budget

ways to make fast cash

If you’re near broke or cash-strapped until next payday or looking for ways to pay off debt, there’s lots of options that can help. We’ve pulled together a healthy dose of ideas for a cash infusion to help supplement your income. While you could ask a friend or family member for assistance, or even look at the option of a short term loan as a quick solution, there’s plenty of

7 Budget-Friendly Tips for Christmas Shopping

The holiday season is fast approaching and that means it’s almost time for holiday shopping! Christmas shopping can be fun, but it can also be stressful. If you’ve been working hard to get your spending and your budget under control, one ill-timed holiday shopping spree can blow your budget in a big way. This year as you try to get your bank account healthy and your budget intact, approach Christmas

unbanked paying cash shopping

We take certain parts of life for granted. We can find a grocery store when we need one. We can get cash from an ATM. But some of the American population isn’t living in the same way.

Money Mistakes and Budgeting

Everyone struggles at times with personal finance. It’s inevitable that, despite your best intentions, something goes wrong with your personal finances. The hope is that when you make a money mistake, it is something that is easily correctable. Sometimes a mistake is just that – a mistake. You missed a payment deadline. You forgot to sign a check before mailing it. But other times money management mistakes can set you

Making the Most of Home Improvements

Maybe you’re thinking of selling your home. Or maybe you just want to spruce things up so that you can continue enjoying it for years to come. It’s time to renovate, and you have the itch to make your home more beautiful and comfortable for you and your family. If you’re thinking about making significant home improvements, why not get the most bang for your buck? It is also recommended

7 Easy Steps to Creating a Budget that Actually Works

If saving money was easy, we would all have money in the bank, flush retirement accounts and no financial worries. But managing your finances in the real world can be a challenge – especially when you feel like you’re starting the process with a mountain of debt and set monthly payments. But that’s no reason to give up hope. You have flexibility with how you approach budgeting and saving. Some

8 Smart Ways to Use a Personal Loan Around Your New House

You sign your lease or arrange your mortgage. You move into your new home. You’re ready for the easy life – you have your spot to live and you’re ready to go.  You are ready to relax in your new space. But then the real cost of homeownership appears – repairs, maintenance, furniture and yard work. It’s expensive having a spot to live, even if you’re renting a home. Sometimes

The All in One Guide to Banking Accounts for Newbies

Are you thinking about opening a new bank account, but all the different choices have you stressing out? Perhaps you have bad credit, but you still want to get the tremendous budgeting benefits that a savings or checking account provides. Maybe you want a bank account, so you can build an emergency fund in case you ever need it. If you want to learn about how to find the right

emergency fund tips

Every financially responsible adult should have an emergency fund; when it’s about financial emergencies, it’s not about if they’ll happen, but when they’re going to – and the difference between sink-or-swim when something happens that requires cash could be your emergency fund.  Statistics say that as much as 40% of Americans don’t have enough cash saved away to cover a $1, 000 financial emergency. If this describes you – and

What Everyone Needs to Know About Auto Loans

Unless you have a hefty savings account, buying a car with cash is probably not something you’re able to do. So what do you do when you need a new car, but don’t have the money saved up to pay for it? You get an auto loan. Auto loans have many different elements, and that can make them feel overwhelming initially. Car dealers also like to present the parts of