- 529 Plan vs. Coverdell ESA
If you’re a parent, paying for college can put a serious strain on your budget, especially as tuition prices continue to climb. According to a U.S. News study, during the 2022-2023 school year, the average cost of tuition at an… read more…
- How to Give Money to Students and Avoid Gift Tax
It’s that time of year when new grads are taking that long walk across the stage to collect their degrees and first-time students are preparing to head off to college for the first time. From a parent’s perspective, both events… read more…
- 5 Ways to Safeguard Your Finances During a Divorce
Getting a divorce can take an extreme emotional toll on everyone involved and it can also pack a wallop when it comes to your money. Even if you don’t have a substantial amount of assets to divvy up you need to be prepared to untangle the knots of shared financial responsibilities. Doing as much as… read more…
- 5 Reasons to Hoard Salt Packets in Your Desk
When you get delivery or takeout from your favorite restaurant on the job, chances are you’ll get, along with your plastic cutlery, a handful of tiny paper packets of salt. If food needs it, we typically use one or two… read more…
- Tips for Dealing With Financially Dependent Parents
At some point, parents have to decide when to permanently close the Bank of Mom and Dad and allow adult children to stand on their own two feet. If you’ve taught your kids smart money habits from an early age,… read more…
- 5 Reasons To Take the City Bus
I’ve recently started taking the city bus to work. Some of you reading this might yawn and say, ‘so what?’ Some of you might think, ‘I would never take the city bus.’ Every city transit system is different, and while it may seem like a no-brainer to take public transit in New York City, it… read more…
- The Four Types of Finance Experts
If you are hoping to make smarter decisions with your finances, seeking out professional help may get you closer to your goals. Financial advisors can offer guidance on the best way to manage your money but they’re not all created… read more…
- Does Shopping at the Dollar Store Really Save You Money?
In the wake of the recession, millions of Americans have found themselves looking for ways to trim their budgets. With the economy still recovering, many consumers continue to rely on frugal tricks like clipping coupons, scouring bargain bins and shopping… read more…
- 5 Ways to Financially Support Elderly Parents
This is a guest post written by the Editors of CreditDonkey. It’s a tough economy out there, and even tougher for elderly folks. According to the Pew Research Center, around 20 percent of adult children ages 40 to 60 years old… read more…
- What to Do When You Can’t Pay Your Medical Bills
A trip to the emergency room or an unexpected illness can be a recipe for financial disaster if you don’t have health insurance or your coverage isn’t that great. According to a study released earlier this year, medical bills are the number one factor leading to personal bankruptcy filings in the U.S. If your medical… read more…
- How I’m Donating This Year… and It Won’t Cost Me a Cent
It’s the time of year when many of us think about giving back. You can donate money or time, new toys or old coats. But this year, I decided to donate my hair. It doesn’t cost a thing (often the… read more…
- 5 Tips for Handling a Financial Windfall
Everyone dreams of being on the receiving end of an unexpected wad of cash but landing a financial windfall can quickly become a nightmare. Without some careful thought and planning, you could end up squandering the money before you’ve had… read more…
- How Budgeting Can Help You Avoid Bankruptcy
If the bills are piling up and creditors are hounding you over unpaid debts, it may seem like the only way out is to file bankruptcy. While filing bankruptcy can give you a financial clean slate, it’s meant to be… read more…
- New vs Used: 8 Things You’re Better Off Buying Secondhand
If you’re looking for ways to trim your budget, buying things that have been previously owned can save you a lot of money. While it’s true that you get what you pay for, buying secondhand doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sacrifice quality. If you take the time to shop around, you’ll find that there… read more…
- Smart Guy Buyer’s Guide to the Home Office
Whether you consult on a freelance basis, work remotely or operate your own business, your home office is a hub for focused productivity. It can also serve as the space where you keep your personal finances organized. With the right… read more…
- How to Keep Your Sanity When Shopping for a Cell Phone Plan
Are you getting the best deal on your cell phone? Did you ever take the time to compare other companies or do you just pay your phone bill because you don’t want to take the time to shop around? I am one of those people. I love to save money but I can never get… read more…
- Budgeting: The One-Size-Fits-All Plan
Handling your money is a personal endeavor. You are the person in control of what you spend on and how much you allocate to your expenses. The amount of pressure and responsibility is part of what makes budgeting so difficult.… read more…
- Penny-Pinching Tips for a Perfect Project Graduation Party
High school graduation is a rite of passage and time for celebration. But unless you’re willing to witness a real life scene from 16 Candles, Weird Science or even worse, Project X, you’d do best hosting a project graduation party. Nowadays, schools across the country participate in some type of chaperoned, drug- and alcohol-free event, which typically on… read more…
- 3 Ways to Cut Down Health Care Costs
In 2009, the American Journal of Medicine found that at least 60% of all bankruptcies are caused by medical problems. The issues of health care coverage and its costs are often the center of political debate and discussion, and are a main concern of Americans from different classes and backgrounds; everyone needs and deserves to… read more…
- 10 Things You Should be Doing Right Now to Prepare for Your Personal Finance Future
Discussions of personal finance usually end up in one of two ways, with drooping eyelids, yawns and repeated glances at a watch or in raised voices and some variation of “None of this applies to me I know what I’m doing.” Yet every day more and more people find themselves in financial hot water without… read more…
- 12 Affordable Ways to Have Fun on a Tight Budget
Having fun on a tight budget can be tough especially if you live in a big city or anywhere where a lot of traveling is required. However, we found 12 ways anyone – families, friends, couples, or singles – can… read more…
- The Busy Family: 5 Tips for Managing Households on the Go
It’s hard to keep a family organized. Who am I kidding – it’s tough to keep yourself organized at times. Imagine trying to keep a household together with kids who are involved in activities and sports, working full time and… read more…
- The Road from Bankruptcy Back to Home Ownership
What if you want to buy a home, but you have a bankruptcy on your credit report? You may be worried that you won’t be able to convince a mortgage lender to provide you with a home loan. There’s good news and bad news. First, the bad:… read more…
- Should You Pay Off Your Student Loans Early?
Many students take out a loan to help pay college expenses — often, even more than one. For graduates who secure jobs with healthy salaries, paying those loans off early becomes a distinct possibility. If you are fortunate enough to be in this situation, you may wonder if paying off your student loans is a smart financial move, or… read more…
- How to Save Money on Your Homeowners Insurance
You found your dream home. You even made an offer that the seller has accepted. Before you close your home loan, you must take one more step: You need to purchase homeowners insurance. Find out now: Who pays for closing costs? Mortgage… read more…