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 because of interest. One key to limiting interest cost is choosing the right repayment plan. The bottom line? Opting for lower [...]
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 don’t have enough money. That’s easy for someone making $100,000 to say, I thought at the time. But here’s the [...]
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, but it turns out these factors are affecting how parents spend their back-to-school dollars, according to a new NerdWallet survey [...]
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. Use less than 30% of your available credit. Keep an eye on everything else. This formula focuses your energy on [...]
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 they did when their kids were in elementary and high school and just go straight down the list,” says Lisa [...]
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 last thing you want to do, but it may be necessary if you moved into a bigger space or parted [...]
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 money. Here’s what not to buy for your next vacation in order to save both money and time. Travel-size products Avoid [...]
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 around buying home appliances is still very real. With some models costing upwards of $1,000, purchasing a washer is no [...]
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, the report found. That’s the biggest one-year jump since 2008, but not quite back to the 685 average that year [...]
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 good credit score. Know where you stand You may be surprised to know you already have a credit score or [...]
