As many people are recognizing that their car is an underutilized asset and that technology has turned it into a potential money-maker, car-sharing and ride-sharing programs are becoming more popular. Car-sharing companies, such as Relay Rides, allow individuals to rent their cars to strangers for a specified fee over a fixed period of time. Car [...]
Whether you're finishing your bachelor’s degree, getting your master’s degree or a professional certificate, or going to college for the first time, furthering your education is an expensive investment. But, like any other investment, you can earn a lot more than you initially spent, if you do it right. According to 2012 data from the [...]
No one is going to plan your retirement for you—at least not for free. A paid financial advisor can certainly direct your capital to the right stocks, bonds, and funds, but so can you. It may take some time and effort to truly wrap your head around the investment landscape, but the end results are [...]
Want a lower interest rate, late payment fee forgiveness or a higher credit limit? Just ask for it. Nearly nine out of 10 credit cardholders who asked their credit card companies to waive a late payment fee were successful, and about two-thirds who asked for a lower interest rate were approved, according to CreditCards.com. “It’s [...]
The process of shopping for a home can be overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers. Inventories of homes for sale are still very thin in most markets and have yet to return to pre-housing bust levels. Particularly hard to come by are so-called “starter homes” because they are being scooped up by investors in addition to [...]
Americans are living healthier and longer lives. The average life expectancy is now 79—that’s plenty of time to save more than a million dollars. The upshot is that you need to start securing an income for the 10, 20 or even 30 years after retirement right now. You don’t want to spend your golden years [...]
When my husband and I were preparing for the birth of our son nearly 12 years ago, we were daunted by everything we were told we were supposed to have. It looked as though having a baby would bankrupt us. Today, costs are higher, and the list of things you should supposedly have for baby [...]
The biggest threat to your finances could be your friends. It may seem counter intuitive that the people closest to you could negatively impact your financial life, but too often, people will spend more than they can afford in order to keep up with the lifestyles of those around them. It’s called “relative deprivation,” and [...]
Preparing for eventual care needs as we age is becoming a critical part of every American’s retirement planning. Retirees are living to a more advanced age, and funds need to last longer than ever before. The further in advance you plan, the better off you are likely to be if and when you need long-term [...]
Investing may seem like it’s just for the super-rich, but you don’t need a million dollars to start. In fact, you can start investing with a measly $1,000. If you have a job that offers a retirement savings plan, you’ve probably already started making some investments. The next step—investing on your own—really isn’t that scary, [...]
