How Much You’ll Really Pay for That Student Loan
Those who graduate college with student loans owe close to $30,000 on average, according to the most recent data from the Institute for College Access & Success. But they’ll likely repay thousands more than that [...]
Congrats on Your Raise. Here’s How to Keep It
A few years ago, my best friend said something that really stuck with me. The gist was this: It doesn’t matter whether you make $25,000 or $100,000 a year — you’ll still feel like you [...]
Back-to-School Shopping: Kids Influenced by Social Media Push Parents to Overspend
Kids pushing their parents for the coolest in back-to-school gear is a late-summer tradition, and today, youngsters have some backup: social media influencers. Peer and social media influences on children are not news unto themselves, [...]
A Simple ‘Recipe’ for Managing Your Credit Score
The way your credit score works can seem mysterious, with several factors intertwining in complex ways. But following a simple recipe can help you build and maintain a good credit score: Pay everything on time. [...]
7 Things College Freshmen Don’t Need — and 10 They Do
Those ubiquitous checklists of “dorm room essentials” for college freshmen are filled with items that will be ditched by the end of first semester. Some parents “go to the store and grab a list like [...]
You Got the House! Now, How Do You Afford to Furnish It?
Congrats on saving up for that down payment! And hats off for committing to mortgage payments, homeowners insurance and property taxes. Now for your reward: home sweet, sparsely furnished home. Furniture shopping may be the [...]
What Not to Buy for Your Vacation
Purchasing a bunch of unnecessary items and then overpacking for a trip won’t just annoy your traveling companions and give you a sore arm from lugging around a heavy suitcase. It can also blow your limited vacation [...]
Want to Clean Up? 3 Money-Saving Tips for Buying a Washer
Following last year’s news that the trade war with China had raised prices of washing machines, consumers were understandably leery of making any sudden purchases. The escalation of tariffs has carried over into 2019, and the confusion [...]
Credit Scores Are Rising — Is Yours, Too?
Credit scores are creeping upward for most Americans, according to the latest “State of Credit” report from credit bureau Experian. The average U.S. credit score hit 680 in 2018, up from 675 the year before, [...]
Baby Steps Can Get Your Credit Life Rolling
You may have been avoiding the world of credit because you don’t want one more thing to worry about. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. Taking these baby steps can help you build a [...]
Scrub These Expenses From Your Budget in 2019
You don’t have to cancel your Amazon Prime or turn your vacation into a staycation in order to save money. Here are some less painful things you can cut from your budget in 2019. Duplicate clothing [...]
Is It Safer to Bank by Phone or Computer? We Ask 3 Experts
Two-thirds of Americans use mobile or online banking as their main way to access their accounts. If you belong to that group, chances are you lean heavily on a smartphone or computer to pull up [...]