If you’re a Millennial, it certainly can feel like the deck is stacked against you financially. Compared to our parents and grandparents, student loan debt burdens are substantially higher, and without a college education these days, good paying jobs are limited. House prices are 10 times as high as they were 50 years ago; meanwhile,…
Posts By: Jessica Sillers
In an ideal world, you’d begin your homeownership journey debt free (with a 3-month emergency fund saved, to boot). In the real world, however, debt is a reality, whether it be some credit card debt, a car loan, or outstanding student loans, all of which could add up to a sizable amount. Therefore, eliminating it…
Baby steps can make a big goal look much more achievable. A $5 daily savings goal is a small commitment that can have a big impact over time. Following this practice for a year adds up to $1,825 to fund your emergency savings account, put a down payment on a car, or treat yourself to…
Three years ago, my husband and I fulfilled our dream of buying a home together before we turned 30. Along the way, we made a few mistakes and learned important lessons about what it really costs to buy a home. If you’re thinking about house-hunting, read on to learn some potentially unexpected costs to factor…
Warm weather may inspire you to fling open your windows and tackle some serious spring cleaning. Why not channel some of that fresh-start energy into your finances? Just like clutter accumulates at home, bad spending patterns can creep up bit by bit, making them hard to spot. Commit to dropping a few of these bad…
The “Sold” sign in the yard is a clear indicator that your dream of homeownership is about to become a reality. Now comes the essential step of protecting your family and this precious new asset with the proper insurance. In fact, all lenders will require you to have homeowners insurance at the time you close…
Purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions you can make. Not only will it be one of your most expensive purchases, but it can also have a drastic effect on your quality of life. There are several things you should consider when buying a house, including costs, locations, and building quality. Take a…
If you’re like the majority of U.S. taxpayers, you’ll soon have a tax refund check burning a hole in your pocket (if you haven’t received it already). What next? Using your refund wisely can accelerate your progress toward important financial goals. Here are our top suggestions to make the most impact with your tax refund….
For some people, tax refunds can be a nice addition to a bank account each year. However, if you have a list of urgent bills, overdue debts, or large purchases, your tax refund might be more of a financial necessity than padding for your savings account. Once you file your taxes, refunds can take weeks…
Leaving your 20s behind can feel like a call to be more responsible, a more full-fledged “adult” than you were in college and those first years on your own. Many articles suggest trips to take before you turn 30. Our advice? Don’t worry about booking vacation flings before a birthday deadline. Those countries will stick…
Many news stories about debt revolve around the millennial generation. Debt troubles aren’t restricted to one generation, though, and as Baby Boomers enter retirement age, many of them worry how they’ll finance their “golden years.” If you’re hoping to retire debt-free, make a plan to tackle these common sources of Baby Boomer debt. Control Credit…
Wedding vows often involve some version of a promise to support each other “for richer or for poorer.” If you’re newly engaged, you’re probably bubbling over with emotions about intertwining your life with another person’s. But what if your future spouse’s debt adds nervousness to the excitement? I can relate. In my case, I was…