It’s frightening to think how easy it is to become a victim of identity theft now that data breaches have become so common. Unfortunately, identity theft protection services and the marketing of them are built on those fears. While identity theft is a very real threat, the fact, is you probably don’t need to…
Negotiating your salary starts by making strategic choices from the very beginning of the job search process. Follow these four steps to walk away with a new job, and a salary makes you feel valued, and motivated to do the best work possible. Don’t provide a salary number out the gate. Your salary expectations are…
So you filed your tax return and got news that a tax refund will hit your bank account in the next few weeks. Naturally, your next question is: “What Should I Do With a Tax Refund?” 1. Reduce your credit card debt. You probably wouldn’t pay someone 15% (the average credit card interest rate for…
The answer to the question “Am I Living Beyond My Means?” is personal and fluid at different times in your financial life. But if you can answer “yes” to any of the six statements, there’s a good chance you might be. 1. You don’t have six months worth of your income saved. If your savings…
You can save money this holiday by scouring online deals and making homemade gifts, but a holiday budget plan will ensure you’re prepared not to overspend. Here’s your simple guide to creating a holiday budget that will keep you out of debt. Know your starting point Before you create a holiday gift list or invest…
What’s the best way to save money if you’ll shop this Thanksgiving weekend? Avoid these retailer marketing ploys that are designed to distract, entrap, and ultimately, get you to spend more money. Make purchases painful The National Retail Federation estimates that 116 million holiday shoppers will head out on Black Friday, and 75 million…
I’ve been fortunate to build a successful career as a personal finance writer, borne of my experience in financial services marketing, and necessitated by my search for a more flexible and fulfilling career when I had my son in 2009. Ironically, I had no interest in personal finance in my mid twenties. I didn’t understand…
Using your phone to access bank accounts, make deposits and pay is convenient, but is it really secure? According to an analysis by IO Active Labs, the answer is…not really. Of the apps it audited, 40% did not validate SSL certificate authenticity, and 70% did not use multi-factor validation. That makes life pretty easy for…
Most parents want their kids to have more opportunities than they did. But for all the hard work and sacrifices parents make to give their kids every possible advantage, most of us fall short when it comes to teaching kids basic financial literacy. Regardless of your own level of knowledge or interest in money, you…
You work hard for your money in life. Why let it get caught in probate when you die? Here are common mistakes even the financially savvy make when it comes to estate planning. Thinking estate planning is only for the wealthy. The term “estate” tends to have a connotation that conjures images of old money…