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How To Improve Your Finances in Just 20 Days
Looking for a way to get your finances in order? Want to set some goals, revisit your budget, or lower your monthly bills? Who doesn’t? Most of us want to save more, spend less, and build financial security – but things like budgeting and shopping for better interest rates can take time. But if you just take things day by day, a step at a time, it’s not so... -
Credit Card Theft- What to do if it Happens to You
I’ve posted quite a few articles about preventive credit card security – how to guard against hacking and skimming; how to keep your credit card information safe during the holidays, and how to protect your online identity with solid passwords. But what happens if, despite your best efforts, your credit card information falls into the wrong hands? What if your wallet is stolen? What if there’s a security breach... -
8 Common Money Tips to Re-Think (or Ignore!)
8 Common Money Tips To Re-Think (or Ignore!) When it comes to money, it seems like everyone out there has advice – but not all advice is created equally. Is it really always better to buy in bulk? Should you listen to all of the voices telling you to stop renting in favor of building equity? Are you really doing yourself a favor if you completely turn your back... -
When Frugal Goes Too Far
When “Frugal” Goes Too Far I love saving money. And while this probably isn’t news to anyone who reads this blog regularly, what may be news is that, when it comes to frugality, even I have my limits. Because while I’m all for mindful spending, bargain hunting, and so on, I do believe that there are some scenarios when insisting on short-terms savings can actually do more harm than... -
7 Hacks for Better Money Management
7 Hacks for Better Money Management It’s a brand-new year, and there’s no better time to get on top of your household finances. But before you start reviewing your spending habits and setting up or adjusting your budget, it’s a good idea to examine some of your money management strategies. Are you still paying your bills via check and “snail mail”? Do you lose track of due dates and... -
Save More Money This Year
Want to Save More Money this Year? Try Cutting Some of These Common Expenses A new year is a great time to set goals – especially financial goals like bulking up your savings account, paying down high-interest credit card debt, or finally building that all-important emergency fund to cover three months of living expenses. Whatever your money goals are for this year, one great way to help meet them... -
What to do After you Rebuild Your Credit Score
I’ve posted several blogs (such as this one and this one) about ways to rebuild or repair less-than-perfect credit scores — and with good reason. Your credit score determines what kinds of loans and interest rates you can get, and in some cases it can affect your ability to find a place to live or even a job. And while repairing your credit score isn’t impossible, it’s not exactly... -
The DebtGuru’s Guide to Common Finance Terms
It’s my last post of the year. I can hardly believe another year is over! I thought I’d close the year with a quick and easy guide to some commonly used financial terms. If you’ve never been quite clear about the difference between a “hard credit inquiry” and a “soft credit inquiry” or you’ve always wondered exactly what an APR was, keep reading for the DebtGuru’s guide to common... -
Credit Cards and the Holidays
Credit Cards and the Holidays Plan on doing some holiday shopping this month? If so, there’s a good chance that you’ll be using a credit card for some or all of your holiday purchases. And, while there’s nothing wrong with responsible credit card use, the hectic holiday schedule of parties, shopping, and traveling can make even the most financially savvy folks a little scatterbrained, especially when it comes to... -
Funding Your Emergencies – Without an Emergency Fund
Funding Your Emergencies – Without an Emergency Fund Financial emergencies pop up when you least expect them, which is why so many financial advisors recommend setting aside three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund. And while I agree that this is great advice, I also understand that a lot of folks simply don’t have a few thousand dollars sitting around in the bank in case...