Money Management

Have Debt? You Can Still Live Your Life

Don’t Let Sneaky Expenses Bust Your Budget 

A detailed, well-planned budget is one of your best tools in your quest for financial responsibility and a good defense against overspending. However, even the savviest of budgeters can find themselves in tight money situations thanks to sneaky expenses that inevitably seem to crop up. Here is a list of some of the most commonly missed or forgotten budget items, and some tips on how to plan for them....

Eight Ways to Generate Passive Income

Who doesn’t want extra cash? I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t be happy to bring home a little extra money every month. But side income usually means taking a side job of some kind – and not everyone has the kind of schedule that can accommodate a traditional part time gig. That’s where passive income comes in. As the name suggests, passive income allows you to earn money...

8 Smart Moves to Make After You Pay Off Your Credit Card

8 Smart Moves to Make After You Pay Off Your Credit Card It wasn’t easy. You budgeted, saved, and budgeted some more. You didn’t give up, even when you felt discouraged. It may have taken months. Or years. Some days, it seemed impossible. But you finally did it: You paid off your credit card. So, now what? What do you do with the extra hundred or so dollars you...

Holiday Scams and How to Avoid Them

The holidays are a time filled with fun, friends, and family gatherings. A time for shopping and gift exchanges. A time of joy, cheer, good food, and new beginnings. Unfortunately, they are also a time when scammers, thieves, and fraudsters come out of the woodwork in search of ways to steal your gifts, hard-earned money, or personal information. The good news, though, is that with a little awareness and...

Cutting the Cord: Great, Affordable Alternatives to Traditional Cable TV

Cutting the Cord Thinking about saying goodbye to cable TV? You’re definitely not alone. According to one recent study, one in five households in the U.S. has cut the cord on traditional cable television, opting for lower-cost alternatives. If you’re looking for a way to cut your monthly expenses, I can’t think of a better place to start than cable TV. Think about it: You pay a hefty chunk...

Surprising Ways You Waste Money

You may consider yourself somewhat frugal: You don’t spend piles of cash on fancy vacations, new cars, or luxury items. You aren’t house poor. You don’t buy lottery tickets and you’ve curbed your Starbucks addiction. You try to eat at home most nights a week. But somehow, you still end up with less money than you’d like at the end of each month. What gives?  Chances are good that...

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...

The Do’s and Don’ts Before Applying for a Mortgage 

Maybe you’re dreaming of a suburban ranch house with a big backyard. Or perhaps a sleek urban condo in the heart of the city. Or a townhome that’s within walking distance to work. Everyone’s idea of a “dream home” is a little different, but there’s one thing that’s the same across the board: We all have to apply for a mortgage loan. You don’t have to have perfect credit...

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...