few bad spending habits and are throwing away money without realizing it. Many people fall into the trap of unplanned spending at the grocery store checkout lane or they indulge in social spending […]
5 Ways to Take Control of Your Spending Habits
If debt is piling up and you just can’t seem to stay within the monthly budget, it may be time to clean up your spending habits. Creating a realistic budget is one of the first steps to success with managing your finances, but you also need to make sure you’re not falling into some common […]
Alleviating Student Debt Before You Even Graduate
By Angie Picardo I was among the lucky few students in the U.S. that graduate college without any loans. After two years at a local community college, I was able to apply for and win a full-tuition scholarship to UC Berkeley. Although I didn’t feel the burden of student debt first-hand, I have scores of […]
7 More Financial Mistakes to Avoid During a Divorce
Going through a divorce can be stressful but you need to be in a position to make some sound financial decisions throughout the process. There are several things you can do to avoid being a financial victim after divorce, including getting help from a financial planner or other professionals to keep yourself on the right […]