How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck in 8 Steps

Does it feel like your paycheck is gone the moment you get it? Here’s how to break that vicious cycle.

Are you stuck in the all-too-common habit of living paycheck to paycheck? You don’t need me to tell you that’s a self-defeating cycle. You simply can’t get ahead that way.

But escaping isn’t easy, especially if your paycheck is tight. Change involves not just the hard work of making a new habit, but also changing your ways of thinking.

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Getting married? Understand the financial implications

Getting married? Understand the financial implications

Getting married changes your financial life in profound ways. It’s not just that you’re living together or sharing expenses (you don’t need marriage to do that…), it’s that your legal and tax status changes. And while your credit rating remains individual, your future choices could be changed by what your spouse brings into the financial picture.

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Want To Get Financially Healthy In 2023? Four Simple New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of year and my unofficial study of everyone I’ve ever known shows that 99.9% of New Year’s resolutions include money. Saving more, spending less, increasing earnings – most of us include some form of financial health as one of our goals for the New Year. ‘Getting my finances together’ is on everyone’s list, but often pushed down with every new list addition. Getting started is a daunting task, and many are intimidated to do so – but you don’t have to be a sophisticated investor to manage your finances.

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Debt Management vs. Debt Settlement

Out-of-control debt has a way of taking over your life. High interest rates can cause your balances to climb higher each month, and the higher balances hurt your credit score, making it more difficult to obtain financing for important household expenses or personal needs. As the debt grows, so does your stress.

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Establishing or Rebuilding Credit Scores: Options for Moving Forward

Your credit scores are prepared by FICO and other companies and are mainly based on your history of managing debts, such as whether you tend to make payments on time. Your scores play a significant role in your everyday life because the next time you apply for a loan or a credit card — or perhaps a new apartment or insurance —your scores could affect the final decision, including your costs.

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What you need to know about bankruptcy

If your debts have become unmanageable and you feel there is no other way out, you may be wondering if bankruptcy is your next best step. While it’s true that nobody wants to leave their financial fate in the hands of the courts, there are times when bankruptcy really is the only solution that can work. Keep reading to learn the basics of bankruptcy, how to file and what to keep in mind before you do.

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7 first-time homebuyer mistakes to avoid

It’s tough being a first-time buyer in today’s housing market.

Home prices are hitting record highs in many parts of the country, often selling for more than the asking price, and going from list to contract in a record 37 days, according to Redfin.

“We’ve never seen a faster or more competitive market,” says Redfin spokeswoman Rachel Musiker. “Basically this market isn’t for the faint of heart.”

Don’t make it even harder (or more expensive) for yourself by making these common mistakes:

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Should you pay extra on your mortgage?

You’ve probably dreamed of the day when you finally send in your last mortgage check and own your home free and clear.

Paying a little extra every month on your home loan is a way to make that dream a reality faster than you thought, and with today’s historically low savings rates, it could make more sense than ever.

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