Category: Financial Tips

5 Practical Steps Toward Financial Freedom

emergency savings fund

Financial freedom is the goal that everyone strives for. Whether it’s paying the bills on time or banking an emergency savings fund, we all would like to move beyond the weekly grind. We all want to stop living paycheck to paycheck, of being trapped in a continual cycle of financial frustration and discontent. To be… Read more »

Learn How to Prevent Identity Theft This Season

how to prevent identity theft

Learning how to prevent identity theft can save you time, money, and serious aggravation. Identity theft can happen anytime. Your personal information can be pulled from a trash can. Your credit card number can be copied by waiters at a restaurant or clerks in a department store. Most people inadvertently give away too much of… Read more »

Save This Christmas: Cheap (Even Free!) Stocking Stuffer Ideas

holiday loans

The joy and excitement of the holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the season of gift giving. With so many on your Christmas list, it’s easy to spend more than you have budgeted. If you are short of cash, holiday loans are a good option to avoid encountering financial troubles or regret… Read more »

Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget This Holiday Season

grocery shop on a budget

Learning to grocery shop on a budget is important, but it is especially essential around the holidays. Doing so is one of the best and easiest ways to pinch pennies, and help to ease you through the months ahead. It can be difficult. Rising food costs, combined with smart marketing can leave the most seasoned… Read more »

Shopping Season Tips: Avoid the Pitfalls of Fraud

how to avoid fraud

With the holiday season approaching, how to avoid fraud should be at the top of every consumer’s shopping list. Today’s world of online banking has simplified borrowing money. Yet, the new technology has been combined with old tricks to make it easier for scam artists. Financial scammers prey the most on people who have the… Read more »

The Biggest Mistakes College Students Should Avoid

Credit Card

College students and fiscal responsibility. Historically, these two categories are not the best combination. College typically marks the first time the majority of students are on their own, socially, scholastically and financially. Students will face difficult financial decisions when it comes to money management, as they have to balance tuition, books, supplies, food and spending… Read more »

Travel Light and Save Money Like a Pro

personal finance tips

Summer is not quite over, and September is still a favorite time of year for people to venture out for a vacation or road trip. While vacationing and exploring is no doubt fun, it can also be expensive. Today we explore some personal finance tips on how to travel like a minimalist and save money… Read more »

How to Make a Little Extra Cash Before Payday

payday cash loan

Where do you turn to when you are in a financial pinch? What do you do when a bill or financial situation pops up that calls for immediate attention and action? Sometimes, we just can’t wait for payday. Many employers only disperse payment twice a week or even once a month. This does not help… Read more »

The Best Ways to Manage Your Finances with Your Partner

Couple laughing

Adults lead busy and hectic lives. Personal time is a premium and it’s challenging enough to manage your own finances. But it can be stressful to joint manage you and your partner’s finances. Just as it took time for you and your partner to develop a loving relationship, it will also take a little time… Read more »

Spring Cleaning: For Your Budget

Computer on desk with notebook

Spring is here and it signals a giant reset button for all of us. No matter where we live in the country, spring cleaning is a time for a refresh. This can and should ring true for our personal finances. Spring represents a great time to tidy up your budget. Below we look at some… Read more »

Debt and Having a Baby: Plan, Budget, Prepare

Pregnancy announcement

Congratulations! You are expecting! Having a baby is indeed one of the most exciting life events, period. Having a baby can also be one of the most frightening life experiences! How does one begin to budget for a new family member who will be completely dependent on Mom and Dad? Maintain regular breathing patterns. Below… Read more »

How to Create (and Stick to) a Food Budget for Two

Two people eating nachos

Have you received a little sticker shock after your last grocery shop? News flash…food is expensive! There is no way around it, everyone has to eat. So how are we supposed to save money on important purchases when our food habits are draining our bank accounts? Today we discuss how to create (and stick to!)… Read more »

Dress Like a Professional (Without the Professional Cost)

woman dressed professionally on phone

Congrats! You finally just landed your dream job. But now, what to wear? Buying professional clothing can be somewhat of a burden to many people because buying new clothes can really add up. However, we’ve put a list together of ways that you can save money when purchasing clothes for your new professional job.

Don’t Miss Out on Tax Incentives When You Volunteer or Donate

Do something great

Is there anything more rewarding than giving back to your community? Whether it’s making a charitable donation or volunteering your time, knowing that your efforts are helping people in need is such a great feeling. In addition to feeling good about what you’re doing, there also may be tax benefits that you can associate with… Read more »

You Don’t Have to Be a Scrooge While Sticking to a Holiday Budget

Woman Happy Christmas Shopping and Lights

And let’s be honest. Why do we spend so much at Christmas? Unfortunately, it’s the social pressure that we feel and that we don’t have any other choice. You end up being a Scrooge if you don’t give during the season of giving. As a result, we become shoppers that fall into the seasonal pressure… Read more »

How Can I Pay for Christmas When I Don’t Have Money?

Christmas gifts under tree

We all know that Christmas is a shopping season but it also seems like the time of year that cash is typically hard to come by. A holiday loan type personal loan can help bridge the gap between your gift list and your bank balance. It can take the pressure off paying for holiday travel,… Read more »

Hosting a Holiday Dinner on a Budget

holiday table settings

It’s the season of gatherings and shindigs but when you have more friends than cash you might feel stumped as to how to host a dinner party at your house. Who says you can’t entertain family and friends on a budget? Let’s a look at a few ways to create party this holiday season that… Read more »

Furnishing Your First Home on the Cheap

Cozy home

Congratulations! You just bought your starter home. You may be both excited and worried about finishing it now. While buying all the new furniture you need at once can be expensive, it doesn’t necessarily have to be. As always, there are ways to save money on pieces, and you know what, the savings can really… Read more »

Back to School Savings: Easy as 1, 2, 3

Save money for back to school

It’s that time of year again. Back to school! The fun of summer is over, and the kids go back to school. While it might be a relief to some parents to have the kids out of the house, back to school shopping can be a real nightmare. According to Quicken Loans, as of 2015,… Read more »

Creating a Budget Based on Your Lifestyle and Income

budget text

Creating a budget based on your lifestyle and income is essential to managing your finances. For many families frugal living is often a necessity rather than a choice. Packing lunches, taking the bus or pre-cooked meals that would last for 2-3 days helps to keep the household finances on track.