by Quinten PlummerStaff WriterWhat is your credit score telling people about you? If your score is too low, it might as well be saying, “Charge this person more to buy a car,” “Double their deposit to rent a home,” or “Turn them away.”If you have low credit — or no credit — a company called Kikoff can help you change that.Kikoff gives you the chance to prove you’re credit-worthy, despite
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterAn estimated 200,000 defrauded former college students are set to have $6 billion in federal loan debt wiped clean as part of a proposed settlement agreement filed June 23 in federal court.Borrowers in the proposed settlement attended one of over 150 schools that the U.S. Department of Education has determined engaged in misconduct, including: Nearly all the schools involved are for-profit colleges or vocational programs.These 200,000
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorIs it worth my time and effort to take my former boyfriend/roommate to small-claims court? We met in 2008. In 2010, his restaurant closed. He moved in with me, saying he could get another job anywhere. I relented. He moved into my home and had 20-plus jobs in five years. I told him NUMEROUS times to move out. I needed help with the
by Kent McDillContributor When modern consumers look at their subscription account statements, occasionally they ask themselves “At what price would I stop using that service?” Some consumers may have reached that tipping point for Amazon Prime when it raised its annual Prime membership early in 2022. The yearly subscription price is $139 (up from $119) and the monthly is $14.99, a hike of $2. Low-income subscribers and students also saw
by The Penny Hoarder Staff Side hustles, also known as side gigs, are paid projects you do outside your main job. They can be a great way to pay off debt or earn more money on the side.They can also be a means to tap into unused skills and explore your passions. And if you really want to get creative, you can use a unique side hustle as a testing
by Quinten PlummerStaff WriterSo many of the usual ways you can win money require pure luck. We’re looking at you, scratch-offs and lottery tickets. But luck is unreliable — we prefer to use skill.And we’ve found three great iPhone games that let you put your skills to the test for a shot at winning $83 every time you play — plus chances to bag much more.No pressure. You can play
by Michael Archambault, Johna StricklandThe U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade last week has reignited the conversation about privacy within period-tracking apps.With abortion now outlawed or restricted in many states, privacy experts are cautioning that data entered into period-tracking apps could be used against a user who had or considered having an abortion.That data could be vulnerable to a subpoena in a criminal case or even sold to a
Best for Helping Out a FriendChime Referral Bonus$100 Best for Socially Conscious ClientsAspiration Plus$200 Best for Basic CheckingChase Total Checking$200 Best for Fans of Suze OrmanAlliant Ultimate Savings$100 by Timothy MooreContributor So, you’re looking for a new bank account. You’ve got several factors to consider — ATM access, interest rates, monthly account fees, minimum balances, online bill payments and more. Another factor: sign-up promotions and bonuses. Banks and credit unions
by Michael ArchambaultSenior Writer Budgeting can seem like a nightmare with tricky spreadsheets and a million paper receipts but a budgeting app can do the heavy lifting for you. A budgeting app can help you budget with ease, take control of your finances and work toward your goals. Whether your focus is trimming expenses or paying off debt, budgeting — with an app or otherwise — is a powerful strategy
by Lisa Rowan Applying to college and figuring out how to pay for it is a rite of passage for many high school seniors.But what about adult students who have been out of school for a while? There’s no school guidance counselor to show you the way, parents probably can’t help you through the FAFSA, and chances are you have a lot of other financial considerations— like how to keep paying
