After more than a year at home, we’ve had a lot of time to think about how our homes could be improved — an addition for a growing family, a big kitchen for cooking holiday meals, or an outdoor space you’ll want to spend time in every day. At the same time, housing markets in many places have gotten really competitive, which means a lot of homeowners have built up equity fast. If you’re … [Read more...] about How To Pay For A Home Renovation
Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft
Lots of us have seen and reported fraudulent charges on credit cards. In those cases, cancelling and replacing the credit cards usually solves the problem. Identity theft is a different and more severe type of fraud because what has been stolen — your social security number, for example — can’t be changed or replaced. Identity theft is when someone steals your personal … [Read more...] about Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft
Credit Card Rewards During And After The Pandemic
Lots of credit cards have partnerships with airlines or hotel chains, and lots offer bonus points or cash back when you use your card on travel. Your card might be co-branded, like the Southwest Rapid Rewards card from Chase. Or you might have the option each month to redeem a certain number of points on qualifying expenses. During the last year of cancelled vacations and weekends spent … [Read more...] about Credit Card Rewards During And After The Pandemic
Getting The Most Out Of Your 401(k)
When it comes to saving for retirement, signing up for your company’s 401(k) and contributing enough to get the employer match is a great first step. But it definitely shouldn’t be your last step. To have enough money in retirement, most of us will need to save a lot more than that. You can contribute up to $19,500 per year in your 401(k), and the pre-tax contribution is subtracted from your … [Read more...] about Getting The Most Out Of Your 401(k)
How A Revolving Savings Account Can Help You Budget Better
It’s pretty easy to rattle off your monthly expenses: Rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, Internet, student loan payments, car payments, food, gas. On top of paying those bills, I also recommend setting aside money in your emergency fund so that a surprise doesn’t cause you to fall behind on those bills. But if you look through your last year of credit card statements, you’ll see a whole … [Read more...] about How A Revolving Savings Account Can Help You Budget Better
When Nothing Goes According To Plan, Having A Plan Matters Most
Even if you didn’t experience financial instability in 2020, it’s OK if this feels like a lost year. Be kind to yourself. You don’t have to hustle your way through the pandemic. If you lost some or all of your income, had to delay a big financial step, or had to stop saving for retirement, you’re far from alone. One in three American adults has had to pull money from their savings or … [Read more...] about When Nothing Goes According To Plan, Having A Plan Matters Most