The differences between the sexes can be a pretty touchy subject. Whenever you talk in general terms about men and women, you must pick your words carefully so you don't sound like you're promoting sexist stereotypes. Sometimes it seems safer to ignore the whole idea and stick to talking about "people," as if men and women were entirely the same.But the reality is that there are some areas where that's clearly not true - and money is one of them. From the things they spend money on to the way they invest, men and women take different approaches to dealing with money. Men are more likely to … [Read more...]
Amy Livingston
Cheapskate vs. Frugal – 12 Signs You May Be Crossing the Line
Frugal living gets a bad rap sometimes.A good example of this is the TV show "Extreme Cheapskates" on TLC, which goes out of its way to show penny-pinchers in the worst possible light. Tune into this show and you'll see one self-proclaimed cheapskate proudly scooping leftovers off other diners' plates in a restaurant while his wife cringes in the background, or another one serving her friends food that she scavenged from a dumpster. Watching these folks, you wonder: Is this what frugality really means? Does saving money have to mean acting stingy, embarrassing my family, and alienating my … [Read more...]
How to Remodel Your Kitchen on a Budget – Costs & Design Ideas
Remodeling a kitchen is a big - and expensive - project. According to HomeAdvisor, the average kitchen remodel costs $22,185, and a full-scale remodel with custom cabinets, granite counters, and high-end appliances can come to $30,000 or more.If you're a homeowner with big kitchen dreams and a small budget, your heart is probably sinking as you read these numbers. But don't give up hope yet! There are a lot of ways to stretch your kitchen remodeling budget. With the right combination of patience, creativity, and elbow grease, you can make a big impact in your kitchen for a few thousand … [Read more...]
Mortgage Relief & Loan Modification Scams You Should Watch Out For
The Johnsons were terrified of losing their home. Mrs. Johnson had recently lost her job, and they just couldn't meet their mortgage payments on one income. When they saw the flier promising to save their home from foreclosure with "Guaranteed Results," it seemed like a godsend. The company promised that, for a fee, it could get them a new mortgage at a lower, affordable rate.The Johnsons eagerly handed over the fee, but the company never called them back. The business that said it would help them was nothing but a financial scam to get their money.This story is fictional - but the … [Read more...]
How to Stop & Avoid Foreclosure on Your Home
In 2017, more than 676,500 American homes went into foreclosure, according to Attom Data Solutions. That's roughly 1 out of every 200 homes in the country. This is better than the peak rate in 2010 when more than 2 out of every 100 homes were in foreclosure, but it still represents hundreds of thousands of people being forced out of their homes because they couldn't meet their mortgage payments.Homeowners can end up in this situation for many different reasons. Some lose their jobs and can no longer make ends meet. For others, a health crisis leaves them with hefty medical bills that eat … [Read more...]
18 Graduation Gift Ideas for Her & Him on a Budget
As the school year draws to a close, eager high school and college students are looking forward to graduation - and their friends and relatives are looking forward with a mixture of pleasure and anxiety to the graduation announcements. Along with pride for the new graduate and pleasure at being invited, the sight of that crisp white envelope can bring a rush of panic as you wonder, "Does this mean I have to get a gift?"First things first: According to Emily Post, you are under no obligation to send a present if you're not actually going to the graduation. In that case, all you need to do … [Read more...]
17 Reasons Why You Should Get Out of Debt – Benefits of Being Debt-Free
Debt is a common fact of life in America today. According to a 2015 report from the Pew Charitable Trusts, roughly eight out of ten Americans have debts, with an average of $67,900 per person. The report also found that Americans feel conflicted about their debt. Nearly 70% of respondents said they would rather not have debt, but they see it as a necessity - and a similar percentage feel that loans and credit cards have given them more opportunities in life.These conflicted feelings reflect the fact that debt can be both good and bad. Good debt is a useful financial tool, helping you to do … [Read more...]
Cooking for College Students – Easy Recipes for a Dorm Room
College students these days have packed schedules. When you're rushing around campus all day, it can be hard to find the time to eat a meal, let alone cook one. That's why most students rely on their school's meal plan. These days, meal plans give you lots of food options to choose from, including off-campus eateries that can serve up meals late into the night.But this convenience comes at a high cost. According to the Hechinger Report, the average college meal plan costs $4,500 for three meals a day, eight months a year. That works out to about $18.75 per day. By contrast, the average … [Read more...]
What Is a Personal Loan – Pros & Cons of Getting One
The Lopez family was excited about finally getting to remodel their kitchen, something they'd been wanting to do for over a year. However, their excitement transformed into anxiety when their contractor told them the bills for the project would come to around $20,000. They knew they could charge it all on their credit card, but the most they could possibly squeeze out of their budget to pay it back would be $500 a month. At that rate, they'd take nearly six years to pay off the debt and pay more than $7,000 in interest.The Lopezes were all set to scrap their plans for their dream kitchen … [Read more...]
How to Avoid and Protect Yourself From Online Dating & Romance Scams
When Candace first met Eric on an online dating site, he seemed like a dream come true. After a rough divorce the year before, she was thrilled to meet a man who shared her religion, interests, and love of children and animals. Unfortunately, they couldn't meet in person because he was studying overseas, but they talked and texted every day.Then one day Eric called in a panic, saying his passport had been stolen. He needed money in a hurry or he'd be thrown out of the country just a few months shy of earning his degree. Candace wired him the small sum without hesitation - but when he … [Read more...]
7 Types of Financial Advisors & Professionals and When to Hire Them
There are some jobs in your life that you can handle by yourself, and others that you leave to the pros. For instance, you probably do simple car repairs yourself, such as changing a headlight or an air filter, but take the car to a mechanic for big jobs.When it comes to your finances, though, it can be trickier to figure out which jobs are DIY. You know you can handle simple tasks like paying your bills, but what about doing your taxes or making a will? Are these jobs you need to hire a professional for?Even when you're sure you need help with your finances, it's not that obvious … [Read more...]
