The biggest shopping month of the year is here! Before you charge up a storm, though, remember that not all “Black Friday Deals” are really worthy of the label. Here’s what to buy and what to skip in November. Buy: Headphones & Audio Gear Tune into your favorite holiday jams with a pair of state-of-the-art
It’s never too early—or too late—to plan for your retirement. However, the more time you allow for your savings to grow, the bigger the nest egg you’ll have when it’s time to cash in. Here’s how to get started on planning your retirement. Set a Target Number First, determine how much you’ll need to have
Your credit score is vital to your financial health. This number measures your money management skills, credit capacity and fiscal responsibility. An excellent credit score can open the door to large loans and with better interest rates, as well as employment opportunities and more. Let’s explore the best ways to build and maintain an excellent
Living a life of financial wellness means being happy with a lifestyle that’s within your means, but doesn’t leave you feeling like you’re lacking. At the same time, financial wellness means discipline governs money choices and not by emotion. So how do you balance the two? Here’s how to indulge responsibly. Live with a BudgetTo
Get ready for big savings on big-ticket items this September! Retailers want to bring the crowds back after the big back-to-school storm has passed, and to clear the shelves before the holiday season blows in. All that, plus the Labor Day sales, means big savings in September—but not on everything. Here’s what to buy and
When paying for everyday and occasional purchases, some purchases should be paid for with cash, some with a credit card, and others with a debit card. Let’s inspect each method and when you should use them. When should you use cash?Some retailers offer discounts for paying in cash, making it the wise go-to. Also, if
Independence Day sales are over and Labor Day is a month away, but you can still find great deals in August. Here’s what to buy and what to skip this month. Buy: Back-to-School Supplies Look for weekly deals on school and office supplies at big-box stores, pharmacies and e-tailers this month. Think beyond school—you can
“Pay yourself first” is a catchphrase that refers to prioritizing your personal savings above other expenses. To achieve it, savings should be a fixed line on your budget that happens every month without fail. Here’s how to pay yourself first. Review Your Spending Take a clear look at your spending. If you already have a budget,
There’s so much good you can do with the money you’ve been blessed to have. There’s also a lot of good you can do with your time, talents, and possessions. Let’s explore some ways you can make the world better by paying it forward. Donate funds to your favorite causeThe classic and simplest way to
Creating and deciding to stick to a budget is easy; actually carrying through on your plan is the hard part. For many people, a big part of the gap between what they want to do and what they actually do is caused by their failure to spend mindfully. When every buy is just a swipe
The days are still long and filled with sunshine. And though retailers would have you think otherwise, school is still a long way off. If you’re looking to save on some purchases this month, you can find lots of bargains around Independence Day weekend and beyond. Here’s what to buy and what to skip in
Travel is finally back in full swing, something we can all be thankful for this year. While staycations and remote-working vacations have been all the rage since 2020, pre-pandemic vacationing is making a comeback in 2022. According to Booking.com, 60 percent of travelers from a 24,000-person survey claimed they are looking to meet new people
With a bit of creativity and pre-planning, you can trim your recreation budget without feeling pinched. We’ve listed a variety of ways to save on entertainment costs. Attend amateur sporting events Instead of spending big on professional sporting events, get your fix at local high school or college games. You’ll get the same excitement and
Communicating openly about how you manage your money is a big part of having an honest and trusting relationship. Here, we’ve compiled six tips to help guide you in this super-important conversation. 1: Plan in advanceBroach the topic with your partner a few days before you want to have the “Big Money Talk” and ask
You’ve tracked your spending, designed a budget for your monthly expenses, and you’re on a path to financial wellness. In this next step, you’ll create a plan for paying down debt. Consumer debt can be one of the biggest challenges to financial wellness. With some intentional action and commitment, reaching true financial wellness is possible.
Everyone loves payday, but too many employees don’t know how to allocate their paycheck in a way that best serves their financial needs. Use the tips outlined below to learn how to manage your paycheck responsibly. Automatically Deduct Contributions Your first step in managing your paycheck is making sure you are deducting the optimal amounts.
Now that you’ve tracked your spending and kept a careful record of where your money goes over the course of a month, you’re ready to move onto the next financial wellness step: creating a budget. Budgets play a crucial role in promoting financial awareness, which leads to more responsible money choices. Let’s look at how
Tracking your spending is the first step toward greater financial awareness and overall financial health. But, mastering this skill is easier said than done. How can you track every dollar you spend when you make multiple daily purchases? We’ve outlined how to track your spending in 3 easy steps. 1. Choose your tools. Tracing every
As outside temperatures fall, indoor temps and heating costs go up! And this winter may come at a higher cost. In fact, while fueling up at the gas station, you’ve seen the impact of our 6.8% inflation rate first-hand. U.S. households on natural gas heat are expected to pay 25% more than last year. Homeowners
What to Do with Your First PaycheckAs part of the changes you’re gearing up for in the months after you graduate, you’re poised to enter the working world as a long-term employee, perhaps for the first time in your life. As you prepare for this transition, you might have dollar signs dancing in your head
