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
Best for Overall PerksAxos Rewards Checking1.00% APYBest for No Overdraft FeesAlly Interest Checking Account0.10% – 0.25%APYBest for Highest APY on the MarketConsumers Credit Union2.09%-4.09%APYBest for Overdraft ProtectionSoFi Money0.25%APYby Kathleen GarvinContributor When you think of interest-generating bank accounts, your mind likely goes to savings. After all, that’s your reward for building an emergency fund or socking away money for a future expense, right? A regular, end-of-month deposit into your savings account,
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterAaron Atkins is tired of paying rent. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where the rent just keeps going up. You know how it is. It’s like that everywhere, but especially in Phoenix.“It’s really bad here. I’ve finally gotten serious about buying a house,” said Atkins, 37, who currently rents an apartment with a roommate. He figures he’d do better and get more living space by spending money
by Kent McDill There have always been long-standing rules about real estate ownership, including the three most important ones: location, location, location.But the one constant about real estate investing is that nothing ever stays the same. Even the location rule, because preferred locations change from year to year, and certainly from generation to generation.The first two years of pandemic life saw the real estate market bend strongly in the seller’s
by Quinten PlummerStaff WriterIt’s confirmed. You aren’t going crazy — inflation is. And if you’re like most of us, your wages aren’t keeping up with this historic inflation we’ve been facing during the pandemic years.Things will eventually settle down as supply will inevitably close ground on demand, though that’s little comfort if 2022’s wild economy is poised to set you back or knock you off track.Gloves up! We’ve got five
by Nicole DowSenior WriterWhen’s the last time you kept one of your New Year’s resolutions?While the motivation to lose weight, learn a new skill or save more money is super strong at the beginning of January, it tends to taper off by the time February rolls around. By the middle of the year, most resolution-setters have completely abandoned their idealistic plans.However, just because you’ve never stuck to one of your
