Key Takeaways Pay yourself first by allocating 20% of your budget to savings  Leverage technology with an app designed to help you customize a budget Monitor your spending habits and look for ways to reduce costs Are you among the many who plan on including budget planning in your list of 2019 New Year’s resolutions? […]

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Key Takeaways Reduce the interest rate on your student loan with refinancing Leverage the power of compounding by saving more, which can help you earn money to help you pay down your loan Review your budget to minimize spending on non-necessary items and consider putting that money toward your student loan Paying off a student […]

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Key Takeaways Create a budget for paying off student loans  Include investing as a priority even as you pay off student loans Understand your choices to help you pay off debt faster Americans have $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. It’s no surprise that many of them feel overwhelmed by the debt—and want to pay […]

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It’s generally accepted that if you have the cash to make a purchase, you should use it, instead of going into debt by financing that big-ticket item. But is the cash-is-king rule universally true? It depends. Yes, broadly speaking, you’re better off paying cash than financing at high rates of interest. But if the cost […]

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Did your parents have the birds-and-the-bees talk with you when you were younger? Remember how uncomfortable it was? How you cringed at every sentence? Get ready to do it again. Only this time, the roles are reversed and you’re having “the talk” with your parents. No, it’s not about that; it’s about how they plan […]

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For 26 million millennials, parenthood has been added to their lineup of accomplishments. According to the most recent figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost of raising a child to age 18 is $233,610. This figure takes into account the cost of food, shelter, and other necessities for raising one child through […]

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Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and love is in the air, which means spring—and prime wedding season—is upon us. Couples are not only planning their weddings but are also looking ahead toward the rest of their lives together—including the potential financial perks to getting married. Before the “I do.” There’s a lot that goes […]

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As a mom, you aren’t just involved with keeping the family on track and managing the household’s calendar of events. Often, mom is also in charge of the family budget. Even if you’re not the main financial planner for your family, becoming personally involved in family finances can help you feel more financially secure. That’s […]

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Good money habits are an essential life skill, and parents can start explaining financial lessons with their teenagers. In addition to teaching kids the importance of saving, teenagers are also at an age where they can start to grasp the idea of investing. For teens who have first jobs, it’s a perfect opportunity to get […]

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Money talk. Sure, you might talk in generalities about the stock market rally, taxes, or the spiraling costs of college and health care but, when it comes to your own personal financial situation, talking about your salary or net worth is usually off-limits. Some folks are more willing to talk about their sex lives than […]

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