When you share your life with a partner, you're sharing your finances too. It can be awkward, but it's possible to make good decisions together. Tracking Your Joint Expenses It’s hard enough keeping track of your own expenses. So you shouldn’t be surprised that managing money as a team effort can test your
Whether you want to get ahead and prepare or find help in the midst of an emergency, there are ways to shore up your financial situation. HOW TO PREPARE When emergencies and unexpected situations strike, it’s important to be prepared and make wise decisions. While tough times can vary, from a
Getting married? You may want to check out some of these financial to-dos. Before the big day, sit down with your partner and talk finances. Some of these to-dos have a time limit—sometimes as short as two weeks after your wedding! Don’t miss out on money-saving adjustments by waiting too long after the big
Refinancing can be beneficial if everything lines up in your favor. What can you get out of it? The list is long and exciting for someone stuck with loan payments that they aren’t happy with. Lower Interest Rate One of the most powerful outcomes of refinancing a loan is a lower interest rate.
If you're considering going to college, you have nothing to lose by applying for federal student aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) isn’t necessarily a student loan, but an application for financial aid made up of scholarships and grants that the government awards to students based on their needs.
During challenging times, there are plenty of things everyone can do to help boost the economy. Since most of the conversation about the economy tends to focus on what governments or big businesses can do to help, it can be easy to feel like you have no way to help your community. While
One of the many mysteries of college, especially freshman year, is what being there is actually going to cost you. Sure, you know there’s tuition. If you’re living in a dorm, there’s room and board. Those bills arrive before you ever set foot on campus. But how much will you need to make it
Having a will to allocate your estate after you die is essential, so make sure it's done formally and legally. Where there's a will, there's a way to make your wishes known. A will is a legal document that transfers your property after you die, and names the people who will settle your estate,
The best way to prevent fraud is to stay informed, aware, and on top of your finances. The nature of fraud is to deceive, so it's often difficult to recognize when you've gotten involved in a fraudulent situation. Unfortunately, getting out of the resulting mess can be made more difficult by the false, missing,
Your health can be unpredictable, and no one knows when health problems could befall them. Learning how to navigate health insurance will help you protect yourself in the future. There is no way to predict what will happen; you may lead a lucky life without serious illness or accidents. But there is always
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
One of the most effective tools for preventing a large-scale financial disaster is an emergency fund, an amount of money that is set aside to cover unexpected expenses, or to keep you afloat if no regular income is coming in. Even if you have a great handle on your finances, unexpected challenges can
