When Miranda Marquit started writing about personal finance six years ago, she “was maxed out on my credit cards,” she admits. No more. And the publisher of Planting Money Seeds has a few words of hard-earned advice for anyone who has dug themselves into a debt hole so big they think they’ll never … [Read more...] about Expert advice on digging your way out of debt
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How to buy a house with 5% (or less) down payment
One hurdle many would-be home buyers face – or think they face — is the need to come up with a big chunk of cash to make a 20% down payment. The good news is that you don’t have to have 20% down, even in today’s tight credit environment, to buy a house.Buyers with good jobs and decent credit … [Read more...] about How to buy a house with 5% (or less) down payment
My purse has been stolen. Now what?
Quin Ryan was doing a good deed by driving her niece to daycare. Grabbing only the toddler and an umbrella, she entered the school, returning to her car in less than seven minutes to discover her driver-side window smashed and her purse, left on the seat, gone. Out of pocket: $2,500.Drugs, … [Read more...] about My purse has been stolen. Now what?
Will your heirs have to pay your debts? Maybe
The share of all household debt held by Americans in March 2017 rose $149 billion, reaching $12.73 trillion in debt, according to the newest release by the New York Federal Reserve. And a 2016 report by University of Michigan's Retirement Research Center found that nearly 32 percent of Americans … [Read more...] about Will your heirs have to pay your debts? Maybe
How to create a retirement plan when you’re self-employed
Whether permanently or temporarily, by choice or by circumstance, many of us are self-employed these days. We're in this gig economy, where so many of us are making our own livings with our own small businesses. That's great. Except for one thing: People who are self-employed have to provide their … [Read more...] about How to create a retirement plan when you’re self-employed
7 strategies for frugal urban living (no cheapskates allowed)
The cost of living in a major metropolitan area runs higher than average. Frugal urban living is the ultimate oxymoron because there are just so many fun ways to spend money.Consumer temptations abound in the city. From parking and lattes to fashion and entertainment, the cosmopolitan … [Read more...] about 7 strategies for frugal urban living (no cheapskates allowed)
14 home improvements that save on your heating bill
Winter is definitely here, and for many that means high utility bills to heat their homes.While you can’t do anything about the chilly weather, you can take steps to make your home more energy efficient and pay less for heating.To start, the U.S. Department of Energy has a do-it-yourself … [Read more...] about 14 home improvements that save on your heating bill
Love free stuff? Here’s your guide to scoring freebies
By Jen SmithThere’s only one thing I love more than saving money, and that’s getting free stuff. Who doesn’t love the feeling of having and something and not paying for it? Legally, of course.I can understand why most people don’t take the time to look for freebies. Most offers … [Read more...] about Love free stuff? Here’s your guide to scoring freebies
What happened at Equifax and how can you protect yourself
On September 7, 2017, Equifax announced that its massive database of consumer credit data was breached. If you had never heard of Equifax before, you may be in for a surprise.Equifax is one of three companies that keeps a copy of your credit history, which includes your name, address, social … [Read more...] about What happened at Equifax and how can you protect yourself
How to avoid buying the wrong home in a hot market
Many home-buyers are finding themselves in an unusual situation: They have enough money and are preapproved for a mortgage, but can they actually secure a house?The number of homes for sale continues to fall, with the supply of homes of homes for sale even tighter at the lower price … [Read more...] about How to avoid buying the wrong home in a hot market
How to protect yourself (or your parents) from scams against seniors
We've all heard the sad stories: A senior citizen was fleeced out of his home by an unscrupulous caregiver. A home repair worker turns out to be a thief who takes all the jewelry. A call announcing you've won a prize turns out to be a ploy to get you to empty your bank … [Read more...] about How to protect yourself (or your parents) from scams against seniors
Where should you keep your emergency fund?
When you start paying attention to your finances, one of the first things you'll want to do is start an emergency fund. The idea behind the emergency fund — which should eventually be enough to pay for three to six months of living expenses — is that you should be able to use it … [Read more...] about Where should you keep your emergency fund?
The ultimate guide to protecting yourself from identity theft and financial fraud
If you’re like most people, you take care of most of your finances online these days. While you might have once been hesitant about online banking or typing in your credit card number to buy that sleek new laptop, now, you’ve probably come around to thinking nothing of depositing checks using your … [Read more...] about The ultimate guide to protecting yourself from identity theft and financial fraud
How much will I get from Social Security?
I recently saw an interview with the Acting Director of the Social Security Administration (SSA) discussing retirement preparedness in the US. The statistics she gave were startling:For 61 percent of elderly beneficiaries, Social Security provides the majority (more than 50 percent) of their … [Read more...] about How much will I get from Social Security?
How to get started investing
Whether you're a twenty-something who has just gotten your first job or you've been out in the world of work for decades, here is how to start investing.First of all, good for you! The earlier you start saving, no matter how much it is, the more money you will have later. And if you're … [Read more...] about How to get started investing
