Changes Ahead: Student Loan Repayment & SNAP Benefit Updates May Impact Your Finances
You were probably inundated this spring with debt ceiling discussions on the news and social media. But what is a debt ceiling, and how does it affect your personal finances? Debt Ceiling Background Put simply, the debt ceiling is the limit of how much the US Treasury can borrow. This limit has been raised many…
Read MoreBuy Now, Pay Later: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself First
Buy Now, Pay Later offers are everywhere, whether you’re buying a pair of jeans, electronics, or even just some needed groceries. Their message always seems fairly simple: Don’t pay for 100% of this item today. Instead, spread out the payments over time in four easy installments (or something similar). But it’s not that simple. Here’s…
Read MoreWhy You Should Ditch “No Money Down”
We’ve all seen them – those commercials that promise new furniture, car, or home with no money down. What a good deal! Right? Well, think again. On the surface, no money down looks like a great deal but lurking underneath, there is trouble. 4 Drawbacks to no-money-down offers: No-money-down offers make you an OWE-ER, not…
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know About Debt And Taxes
Debt and credit can be useful tools to help reach goals, but how do they impact your taxes? Having debt, in some cases, can reduce taxes, but in most cases, it is not helpful. Having debt canceled can be incredibly helpful with personal finances and budgets, but sometimes results in more taxes. Let’s start with…
Read MoreIs My Student Loan Forgiveness Taxable?
Follow the latest student loan forgiveness developments here. Student loans and student loan forgiveness have been in the news a lot this year after President Biden announced a historic student load forgiveness plan in August. Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Background On Aug. 24, 2022, President Biden announced a new student loan forgiveness program. This new…
Read MoreBudgeting For Couples: How To Split Your Bills And Keep It Fair
Relationships are a lot of work. As you develop your relationship with your partner, you’ll learn so much about them: their tastes, their habits, their dreams, their goals, and their flaws. It’s not clear which date to ask how they handle money, though, is it? It’s a conversation many save for when they’ve started to…
Read MoreWhat’s in Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan and How Does it Affect You?
Student Loan Forgiveness Updates November 23, 2022: Important to note: The Department of Education has just announced that the student loan payment pause has been extended to June 30, 2023 November 21, 2022: What’s Happening to Student Loan Forgiveness? As you may have read in the news, a federal judge has blocked the White House’s…
Read MoreChristmas in July: Preparing for Holiday Spending
The holiday season is many Americans’ favorite time of the year. We travel to celebrate with loved ones. We host holiday parties. We buy gifts and decorations. And food, lots of food. All that celebrating is expensive. The spending can really add up. As a result, many of us are hit with hefty credit card…
Read MoreShould I Save If I’m in Debt?
Saving money is important. Saving might seem difficult, especially if you are struggling to make ends meet or if you are in debt. However, everyone can create a savings plan. Even as you work toward paying off debt, saving is necessary and possible. If you put all of your money toward debt, you won’t be…
Read MoreCan’t Wait for Your Tax Refund? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Refund Advance Loans
Tax time is an important time for most families. You find out if you’re getting a tax refund. And this year, that assistance is more valuable than ever. For all of those who are wondering, the IRS will start sending out tax refunds in early March. If you anticipate that you will receive a refund…
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