6 Surprising Things That Hurt Your Credit Score
4 MIN READ
Your credit score might only be three digits, but it can have a substantial impact on your financial life because lenders use it to decide whether you get a loan and how much interest you pay. Nobody wants to lower their credit score, but if you don't know what to avoid, you could unintentionally shoot your financial self in the foot and lower your credit score. “If you’re close to a hard cutoff... Continue reading
4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Doctors Visits
4 MIN READ
Health care is an unavoidable aspect of being human, and even with stellar medical coverage, it deserves a line item in your budget. According to the latest News and Numbers report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the average visit to a doctor’s office costs $199–but you’ll shell out $1,275, on average, for an outpatient hospital visit.
While you can’t control all forms of... Continue reading
7 Ideas for Personal Budget Tracking
5 MIN READ
At the end of the month, if you find yourself digging for coins at the bottom of your purse or saying to your spouse, "Where did all the money in our checking account go?" it might be the perfect time to start tracking your personal spending. Whether you're saving for a down payment on a home or you just want to know how much you're spending on what, tracking your personal spending will put you... Continue reading
Wedding Budget Mistakes to Avoid
3 MIN READ
Planning a wedding can be a whirlwind experience. Many couples who are planning this event for the first time can easily get caught up in the rapture of creating a fairytale event. Creating, evaluating and managing a wedding budget is the cornerstone to a successful big day. Even when couples have the best intentions of sticking to their budgets, there are times when things go off-track. Knowing... Continue reading
13 Simple Budgeting Tips For Summer Savings
7 MIN READ
13 Simple Budgeting Tips For Summer Savings
Summer’s halfway over, and with the kids out of school and family vacations still waiting on the docket, it’s easy to let your spending spiral out of control if you don’t know how to budget and save money. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can easily cut down on your expenses and pinch a few pennies without being so cheap you draw the ire of... Continue reading
What Qualifies as Disposable Income?
3 MIN READ
Knowing where you stand with your disposable personal income, your needs vs. wants, and your discretionary funds can help you maintain a balanced budget. Continue reading
Always Broke? Small Changes to Save You Money Each Month
3 MIN READ
Living paycheck-to-paycheck can hinder your ability to save for future goals. It's easy to find yourself taking out costly short-term loans or carrying balances on high-interest credit cards -- but these quick-fix solutions often make matters worse. You have the power to take control of your finances, often simply by making a few small changes each month that can really add up over time.... Continue reading
How Much Should You Spend on Rent When Budgeting?
4 MIN READ
It's never too late to get a firm grip on your finances. If you think you're paying too much for rent, moving to more affordable accommodations can make a significant difference in your budget. Do some calculations before you commit to a new lease so you know what you can reasonably afford.
Percentage of Income
According to CBS MoneyWatch, some landlords require that you spend no more than a... Continue reading
Personal Finances 101: Understanding Your Paycheck Withholdings
3 MIN READ
Personal Finances 101: Understanding Your Paycheck Withholdings
If you have ever wondered, "Who is FICA, and why does he get so much of my paycheck?" you are not alone. It can be a bit disheartening to work hard all week, only to discover how much of your pay was withheld. Some of your paycheck withholdings are mandatory, while others are voluntary. It might take some of the sting out to know... Continue reading
5 Financial Resolutions to Consider This New Year
4 MIN READ
The end of the year is a good time to take stock of your financial condition and form resolutions to improve it in the new year. The power of resolutions is their specificity: You can make concrete goals with outcomes you can measure. You can use tools such as budgets and portfolio managers to help you understand your current finances, set goals and monitor your progress toward success.
Prepare... Continue reading
