by Lisa Rowan, Jenna LimbachSome purchases are tough to plan: car repairs, patches for a leaky roof, a working furnace right before the big snowstorm hits.But more often than not, you can plan ahead for life’s necessities — and some non-necessities, too.“You might be able to score an extra discount on a floor model, and some stores are offering special freebies and bundles to incentivize consumers,” Trae Bodge, a Smart
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorMy son and his girlfriend convinced my hard-working twins, a boy and a girl, to co-sign their student loans by telling them it was only for a year. Well, my boy twin signed for his brother. After I reamed him for tricking them, all is well. My son has a job and is working on his second master’s. Now for the problem:
by Tiffany Connors, Robin Hartill, CFP®Maybe you’d rather forget 2021 — we get it.But before getting too far into 2022, it’s a good idea to take stock of how your finances may have changed during the last 12 months and make any needed adjustments.Here are five areas of your finances to check on so you don’t get any unpleasant surprises this year. If you’ve been taking advantage of student loan
by Robert BruceSenior Writer As remote work becomes more and more of a thing, recruiters are increasingly vital to remote-leaning companies. If you think of yourself as a “people person” drawn to the HR world, then becoming a recruiter might be a good, rewarding career fit for you. Yes, these are the people who write the job descriptions and post the jobs, but there’s a lot more to recruiting than
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterSo you’ve achieved the American Dream. You’re married and you own a house and cars. Congrats!Problem is, the American Dream is so expensive. You’ve got to pay so many bills to keep the whole thing going.Here’s an easy way to lower one of those pesky bills: When’s the last time you compared car insurance rates? If it’s been more than six months, you should look again. Chances
by Quinten PlummerStaff WriterJust over half of U.S. adults are living paycheck to paycheck, at best. That means the margin between keeping it together and falling apart is only a few days wide, at most.So many of us stand to lose everything we’ve built financially due to a late check, a lost shift or an emergency expense. Without an emergency fund, the only other option is to figure out how
by JoEllen Schilke From Sherlock Holmes to Easy Rawlins to Veronica Mars, popular culture has had a fun time depicting private investigators. Danger! Mystery! Glamor! And while stories about fictional private investigators aren’t necessarily accurate, it’s still an interesting and exciting field.You might want to become a private investigator if you are naturally curious, level headed, and detail oriented. This is a field that pays well and doesn’t require a
by Catherine HilesContributor Quick Navigation 11 Ways to Save Money on Diapers Free Diaper Samples From Manufacturers Loyalty/Rewards Programs Baby Registries The Pediatrician’s Office Switch to Cloth Diapers Market Research Companies Diaper Banks Local Organizations Coupons and Sales Cash-Back Apps Eliminate Them Altogether Having a baby is easily one of the most life-changing experiences you’ll ever have. But a new baby can also take a toll on your budget as
by Timothy MooreContributorUnexpected vet bills can be the most expensive part of welcoming a dog or cat into your family.For many pet owners, pet insurance for their dogs, cats and even birds can keep the costs of pet care reasonable. While the monthly premiums are an additional expense on top of food, toys, treats and grooming, pet insurance is worth it for medical emergencies, especially serious illnesses or injuries.With the
by Quinten PlummerStaff WriterSpending 10 more minutes at work probably won’t have a significant impact on your finances, but using that break-sized amount of time elsewhere just might.Sure, some of the tasks listed here are one-offs, while others may need to be repeated to realize real value. The thing these tasks all have in common is that they can have a lasting impact on your finances, if you capitalize on
