Personal finance articles on the how, where, when, and why of saving money.
I couldn’t help but look. On the release of the November 2022 US inflation report, the word “inflation” yielded 845 million Google search results. After peaking at 9.1% in June 2022, inflation is still having a moment. So it’s not surprising that you may feel…
Buying now and paying later when shopping online has become America’s new way to pay—a natural progression for a country that runs on credit. In fact, 60% of consumers use or have used the buy now pay later (BNPL) services for purchases, while 50% are…
Food prices are expected to climb 5% in 2022 (after increasing almost 8% last year), making saving money on groceries more crucial than ever. Warehouse club stores can offer hefty discounts on items from food to sundries to office products, but they also have membership…
There is no escaping news of the many benefits of intermittent fasting (IF). There are hundreds of books, articles, podcasts, testimonials, and first-person accounts from friends. What’s more, there are multiple fasting methods offering options that work best with varying lifestyles. One option is to…
You’re busy researching your next big vacation. As you look at all your options, you notice suggestions to buy travel insurance on most trip summary pages. When you consider what you’re going to spend on a trip, coverage might make sense. This trip will cost…
At a time when the U.S. stock market and currency investments have become volatile and unpredictable, a conservative-minded or risk-averse individual might go in search of safer investment alternatives. In some schools of thought, U.S. Government-backed investment options might be the right place to look….
Road trips create an uncanny sense of adventure and freedom. They take you to new places and inspire a fresh perspective. They’re where wrong turns are just part of the journey, as you’re making new memories. My family has been enjoying road trips for over…
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of presenting a budgeting workshop for a great group of people at my old company. There were lots of good questions. However, one, in particular, kept me thinking after I left. In hindsight, I wished I’d answered it…
It’s a new year, and all thoughts eventually turn to taxes. January is the perfect time to understand last year’s tax implications and plan your strategy… for next year. Often when one thinks of how to write a smaller check (or get a larger refund)…
Calculating your personal savings rate is one of the best ways to see how well you’re doing financially and how quickly you can expect to reach financial independence. It’s also one quick and easy measure of how this year compares financially to prior years. What…
Meal prepping is a big food trend these days, especially on sites like Instagram, where influencers layout beautiful pictures of perfectly portioned meals for the week. And there’s a reason preparing your meals in advance has become such a big trend; it can save you…
Saving more money means reaching your money goals faster. The good news is, there are thousands of money-saving ideas to help you save on everything! Indeed, cutting expenses and saving on purchases is a great way to build savings faster. Yet there are times when…
Most of us have at least some medical bills each year. And with the rising cost of medical care, they can add up even when you have health insurance. The good news is, most people with employer health plans have access to tax-deductible medical savings…
Are you looking for ways to add some wiggle room to your monthly budget? Reevaluating your monthly expenses and reducing monthly subscriptions and bill payments are two effective ways to do this. When you feel like you’re paying too much for utilities, internet fees, and…
Have you ever taken a cross-country trip without a second thought about a potential health emergency? What about when traveling abroad? Most of us assume our health insurance fully covers an emergency when we are away from home, but medical coverage varies by provider. If…
There’s no doubt about it – college is expensive. Students who want to lower the soaring costs of higher education look to community college as a more affordable option. At community college, you can get a two-year degree or transfer your credits to a four-year…
You were anticipating a rent increase, but you’re shocked by the rent increase notice, perhaps even angry. You’ve always paid your rent on time, and you’re a good tenant. A rent increase this large seems unfair. Your first thought? It’s time to move. Then you…
As a parent, we always want to do what’s best for our children. Paying for a college education is a difficult choice to make for several reasons. But, no one wants their kids to be weighed down with tens of thousands of dollars of student…
While it may take several more months before regular parties are again the norm (especially inside), entertaining is slowly becoming possible again. Getting together with others feels more important than ever, after months of social isolation. Still, when you’re trying to save money, it can…
While we haven’t put the pandemic behind us yet, students all over the country are heading back to school this fall. And that means many parents have back-to-school shopping lists in hand. Back-to-school shopping is one of the biggest retail seasons of the year, according…
You made it through the interview and landed that new job! But now you have to figure out what to wear to work. And you don’t want to spend a ton of money building a whole new work wardrobe. Of course, your clothes should be…
Do you want to improve your health, but don’t want to spend a ton of money? The good news is you can stay healthy and fit – and save some cash too. Maybe you have money goals, and a gym membership or health program doesn’t…
As wedding traditions change and take on modern twists, so do wedding gift customs. You may have heard of the rule of thumb to give enough money to cover your dinner, but most couples don’t expect to have their wedding expenses reimbursed by guests, and…
Spring is in the air. For many people, that means spring cleaning. Hopefully, springtime is also the perfect excuse to spend more time in the great outdoors or at least out into a garden. Perhaps you’ve had a not-so-successful garden in the past. Maybe you…
Deciding where you’ll live is never an easy decision to make. Whether you’re graduating into an uncertain job market or feeling buried by debt, one choice more and more young people are considering is moving back home to their parents. While multigenerational living certainly isn’t…
“When in doubt, go to the library.” This quote from Harry Potter isn’t just good advice for someone who’s learning to live as a wizard. The truth is everyone should spend more time at the library, especially if you’re looking to save some money. Read…