If you’re planning to apply for a loan, you’ll want to consider your credit score first. A high score indicates that you make your payments on time. As such, lenders are more likely to offer you loans with lower interest rates, saving you money in the long run. Reviewing your credit report will help you
Many of us struggle financially because we live beyond our means. Indeed, the average American has nearly $93,000 in personal debt. While debt has become a reality for most people, it can really cripple a person. In extreme cases, it can lead to bankruptcy. That’s why it’s best to get your finances under control as
Have you ever set a New Year’s Resolution, only to forget about it a few months later? If so, you may be wary of setting financial goals. But luckily, there are ways to set goals that you’ll actually be able to keep. Here are some of the most common financial goals to have and some
The Beginner’s Guide to Saving for Retirement What most people don’t know is how to make retirement a reality. The idea of living off of your savings and not having to go to work might feel like a dream. But by starting now and making sure you take the right steps, you can retire when
Have you ever wondered when you’re supposed to learn how to do your taxes? Too often, schools don’t offer tax prep education alongside lessons about the Pythagorean theorem and The Canterbury Tales. Chances are, you never formally learned how to file taxes or even which tax forms you need to file. That’s why we’re here
It’s easy to want to make better choices about how to use your money. But actually making those choices is hard, especially when you don’t have a good grasp on the bigger financial picture. When you need or want to buy something, it’s easier to make that purchase than to think about a distant savings
The key to getting your finances under control is making and following a budget. But how do you go about doing that? There are plenty of paid and free apps out there, but the simplest way is to use software many people already have on your computer: Excel. Even if you’ve never touched Excel in
The 50/30/20 rule is a way of planning your spending. You use 50% of your income for needs such as housing, food, and other fixed expenses. Then 30% goes to wants, such as hobbies and leisure activities. And 20% goes toward saving for a rainy day and paying off debt faster. Despite modern advantages, many
The definition of financial literacy according to Investopedia is, “the ability to understand and effectively apply various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing.” These questions will test how well you understand and apply those personal finance skills.
They say there are two things you can’t escape: death and taxes. After the holiday season you start receiving tax forms in the mail, and you might think about how to file your taxes. Should you hire a tax professional to do it for you, or decide on filing your own taxes for free? While
