expenses

In What Ways Can You Cut Monthly Expenses And Reduce Spending?

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You’re ready to tackle your debt. You need to save more. You want extra money to invest. Whatever your money goal, you want to find the best ways to cut expenses so you can reduce spending today. Deciding on the optimal place to start can be a challenge. What will make the most significant difference […]

What Is A Cash Out Refinance Mortgage And Why Do One?

While some people think renting is the best decision, others of us dream of owning our own home. Most of us buyers have a goal of paying off our mortgages before retiring (or earlier if possible). So, when interest rates drop, it’s smart to consider refinancing your mortgage to reduce payments or the term length […]

What Is The Difference Between Needs And Wants? [& How Do I Afford Both?]

One of the most common pieces of financial advice is to focus on needs instead of wants. Knowing how to prioritize your needs over your wants truly is an effective starting point. But to take that first step, you need to know the difference between needs and wants. In this guide, you’ll learn how to […]

How Does The Debt Collection Process Work?

At some point in your life, you may fall on hard financial times and be unable to pay your bills. Despite your struggles, your creditors still want to get paid. They’ll likely employ a series of tactics called debt collection to get their money from you. This process may involve constant (potentially harassing) communication from […]

Health Savings Accounts: Pros, Cons and Contribution Limits of HSAs In 2019 and 2020?

During health plan or open enrollment time, your place of employment probably looks like many others. There are lots of “water cooler” conversations about different plans, past experiences, deductibles, and copays. Health savings accounts or HSAs are drawing your attention, and you want to learn more. Let’s say last year you spent $8,000 on the […]

Costco Optical Center Review: Can You Trust Your Vision To Costco?

You might know Costco as a membership warehouse club, providing brand-name, quality merchandise at favorable prices. But you might not realize all the specialty departments and exclusive member services, they provide at hundreds of locations worldwide. In this article, we’ll be describing and reviewing Costco’s Optical Department. While you do not need to be a member […]

How Do I Get Rid of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?

If you pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) you’re not alone. The average down payment on a home purchase is only 6% requiring most homeowners to pay for PMI each month. If you had less than a 20 percent down payment when you bought your house, your lender probably required you to have private mortgage […]

What Does It Mean To Self-Insure And Can It Save Me Money?

When you’re working on getting your financial house in order, it can be overwhelming to consider all the different insurance products you can (and sometimes are required to) purchase. There’s insurance for your vehicle, your home, your cell phone, and your pet. Health, life, disability, and long-term care insurance are also important products to protect […]

What Are The Best Ways To Financially Prepare For A Baby?

Your family is growing! Whether this is your first time becoming a mom or not, preparing to have a baby brings a whirlwind of feelings, emotions, and worries. One of the biggest concerns moms-to-be face is a financial one. You may have seen estimates that it costs $233,000 to raise a child from birth to […]

Starter House Or Forever Home? Considerations When Buying Your First Place

Buying a home is exciting. It’s also one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make. So you want to get it right – and you want to get it right the first time. If you’re buying your first home, you may wonder if you should buy a “starter” home or a “forever” home. […]

Am I Frugal Or Cheap? [How To Tell And Why It Matters]

Whether you just embraced the concept or you’ve had a focus on becoming financially independent for years, you’re building good money habits and saving for the future. In order to save more, you may be tracking expenses, using a budget, working side hustles or adopting a minimalist lifestyle. You might even do all of those […]

What Are Sinking Funds and Are They Smart To Have?

It can be overwhelming to learn how to manage your money and build a financially secure future. Paying down debt, budgeting, tracking expenses, saving an emergency fund, and opening investment accounts take patience and focus. You’ve made good progress some months, but sticking to a budget and saving money has been hard. Bills and expenses […]

Sharing Living and Relationship Expenses: How Do We Make It Fair?

You’ve decided it’s time to move in together. It’s a big step in your relationship, and you’re excited about the future. You’ll have to each decide which of your belongings you can share in your new place. Another thing you’ll have to figure out? How to share expenses when living together. The best way to […]

Is The Savings From Living With Roommates Worth It?

You remember talking as a teenager about how great it would be to move out of your parents’ house. Getting an apartment with friends or heading off to a college dorm – any place where you’d have some freedom and ability to make your own decisions. Leaving the “nest” usually means moving in with others […]

Healthcare Costs in Retirement – Avoid These Big Mistakes

Many of us don’t think about retirement or saving for it until it’s too late. When we do save, we plan for money to cover rent, utilities, groceries, and insurance. However, many people overlook saving for healthcare costs in retirement. This is by far one of the biggest mistakes you can make during your time […]

What Are the Best Ways to Save Money On Car Maintenance?

It’s hard to describe the excitement you feel driving a brand new car home from the dealership. You might even get the same feeling from negotiating a great deal on a new, used car. For better or worse, car ownership is an essential aspect of living in America for most people. All is good with […]

How Can I Save Money On Moving Expenses?

Moving to a new house or apartment can be exciting. It can also be stressful, especially if you’re on a budget. Between the phone calls, paperwork, and heavy lifting, the time and money it takes to move adds up. But with a little planning, you can reduce stress and save money when you move. Research […]

Are Timeshares Ever Worth The Money? [Maybe, But Not Likely]

Compensation in the form of free entertainment tickets, five-star dinners, reduced-priced trips, or gift cards for attending timeshare presentations might be worth a couple of hours of your time. But are vacation timeshares worth the money in the long run? While it might be hard to say no to these free or great “sale” priced […]

How Can I Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck And Start Saving?

You’re not alone, but being part of this crowd isn’t comforting. And it makes sense when you look at the statistics. Just a few years ago, about 60% of Americans reported having less than $1,000 in savings. And a full 20% admit they had nothing saved at all. Let those numbers sink in. More than 3 […]

How Do I Budget With A Variable Income?

Everywhere you turn, you hear having a budget is the first piece of the financial stability puzzle. But how do you create a budget when your income varies month to month? If you’re self-employed or only earn commission, you know one month you can make it rain, and the next, you’re in a drought. But […]

What Is the Pink Tax? (And Are You Paying It?)

Women pay an average of $1,350 a year just for being women. For all the gender equality strides that have been made, it’s still difficult to be a woman in 2019. Women still only make 80.5 cents for every dollar men make, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. There were only 24 women heading […]

What Is The Value In Buying An Extended Warranty?

You’ve budgeted for it for months. Now, finally, you’re in the store, buying your long-awaited (fill-in-the-blank: dishwasher, iPhone, smartwatch, used car). “Would you like an extended warranty with that?” you’re asked. Hmmm. “Do I?” you think. Typically, extended warranties are a relatively low-cost add-on to your pricey electronic, car, or even home purchase. So it […]

Is Pet Insurance Really Worth The Money?

There’s no denying we love our pets. They’re even considered family members by many owners. With 68% of all households in the United States owning at least one pet, it won’t surprise you plenty of money is spent on our furry, feathery, and scaly friends. According to the American Pet Products Association, close to $70 […]

What Are The Best Ways To Save Money On Dental Care?

You wonder how much insurance will cover when a reminder for your next dentist appointment pops up on your calendar. You can’t sleep because of a toothache, but insurance coverage through your new job doesn’t start for weeks. You’ve put off routine cleanings the last few years because you don’t have dental insurance and you’re […]

Turning My Hobby Into A Business, Are There Tax Benefits?

You started out designing t-shirts for a family reunion. Before you knew it, requests for other designs were trickling in. Does this sound familiar? Maybe it isn’t graphic design. Perhaps it’s dog walking, babysitting, reselling, or crafting. If you’re like most people, you have a hobby you love and are really good at. A growing […]

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