Renovating your home with an eye toward its future value can help you recoup the costs of the project – and then some. Here are six home improvement projects that can increase the value of your home. 1. Kitchen remodel The area of the house that will give you the largest return on investment is definitely the kitchen. It’s often …
Debt liability is a loaded topic with no easy outs. Your own liability for debts that your partner is bringing into the marriage will depend on several factors, but for the most part, saying “I do” does not make you accountable for your partner’s debt. Here are all your questions about debt and marriage, answered. Am I responsible for my …
You don’t need to skimp on the wedding of your dreams or go deeply into debt to pay for it. By planning ahead, choosing wisely and prioritizing what’s truly important, you can say, “I Do,” without stressing over wedding costs. Here’s how: 1. Time it right Think off season and mid week, and you’ll save a bundle! First, consider a …
The holidays are in the rearview, but if you’ve gone over budget with your spending, it’s time to deal with the aftermath, which is coming head-on. Here’s how you can get your budget back on track for the new year. Review your holiday spending How much debt did this season’s spending set you back? Spend some time crunching the numbers …
As 2023 draws to a close and we prepare to usher in 2024, take a moment to go through this year-end financial checklist for ensuring your finances are in order before the start of the New Year. Review your budget Is your monthly budget still working well for you? Are you stretching some spending categories or finishing each month in …
‘Tis the season to be jolly! Unfortunately, though, not everything about the holiday season is all happy and nice. As always, scammers are on the scene, ready to turn the joyous season into a nightmare. Here are six naughty-list scams to watch out for this holiday season. Online shopping scams In this classic scam, a shopper is lured into a …
Black Friday has long been hailed as the biggest shopping day of the year, but consumers are beginning to rethink that title. While there are definitely great deals to be grabbed on the day after Thanksgiving, it’s not always worth the hassle. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of being a Black Friday shopper so you can …
When it comes to covering the cost of your holiday shopping, you have several choices. Let’s take a look at some options and explore the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision. Credit cards For many shoppers, the most obvious way to pay for a purchase you can’t currently cover is with a credit card. …
The new income-driven repayment plan for student loans can be confusing. Here, we’ve broken down the plan into simple terms and outlined steps you may need to take. What is SAVE? Income-driven repayment plans are based on a borrower’s discretionary income, and not on the amount borrowed. Payments typically do not cover all the interest that accrues. After a specific …
Debt-collection scams exploit the feelings of helplessness and overwhelm to lure victims. Let’s take a look at these scams and how to keep yourself from falling victim. How the scams play out In a debt-collection scam, a scammer posing as a debt collector will call a victim to demand payment for an outstanding debt. The caller insists on a specific …
