by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterLet’s say you’re suddenly in need of more money.Maybe you need to move across the country, but you’re strapped for cash. Or it’s finally time to upgrade your outdated kitchen or bathroom. Perhaps you need to pay off medical bills or even finance a large purchase, such as an adoption. Or it might be a smart move to consolidate your high-interest credit card debt.If you have an
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterIf you’ve got credit card debt, you know how painful it is. It’s the most expensive kind of debt you can have, and your credit card companies are just getting rich and fat while they gouge you with high interest rates.Wouldn’t it be great to turn the tables on them? Well, now a lot of people are. More and more Americans are simply paying off their credit
by Kari FaberStaff WriterSavings interest rates can seem like a joke these days. You can be earning less than pennies on the dollar — and banks still make you think you’re getting a great deal!But the only ones getting a great deal are the banks themselves.That’s why the best way to make sure you’re earning the most you can in a savings account is to shop around. If you can
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterCryptocurrency is no longer a novelty. From our social media feeds to Super Bowl commercials, digital currency is increasingly mainstream.But some people remain hesitant about cryptocurrency because of its inherently risky and volatile nature.In this guide, we’ll explain how to invest in cryptocurrency, including where to purchase digital coins and the safest way to store them. We’ll also dive into fundamental investing principles you should keep
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterYou work hard for your money. You want to make sure it’s safe.That’s where the FDIC comes in.The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) makes sure your money is protected when you deposit funds at a participating bank.It’s rare, but banks can fail. A bank failure occurs when a financial institution can’t meet its obligations to creditors and depositors.It’s a scary thought. But thanks to the FDIC,
by Katherine Snow SmithContributorAny chance you know when you last saw your wide-eyed Furby in your parents’ basement? Does your teenage dresser now double as a time capsule storing a “Titanic” T-shirt picturing Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and the doomed ship? Could your old Sega Genesis console still be in the attic?You might want to start looking, because that Furby is worth $16 to $65, an original “Titanic” T-shirt (even
by Dave SchaferContributorAt tax time, most of us have a similar goal: minimize our liability, and maybe even get some money back in the process. The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, is a tax incentive that might be able to help.You may be eligible for the EITC if you earned a relatively low income in the previous tax year — especially if you have children. In this article, we’ll
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorHow does one recover from investing in a Ponzi scheme? I am feeling very stupid and embarrassed. The SEC will take two to three years to figure out and recover any funds remaining. I have additional funds to reinvest, but it is money I want to leave my daughter. What advice do you have for me?-A.Dear A.,Plenty of smart people have
by Kari FaberStaff WriterOn a scale of one to 10, how much do you loathe mansplaining?Personally, it’s an 11, taking the top spot over manspreading and bropropriating but barely squeaking past manterrupting.Just thinking about the unsolicited — or downright wrong — advice us women sometimes have to listen to sends chills down my spine. It’s especially bad when it comes to financial advice. Studies show women are increasingly becoming the
by Elizabeth Djinis The appeal of a subscription box is obvious: A little gift delivered to your door each month. Better yet, the specifics of the contents are a surprise. Sort of like a birthday present. But like any commercial gimmick, monthly subscription boxes have their pros and their cons. Beauty boxes like Birchbox want to keep you invested, so the monthly plans lessen in price from $15 to $13
