Blog Grid

by Jen Smith, Rachel Christian, CEPF®If you’re confused and a little intimidated by personal finance and investing, you’re not alone.The good news is that investing doesn’t have to be difficult. There’s more resources out there than ever before.Learning from the experts is a great way to strengthen your financial life. It’s how average investors graduate to extraordinary investors.To save you time, we’ve compiled a list of the best investing books

by Timothy Moore, Kelly Gurnett Many personal finance blogs will tell you leasing a car is a bad move, but that’s not to say it may never make sense for you. Maybe you like the idea of not having to worry about increasing repair costs. Maybe you don’t want the hassle of selling a used car down the road. Heck, maybe you just like the idea of driving a shiny,

by Veronica Matthews, Nicole Dow Back-to-school season comes around the same time every year, but like the holidays, it has a tendency to sneak up on parents — and their bank accounts. With inflation and up-and-down gas prices, back-to-school is shaping up to be an even bigger budget challenge this year. According to Fortune Magazine, parents anticipate spending a whopping $661 on supplies, per child. The National Retail Federation estimates

by Dana Miranda, CEPF®ContributorEver wanted to cash in on nostalgia?Vintage and cultural collectibles have long been a pastime and earning opportunity for hobbyists and folks with quirky interests and cash to spare. In recent years, collectibles have become an attractive asset class for creative investors, as well.But it’s always been a tough market to break into — collectibles tend to be pricy to acquire because of the resources needed to

by Quinten PlummerStaff WriterIt’s official. Our parents were wrong: Playing video games isn’t a waste of time — especially since you can earn money playing games on your phone.A free app called Rewarded Play lets you earn hundreds of dollars in gift cards from popular brands just for playing games you’re probably already familiar with. Who knew Candy Crush and Words with Friends could turn into a legit side hustle?Playtime

Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorCan I write my children out of my will for doing something against my wishes? Specifically, if one of them wants to start a business, but I would rather them work a steady job for someone else? I am a failed entrepreneur myself but have since gotten back on my feet. It would pain me for my children to fail at something