Saving money is tough. In fact, as humans, we’re wired to take care of our needs now, and worry about later… well, later. Putting resources away for a rainy day actually goes against our natural urge to make decisions based on what’s in front of us right now. Here are some tips for making saving a little bit easier. 1. Pay off your debt as quickly as you can. One reason it’s hard to save money is that once you’ve paid all your bills, there may not be very much left in your paycheck. Take a closer look at what you are paying for: Are you spending your income to pay down a credit card balance? I ..read more

Strategies for spending less and saving more Rising prices on rent, groceries, and gas have made it tougher for many Americans to stretch paychecks from one direct deposit to the next. And whether or not our economy dips into a textbook recession, we’ll likely continue to feel the impact of decades-high inflation for a while. Savings is the Best Prevention Method As families have more trouble making ends meet, their ability to save also has suffered. A 2022 survey from Bankrate reveals the following: “Only 4 in 10 U.S. adults say they have enough money in savings to handle an unexpected expens ..read more

As the sun sets on 2023, you might be reflecting on the gifts you gave, the Olympian-level feasting that has inspired your current sweatpants couture, or your New Year’s resolutions (let us state for the record that it’s perfectly acceptable to make resolutions whenever you want—do we really need a large, glittering globe in Times Square to kickstart good behavior?) Gas is more expensive. Groceries are more expensive. Flights are more expensive which you already know if you had any vacations this past year.  All this to say: we see you. It has been a game-changing year, and while we can’t ..read more

Because of inflation, many of us are shopping much earlier for the holidays this year. And that means it’s a great time to think about your budget, your plan, and your current situation. It is in that spirit that we share tips to get a handle on your holiday budget. 1. Using mindfulness to have more peace during your holiday shopping When it comes to gifts, it’s not enough to simply know how much you plan to spend in total for the holiday season. You can also break that number down by person so that you’re mindful of your finances through the holidays. If your shopping list includes more than ..read more

Conversations continue about rising interest rates and inflationary pressures during the holidays, which could put a dent in your holiday budget. Getting your money in holiday mode might just increase the merriment. About 40% of holiday shoppers said inflation is changing the way they shop, with most trying money-saving strategies, according to a recent Bankrate.com report. Pair this with many consumers’ psychological need to ‘make the holiday special,’ buyers could be facing a financial minefield. It’s tempting to get wrapped up in the commercialism of the season, but overspending can pl ..read more

When you read the word “debt,” you probably cringe a bit. However, it’s not a bad word — because not all debt is created equal. When dealing with debt, it can be helpful to know the differences between good and bad debt. Here’s a breakdown. What is Good Debt? Good debt can be explained as any debt that you can responsibly repay and/or any debt that provides a good return on investment. (Think about it as debt that gets you somewhere.) Here are some examples of good debt: Auto Loans.Auto loans can be good debt because owning a car that gets you back and forth to work makes keeping a good-payin ..read more

Retirement will come faster than you expect. We know it’s hard to hear that while you’re knee-deep in your career, but it’s true. Your non-working years will be here before you know it, so it’s always helpful to review your retirement plan. Here are some reasons why you must review and revise (if need be) your retirement plan. Life Changing Moments A significant life change is a sign that it’s time to review your retirement plan. Here are some life-changing moments that should have you looking at your strategy: Job Change.If you lose or voluntarily change jobs, you need to review your plan. A ..read more

In general, a habit is when we act on “automatic pilot” when we perform a routine behavior. A personal habit can be thought of as the usual, regular, and repeated way of doing something. Many of us handle money in a routine way, and our money behaviors might be so involuntary that we don’t even realize any repeated patterns. Some examples of common money habits include those who find themselves spending money right after payday, such as treating family or friends to a pizza or restaurant meal.Another money habit might be shopping online late at night or donating to a favorite charity at the en ..read more

A pre-season guide to health insurance benefits  There are a few universal truths to understand before open enrollment season is upon us. For starters, not all health insurance plans are created equal. As is the case with so many things in life, you often get what you pay for. It stands to reason that selecting a health insurance plan for the coming year typically means striking a balance between the care you and your family need and how much you can afford. Generally, a policy with higher monthly premiums will offer a larger selection of benefits, such as preventive care with no copay, a ..read more

Subscription services can be a budget destroyer. Yes, those little monthly fees can creep into your budget and slowly drain your funds. Usually without you even knowing. The reason? The fees are usually tiny, so you don’t notice them stacking up to form a giant anchor pulling your budget down into the abyss. Don’t let this happen to you. Here are some ways to manage subscription costs. Add Up Costs Take some time and go through every subscription service that you have. Add up the total annual costs of each. Looking at the annual costs instead of the monthly costs will really put into pe ..read more