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.
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.
For years, our main piece of advice on using reviews has been to look at a variety of sources, including well-known websites that have credible and impartial expert reviews. That’s still a very good place to start. But here are some other tips for using online reviews and deciding when to be skeptical:
You won’t always know if a reviewer got something — like a free product — in exchange for writing a review. But, on some websites, you’ll see a label or badge next to the review that tells you the reviewer got an incentive. How you weigh those reviews is up to you.
* Excerpts from this article from FTC publications
DO-IT-YOURSELF PROJECTS are a popular way to save money, which is one reason why there are several TV shows and loads of magazines celebrating the joys of hands-on home improvement.
There is another DIY opportunity that gets much less fanfare and can take about as much time as fixing a leaky kitchen faucet – negotiating with your credit card company.
The best system for you depends on what you’re trying to do — curb spending, pay down debt, build savings or something else.
Budgeting systems are designed to help you understand and evaluate your relationship with money. While all share a common goal, they often use distinct tactics to get you there.
We’ve narrowed down some options to help you find one that resonates. Use these recommendations as a guide.
Getting free stuff is cool…until it isn’t free. It is decidedly uncool when, after luring you in with “free trials” for products you might like, a company hits you with surprise charges during the supposedly “free” trial period.
When you are going through unprecedented times of uncertainty and fear, one of the last things you want to worry about is finances. Follow these tips to avoid adding unnecessary strain.
Sometimes it may seem like shopping has become America’s favorite pastime. With advertising popping up everywhere—from TV to billboards to city buses— shopping seems to be everywhere. Advertisers spend billions of dollars annually convincing us that products can make us feel successful, prevent us from being bored, help us attract a partner, and a myriad of other things. With ads carefully designed to manipulate our spending habits, it’s no wonder so many people have become emotional spenders.
Impulse buying makes you spend money on items you may not really need or want.
How much do you plan to spend on holiday gifts this year? If you’re anything like the average American then you’ll likely fork out nearly $900 on gifts this season. Our credit counselors warn you could end up spending a lot more if you don’t budget ahead or take advantage of deals.