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
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterIf you own a home, your mortgage payment is probably your biggest monthly expense.But what if you could eliminate that huge financial obligation ahead of schedule — and own your home free and clear?There are a few tried-and-true ways to pay off your mortgage early — simple changes like making an extra monthly payment as well as more complex and expensive options like refinancing.Paying off your
by Nicole DowSenior Writer Curious how YouTube TV works but aren’t ready to sign up? Feel like binge-watching a new series on Hulu without forking over subscription cost? Free trials can give you a sneak peek. But free trials aren’t really meant to be free. The goal is to introduce you to a product or service and then hook you so you decide to keep it (and pay for it)
by Kari FaberStaff WriterDebt happens.Most Americans have some sort of debt — and not all of it is good debt, like a mortgage, car loan or student loans, which are considered good investments.Credit card debt, medical debt, overdue bills and high interest loans are just a few of the types of bad debt that can wreak havoc on your life. They can destroy your credit, snowball into even more debt
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterIf you’re looking to buy a home in 2022, you already know that you’re plunging into a turbocharged housing market. A shortage of homes for sale has pushed prices higher and higher.The median home price climbed to about $350,000 as of late 2021 — an annual increase of nearly 15%, according to the National Association of Realtors.Things are expected to slow down a little in 2022 due
by Nicole DowSenior WriterIf cars had feelings, they’d probably be miserable in blustery winter weather.Icy roads can make tires slip. Freezing temperatures can cause fluids to thicken, making it harder for your car to function properly.Having your car break down on the side of the road is terrible, but it’s 10 times worse when the wind chill is below zero and there’s a foot of snow piled up.Avoid vehicle malfunction
by Whitney Hansen If you’ve been researching new credit cards or looking at refinancing your home loan, you’ve probably noticed the term APR popping up everywhere. APR stands for the annual percentage rate and, in terms of need-to-know financial information, understanding APR is pretty high on our list.In this article, we’ll go over the basics of APR–what it is, how to calculate it, and how to improve it — so
by Larissa RunkleContributor After a big spending spree you might ask yourself, “Do I have too many credit cards?” Like most things, the answer isn’t cut and dry. And although having multiple credit cards isn’t necessarily bad, there is such a thing as having too many, especially depending on how you’re using them and which ones you have. We spoke to several finance experts to find out just how many
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterAlthough the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over yet, Americans are totally ready to move into a post-pandemic era. Here’s how you can tell: Suddenly — BOOM! — way more people are interested in buying houses and cars.Seriously, the housing market in lots of cities has gone from red-hot to white-hot, and U.S. car sales are picking up noticeably, too. Zillow predicts the number of home sales will grow
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorMy spouse suffered from a stroke three years ago. He is unable to work and is receiving Social Security and is very noncompliant about his health. I am currently and have been the breadwinner for this family. My concern is that he is going to financially take everything I have saved and worked hard for with his consistent medical expenses. I fear
