Personal Finance
How to Avoid Lifestyle Inflation When Your Salary Increases
Chris Mamula and his wife grew their household income from about $50,000 to nearly $180,000 between 2000 and 2012. Despite this increase, they didn’t move to a larger home, upgrade their vehicles, or go on regular shopping sprees. Instead, they put their extra cash toward their mortgage payment, which they paid off in 7 years,…
When Is It Okay to Take a Pay Cut for a New Job?
As we progress in our careers, we tend to make more money. Especially as we add new skills, move on to larger companies, and start managing other people. But sometimes we discover that a higher salary doesn’t equal happiness.
18 Financial Goals to Set and Achieve This Year
Achieving financial goals takes a little more than just luck. It requires discipline, dedication, and repeated sacrifice. It means setting short- and long-term financial goals and then following through on them. Unfortunately, these are things with which the majority of Americans seem to struggle. Research, however, suggests that simply writing out a list of financial…
15 Places to Get a Free Car for Those in Need
Many people find themselves needing a car but unable to afford one. Fortunately, there are organizations that recognize this and try to bridge the gap by giving away free cars. You do have to demonstrate financial need to qualify.
The Pink Tax: Why It Costs More to Be a Woman
The pink tax is the tendency for products and services marketed to women to cost more than those marketed to men. But is the pink tax real? If so, how can you avoid it and possibly repeal it all together?
5 Financial Mistakes to Avoid This Holiday Season
As another holiday shopping season rolls around, many Americans are making changes to how they approach this year’s shopping. According to a recent survey by Finder.com, one in five Americans plan on spending at least 40% less on gifts this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Even with so many planning holiday budget cuts this…
25 Programs to Get Free Money From the Government
If you’re facing a job loss, disability, underemployment, or other factors that make it difficult to support your family, you’re not alone. According to U.S. Census data, 38.1 million people were living in poverty in 2018.[1] That doesn’t include the families living above the poverty line who struggle to pay their bills and put food…
16 Best Alternatives to Amazon for Shopping Online
Most consumers agree that shopping on Amazon is quick and convenient. It caters to your desire to save time, avoid crowded stores, and you can scroll through thousands of items with a few clicks or swipes. In many ways, Amazon has revolutionized the retail industry in this era of convenience. Amazon was always my go-to…
Should Chores and Allowance Go Together? Here’s What the Experts Have to Say
Many experts agree on the merits of giving kids an allowance, but the disagreements arise when that income is based on completing household tasks. Should kids get paid to do chores? Here’s what the experts have to say.
How to Check Your Credit Score for Free
Knowing where your credit score stands is part of your total financial health package. And nowadays, you don’t even have to pay to check your credit score. Find out which sites let you check your credit score for free.