Generally, you should have six to nine times your salary tucked away in a 401(k) or other accounts by your mid-50’s to early 60’s to have a good shot at maintaining your standard of living in retirement. So you’re definitely short of where you ought to be. On the bright side, at least you know… Read More
4 Smarter Ways To Spend Your Tax Refund (as reported by Molly Triffin on forbes.com)
Picture this: You wake up one morning, and head outside to get the newspaper. Sitting there on the stoop is a bag with your name on it. You open it and find a wad of cash—totaling $3,120! Your mind starts to race as you think about how you’ll spend this money that’s fallen into your… Read More
3 Things Millennials Need to Know When Choosing a Credit Card (as reported by Taylor Tepper of time.com/money)
Today’s young professionals have a complicated relationship with credit. A report last year found that more than three in five millennials did not own a credit card, while another survey, by Creditcards.com, found that 36% of 18-to-29 year olds have never had one. Millennials, of course, had the distinct misfortune of entering the job market… Read More
5 Financial Spring Cleaning Tips & Tricks (As reported on mint.com)
After a brutal winter, many of us are ready to embrace spring with open arms. The arrival of spring also signals seasonal cleaning duties. However, before you break out the flip flops don’t forget to include your personal finances in your spring cleaning “to do” list. Spring is the perfect time to tackle financial clutter–from… Read More
8 Things to Consider When Choosing a Checking Account (As reported by AJ Smith of credit.com)
Most people need a checking account to help manage their finances. They help you pay bills, provide a place to store your cash and keep your paycheck safe. Since they are so common, there are a dizzying number of options to choose from. It may seem confusing or intimidating, but it’s important to consider your… Read More
7 Signs You’re Living Beyond Your Means (As reported by Stephanie Taylor Christensen of mint.com)
Need some motivation to start saving? Sit down and add up how much money you make each month. Then, multiply that amount by six. Assuming you have a stable job, that’s the minimum balance you should have stashed away in an interest bearing, according to Henk Pieters, president of Investus Financial Planning. He believes people… Read More
How to Create a Budget for 2015 (As reported by Jack Ryder of simplethriftyliving.com)
Having difficulties sticking to your budget this year? It might be time to consider a new approach. Monthly and weekly budgets are helpful, but don’t take into account the many changes in expenses and income that occur during the year. After all, most usually think of their salary as an annual figure. By considering your… Read More
10 Best Ways to Save For Retirement (As reported on simplethriftyliving.com)
Retirement is something we should all be planning for. If we live long enough, we’ll all get to the point where we’ll be ready to stop working and start settling into a more relaxed life. However these days, it’s becoming more and more difficult to depend on pensions and Social Security to help you sustain… Read More
6 Reasons You Can Be Rejected With An Excellent Credit Score (As reported by Nick Clements of forbes.com)
These days, credit scores are everywhere. Many banks now print credit scores on your monthly credit card statement, and companies and online sites like CreditKarma.com give credit scores for free. Americans increasingly understand how their score is calculated and how to improve it. However, just because you have a good credit score doesn’t mean you… Read More
Top 10 Reasons People Go Bankrupt (As reported on huffingtonpost.com)
In today’s economic climate, personal bankruptcy has escalated at an alarming rate. According to U.S. bankruptcy statistics, more than 1.5 million people file for bankruptcy every year. Most significantly, nearly 97 percent of bankruptcy filings are made by individuals, not by businesses. While bankruptcy can provide a sensible debt solution for some people, others have… Read More