Savings
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Stocks vs. Bonds: Understanding the Key Differences for Investors
If you’re a newbie investor, you may have no idea what you’re doing when it comes to investing in the stock market. If so, don’t feel bad – you’re not alone. According to Gallup, in 2019,
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Financial Independence: A Journey from Collecting to Conscious Spending
I used to be a collector. I collected trading cards. I collected comic books. I collected pins and stickers and mementos of all sorts. I had boxes of things Id collected but which essentially s
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Financial Independence & Early Retirement: Debunking Common Myths
As the financial independence and early retirement movement (or FIRE movement, for short) has gained popularity, some myths and misconceptions have sprung up about what it entails. Too many peo
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Series I Bonds: A Secure, High-Yield Investment Explained
I get a lot of questions about money. These questions tend to vary based on the asker and her needs, but theres one question I get more often than any other: “Whats a safe investment with
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Navigating Your First Rental Property: A Real-Life Story
Its official: Kim and I have moved from Portland to Corvallis, Oregon. We closed on our home — a 1964 daylight ranch with fully converted basement — at the end of August, and weve spent the past
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Baby Budgeting: Smart Strategies to Save Money on Baby Expenses
There’s a lot to learn when it comes to how to budget for a baby. Between baby food and the cost of diapers, sometimes it feels like there’s just not enough money to raise a child. If you
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The Importance of Monthly Savings: Building a Secure Financial Future
When it comes to saving for the future, the most commonly asked questions are “what funds should I choose for my 401(k) or IRA?” and “how much should I save per month?”. If you’re like mo
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Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): A Comprehensive Guide
Many companies are nearing the end of their open enrollment period soon, which that means it’s time for you to finalize your choices about your benefits. One of the options many employe
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Roth IRA as Emergency Fund: Pros, Cons & Considerations
Remember the Roth IRA Movement day two months ago? Along with a couple hundred other personal finance writers, I tried to twist your arm into opening a Roth IRA, the most flexible retirem
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Cloth Diapers vs. Disposable Diapers: Cost Analysis at 4 Months
I was so convinced that cloth diapers would save me money – thousands of dollars, in fact – that I blogged about the cloth diaper savings months before my first baby was even born. Talk a
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Retirement Planning for Freelancers: IRAs & Savings Strategies
Saving for retirement can be a very daunting and confusing chore for anyone with a pulse. But squirreling away cash is especially tough for the growing number of young(ish) Americans who
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Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): A Beginner's Guide to Savings & Benefits
High Deductible Health Plans paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are one of the fastest growing types of plans. Are you just opening an HSA or still trying to figure out how yours
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Emergency Fund: How Much Do You Really Need?
Since we were kids, most of us have heard our parents and grandparents talk about “saving for a rainy day.” The idea is that you need to put money aside when times are good so that you’ll
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Top Money-Saving Books: Inspiring Strategies for Frugal Living
I’m a fan of reading other people’s ideas about saving money, especially when I’m feeling rather smug about my frugal lifestyle. Why yes, I did have leftovers for lunch today! It is alway
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Creative Money-Saving Ideas for Kids: Fun & Engaging
Kids, especially the younger ones, come up with some pretty creative ways to save money or to get money. Some kids get really into money, even when they are just toddlers. I was fascinate
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Prioritizing Your Savings: A Smart Plan for Financial Security
Does your list of savings goals feel a little overwhelming? You need to save for retirement, obviously. And you’d like to pay for your child’s education– but those are decades away.
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Tax Refund Savings: Pros, Cons & How to Maximize Your Money
According to surveys and IRS data, approximately 59% of Americans are expecting to receive a tax refund this year, with an average refund amount of $2,894. This means many tax payers are
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Achieving Your Financial Goals: A Realistic Planning Guide
You want it all – who doesn’t? Unfortunately, for most of us it’s not so easy and there is no “silver bullet” to achieving all of your financial goals. I must confess that I am weary (and
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Smart Budgeting for Singles: Achieve Financial Freedom
It doesn’t matter whether you make $20,000 per year or $200,000 per year. Having a budget will improve your life in the long term. Unfortunately, the term “budgeting” ma
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Slash Your Monthly Expenses: The $1,000 Challenge - A Budgeting Expert's Insights
The Detroit News’s Funny Money columnist Brian O’Connor had a couple of problems: he needed a fresh idea for his column, and the family budget was always too tight. Putting those togethe
Savings
- Understanding APY: Your Complete Guide to Annual Percentage Yield
- Avoid Costly Tax Mistakes: 5 Common Filing Errors to Watch Out For
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Benefits & Drawbacks - A Comprehensive Guide
- Building an Emergency Fund: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Maximize Your Returns: 5 Top Tax-Advantaged Investment Accounts
- Protect Your Wealth: Combat Inflation and Preserve Purchasing Power
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Streamline Your Bike Business: Inventory Management with QuickBooks CommerceBrooklyn Bicycle Company builds top quality bikes crafted with care, and sold at an affordable price. They take pride in their products, and in the dealers who sell them, cultivating collaboration acr...
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Understanding Collateral: How It Impacts Loan TermsIf you default on your car loan, the lender will seize the car. When applying for a loan, you may notice that secured loans typically offer better terms than unsecured loans. Lenders of secur...
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California Unemployment Benefits: COVID-19 Assistance & Application GuideNot since the Great Depression have so many Americans been out of work, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak — and that means record numbers of Americans are trying to get unemployment insurance b...
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Financial Reality Check: Improve Your Money ManagementWe've got every reason to love optimism. It can get us through the thorniest situations, not to mention keeping us cheerful when things should get us down. But rose-colored glasses might be costin...