by Kari FaberStaff WriterCongratulations! You finally got that raise you’ve been working toward. The extra money in your bank account is going to help secure your finances and get you closer to your goals… right?Not always. Sometimes the excitement of putting more cash in your pocket on a regular basis can have a bigger influence on your heart, not your brain. And that can lead to lifestyle creep — when
by Kent McDill There is one time of the year that TV retailers know you are going to be watching your television and are in the market for the best TV deals. Super Bowl Sunday — this year Feb. 13 — is the most official unofficial holiday on the calendar, and 100 million people watch that game annually. So it’s the perfect time to be looking for TV deals unless
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterThey’re calling it “the Great Resignation,” because everybody’s quitting their jobs now. At least it feels like everyone’s quitting.The COVID-19 pandemic has many of us reevaluating our lives and our careers. Some of us are burned out. Some of us aren’t ever going back to the office. Nearly 4 million Americans quit their jobs in June alone, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.In fact, most
by Kent McDill The NFL playoff schedule for the 2021-22 season is set and the 14 teams that have a chance to get to the championship game in Los Angeles are now beginning their post-season play. And, you will begin preparations for watching your favorite team or the team you love to hate play in games that really, really matter. But, you don’t have cable TV service any longer. You
by Kari FaberStaff WriterHomeownership is the American dream, right? We spend years — sometimes decades — saving up enough money for a down payment for our first home and mark it as a major milestone in our lives.But sorry to rain on your parade — just the down payment isn’t enough.Sure, you’ll get the keys and have takeout on top of a box marked “front hall closet” on your first
by Timothy MooreContributorNational parks offer an affordable way to experience some otherworldly places without leaving the country and, with thousands of trails to hike, rivers to kayak and lakes to swim, they allow you to enjoy a socially distanced vacation experience that is all outdoors.Since the start of COVID-19, I’ve pivoted my travel away from international flights and indoor museums to the deep waters of Biscayne in Southern Florida, the
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterCredit card debt is the worst, am I right? And the really nasty part is, your credit card companies are counting on you falling behind on your payments. That’s how they really make their money.Sure, it’s awfully handy to swipe that plastic whenever you want something. But before you know it, you’ve got an outstanding balance you can’t pay off that month. It sticks around month after
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterBelieve it or not, the government will pay you to save.Seriously. Check this out.It’s called the Saver’s Credit, and it’s one of the most valuable tax credits available. But it’s also one of the most overlooked.Keep reading to learn who is eligible for the Saver’s Credit and how it works. The Saver’s Credit is a way to put money back in your pocket when you save
by Kent McDill Bank of America and Wells Fargo have jumped on the bandwagon to eliminate overdraft penalties, though they aren’t riding all of the way yet.The nation’s No. 2 and 3 banks announced in January that they will give customers a break on high penalties for overdraft fees but unlike other U.S. Banks did in 2021, they aren’t eliminating them completely.Bank of America is slashing overdraft fees from $35
by Nicole DowSenior WriterNo excuses.Getting in shape requires making a decision and a commitment to putting in the work. It also takes an investment — in time and often in money.Choosing a gym can be a very personal decision. Location might be important to you. You may want a gym you pass on your normal commute so you aren’t forced to travel out of the way.You might want a large
