Money Management: Creating a Shared Budget with a Partner
When you decide to share your life with someone, there’s a lot to get used to. However, there are few things that upset your life more than the disagreements that can come along with money management. Whether you decide to combine finances or keep things separate, it’s smart to come up with a shared household [...]
Credit 101: Be Careful Lending Money to Family and Friends
Your best friend faces an unexpected car repair and just needs some “floater money” until her next paycheck arrives. Your nephew is still building his credit and needs someone to co-sign his application for a new phone. Would you help either of them out? Both are seemingly innocent requests, but they can lead to big [...]
Another Recession Ahead? Signs the Economy Is Turning Around
Is there another recession ahead? We're dealing with weak growth, but there are some positive signs the economy is turning around. Not according to Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects and a senior research fellow with the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard. To the contrary, he believes positive signs [...]
10 Simple & Easy Ways to Save Money
Ten simple and easy ways to save money. Money-saving tips to show you how to save money and reduce your debt. It’s America Saves week - the perfect time to get on track financially and jump-start your savings. The easiest way to do that is to go back to money-saving basics. Use these 10 simple and easy [...]
DIY: Make It or Buy It—How to Decide
Most of us face this tough question from time to time: Should I buy it or make it? Are these bagels worth the $10 for a dozen, or could I just as easily make them from scratch? Is this outdoor table a good deal, or should I learn a little woodworking and make my own [...]
Saving Money: When Is a Deal Not Really a Deal?
One of my latest bargain finds is batteries at my local dollar store. I’ve been buying packs of eight AA and AAA batteries for—you guessed it—$1. That’s a huge savings compared to the $8 per eight-pack at my local grocer. However, I’m starting to wonder if the dollar store batteries are wearing out more quickly [...]