Sometimes the ideal job comes with a less-than-ideal commute. From money spent on gas to lost time to the mental toll of sitting in traffic, commuting costs a lot. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to save. Avoid Rush Hour Time spent in the stop-and-start of rush hour traffic burns a lot
A practical, workable budget is one of the most crucial tools in your financial wellness arsenal.Starting PointsYour budget is your blueprint for keeping cash flow positive, and for sticking to your saving goals.If you have a partner, it's essential to have one overall household budget. That big picture is indispensable for having a good sense, based
The traditional envelope budgeting system uses a budget binder or a box with envelopes to store paper bills. Each envelope is designated for a specific expense or savings goal—rent, entertainment, vacation, bills, etc. How Does the Cash Envelope System Work? Envelope budgeting helps you keep track of both income and expenses. The idea behind an envelope
The difference between what you expect to get paid and what actually lands in your bank account can be, well, surprising. A chunk of this difference goes toward payroll taxes. Like the name implies, payroll taxes are taxes taken out of your wages and paid to the government. What’s Taken Out Unlike health insurance or
Not all card swipes are created equal. A debit card may look like a credit card, but instead of borrowing money to make purchases, debited funds come directly from your checking account balance. You don’t pay interest with a debit card, and you don’t build your credit history, either. How Debit Cards Work Like cash,
Just like the name implies, a savings account helps you reach your savings goals. Saving Made Easy A savings account is one of the most common and useful accounts at a financial institution. That’s because you can withdraw from it at any time, and the money in the account earns interest (we’ll get into that
One of the many mysteries of college, especially freshman year, is what college actually costs. Sure, you know there’s tuition. But how much will you need to make it through the first semester? The first year? It’ll probably be a pretty big chunk of change. Here are a few tips to help make that price
It’s exciting to dream about how you’ll spend your money (when you have some). Brainstorming a list of savings goals is typically less inspiring. But really, the two go hand-in-hand. Without money in savings, it’s hard to make your wish-list expenses come true.Plan with a PurposePeople save money for many different purposes, including big-ticket purchases like
Changes to the economy, your situation, or your goals may prompt you to take a look at your budget for opportunities to save. But where do you start? These lists will help you make changes, both big and small, to your budget. Entertainment and Hobbies This category can be the easiest to cut from (they
When it comes to talking with a spouse or partner about money, many people shy away. It can be scary—but it doesn’t have to be. Positive and frequent communication is key. Talk Often A great way to reduce the stress of talking about money is to discuss things frequently with your partner. Don’t wait for
The sooner you teach your children the basics about budgeting, the better, and the 3 jar money system is a great way to get started. Kids and Money To learn how to manage money in the 3 jar system, kids need some money to manage. How they get that money can vary. Some children earn
When you’re tracking your own finances, you’re only accountable to yourself. When you’re managing money with a partner, your financial choices need to be justifiable to your partner, too. This adds a degree of difficulty to an already complicated task. Tracking expenses is more than watching your account balance drop every day until replenished by
