For many couples, opening a joint checking account or a joint savings account is the first step. In fact, some studies have found that couples who pooled their money in shared accounts had happier long-term relationships. But before you make this big step, it’s important to communicate your feelings about combining your finances. It’s also helpful to understand how joint accounts work and know the benefits and challenges that come with them.
Right now, staying connected is more important than ever. But for many people with pricey cell phone plans, it’s also more expensive than ever.
On average, Americans are paying more than $1,300 a year for their cell phone service, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While carriers all claim to offer the best cell phone deals, finding ways to lower your cell phone bill can be challenging. To help, here are eight proven tips to help you save on your cell phone.
When you’re looking at a big-ticket purchase, one question always comes up: Should you pay with your savings or finance it? Or, if it’s a new home or car, how much of the purchase price should you pay up front, and how much should you borrow?
A good friend is always there to help, in good times and bad. But if a close friend of yours is struggling with financial problems such as a job loss, overwhelming debt, or major expenses like medical bills, it can be hard to know how to help. In honor of the International Day of Friendship, which is July 30, we’ll show you how to help a friend who’s struggling financially without having to spend your own money.
Getting ready to tie the knot? The opportunity to take on life as a team is exciting, but having your lives so closely intertwined also means big changes for your lifestyle. Especially when it comes to managing your finances.
Unfortunately, money can be a tricky topic for couples. In fact, it’s the number one thing married couples fight about.
Notebooks, graph paper, and saved receipts have played their part, but now digital budgeting tools have taken center stage. With the ability to track and sort your purchases in real time or pay bills automatically on your behalf, these handy tools are a necessity for getting your budget back on track. Overwhelmed by your options or don’t know what’s out there? We’ve compiled a list of some popular recommendations – including a few tools of our own!
You’ve worked hard to build up your savings. So you want to make sure they’re protected – and steadily growing – during today’s economic uncertainty. But right now, it may seem harder to grow your savings, especially when you want to avoid the risks that come with a volatile stock market.
Keeping your funds protected in a federally insured financial institution is a smart way to avoid market risk.
Subscriptions surround us. Our daily lives have shifted from making a one-time purchase to continually paying for content that promises to be the most convenient, most up-to-date, and, at one point, the most comprehensive. As the competition has grown, many of these larger companies have splintered off into individual apps with individual costs. Consider how many of these services may call you a subscriber.
The best way to make college affordable is to start saving as soon as possible. And the best way to build your college fund is with a tax-advantaged account or savings plan, which can help you grow your savings faster and keep more money available for what’s important: your child’s education.
Credit cards are a valuable tool for building credit, making large purchases, or earning rewards. Still, a tool this powerful must be used carefully to prevent avoidable or unmanageable amounts of debt. If you ever find yourself in deeper than expected, don’t worry – there are several ways to tackle credit card debt, one way being debt consolidation.
Is your home feeling a little cluttered? Want to get through the holidays, or start the new year, with a little extra cash in your pocket? If there are unused or seldom-used items taking up space in your home, consider selling them. Whether you’re purging your attic, decluttering your whole house, or getting ready to move, periodically selling off old things helps you simplify your lifestyle while earning quick cash – sometimes more than you might expect.
It’s the season of pumpkin spice, Thanksgiving feasts – and big grocery bills. If you’re looking to make the most of your time with family and friends, while saving money on food, shopping for groceries online could be your solution.
Few things are as important as our relationships with friends and family. The last thing you want is for money issues to get between you and your loved ones. While it’s a wonderful thing to be there for a friend, awkward money dilemmas can put your relationships in jeopardy if you aren’t careful. Here are a few common situations you may encounter, and ways to handle them.
As adults, the ways that we spend, save, and manage our money can be serious business. But as kids, this doesn’t have to be the case. Whether your child is taking their first steps or saving for their first big purchase, teaching children about money often works best when you add some fun and games to the experience.
It’s easy to put off saving for retirement. Everyday expenses like rent and groceries take precedence over something that’s decades away. And other savings goals like a new car or a down payment on a house are more exciting (and feel more tangible) than retirement. But starting to save for retirement when you’re young will make saving enough money to enjoy a comfortable retirement much easier. Here's why.
Planning for your personal assets and end-of-life decisions is one of the most important things you can do for your family – and your finances. If you are putting off creating your estate plan, it’s time to stop procrastinating. When you understand estate planning essentials, and have the right professional guidance, the process can be relatively quick and straightforward.
When things are going well, it’s easy to forget that emergencies and hard times can happen. And it’s even easier to put off preparing for them. That may be one reason that so few people have money saved for emergencies. Just 40% of Americans have enough set aside to cover a $1,000 emergency expense.
Owning a vehicle can cost thousands of dollars per year, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself from unexpected expenses. Having the right insurance and other forms of coverage can help you avoid the stress and financial burdens that result from an accident, breakdown, or theft. If you have a new car or are shopping for one now, here are four valuable coverage options that can help you worry less and enjoy your vehicle more.
It’s never an easy thing to think about, but it’s something you need to consider: If you were to die, who would provide for your loved ones? September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, and now is the perfect time to learn about the types of life insurance and see what’s best for you.
Home is where the heart is, but it is not always near where the job is. The average American’s commute takes 26.9 minutes, with more than 14 million Americans spending an hour or more traveling to work. A longer commute often means more money spent on gas and on car repairs. Here are 7 ways to stop a long commute from cutting into your budget.
