Finances

The Most Popular Credit Card Scams

There’s more to being financially responsible than budgeting. Staying on top of your finances also means knowing how to keep your money and personal information safe from the prying eyes of would-be scammers and thieves. In most cases, credit card scams depend on catching you off guard; using fear and stress to convince you to hand over your money, PIN, or credit card number. The best way to avoid...

The A to Z Guide of Staying Out of Debt

The key to staying out of debt is to keep a better handle on your finances through things like spending less, budgeting, and saving money. It takes work, but it’s not impossible. And you might be surprised by how many small things you can do to work toward a debt-free lifestyle. Just for fun, I thought I’d break things down alphabetically, so here’s your official A to Z guide...

Why it Makes Sense to Have a Safe and a Safe Deposit Box

I’ve written several blogs about things like the benefits of changing your passwords, how to avoid ID theft, and other topics related to online security – and there’s a good reason for that: There are a TON of scammers out there who are all too ready to skim and scam their way into your online accounts. As life becomes increasingly digital and virtual, it’s all too easy to forget...

Should You Apply for a Balance Transfer?

If you’re struggling to pay down high-interest credit card debt, a balance transfer can be a powerful tool. Balance transfers offer super-low (or even zero-percent) introductory interest rates, which means they help you pay your principal balance off more quickly. But that doesn’t mean that balance transfers are for everyone. Use this decision tree to figure out of a balance transfer is a good option for you.   CLICK...

20 Fantastic Summer Staycation Ideas

Summer is here. The sun is out. The kids are out of school, and you’ve got plenty of vacation time saved up at work. One thing you don’t have? Money. Or, more specifically, the kind of extra money you need to take a traditional family summer vacation – and you have no interest in using your credit cards to finance a trip you can’t afford. The good news? You...

When Savings Cost More- Seven Money Saving Tips That Can Backfire

Seems like everyone has an opinion about money – how you should spend it, how you should invest it, and how you should save it. But as someone who has made a career out of helping folks pay off debt and get their finances back on track, I can tell you that not all financial advice is created equally. In fact, a lot of commonly repeated money advice may...

Six Financial Missteps You’ll Regret

If you’re like most people, you probably have a regret or two. It’s only natural to look back and think, “If only I’d done XX instead of YY,” or “I wish I’d known about YY before I decided ZZ.” Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20. And everyone makes mistakes. But some mistakes are costlier than others – literally. For example, the financial decisions you make today can affect your...

The Best Apps and Websites for Budgeting and Saving

It’s easy to spend money online – too easy, really. It’s near-impossible to surf the web without being bombarded by advertisements and sales emails targeted to your exact preferences and interests. With a few clicks, you can find yourself spending money you don’t have on things you don’t really need. But that’s only part of the story. When it comes to your finances, there’s more to the Internet than...

Want to Build Great Credit Seven is the Magic Number

Here’s something that might surprise you: While it’s absolutely true that responsible credit use is a must for establishing a good credit score and a strong credit history, time is also a factor. Simply having a few years of established credit is a step in the right direction. Sometimes, the key to a higher score is simply waiting a few years. So, how long does it take to establish...

Six Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Credit Score

Six Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Credit Score Ask most people what kinds of things can bring down your credit score, and you’ll likely hear the expected responses:  Paying your credit card bills late.  Maxing out your credit lines.  Having a high debt-to-income ratio.  Opening too many credit cards.  Closing a credit card once you pay it off. You don’t have to have an extensive background in credit...