Posts By This Author
8 Tips on How to Build Credit When You're Young
Your credit score makes a difference in so many areas of life, from the rates you pay for auto insurance to the kind of mortgage you qualify for. But young people often find it hard to build a credit history, which is a major contributor to your credit score. Here are eight ways to get started building a credit history.
3 Budgeting Tips for New Parents
Becoming a new parent is an exciting step. But children can be expensive to raise, so many parents worry about how they’ll pay for diapers, formula, and other expenses. Here’s what to expect for your budget when you’re expecting.
6 Ways a Tax Refund Could Brighten Your Financial Future
About 60% of American tax-filers expect to receive a tax refund this year, with the average refund amounting to just under $3,000 per person. While some tax pundits suggest reducing withholdings to make more of your money available to you throughout the year, many taxpayers look forward to tax season as an annual cash infusion.
Preparing a Plan for Paying Back Student Loans
Student loans are a hot-button topic these days. As of 2019, 44.5 million borrowers owe a total of $1.5 trillion, and the average borrower graduates owing $28,650. Most people can’t repay a debt like this immediately, but don’t despair. The good news is that graduates with a four-year degree earn an average of $399 more per week than those with some college but no degree, which should make it easier to pay off those loans. With some patience and pre-planning, you should be able to pay back your loans and meet your other financial priorities at the same time.
How a Cash Advance Works & Pros and Cons
Sometimes payday feels just too far away. When your account balance is dangerously close to zero but you need some extra cash, it can be tempting to use a cash advance to bridge the gap. But what is a cash advance, and when is it a good idea to get one?
6 Ways to Put a Tax Refund to Work for You
Approximately three-quarters of Americans get a tax refund each year, with the average refund totaling $3,000. If you’re one of these lucky folks, consider developing a plan for the money you’ll get back instead of just depositing it into your checking account and leaving it there—or using it to buy stuff you don’t really need.
How New Federal Tax Laws Could Affect You
You’ve probably heard about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in 2018, but you may not have known this is the biggest tax reform in the last 30 years. The law covers a lot of ground, but here are some of the more notable changes that could affect you.
An Abbreviated History of Credit Reporting
The year was 1899. The Great Blizzard of 1899 hit America with snow, ice, and bitter temperatures falling as far south as Florida. Gold discovered in Nome, Alaska, kicked off the Klondike Gold Rush. In the White House, President William McKinley continued to deal with the Spanish-American War.
Help! My Identity Got Stolen!
It’s Tuesday morning, you’ve just finished spin class, and you’re rewarding yourself with a smoothie. As the cashier rings up your much-deserved smoothie, he frowns. Your credit card has been declined.
8 Tips on How to Build Credit When You're Young
Your credit score makes a difference in so many areas of life, from the rates you pay for auto insurance to the kind of mortgage you qualify for. But young people often find it hard to build a credit history, which is a major contributor to your credit score. Here are eight ways to get started building a credit history.
3 Budgeting Tips for New Parents
Becoming a new parent is an exciting step. But children can be expensive to raise, so many parents worry about how they’ll pay for diapers, formula, and other expenses. Here’s what to expect for your budget when you’re expecting.
6 Ways a Tax Refund Could Brighten Your Financial Future
About 60% of American tax-filers expect to receive a tax refund this year, with the average refund amounting to just under $3,000 per person. While some tax pundits suggest reducing withholdings to make more of your money available to you throughout the year, many taxpayers look forward to tax season as an annual cash infusion.