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When you’re planning to buy a home, your down payment is likely your biggest expense. For first-time homebuyers, it’s often the largest amount of money they’ve ever planned to save up, and it can seem pretty intimidating. But there are ways to make it feel more attainable. Understanding how down payments work and adopting effective […]
How to save for a down payment: practical strategies for future homeowners Read More »
Personal finance is the way that you manage your money in order to cover your expenses and reach your goals. Learning about personal finance can help you get a firm handle on your money and make progress toward financial milestones, such as setting some money aside for an emergency or getting out of debt. Here’s
What Is Personal Finance? Read More »
When you spend less money than you earn, you have an opportunity to start saving up for the bigger things you want in life. From short-term aims like a vacation to mid-term aspirations like buying a house to long-term objectives like building a retirement fund, putting aside part of your income each month lets you
How much should I save each month? Read More »
I love goals. Setting them, working towards them, and ultimately achieving them. When I commit to a goal, I visualize what I truly want and how quickly I’m going to make it happen. Research shows that the initial step of setting goals improves the likelihood of achieving them. (People are 42% more likely to achieve
If a large, unexpected expense comes along, are you prepared to pay for it without going into debt or derailing your saving plans? If not, consider building an emergency fund: a cache of money saved up to be used only in case of true financial emergencies. Most experts recommend keeping three to six months’ worth
How much emergency fund should I have? Read More »
A nest egg is a stockpile of money you save up over the long term for a large financial goal, like retirement. People usually start their nest egg with a small amount, then add to their savings a bit at a time. To help a nest egg grow, most people keep the money in a
What is a nest egg and how can you build one? Read More »
In the unpredictable world of personal finance, having an emergency fund is like having a strong fortress that protects your financial health from unexpected problems. It’s very important, but not everyone understands its value. Having emergency savings is crucial during tough financial times. It’s a game-changer for everyone, from new graduates to established professionals. What
Securing your future: The essentials of an emergency fund Read More »
Raising a child can be expensive. There are lots of costs while they’re small, and even more financial considerations in the future when they’re launching into young adulthood. Whether you’re a parent/guardian, family member, or other parental figure in a child’s life, there’s a good chance you’re thinking about their financial future, long before it’s
How To Save Money for Kids Read More »
Saving money is a crucial step in accomplishing your financial goals and protecting yourself from unexpected expenses. But the amount you should save each month depends on a variety of factors, including your income, expenses and objectives. Here are some strategies you can use to determine how much you should save each month, where to
How Much Money Should You Save Each Month? Read More »
Finding ways to reduce your spending can make it easier to keep more in your pocket or save for a rainy day. And, if you’re feeling financial pressure, you may be making a conscious effort to limit everyday spending or cut back on discretionary areas in your budget. But what about the spending you do
5 Ways You May Be Spending Money Without Even Realizing It Read More »
Just as death and taxes are certain, so are bills. Some companies make sure of it by requiring automatic payments without any extra benefit (think gym memberships or streaming services). Other companies are less strict and make automatic payments optional, allowing manual bill payments for customers who still prefer it. Even better, some of these
6 Bills That Offer Autopay Discounts Read More »
If you’ve saved significant amounts of money, whether for short-term or long-term goals, bravo! You’re well ahead of many other Americans. However, just like other aspects of life, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Saving to prepare for emergencies, retirement or financial goals like buying a house is smart, to be
5 Signs You’re Keeping Too Much in Savings Read More »
When you’re mapping out a plan to reach your financial goals, you don’t have to choose just one path. It’s not about whether saving or investing is the better choice, but rather understanding the unique ways both saving and investing play crucial roles in working toward your financial aspirations. While saving often involves setting aside
Saving vs. Investing: 2 Ways to Reach Your Financial Goals Read More »
When you have money to set aside and grow, there are options beyond a regular savings account. One is a certificate of deposit (CD), which requires an upfront deposit you typically can’t touch until maturity at the term’s end. Taking out money early usually results in an early withdrawal penalty. While CDs lack the flexibility
How Much Money Should I Put Into a CD? Read More »
The way you manage your finances will likely evolve as you move through different phases of your life. Whether you’re building your career or are already retired, being strategic with your money can pay off. Here are some key financial moves to make in each decade of your life. In Your 20s Think of your
Financial Moves to Make in Each Decade of Your Life Read More »
Ever feel like you can’t resist the urge to reward yourself with a little treat, even when it’s not in your budget? That’s an impulse buy. How about the overwhelming desire to snap up a sweet deal, even if you don’t need whatever’s on sale? Another example of impulse buying. And although it feels pretty
How To Stop Impulse Buying Read More »
As travel gets more expensive, it can be tough to justify taking a leisure vacation—especially if it cuts into your savings budget. But you may not have to choose between the two. With some work and prioritizing, you can save money and see the world at the same time. Here’s how. 1. Set a Budget
How to Travel and Save Money at the Same Time Read More »
Whether your income is on the rise or you receive a windfall of unexpected cash, having extra money in your budget is always good news. The best thing to do with it depends on your financial situation, but paying off high-interest debt usually takes priority. You can also use extra cash to build your emergency
What Should I Do With Extra Money? Read More »
Wintertime brings a host of holidays and celebrations, with gift exchanges, holiday meals, and festive gatherings to mark the end of another year. But the merrymaking also comes with the reality of extra costs. In 2023, average holiday spending is estimated to be $1,530 per household for gifts, travel, and entertainment. Without a budget for
How To Build a Holiday Budget and Stick to It Read More »
You want to be better with money but don’t know where to start. This year, with high inflation, the return of student loan repayments, and global uncertainty—perhaps your finances have paid the price. All that to say: Improving the bottom line has never been harder for hardworking Americans. So in service of helping you get
The Stash 100: Money tips everyone needs to know Read More »
