All posts by Michael Peterson

4 Quick Tips to Build Up Your Emergency Fund

How’s your emergency fund? If you answered, “Very robust,” good for you. You likely have a secure financial footing, so continue what you’re doing. But if the words “your emergency fund” give you a deer-in-the-headlights pause, take heed! Financial experts agree that you should have enough savings set aside to cover several months’ worth of regular living expenses. This cushion will prove invaluable if you encounter the unexpected road...

FAQs About Debt Management Plans

A debt management plan (DMP) is an agreement between a debtor (that’s you, the person in debt) and a creditor (think: your bank or your credit card company) that tackles your outstanding debt. In a nutshell, a DMP groups your outstanding unsecured debts (like your credit cards and medical bills) into one payment and creates an affordable four- to six-year repayment plan. A debt manager will work with your...

7 Lifestyle Hacks That Save Money

What does it mean to save money? We all understand the concept: Squirrel away more than you shell out. But fewer of us understand how to do this successfully. When debts are mounting up or your job isn’t paying you what you deserve, it’s easy to fall into the mindset of living paycheck to paycheck – which means there’s no wiggle room for saving. But this doesn’t have to...

The Differences Between Debit Cards and Credit Cards

Every time you make a purchase using plastic, whether at the grocery store, retail outlet, or a gas pump, you are most likely prompted to choose whether you are using a debit or a credit card. Other than the fact that one requires a PIN (your four- to six-digit personal identification number) and the other often requires a signature, you may wonder if it even matters which one you...

Fast and Effective Ways to Pay Down Debt

Are you heavy in debt and need to get out from under the burden? Is debt limiting your options in life and you need a way out? Debt has a way of creeping up on all of us, especially when we least expect it. If this has happened to you, and you know it’s time to make a change, these are some simple strategies that can help you make...

How the 50/30/20 Rule Can Keep You on Budget

Ever heard of the “50/30/20 rule?”  This type of spending plan has been around a while, although maybe you’re not familiar with it. But if you find most financial management plans too complex to be helpful, the simple budgeting strategy within the 50/30/20 could be the key that finally unlocks your ability to get on top – and stay on top – of your financial goals. What Is the...

Debt Management: Signs This Is for You

If you’re in debt in the US, you’re in good company. At the end of 2019, American household debt surged past $14 trillion (yep, that’s TRILLION with a “T”) for the first time. Most of this debt is in the form of mortgages, but credit card debt also hit a record high of $930 billion. But while you can take solace in the fact that you’re not alone, don’t...

Heard of These 4 Credit Card Myths?

When it comes to personal finance in the 21st century, credit cards are inarguably one of the most common tools that consumers use. You’d be hard-pressed to find an adult today without one in his or her wallet. But that doesn’t mean that we all completely understand the implications of these important pieces of plastic. Let’s take a moment to dispel four common misconceptions about credit cards. MYTH 1....

Is It Okay To Pay Just The Minimum On Credit Card Debt?

Whether your financial goals are as simple as building a small emergency fund or as complex as savings and investments for retirement, few things can derail your plan faster than debt. That is why most experts and financial planners suggest prioritizing debt repayment first, before many other goals, and recommend paying down that debt as fast as possible.  But not all debt is created equal, and a good debt...

I Missed a Credit Card Payment… So What?

We talk a lot about paying your credit card bills on time. Why?  Because it’s REALLY important when taking control of your financial life. By knowing when your bills are due and getting into the habit of paying them by the deadline, you’ll reduce your stress. You can also save money, boost your credit score, and position yourself for lower-interest credit in the future.  Those positive reinforcements should be...