12 money milestones to reach by age 50
Smart money management is a skill that is good to learn and live by as soon as we reach adulthood. Unfortunately, not everyone learns these lessons when they are young adults — including me. When […]
Is buying a home in a better school district worth it?
When Stephanie Adams, 42, was moving from Bend, Ore., to Longview, Texas, she and her husband faced a challenge familiar to parents everywhere — finding the right home in the right school district. “There was […]
Here’s how the pandemic is hitting minorities disproportionately
The coronavirus pandemic has caused financial hardship for many, but it’s disproportionately affecting people of color, a September 2020 LendingTree survey of more than 2,000 Americans found. Asian, Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely […]
15 real-life credit card lessons people learned the hard way
Within the first quarter of 2020, reports of fraud and identity theft were up 20.1% from the previous quarter with credit card fraud leading the charge. The Consumer Federal Protection Bureau (CFPB) allows everyday people to submit […]
Investing in precious metals
Precious metals have held a place in human culture for thousands of years as currency, decoration and industrial materials. Think of the treasures in King Tut’s tomb, gold bars at Fort Knox, or platinum in […]
Scholarships, grants & student loans for Alabama students
Lynyrd Skynyrd said it best. And if you find “Sweet Home Alabama” playing on a loop in your head, then you may want to look into your education options in the Heart of Dixie. It […]
7 reasons why I still carry cash
We are quickly becoming a cashless society with credit cards and digital transactions becoming the primary forms of money transfer. Even Starbucks continues to play with the idea of a completely cashless store that only accepts credit […]
Can medical bills affect your credit report?
Medical costs can sneak up on you. They’re often confusing and even frustrating. Billing statements may be hard to read. So can an insurer’s explanation of benefits (EOB). Sometimes there’s a coding error or the […]
Supporting your child in the college application process
The college application process can be an exciting and stressful time for both the student and their parents. For your child, it may be one of the first times he or she has had to […]
The cities where American adults most often live with their parents
From experiencing an economic downturn or needing support while starting a business to living in an area with high rent costs or saving for big financial goals, there are numerous reasons why adults might live […]
These 10 budgeting tricks can help you get control of your money
While a recent Debt.com survey found that 98% of American’s believe everyone should budget, only about 79% actually do. Furthermore, of those who don’t budget 32% said it was because they don’t make enough money and another […]
25 fast & easy soup recipes for fall
When the weather gets chilly there is nothing like a nice soup to warm you up! I compiled a list of the best soup recipes for you to make this winter. All of these easy […]
Popular types of life insurance at any age
Life insurance is considered a cornerstone of financial planning by many financial professionals. It is designed to provide financial security to loved ones in the event of your demise. When you purchase a life insurance […]
25 fun & cheap things to do this fall
Time flies and we are already welcoming fall, which means it is time for a brand new blog post on items that should be added to your fall bucket list. Here are the top 25 […]
Tired of penny pinching? These 13 steps could change your life
Money isn’t everything, but life sure is easier when you have it. I don’t think anyone will disagree with that statement, but what separates the haves from the have nots? Why do some people succeed financially in life […]
How to determine your retirement goals
The median retirement account balance for all working Americans is $0, and half of those households are over age 55 (not a typo). But it’s not just a problem for the Boomers. Research has also uncovered […]
Building a well-balanced crypto portfolio
Investing in a cryptocurrency can mean signing up for a wild ride, with prices up thousands of dollars one day and down again the next. Take Bitcoin for example, which was up to more than $14,000 […]
How to create a family budget even during a crisis
Planning a monthly family budget and taking care of your finances is essential. It helps you stay in control of your life and allows you to set goals and plan ahead. In addition, it also enables you […]
Tips for comparing life insurance policies
Life insurance is one way to help protect loved ones. But, with numerous life insurance choices sold in the U.S. market, it can be challenging to pick which policy to go with. There are plenty […]
8 pet insurance myths you can’t afford to believe
As a pet owner, it’s essential you make responsible decisions for your animal companions. This goes beyond just providing them with proper training and high-quality food. You’ll also want to seriously consider purchasing pet insurance […]
Tips on buying a foreclosed home
If you’re scanning real estate websites, you’ve likely noticed homes listed as foreclosures or bank-owned properties. Sometimes the prices on these homes can seem like a dream come true, but should you really consider buying […]
How to build wealth you can pass on to your kids
By definition, generational wealth, also referred to as family wealth or legacy wealth, represents wealth passed down from one generation to the next. If you can leave behind a notable amount of money or assets, that […]
15 ways the pandemic has changed restaurants forever
COVID-19 is changing how businesses operate across the country, including at the restaurants where we enjoy our favorite meals. Both business owners and customers are being affected by these changes, and it’s unclear whether the […]
Exploring student loan forgiveness for nonprofit employees
Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The unicorn of student debt. Its very existence is debated. Thousands of federal student loan borrowers pursue it. And for those who could prove they’d decided their lives to doing (the […]
Scholarships, grants & student loans for Massachusetts students
Many students dream of an East Coast education. Rainy days spent in the library. Strolling by ivy-covered buildings. Cheering on the team at fall football games. All these collegiate allures and more can be found […]
Here’s the salary you need to buy a home in these US cities
The stress of purchasing a new home coupled with the uncertainty of living expenses can make looking for housing an exhausting task. To avoid home-buying fatigue, buyers should check how far their salary can stretch […]
Here’s how many are rethinking retirement due to COVID-19
Aside from being a public health crisis, the coronavirus pandemic has had a major financial impact on American consumers. From job loss to reduced work hours to business struggles, the economic fallout from shutting down […]
7 recurring bills you really need to renegotiate
According to a recent report from mobile bill payment company doxo, the average American household spends $914 per month on recurring monthly bills in 2020. That figure is up $50 from the previous year’s findings […]
The most popular cities for Gen Z homebuyers
Some Gen Zers are looking to buy homes Despite the ongoing economic turmoil wrought by the COVID-19 outbreak, many members of Generation Z (born after 1996) are attending college, starting their careers and even buying homes for […]
Everything you need to know about estate planning
Estate planning can give you peace of mind Estate planning might seem like something meant only for the old or sick, but that’s not the case — especially in today’s day and age. In a world […]