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A debt trap can occur when you are forced to take out new loans to repay your existing debt obligations, creating a cycle of compounding debt. Even a small new loan can push you into a debt trap if you can’t repay it on time or in full. A cycle of debt can be hard […]
What Is a Debt Trap? Read More »
If you think you’ve got this summer’s vacation already plotted out, make sure you’re not forgetting to budget for all costs. Sneaky, easy-to-forget costs can add up and throw your trip off budget. Trip expenses will vary depending on where you’re going, for how long and your plans while you’re there. But if you forget
7 Travel Expenses You May Be Forgetting to Budget For Read More »
Creating a budget is key for affording your expenses, avoiding debt and reaching your financial goals. But anyone who’s ever tried to stick to a rigid budget has likely experienced the reality that things don’t always go as planned. You may spend more on transportation, bills, groceries or dining than you anticipated. When that happens,
How to Build a Budget Buffer Read More »
Inflation is putting financial pressure on U.S. households. Consumers are now paying 6% more for goods and services than they were in March 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While that’s down from last year’s highs, which were the highest rates seen since the 1980s, inflation still remains steep. This persistent hike
6 Ways to Fight Inflation and Save Money Now Read More »
Getting divorced causes disruption in all aspects of life, especially when it comes to parenting and finances. To ease the burden of shifting from a two-household income to one, a divorce decree or child custody agreement often requires the noncustodial parent to pay their ex child support. While it’s illegal to defy court orders that
How to Budget With Inconsistent Child Support Read More »
These days, a high salary doesn’t guarantee a life of luxury. After covering their bills, over a third of high earners say they live paycheck to paycheck, according to PYMNTS data. HENRYs (high earners, not rich yet) fall into this category. These are usually younger people who’ve come into a high-earning job but spend most
What Are HENRYs (High Earners, Not Rich Yet)? Read More »
You can lower your bills by negotiating your prices, switching your plan, downgrading your service and more. Try a few—or all—of these 10 different ways to lower your bills and see how many saving opportunities you can find. 1. Negotiate Your Bills Negotiating your bills can help you take advantage of introductory packages or credits
10 Ways to Lower Your Bills Read More »
An impulse purchase is spending you do suddenly and immediately when you weren’t planning to. If you’re struggling with impulse spending, you’re not alone. Impulse buying isn’t always a terrible thing—if you can afford it, and you really want it, it may cause you no harm at all. But overspending on impulse can also wreak
How to Stop Impulse Spending Read More »
If you have made financial resolutions that you’re going to try to meet in 2023, that’s a smart and good first step. But the reason so many people say that they never follow through with their resolutions may be because they’re not taking enough steps—or the right steps. In other words, if you really want
5 Financial Resolution Mistakes to Avoid in 2023 Read More »
Moving aging parents into your home can have benefits for kids and parents alike, but there are financial implications to consider. When your aging parents move in, be sure to stay on top of your finances by evaluating household income and expenses, creating a shared budget and discussing financial matters honestly. By talking to your
How to Manage Money When Your Aging Parents Move In Read More »
Balancing your checkbook might feel like an archaic practice since the use of paper checks is falling out of style, but it still serves a purpose. The practice is a way to get a solid handle on how much money is going in and out of your account each month, which can help you identify
How to Balance a Checkbook Read More »
Accountability apps can give you tools that help you stick to your budget. If you have a hard time developing internal motivation to stay on budget, these apps can provide external motivation you need to get you through rough patches. Check out these four different types of accountability apps that you can use to stay
4 Types of Accountability Apps to Keep You on Budget Read More »
Budgeting is crucial to a successful financial plan, but it’s not always easy, especially if you’re doing it all on your own. The best budgeting apps can help you get your finances in order, stay organized and work toward your money goals. Here are our choices for the top five budgeting apps that are currently
The Best Budgeting Apps of 2023 Read More »
If your finances are feeling out of whack, especially after the holiday crush of spending on family and friends, perhaps you need to course-correct. After all, the new year is a perfect time to get a fresh start. If you’re looking for strategies to improve your money situation in 2023, start with these ideas. 1.
How to Get Back on Track Financially in the New Year Read More »
Paying for extracurricular activities for your kids can be expensive. Average costs vary widely, but can reach nearly $200 for track and field participants to upwards of $2,500 for hockey parents paying for their little skaters. Whether you’ve got a prima ballerina or a Cub Scout at home, paying for extracurriculars doesn’t have to bust
5 Ways to Save Money on Extracurriculars for Kids Read More »
Long before there were e-commerce retailers with next-day shipping, buy-now-pay-later financing, and advertisers tracking every click, there were department stores with friendly human associates and layaway services. The U.S. Census Bureau defines department stores as retailers “that have separate departments for general lines of new merchandise, such as apparel, jewelry, home furnishings and toys, with
How Department Store Spending Has Changed in the Last 30 Years Read More »
There are many ways to reduce your cellphone bill, perhaps even down to $0 a month, by swapping carriers, gauging your data usage and more. Cellphones have quickly become one of our most important telecom connections, with many people even forgoing home Wi-Fi in favor of using their cellphone’s hotspot. But with added capabilities comes
11 Ways to Reduce Your Cellphone Bill Read More »
Even with inflation increasing your monthly bills, you may be able to find a great deal with minimal effort on your part. Experian BillFixer™ saves you the time and headache of contacting your providers by negotiating better rates on your behalf. If you are looking for a way to cut costs and stretch your budget,
What Is Experian BillFixer™ and How Does It Work? Read More »
We’ve all felt the pinch of inflation this year, which suggests that this holiday season could be an expensive one. In 2021, consumers planned to spend close to $1,000 on gifts, holiday items and other goodies, according to the National Retail Federation. While overall holiday spending growth projections are lower for 2022 than last year,
How to Make a Holiday Budget Read More »
Resetting your finances is all about taking stock of where you’re at, erasing bad money habits and making room for more intentional action and financial progress going forward. Having regular financial reset appointments, such as monthly, quarterly or annually, can help you build check-ins into your routine and pivot your spending to better achieve your
5 Steps to a Financial Reset Read More »