My eyes darted between my calendar and my to-do list, and I immediately felt overwhelmed. I had one week left until I was scheduled to set off on my first vacation in a long time. Hiking, kayaking, […]
When the temperature drops, the thermostat gets cranked up, which can cause your monthly utility bill to skyrocket. But you don’t have to shell out tons of cash just to stay warm at night. From […]
The best way to finance a home improvement project is not to do one. That’s because the cost of these jobs almost always outstrips the value they add to the resale price of your home. And if […]
As Valentine’s Day approaches each year, our thoughts turn to that special someone who warms our hearts, and makes us smile when we come home from work — our pets. So it’s no surprise that […]
In the right circumstances, debt consolidation can help get debt under control. But there are entities that offer the promise of debt consolidation yet don’t deliver — and even charge illegal fees in the process. Understand the […]
You were probably encouraged to be nice when you were growing up. If you hit another kid or teased them you’d hear, “Now, be nice.” But, a new study reveals that in the long run, […]
Unless you live in a single rate state like Massachusetts, where you calculate sales tax at one rate (6.25%) for every address in the state, the total sales tax rate for a given address could […]
There was no way I was going to get married without a honeymoon to follow. At the same time, I knew from sources like Wedding Wire that the average cost of a honeymoon trip is about $4,000. […]
With millions of Americans dealing with more than $1.5 trillion in outstanding student loan debt, it’s no surprise that many young workers are stressed about their debt and hope to pay it off ASAP. No matter […]
Filing your taxes is not fun — in fact, it can be pretty painful. This year may be more painful than others. Across the country, Americans are complaining about getting a smaller tax refund. The […]
Let’s get one thing straight: There are all sorts of reasons why you shouldn’t hire a student loan counselor, at least not right away. For one thing, you don’t need to pay someone for what you […]
If your spouse doesn’t have life insurance, do you simply respect their wishes and go about your life? On some level, that may sound like a fair response. But whether a person wants life insurance […]
Are you married? Or thinking about it? Wondering what the difference is between the tax filing statuses Married Filing Jointly vs. Married Filing Separately? I know I once did. You would see Single, Head of Household, […]
As if debt wasn’t confusing and frustrating enough as it is, there are times it can be bought and sold almost like any other product. When that happens, what does it mean for you, your […]
As a business owner, time tracking may not be top-of-mind. After all, tracking your work and your employees’ work by the hour can feel tedious. But, here’s a rude awakening. Letting time slip through your […]
So you just bought the prettiest home on the block and you’re moving in and getting settled? Congrats! Now it’s time for the best part… the decorating! It’s the furniture and home decor that really brings […]
Are you a single mom who wants to pay off debt for GOOD? If you live with consumer debt, you are not alone. According to U.S. Federal Reserve data U.S. households have on average $15,863 in […]
Valentine’s Day is all about romance. Many couples spend the holiday showing their appreciation for each other, sharing candy, flowers and other (typically heart-shaped) gifts. But there’s often something couples don’t share: money. While keeping […]
It’s likely happened to you before. A number you’ve never seen pops up on your phone. You answer: It’s the IRS accusing you of tax fraud. Or a robotic salesperson selling you “Trumpcare.” Or a […]
According to car ads, it’s always the best time to buy a new ride. For auto dealers and manufacturers, sure, but when is the best time for you? Timing plays an important role, especially for […]
When starting a business, you might think you need a big-time investor to infuse your startup with a large amount of capital. You may even have your “Shark Tank” pitch ready to go. But for many […]
Large medical bills are a different kind of debt. This is partially because they don’t come from traditional lenders, and because you can be swapped with a very large amount of debt in a short […]
Mortgage loan officers hear daily from consumers that they don’t want their credit score pulled because they’re worried about their credit score dropping. Unfortunately, the internet is full of information providing an overabundance of information to consumers yet […]
While retirement is a life stage most Americans plan for, many aren’t financially prepared for this step. One common obstacle to a sound retirement plan is debt. Workers often ramp up retirement contributions leading up […]
Minority entrepreneurs have a major presence in the U.S. business landscape, as there are about 8 million minority-owned businesses throughout the country. However, not all of these business owners are succeeding. Several factors could be […]
Every tax season, individuals and businesses alike are knee-deep in receipts, W-2s, 1099s and state and federal tax forms. Sometimes making sense of your taxes seems like it’s own job. This article will provide an […]
Most people I meet don’t really care about acquiring great wealth. But everyone wants to make sure they never run out of money. If that resonates with you, I have good news. You really don’t have […]
Starting a business is quite an undertaking. You need an idea and gumption enough to bring it to life. Of course, it takes more than an idea and gumption. Time, energy, and funding all factor […]
What do couples fight about all the time? Money. So if you overspend on Valentine’s Day flowers, you could be setting yourself up for another money fight. “There can be an intense pressure to shower our […]
For every story about a successful entrepreneur who is living the good life, there are tons of others about those who are barely getting by. There was once a time when I was one of those in […]