People who aren’t rich or famous typically don’t have prenuptial agreements, which are legal documents detailing who gets what in a divorce. Even ordinary folks without prenups, though, should think about how to protect their money if something goes wrong. Planning for divorce may be cynical, but it’s also smart, San Diego certified financial planner [...]
When gas prices spike, drivers love to swap gas-saving tips. The crazier the tip, the faster it seems to spread. The problem is, some such “tips” are more urban legend than fact. Others might have been true back in the day, but improved automotive technology has erased any real benefit. Keep in mind that, over [...]
Life is expensive: Find yourself in need of an ambulance, tow truck or mechanic, and a hefty bill will likely follow. And many people just can’t pay. Forty-four percent of adults say they either couldn’t pay an emergency expense of $400 or would have to sell something or borrow money to cover the cost, according to [...]
The proposal was perfect. You’ve told friends and family the exciting news and shared pictures of the sparkly new ring on Instagram. Now it’s time to plan the wedding. Setting a realistic budget is a smart first step. But throwing out a number is one thing; sticking to it is the hard part. According to The Knot’s 2017 [...]
The Trump administration is giving student loan borrowers who missed out on public service loan forgiveness a second chance, and they should move now to prepare. The recently passed $1.3 trillion federal spending plan sets aside $350 million to forgive student debts owed by borrowers who met all the conditions needed to qualify for the Public Service Loan [...]
Over the past few years, Meghaan Lurtz has had to turn down two destination bachelorette parties for dear friends. She was in graduate school and didn’t have the money to go. “It felt really crappy, because these are people that I know and I love and I care about, and I absolutely wanted to be [...]
Retailers such as Target and Amazon are embracing mobile applications to help consumers save money and time with features like digital wallets and augmented reality. When used strategically, apps can streamline in-store trips and online purchases, but shoppers could also find that convenience comes with a risk: impulsive decisions and overspending. “Now shopping can be [...]
Moving on after financial mistakes is tough when you’re stuck in “I should have” mode. I should have started saving for retirement sooner. I should have cut up my credit cards years ago. I should have said no to my brother-in-law’s dumb investment idea. Acknowledging mistakes is one thing, but ruminating keeps you mired in [...]
Tax season — and tax refunds — can be a financial lifeline for many Americans. But the season can pose challenges for those who owe money to the IRS. Over 18 million Americans owed taxes in September 2014, according to the most recent data from the IRS. Meanwhile, an estimated 10 million face tax penalties [...]
Fraud at the ATM can lead to money being drained from a bank account, and consumers have a new reminder to check for fraudulent charges. FICO reported today that the number of debit cards compromised at ATMs and merchant devices in the U.S. rose 10% in 2017 over the previous year. It’s a less extreme increase than the [...]
