Andrea’s Story: Money is About Having Options
Meet Andrea, who lives in Connecticut and loves video game memorabilia. What do you do? I’m not employed at the moment. I have been employed in the past, but it’s been a while. At the moment, I’m trying to figure out some things before diving back into employment. What did your upbringing teach you about…
Read MoreKarina’s Story: Needs Vs. Wants
Meet Karina, a PhD student in Chemistry living in Columbus, Ohio with her young son. What did your upbringing teach you about finances? Sometimes we think we need things that we really don’t need. If you just wait, you realize that you really don’t need that thing. As a kid, when I asked my mom…
Read MoreNicole’s Story: Live on Less Than You Earn
Meet Nicole, a social worker and mother of two in Atlanta, Georgia. What do you do? Right now, I’m working in logistics, but I was a social worker for a very long time. When I got married and had my kids, I took a break from social work because it’s a very involved career. So…
Read MoreWhat is an Opportunity Cost?
Opportunity cost is an economics concept with huge implications in every aspect of our lives. To put it simply, when you say “yes” to one thing, you are saying “no” to another. Opportunity Cost in the Real World Let’s try an example. Say your goal is to build healthier habits by exercising every day. When…
Read MoreThinking about Investing? Investment-Savvy Checklist
A lot of members tell us they’re interested in investing. Maybe you’re starting to save regularly, and you’re wondering how your money can work for you instead of sitting passively in a bank account. What Are Your Goals? Before jumping into investment strategies, start with this basic question: what is the point of investing to…
Read MoreWhat Stock Can I Invest in That Will Earn Money with Low Risk?
“What stock can I invest in that will earn money with low risk?” Submitted by Fernando A. I’m glad you are thinking about investing while also considering the risk involved. Clearly you understand the relationship to risk and return (low risk = low return) and I am wondering about the goal of your investment plan.…
Read MoreReady to Start Investing? 6 Tips for Avoiding Scams
You’ve worked hard to get where you are financially, and investing might seem like the next step. But sometimes the financial landscape (and especially the internet) is like the Wild West. Let’s go through some tips to have in mind and common pitfalls to watch out for when you start investing. Know Your “Why” With…
Read MoreWhat’s the difference between a bank and a credit union?
What is the difference between a bank and a credit union? Submitted by anonymous. Banks and credit unions serve similar roles in our financial system. Both hold our deposits and make investments to raise money to lend to businesses and individuals. In general, banks are for-profit businesses. Their profits benefit their shareholders. This is one…
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