Our parents are the first teachers we ever have. They taught us how to brush our teeth, how to use a toilet, and how to dress ourselves. But there were some things that maybe they didn’t mean to teach us that we still learned anyway—how to communicate, how to express emotions, and how to feel about money. Growing up, my dad knew exactly what lessons he wanted to teach his kids. He came from a long line of business owners, and he wanted us to know how to appreciate, value, and invest our own money. But to be successful with these lessons, he first needed the family to be on the same page with e ..read more

Updated April 10, 2024 All parents want to give their kids the things they missed out on growing up. We surveyed over 2,000 adults in the U.S.—half of which we sourced from the general population and half from our community of Quicken users—to get a closer look at how parents are talking to their kids about money and the impact of their own early financial education (or lack thereof).  Financially Educated Children Become Financially Successful Adults Our survey showed a clear correlation between early education in money and financial confidence and success as adults. People who learned ..read more

Every April 22nd, we as a global community celebrate Earth Day. Originally founded by a US Senator in 1970, Earth Day is now celebrated across the world. Whether you’re a champion of environmentalism or just looking for new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, observing Earth Day is a great way to get committed to taking care of our planet.  Need some Earth Day ideas? No sweat! There are tons of ways to actively celebrate Earth Day. And the best part? None of these activities will break the bank.  39 Earth Day activities on a budget 1. Leave your car at home Walk, bike, or rely on pub ..read more

Is your credit score lower than you’d like it to be? That’s ok – you have the power to give your score a boost by following the eight tips laid out below.  Understanding your credit report The Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) developed a method for calculating credit scores. Today, FICO’s approach is still one of the most reliable and widely used scoring systems. Most lenders use your FICO score to determine whether to approve your loan.  Three major credit bureaus track your credit — Experian, Equifax, and Transunion. If you apply for a loan or credit card, the lender will request your ..read more

If you have a yearly spring cleaning ritual, you might be gearing up to clean and tidy your home and yard. The big thaw across the northern states and the warmer weather in the south provide the perfect climate to get those windows open, dust away the cobwebs, and give your home a deep clean.  You can also use this time to focus on clearing out the clutter in your life! Whether you use the opportunity to get rid of things you no longer need, make time to check in with yourself daily, or tidy up your finances, this is a great time to “cleanse” your home and habits! Grab your cleaning suppl ..read more

The legendary chef and globetrotter Anthony Bourdain once said, “Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” Whether you’re a seasoned professional with a dog-eared passport or leaving home for the first time, these 21 budget travel tips will help you travel the globe. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to see the world! Follow your wanderlust and travel the world with these tips — read on to learn more! 21 budget travel tips to see the world Tra ..read more

Whether you’re creating a new monthly budget or refreshing an old one, you’ve probably noticed how important (and difficult) it is to get your monthly expenses right. Underestimating or missing an expense can throw your whole spending strategy off balance, so it’s a good idea to explore some budgeting norms. To help you get started, we’ve assembled a list of 20 common things to include in a monthly budget, along with an average amount for each one that you can use as an initial benchmark.  20 Common Monthly Expenses to Include in Your Budget 1. Housing or Rent Housing and rental costs wil ..read more

The vernal equinox (March 19th in 2024) marks the end of a long, cold winter — ushering in feelings of growth and renewal. Hallmarks of the season include Easter egg hunts, planting flowers, and just getting outside to enjoy the weather. If you’re set on making the most of the season, take a look at the list we’ve compiled below for fun spring activities — consider it your key to enjoying all that springtime has to offer without breaking the bank. 45 spring activities on a budget Plus, here’s a quick video tip to make your spring activities list even more fun! 1. Enjoy the flowers. Springtime ..read more

If you’re a college student looking to make some money over the summer, you might be thinking about what kind of job you want. After all, the goal is to stash some cash for the upcoming school year — all while having fun, right? Whether you’re working on your bachelor’s degree, gearing up as a grad student, or just browsing for fun, these job opportunities are a great place to start. 19 fun summer job ideas for college students Summer camp counselor Summer internship Work as a mover Caddy at your local golf club Give music lessons Sports camp instructor Work as a general laborer Teach English ..read more

If you’re getting ready to tie the knot and want to exchange your vows in the great outdoors under the sun (or moon), read on. These top 27 outdoor wedding ideas can help you get hitched on a budget — and in style! 27 outdoor wedding ideas on a budget: State & national park venues Look to your own backyard Skip the golf course Buy wholesale flowers Embrace DIY design Keep your invitations digital Consider the slow season Avoid chain-store markups (here’s how) Make the food yourself Save on entertainment with music apps Keep it simple Set up self-serve food and drink Build your own wedding ..read more