by Nicole DowSenior WriterWe all know saving money is something we should do, but we often view it as a chore we’ll get around to doing someday.It’s time to flip our perspective and think of saving money as a fun challenge instead.Let’s push ourselves to beef up our emergency funds and stack our cash reserves. Let’s fight for better financial futures — one dollar at a time. Need a game
by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorIf you want to whip your finances into shape, here’s a good New Year’s resolution: improving your credit score.A lot of New Year’s resolutions fail because they’re so extreme. Think of all the bonkers weight-loss and money-saving goals that surface at the start of every year.This resolution is different. No extreme measures are required. But there aren’t any shortcuts. Building good credit is a goal you
Tell me how this sounds: … and having enough financial security to make it happen.I’m so excited for this post. Why? Because we’re going to take a deep look at my friend Selena Soo’s Rich Life. Selena is a publicity and marketing strategist running a 7-figure business from Puerto Rico, and she shared REAL numbers with us and tells stories about what living a Rich Life means for her. First, let’s
When I was a kid and our family would take a road trip, my dad would tell us to stay in the car while he checked us into a motel. That’s because, to save money, he would get a motel room with 2 single beds — for a family of 6. Then once he got the key, we would quietly go into the room, avoiding the lobby.When we got up
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorI started dating a guy I really liked about 10 months ago. Into our third month of dating, he received an amazing job offer in another state and asked me if I would be down to move with him. It was a big commitment, but I decided I would like to get away from my tiny hometown, so I agreed to move
by Kathleen GarvinContributor When you think of major banking chains, Chase Bank is probably high up on your list. Not only is JPMorgan Chase one of the “Big Four” banks in America, it’s ranked by S&P Global as the largest bank in the United States. (The other three are Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citigroup.) But how does it stack up overall, for you, the consumer? Chase offers customers
by Top Class Actions Could you use some cash to recover from the holidays?Check out these class action settlements from brands like Neuriva, ShopKeep, and Walmart to see if you qualify to make a claim.Look through list carefully and note deadlines for claims. Earliest one on this list is Jan. 7, 2022, for students looking to recoup tuition from Rutgers University charged during the height of the pandemic. Consumers who
Varo BankBest for Cash Back3.00% APY Axos Bank Essential Checking AccountBest for Unlimited ATM AccessUp to 1.25% Chime SpendingBest for Digital Features0.50% APY Ally Interest CheckingBest for No Fee PerksUp to 0.25% by Kathleen GarvinContributor Do you remember why you chose your current checking account? If you got started early, your parents might have helped you open a kids’ checking or savings account at their bank’s branch. Or maybe you
Best for Simple, Fee-Free BankingU.S. Bank$100 Minimum initial depositBest for Business Interest CheckingAxos Bank$1,000Minimum initial depositBest for Fee-Free, Online-Only BankingBlueVine$0Minimum initial depositBest for New Small Business Owners Wells Fargo$25Minimum initial depositby Kathleen GarvinContributor Starting a business is an opportunity to be your own boss, make money and grow your skill set. There are also the not-so-great, somewhat messy and complicated parts about operating a business. If you start off solo
