During a global pandemic, everything can feel exponentially more stressful and difficult. With millions of Americans filing for unemployment since the beginning of March, many of us are forced to deal with the anxiety of finances on top of everything else we have to worry about. Here are 4 simple things you can do to...
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Life is tough when everything seems to fall apart. A divorce, a death, a job that was a sure thing suddenly disappearing. It’s even tougher when you’re close to retirement. Give yourself a short amount of time to dwell in that pain, and then move on. Easier said than done, of course. But focusing on...
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These days, having a high credit limit can seem like a form of financial stability. It’s nice to know there’s extra credit available if you need it. And even if you don’t need it, a higher credit limit can actually result in a higher credit score and increased borrowing power. It’s all about something called...
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Credit cards aren’t inherently bad. In fact, building a credit history is usually necessary if you plan to finance a big purchase like a car or home. Use these tips to maintain a good credit score—and keep your loan rates low. Learn your FICO Score. When you apply for a mortgage or a loan, your...
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College is a series of firsts for students. It’s the first time they’ll live on their own, be responsible for every meal, handle their laundry and even complete homework without you there to help. Still, parents struggle with whether or not that independence should come with financial help. Should your college student get an allowance,...
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Spending money is a fact of life. You need to spend money to pay for the essentials, like food, clothing, and a roof over your head. So it’s good to know that a budget can help you manage those expenses and keep your spending in check. To avoid impulse purchases and other temptations, try to...
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What is an emergency fund? Sometimes called a rainy day fund , an emergency fund is money that you set aside to serve as your financial safety net for when you need it. What qualifies as an emergency? To a certain extent, an emergency varies by the individual, but one way to think of it...
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Learning how to live on your own can be an exciting time in your life, but it’s also a big and costly transition. One of the first and most important decisions you’ll need to make involves finding a place to live that fits your budget. Because this is typically your largest expense, it raises the...
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Credit card debt can be daunting. Like any mounting debt, it comes with concerns about how it may be affecting your credit rating. Knowing how to do a balance transfer could be an efficient way to help pay down debt – and improve your credit. Moving your balance from a high-interest credit card to a...
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Any sudden, unplanned decision to purchase a product or service is considered to be impulse buying. These spur-of-the-moment purchases can be big or small, but they are never planned. If you’re standing in line at the supermarket checkout and suddenly decide to purchase a candy bar, that’s an impulse purchase. But the same can be...
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Shopping has evolved dramatically over the past several decades, providing consumers with more choice and convenience whether they shop the brick-and-mortar stores or browse online for their purchases. Even holiday shopping has adapted to the changing landscape with Black Friday and Cyber Monday appealing to both in-store and online shoppers. It’s easy to assume there...
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You’ve been saving for a house by paying down your debt, working on improving your credit score, and cutting back on spending. For many of us, buying a home will be the single biggest financial milestone we hit. Owning a home can drastically improve your quality of life, and it can seem especially appealing now...
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When you’re starting a new business, you’ll have to choose the type of business structure that’s right for it. Knowing the differences between the types of structures and what each one has to offer can help you choose the right business entity — a decision that’ll affect your taxes, income and legal liability.[1] When making...
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Retailers do whatever they can to attract online shoppers—free shipping, easy returns, coupons and bargains on things for your favorite foodie or your animal lover. Online shopping days like Cyber Monday have been rivaling and beating brick-and-mortar sales in many industries. Unfortunately, increased online activity entices scam artists, putting your personal information at risk. Learning...
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The congratulatory calls and engagement parties have waned. Now what? It’s time to get down to serious wedding planning. Fun? Yes! Overwhelming? Oh, yes. But don’t fret. We’ve compiled this pre-wedding timeline and wedding planning checklist for soon-to-be brides and grooms. 9-16 months before your wedding day 1. Create a file or binder to keep...
Read more about The Complete Wedding Planning Checklist: 40 To-Do’s Before Saying Your “I Do’s”