The Dave app is a popular personal finance app that allows users to take small cash advances when they are short on funds. It is free to use, offers a variety of budgeting tools, and helps users avoid overdraft fees. However, there are other apps like Dave that allow you to access … [Read more...] about 7 Best Apps Like Dave to Get a Cash Advance
What is an emergency fund? How much do you really need to pay for unexpected expenses?
Most Americans don’t have $400 of emergency money saved. You don’t have to be one of them. Get the tools and knowledge you need to start saving for an emergency, build it to $1,000, and then keep going. It’s easier than you think.
Learn the difference between an emergency fund and sinking funds, and see how to set them up for everything from car repairs to vacations. Prepare for tomorrow, today. Get started below.
What Are Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps?: Do They Work?
Dave Ramsey is one of the most popular personal finance gurus in the space. He offers books like Total Money Makeover and financial classes via Financial Peace University. Ramsey's Baby Steps plan helps people achieve financial freedom. You've likely heard of these seven baby steps, which are … [Read more...] about What Are Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps?: Do They Work?
9 Mint.com Alternatives: Top Paid and Free Budgeting Apps
Personal finance apps like Mint make it easy to see exactly how you're spending your money while tracking your savings progress. Even though Mint is an effective budgeting app, you may prefer a different budgeting style or set of features that make it easier to create a spending plan and monitor … [Read more...] about 9 Mint.com Alternatives: Top Paid and Free Budgeting Apps
11 Best Free Budget Software Tools
Managing your money isn’t always easy, but knowing where your money goes each month is a terrific way to minimize stress. Free budget software can help you make a basic spending plan and track your expenses. These tools offer numerous interactive features to help you stay on top of your finances … [Read more...] about 11 Best Free Budget Software Tools
How to Create a Budget: Budgeting 101
I remember sitting in the credit counselor's office like it was yesterday. I had $50,000 in debt and no idea where my money was going every month. Her suggestion was like a foreign language to me, but she said it was the only solution to reach financial success. She told me to make a … [Read more...] about How to Create a Budget: Budgeting 101
10 Proven Ways to Pay off Debt Faster This Year
According to CNBC, the average American has $24,000 in debt (not including their mortgage). Unfortunately, high interest credit card debt and pricey car loans can prevent you from reaching your financial goals. If you're underwater, financial freedom feels like it will take too long to achieve. … [Read more...] about 10 Proven Ways to Pay off Debt Faster This Year
What To Do When You Lose Your Job
Losing your job can be devastating both financially and emotionally. It's easy to allow it to become destructive, but that often makes the situation worse. Worrying about job loss in challenging economic times is normal. While it's important to remember that time will heal what you're … [Read more...] about What To Do When You Lose Your Job
How to Pay Yourself First and Grow Your Wealth
Few principles are more important in personal finance than the concept of paying yourself first. You may have heard of this term and not understood it. Or, you might be struggling to save money every month and need to rectify that. If you need to manage your money more efficiently, this guide … [Read more...] about How to Pay Yourself First and Grow Your Wealth
Common Monthly Household Expenses: How to Save More Money
What do you think of when you hear the word 'budget'? Do you think of something restrictive or something that gives you freedom? By nature, most people hate living on a budget. They think you can't enjoy life on a budget. We know that's not the case. A spending plan is a helpful tool to help … [Read more...] about Common Monthly Household Expenses: How to Save More Money
How to Prepare for a Recession: 6 Steps to Take Now
Merely hearing the word “recession” causes most people to react with utter fear. I was a stockbroker during the Great Recession of 2008 and saw how dreadful it was for investors. While that fear is palpable, and we can't predict the future, there will always be economic booms and slumps. The … [Read more...] about How to Prepare for a Recession: 6 Steps to Take Now
What if I Can’t Pay My Bills This Month?
We all face challenging financial circumstances from time to time. Whether it's mountains of debt, or having no emergency fund to manage a crisis, difficult times cause stress. Many Americans can relate. In fact, LendingClub found that, as of the end of 2021, over 60 percent of Americans … [Read more...] about What if I Can’t Pay My Bills This Month?
How to Build an Emergency Fund in 2023
Life is unpredictable. Your air conditioner may need an expensive repair, or you could have a costly medical emergency. If you don't have a financial safety net, you might use your credit card to finance the expense. Unfortunately, that only continues the cycle of debt. Emergency savings is … [Read more...] about How to Build an Emergency Fund in 2023
How to Budget When You’re Broke
Living on a budget can help you stay on track financially. However, you might think budgeting is too difficult if you have limited resources. Thankfully, it's not as hard as it may seem. This guide can show you how to wisely manage your money even if you earn minimum wage or are facing dire … [Read more...] about How to Budget When You’re Broke
11 Recommended Budget Percentages By Category: How Much Should You Spend?
One of the best ways to reach your money goals is to follow a monthly budget. While people often believe budgeting is restrictive, it can create freedom when done wisely. The key is using a simple formula. For example, Dave Ramsey provides a roadmap to being successful with your money through his … [Read more...] about 11 Recommended Budget Percentages By Category: How Much Should You Spend?
How Much Should You Save Each Month?
Saving money is an important part of financial stability. However, everyone is different and has unique long-term goals. Regardless of your situation, you may ask yourself, "how much money should I save each month?" The amount of cash you regularly save plays a significant role in helping you … [Read more...] about How Much Should You Save Each Month?
Chime Review: A Fee-Free Banking Option (2023 Update)
Bank fees can be frustrating. Luckily, online banking platforms offer checking and savings accounts that can help you avoid unwanted fees. Online-only institutions also typically offer free ATM access, fee-free overdrafts, and other features that make it easy to manage your money. If you want … [Read more...] about Chime Review: A Fee-Free Banking Option (2023 Update)
47 Proven Ways to Save Money Fast This Year
Saving money can be overwhelming. In fact, numerous reports indicate at least half of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings. For many people, the question of how to save money fast may seem impossible to answer. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce your expenses that require minimal effort. … [Read more...] about 47 Proven Ways to Save Money Fast This Year
Why an Online Bank is the Perfect Solution During the Pandemic
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of CIT Bank. All opinions are 100% mine. It’s no surprise that 2020 has been life changing for many people. Chances are you’ve been touched by the coronavirus pandemic in one way or another. Despite the fact that everyone is dealing with many of … [Read more...] about Why an Online Bank is the Perfect Solution During the Pandemic
11 Best High-Yield Savings Accounts for 2023
Are you tired of your local bank’s near-zero percent rates and annoying fees? It doesn’t have to be that way. The best high-yield savings accounts earn as much as 1.70 percent and can turn your interest income from pennies into dollars. A higher interest rate makes it easier to save for … [Read more...] about 11 Best High-Yield Savings Accounts for 2023
7 Simple Ways to Save More Money This Year
It's hard to believe it's 2023 already. Many want to save more money this year but don't know where to start. Thankfully, it's not as difficult as it might seem. There are many ways you can save money every month to help reach your goals. Finding ways to save this year can help you reach various … [Read more...] about 7 Simple Ways to Save More Money This Year
COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Benefits: How Much Do You Get?
Over the past few weeks, millions of Americans have started to do something they once thought unimaginable – file for unemployment insurance benefits. American jobs are a very real casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like most, I have friends who have lost work as a result of the novel … [Read more...] about COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Benefits: How Much Do You Get?
25 Ways to Get Your Finances Back on Track Right Now
Before I began paying off my debt, I was constantly reminded of one thing – I was stuck in a vicious cycle. No sooner did breathing room appear than it would vanish into thin air. Payday came and went, and all my money was gone. If you feel the same way, it is possible to get your finances back on … [Read more...] about 25 Ways to Get Your Finances Back on Track Right Now
How to Save $10,000 in a Year: 9 Ways to Save More This Year
The New Year is here and many of us have the same goal - saving money. Most want to simply start saving, but others want to save a significant amount of money, such as $10,000. You may think it’s impossible to save $10,000 in a year. Such a life-changing number feels impossible to achieve - … [Read more...] about How to Save $10,000 in a Year: 9 Ways to Save More This Year
9 Smart Uses for Your Tax Refund
Tax season is upon us. Are you ready for it? Whether you have started on your tax return or not yet, if you are expecting a tax refund, you should probably think about how to best spend it. The average tax refund was almost $2,800 for the 2017 tax year, according to the IRS. That means many … [Read more...] about 9 Smart Uses for Your Tax Refund
5 Ways to Deal With Financial Stress and Improve Your Finances
Between work, kids, bills, and debt, dealing with financial stress is not uncommon. Money is one of the top causes of stress; financial stress and depression are real. These are even bigger sources of stress when your finances change often or you struggle to make ends meet. It's important to keep … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Deal With Financial Stress and Improve Your Finances
When A Financial Flood Hit, Our Emergency Fund Bailed Us Out
I was standing in the icy cold, dripping with sweat after a long workout at the gym. It was raining and I wanted to get into my car quickly. I jumped in, put the key in the ignition and then heard the awful sound of nothing. My car was dead and I was a stranded, sweaty mess. I tried starting … [Read more...] about When A Financial Flood Hit, Our Emergency Fund Bailed Us Out
How to Save Money When Your Income Is Really Low
When your income is really low, it's extremely difficult to learn how to save money. Even the best savers can be wiped out by one emergency, which can leave you living paycheck to paycheck. The best way to avoid this is through saving, and in order to get there, you must embrace certain … [Read more...] about How to Save Money When Your Income Is Really Low
