Self-Help Articles

Money Matters to Discuss With Your Partner

Finances might not make a marriage, but they sure can break one. Consider this: According to the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysis, 22 percent of all divorces are a result of money issues, making it among the top three reasons people cite as their reason...

Credit Union or Bank? Here’s How to Decide

When it comes to financial services such as savings accounts, personal loans, checking accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposits and more, all your needs can be met using a credit union or a bank, or both. But how do you choose? To figure it out,...

The Best Things to Buy To Build Credit

Have you checked your credit score lately? Is it a little low for your liking? Are you trying to build a solid credit history after years of going cash-only? There are lots of reasons you might want to boost your credit score, but it can be...

Debt Avalanche Method Defined and How it Can Work For You

If you’re facing a mountain of debt, you might welcome an avalanche to bring it all down. You’ve likely heard of the “Snowball Method” of debt repayment -- but have you heard about the “Avalanche Method”? Here’s how the avalanche method works: You start by listing all...

$40 Can Feed You All Week. Here’s How

When you think of $40 budget items, what does your mind usually turn to? A tank of gas? Perhaps, your monthly haircut? Maybe $40 means your weekly entertainment allotment, such as a dinner out or a night at the movies. All these options are fine, but...

Understand How Your Credit Score Affects Monthly Bills

For better or worse, your credit score can have a wide-ranging impact on many aspects of your life, even those not obviously related to credit, such as your cable or cell phone bills. Many of our past articles have discussed how to raise your credit...

Thinking of a Payday Loan? Don’t! Here’s What to Consider Instead

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, and I sincerely hope you are, you’ll know I’ve talked often about avoiding high-interest rates at all costs, be it when considering a new credit card, a personal loan or a mortgage, and taking steps to ensure...

Stop Overspending With These Tips

In honor of the new year, let’s talk about easy ways to revamp your monthly budget by lowering some of your regular expenses. Truth be told, it’s always a good time to reevaluate how much money is going out versus how much is coming in,...

Don’t Let Obstacles Stand In Your Way of Crafting Your Perfect Budget

When it comes to putting your finances in place, creating and sticking to a budget is pretty basic advice, and for good reason. A budget can help you track and manage your spending, create an emergency fund, swiftly pay off debt or reach your savings...

Credit Freezing and Credit Monitoring, Two Types of Protection You Need to Know About

In this day and age, we’re all vulnerable to internet hackers finding a way to access our private, personal information. We’ve all heard the various media reports of big-name companies and even governmental entities’ computer systems being breached, and when it comes to personal finances,...