Articles Index

Financing Your Child's Education

As a parent of a young child, thoughts about them going off to college and how they will pay for it have probably crossed your mind. At the same time you’ve probably also thought that since they may have many years yet before college that it can be something to put off until later. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Especially since even a modest undergraduate degree could end up costing over $100,000.

Spending Your Tax Refund

This is that time of year when you may be anticipating a beefy tax refund that could be anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The next question you may be asking is what to do with the money you get back from the IRS.

Predatory Lending: The Natural Order of Things

Not having enough money to cover daily expenses before payday is a situation that has probably been going on in human households since civilization began. For that same length of time lenders, from financial hustlers in the Roman Forum to the modern-era Payday Loans filled the gap.

The Secret to Saving Money

Would you be interested if I told you there’s a secret to saving money? Well, it’s true. There are a few secrets that can be used to save money, even if it doesn’t feel like you have any money to save. The bad news is that these secrets have been made public for decades and it’s simply up to you to decide whether or not to use them.

Deciding Whether or Not You Should Itemize Your Deductions

When it comes to reducing your tax burden, itemizing deductions may be the way to go. The standard deduction is certainly easier, and might be a better option if you have a simple tax situation or don’t own a home, but if you determine that itemizing is right for you, it could lead to substantial savings.

The College Credit Crisis

College students today are getting into more debt than ever, and it goes far beyond just student loans. Yes, student loans play a big role and can mean racking up tens of thousands of dollars in debt after college, but any students fall into the credit card trap. Credit cards are often pushed and promoted to college students, and with students typically lacking significant income it can make paying off those debts very hard.

Should You Have Joint or Separate Bank Accounts?

One of the main advantages of a joint bank account is that there is a smaller chance of encountering financial “surprises” when all money goes into and comes out of one account. Married couples with joint accounts often have an easier time keeping track of their finances because all expenses come out of one account. This makes it harder to miss account activity, such as withdrawals and payments, and easier to balance the checkbook at the end of the month.

Financial Considerations When Changing Jobs

Whether it’s a planned job change or a sudden job loss, planning ahead can save you from heading into a financial disaster. Changing jobs or your entire career is an exciting, and possibly frightening journey. During this transition, it can be easy to overlook some basic financial issues that can end up costing you.

Should You Take a 401(k) Loan?

Many retirement plans such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s allow participants to borrow money from their retirement savings, but there are many things you should consider before tapping into that retirement plan with a loan.

Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

Home ownership is a traditional goal for many Americans. Having a place to call your own provides a sense of stability and community. You can establish roots and get to know your neighbors. Add a room or knock down a wall; the choice is yours. People like owning things and this includes homes.

How Bankruptcy Works

Bankruptcy is a very complicated legal proceeding, though its prevalence today sometimes gives the impression otherwise. Though many commercials tout bankruptcy as a way to get a new start and solve all your financial woes, the truth is much more grim. Bankruptcy will, indeed, offer a solution to some financial problems, but it is not without its drawbacks.

Job Hunting Tips for New College Grads

The job hunt for a college graduate begins long before she gets the sheepskin in her hand. College is an excellent place to prepare for life in the real world and offers a significant amount of resources that college students should learn to take advantage of.

Be Prepared for Closing Costs

Closing costs are funds, in addition to a loan down payment, paid at settlement. Costs vary among states, but cash transactions have fewer costs than financed purchases. Although many of the costs are associated with financing, others are independent of the mortgage loan.

How to Start Investing With Small Amounts of Money

Is trying to come up with hundreds or even thousands of dollars keeping you from opening an investment account? It shouldn’t. In the past it was almost a requirement to have quite a bit of money available in order to make your initial investment in a mutual fund or open a brokerage account. Today, things are quite different. You can now start investing with very little money up front. Here’s how.

Make More Money by Dressing for Success

hen it comes to improving our personal finances a great deal of emphasis is placed on issues like eliminating debt, saving for retirement and choosing the right investments. An issue that does not receive as much attention is that of increasing our income or advancing our career.

Smart Money Moves for College Grads

For many college grads, the "real world" is about to become a lot more...real. Graduation is over, and you've had the summer to think about your next move. Now is the time to think about your future.

Saving Money on Home Expenses

When you add up the cost of expenses associated with your home, you might be surprised at the end result. While you know that buying a home amounts to the biggest purchase you are likely to make in your life, it is easy to forget about all the other expenses that add up.

Should You Co-Sign a Loan?

One of the favors that might be asked of you at one point is to co-sign on a loan. Whether your child is asking for help getting his or her first credit card, or whether a friend needs a co-signer for a car loan, you might be asked to help out. Before you co-sign a loan, though, you need to consider the pros and cons associated with taking on this responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges Courses And Degrees

Online degrees and courses have grown in popularity in recent years, but are they as good as advertised?

Setting Financial Goals That Work For You

The first thing you need to do as you begin setting financial goals is to figure out what is important to you. Think about your priorities. What do you want to accomplish with your money?

Risky Mortgage Rundown

In the wake of the U.S. housing bubble and resulting global financial crisis, mortgage risk was lowered substantially in that it became much harder for aspiring homeowners to get a risky mortgage.

How To Cut Costs On Health Insurance

Health Insurance is one of the largest costs of living to date. This is due to a number of reasons and getting it under control has been a top priority during several presidential administrations, yet nothing seems to be improving.

Making Sure You Stay in Good Financial Standing After Graduation

After getting your college degree the fun is just beginning. You've now entered a new financial world that will take some getting used to.

College Students and Money

College living is an exciting and challenging undertaking for most students. Moving away from mom and dad, living on your own and making decisions for yourself and having to manage your own finances are just a few of the roadblocks you will be facing.

Shopping Safely Online

Online shopping is just a way of life these days. Most people don’t even think twice about using their credit cards to make a transaction with some online entity, but that complacency could be costly if you aren’t careful. Shopping online can be a perfectly safe experience, but there are a few things to keep in mind when doing it.