Practical Strategies to Stay Focused and Motivated While Paying Off Debt
Whether you’re paying off your mortgage, eliminating credit card debt, or repaying your student loans, long-term debt can feel like an insurmountable obstacle with no end date in sight. However, there are ways to maintain your morale and stay on track to boost your motivation and achieve financial freedom. Create a Repayment Plan Two of […]
How Much Should You Really Spend on Rent or a Mortgage?
Housing is likely the biggest expense in your monthly budget. Understanding your finances and determining the percentage of your income to allocate for rent or mortgage costs is essential for maintaining healthy finances. This guide will help you figure out how much you can afford. How Much Of My Income Should Go Towards Housing Costs? […]
Your Financial Guide for Every Month in 2025
Every year, you promise this will be when you get your finances together. Well, let 2025 truly be that year. It can be hard to know where to start, but this 2025 financial calendar will keep you on track. Your 2025 Financial Calendar Here’s a blueprint of what financial tasks you should prioritize monthly to […]
How to Create a Zero-Based Budget That Actually Works
Does your paycheck seem to vanish into thin air each month, leaving you wondering where all your money went? You’re not alone. According to a 2024 survey by the Federal Reserve, nearly 35% of Americans don’t track their spending in any meaningful way, and 61% would struggle to cover an unexpected $400 expense. Enter zero-based […]
How to Use Home Equity to Manage Debt
People can accumulate debt for many reasons. It can be due to student loans, medical emergencies, overspending, or poor investment decisions. If you have debt, know that you’re not alone. As of 2024, the average American holds just under $105,000 in debt across mortgages, car loans, student loans, and credit cards. That’s a high number […]
Creating a Realistic Budget in 8 Steps
Debt can feel like a storm cloud that follows you wherever you go. Whether you are drowning in credit card debt, student loans, car payments, or personal loans, debt can play a huge role in your future financial decisions and your future. But here’s the truth: You can take control. And it starts with one […]
How Saving Money and Putting It in an Emergency Fund Helps You Avoid Debt and Protect Your Finances
Life throws curveballs at all of us, including unexpected expenses for car repairs and medical bills. Likewise, sudden changes like job loss can negatively affect your budget. Without a financial buffer, these situations can lead you straight into debt. Fortunately, having an emergency fund helps you break the cycle. Savings for emergencies help you avoid […]
Debt Collections: Know Your Consumer Rights
All American consumers have protections against debt collectors under the Fair Collections Practices Act (FCPA). This federal law dictates how often debt collectors can contact you, how they can contact you, and what they can say. The debt collection industry can be an aggressive field with individuals motivated to do whatever it takes to get […]
Debt Consolidation vs. Debt Settlement: Which Is Right for You
You need help with your debt. And after some research, you’ve come across two popular choices: debt consolidation and debt settlement. But which is right for you? Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so it depends on your specific situation. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about debt consolidation vs. debt settlement […]
Joint Bank Accounts: What Are the Legal Implications of Opening Them?
For many people, opening a joint bank account makes it easier to share financial information with family members. A joint account is any type of financial account that has at least two owners. For example, you can have joint bank accounts with your spouse or an elderly parent. Although opening a joint account makes it […]
