Owning a dog can bring great joy to your life. It can also bring many expenses, all of which you should prepare for before bringing a pet into your home. When you plan in advance for the costs of dog ownership it’s much easier to stay within budget, year in and year out. Here are some of the most common annual expenses associated with owning a dog: • Food. Unless you feed your dog scraps from...
It’s not the most pleasant thing you’ll do in regards to your finances, but there will be times when you have no choice but to review your estate plan. Upon doing so, you’ll soon learn one of two things: • You can leave your estate plan the way it is for the time being• You need to alter your estate plan as to better suit your current situation and the future You don’t have to go...
Do you often worry about paying your credit card after the due date? Are you concerned about the impact it will have on your finances, including a late fee and red mark on your credit report? Since these are legitimate concerns, it’s time to strongly consider the many strategies you can employ to avoid late payments. Here are three to consider: 1. Conduct Regular Account Reviews As the month wears on, you should regularly review your...
Although we’re just now moving into the dead of summer, it won’t be long before it’s back to school time. Since this has a way of creeping up on even the most organized parents, there’s nothing wrong with getting a jumpstart on back to school shopping. Starting early helps eliminate some of the stress that is often associated with this time of the year. Furthermore, with the right approach, it also allows you to save money....
One thing is for sure - monthly bills will always be part of life. That doesn’t mean your bills have to be a headache. There are ways to manage your bills so that your finances flow smoothly and your bills don’t give you nightmares. Check your bills regularly. Avoid letting your bills pile up because the higher the stack of bills gets, the more you’ll procrastinate on opening them. Even if you’re not planning to pay...
More often than not, I find myself dreaming of vacation. Booking an incredible vacation doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are some tips for how to travel on a budget. Be flexible about your travel in order to find the most affordable flights. Plan trips in the off-season. Not only will you find better deals for travel, but you'll experience fewer crowds. Visiting Tokyo, Japan during cherry blossom season sounds incredibly beautiful, but you'll pay the...
“Side hustles” are all the rage now and many people are starting them to make extra cash. This is in addition to their full-time jobs, and while there is plenty of opportunity out there for people to start one, many are not because they feel it is too difficult to start one. Below are some tips and tricks to help make sure you can get your side hustle off the ground. I can promise you, if...
This shocked me, but I read an article that stated there are over than 44 million borrowers who owe more than $1.4 trillion in student loan debt! That amounts to over $31,800 per person, which is a lot of money! While you may not be able to pay off the entire amount quickly, the ball is in your court and there are several ways to ease your current debt burden. Below are some great tips and...
In the past, trading stocks would have required you to meet with a stock broker who would make the trade on your behalf. In exchange for making the trade, the stock broker would charge a fee and even require a minimum investment in the five or six figures. Smartphones and the fintech evolution have made stock investing much easier, faster, and far less expensive. With stock trading apps, you can start with a minimal investment, pay...
When one of your accounts falls past due, your creditor may sell the account to a third-party debt collector. The debt collector then has the right to pursue you for payment. Of course, one of the ways debt collectors attempt to get you to pay is by calling you. These calls can be a nuisance, especially when you can’t afford to pay. Knowing how to handle debt collector calls can keep you in control of the...
