Interest rates, as the tv hucksters constantly remind us, are near historic lows. So now is an excellent time to refinance your mortgage–maybe take out some equity to upgrade the bathrooms, take a little vacation, or purchase a home entertainment center. Or maybe it’s time to buy a new vehicle–perhaps a premium class crew-cab pickup, … Read more
Most people dream of the day that they clock in to work for the very last time.In most cases, we imagine that’ll be when we’re a little grayer around the ears, but what if you could take the freedom and independence of retirement and experience it, say, thirty years earlier? That’s the basic principle of … Read more
Having roommates can be a great way to reduce your monthly living expenses. It can also mean living in a bigger apartment or a nicer area than you could otherwise afford. But negotiating finances with friends (or strangers) also comes with potential pitfalls, especially if you have roommates who don’t always pay what they owe, … Read more
If you’ve been watching this year’s tech stock rollercoaster with an odd sense of déjà vu, you’re not alone. Members of the market-watching media have noted the strong parallels between today’s tech sector and what went down when the dot-com bubble burst back in 2000. And those similarities—rising stock valuations, an increase in initial public … Read more
Whether you got a nice bonus at work, an unexpected inheritance, or sold something of value, coming into some extra cash can be an awesome thing. However, it also means you have a decision to make–what to do with that money? Before you start spending it, you might want to take a moment to come … Read more
Everyone has different needs, responsibilities, and spending and saving habits. Still, you may wonder how your spending lines up with everyone else’s. Or, if you’re in the process of creating a monthly budget, you may be looking to see roughly how much of your take-home income you should be setting aside for various living expenses. … Read more
As anyone who has ever watched their bank account balance decline after paying bills knows, owing money is no fun. But debt often serves an important function in people’s lives, putting things that can cost tens of thousands of dollars or more—a college degree, a starter home—within reach. Such cases aren’t quite the same as … Read more
It can be exciting to get your first paycheck, but it can sometimes be a little bit disappointing when you find out exactly how much you are taking home. Looking more closely at your paystub or direct deposit slip, you’ll see several line items that are called “deductions.” Deductions are all of the things that … Read more
New babies bring so much to life—unconditional love, the joys of parenthood, snuggles, and a lifetime of new memories. But they also bring an entirely new set of responsibilities, lifestyle adjustments for their parents, and a swift and immediate knowledge on new topics like diapers (and their contents). And it’s true that every new parent’s … Read more
Without a solid plan, saving money can be a grind, especially if you have little to spare. There are many weird and wonderful ideas out there as to the best ways to save money, but the truth is that it largely depends upon your personal circumstances and how you spend your money. We’ve broken down … Read more
Like any goal, making it in life financially is a matter of developing good everyday habits. That doesn’t mean you need to overall your entire lifestyle and start sticking to a draconian budget starting tomorrow. Small, incremental changes in the way you manage your money—such as trimming back some of your recurring bills and putting … Read more
Adults are going back to school for lots of different reasons these days, including career changes, keeping up with developments in their field, learning new skills, and personal enrichment. At many colleges, students may be senior executives, retirees, or working moms. Going back to school when you’re older, whether it’s to get an advanced degree, … Read more
Despite a steady decline of check usage among Americans, there are still 14.5 billion check payments made in the U.S. each year. There are many instances in which you might need to cash a check, such as receiving a tax refund. But before you stick that piece of paper in a drawer to deal with … Read more
Money talks. And student debt proves you’ve made a massive investment in your career. While most people want to pay student loans off as quickly as possible, it can actually be smart to take a little longer to do so and start saving for retirement sooner. Sure, retirement isn’t a trendy topic at happy hour. … Read more
The term “Automated Clearing House” might sound like it needs an explanation from a financial guru. But most people are already using ACH payments regularly, although they may not be using that term to describe what’s happening. Simply stated, with an ACH transfer, funds are electronically moved from one bank account to another through the … Read more