Most Americans work a job where there’s a direct relationship between the amount of time put into the job and the amount of money earned on that job. You can’t earn more money without putting in more time – and without getting your employer’s permission. Earning a passive income allows you to bring in extra money that’s not directly tied to the number of hours you work for that income. Passive income is scalable meaning you...
Wherever there’s money, you can count on there also being scammers trying to trick unsuspecting consumers into giving up money or giving up personal information (which can lead to the scammers getting money). Tax season is a favorite of scammers because so many taxpayers are unaware of tax rules and how the IRS typically sends communications. As you prepare to file your taxes, be on the lookout for scams. Scams For You to Pay Your Tax...
One of the most important reasons to check your credit card statement is so you can spot billing errors and handle them quickly. You don’t want to pay for charges you never made and if you wait too late to contact your credit card issuer about the error, you may not be able to have it removed. The good news is, you can’t typically sort out billing errors with your credit card issuer rather than having...
Rewards credit card are among the best types of credit cards to have. If you use your credit card the right way, you’ll receive rewards simply for purchasing things you might have purchased anyway. However, there are some unwise ways to use rewards cards that will make it harder for you to earn rewards or reduce the value of the rewards you do earn. For a balance transfer. You may find rewards credit cards that offer...
The number of places offering free credit scores has increased substantially over the years. It’s easier than ever to get a truly free credit score – that is, one that doesn’t ask you for a credit card number and covertly sign you up for a trial subscription that has to be cancelled. If you use one of these free credit score services or you’re thinking about using one, you might wonder how much can you trust...
It feels like certain bills go up every year, but when your income doesn’t increase at the same rate, it can be stressful trying to juggle bills and make ends meet. It may take more than one strategy to continue to make your finances work. Make sure you’re not being overcharged. Many of us glance over our billing statements and simply pay the amount due. With so many bills due each month, it’s hard to pay...
Knowing the benefits of saving money doesn’t make it any easier to keep up a regular savings habit. From not having enough money to unexpected expenses, there are always things that keep you from saving. Reach your savings goals means knowing how to get around hurdles. Here are some tips for overcoming obstacles for saving money. Prepare for short-term expenses. Urgent, short-term expenses can distract you from long-term savings goals. You must figure out a way to...
Thanks to innovation with mobile applications, you manage your bank account with convenience and ease without ever having to visit a bank branch again. Check out just a few things you can do when you download your bank's mobile app to your smartphone or tablet. Check your balance and account history. If you have a smartphone with data access, there’s no reason you shouldn’t know your bank account. You can simply tap your mobile banking app, enter...
Your auto loan payments are one of the most important of your monthly payments. Missing loan payments can have serious consequences for your credit and put you at risk of losing your only source of transportation. After three missed payments, many auto lenders will declare your loan in default and at that point they may begin the repossession process. In repossession, the lender takes possession of your car – they don’t have to ask or warn...
We all makes money mistakes from time to time. The most financially successful people learn from these mistakes and are careful not to repeat them. Unfortunately, it's also easy to fall into a trap of repeating mistakes and allowing them to become bad habits. If you’ve been struggling financially or feel like you’re not reaching your goals, you may need to change your financial habits. Here’s how you can tell. 1. You don’t know how much...
