What Are the Best Alternatives to a Traditional Savings Account?
A basic savings account can be a great place to start when you’re new to saving. It’s also an excellent choice if you have a small balance. There are alternates if you need a more robust savings plan or want to increase the amount of interest being paid. Money Market Account A money market account is a…
Read MoreKeep It in the Family: How to Pass on Money and Assets to Family Members
Creating a plan for how you will pass on money or other assets (anything you own) is called estate planning. Many people think that if they don’t have a lot of money or assets (like homes, cars, and jewelry), they don’t have an “estate.” But the fact is we all have an estate. How you…
Read MoreSMART Goals Can Help You Achieve Your Dreams
Think about something that you want to accomplish in the future, like paying off credit card debt or student loans. Have you set a goal that will help you get there, or is it just something that you hope will happen? There is nothing wrong with hoping, as long as it is not your final…
Read More5 Steps to Get on Track if You’re Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Do you find yourself falling behind and not able to live within your means? If you’re not sure if you’re living beyond your means, check out my recent article where I help you figure out if you need to make some changes. Here are some solutions to help you live within your means and improve…
Read MoreDo I Need to Adjust My Spending? 5 Signs You’re Living Beyond Your Means
In a time of “buy now pay later,” it’s easy to fall into spending habits that lead to debt. We don’t even need to leave our homes to make large purchases, making reckless purchasing even easier. Here are five warning signs that you may be living beyond your means: 1. You Aren’t Saving At Least…
Read MoreWhat Is Adjusted Gross Income?
It’s that time of year when you hear tax terms being tossed around, whether on the news, at work by the HR Department, or over coffee with friends. But what exactly do all these terms mean? A commonly used term is Adjusted Gross Income or AGI. What is AGI, and how do you calculate it?…
Read MoreWhat Is a Recession and How Do I Prepare for One?
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is the organization that decides if the US is in a recession. They define a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and lasts more than a few months.” So, what the heck does this mean? In a recession, companies are…
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know About High-Yield Savings Accounts
When it comes to saving money, where you save it can be almost as important as saving it. There are many different savings options available today. One that is often talked about is the high-yield savings account (HYSA). But what is a high-yield savings account and when is it the best choice for your savings?…
Read MoreWhat is Lifestyle Inflation?
Have you noticed that even when your income increases, it can feel like you still don’t have more money leftover at the end of the month? That’s because often, when our income increases, our expenses do too. This is a very real phenomenon called lifestyle inflation. It can sneak up on us despite our best…
Read MoreHow to Break the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle
It can be so frustrating when you have more month than money! Everything is a battle and a challenge, just living day to day. The trick to getting out of that cycle is to make a plan for every single dollar. If you decide where you will spend your money before you receive it, you…
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