When you look at your budget are you happy with what you see? Have you come to realize that you just can’t get some expenses under control? Are you having a difficult time even understanding where your money is going? Even if you have a firm grasp on your budget, you know that things can quickly spiral out of control. And that’s why you have a budget in the first place. With this in mind, it’s...
With the holiday season in full swing, it can be a challenge to keep your budget in order. Just when you think you have everything under control, you come to find yourself spending money on something that doesn’t typically come into play. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying yourself during this time of the year, it’s important that you don’t overspend. If you get into the habit of doing this, you may not like what...
Spouses, partners, or even relatives may, at some point, consider applying for a loan together. As with anything, there are pros and cons to applying for a loan with someone. It's important to think about the advantages and the disadvantages before you make a final decision. Applying together could help you qualify for a larger loan. Because you're applying jointly, the lender will consider both your incomes as means for repaying the loan. Two incomes means you're able...
The rising cost of prescription drugs is something that many people worry about. This is particularly true among those who are currently taking one or more medication as a means of improving their health. While you may have no choice but to purchase prescription medication on a regular basis, there are some basic steps you can take to save money. Here are some ideas to consider: 1. Search for a Generic Brand name pharmaceuticals are not...
Has 2017 been a bad year for you in regards to debt? Do you continue to rack up one bill after the next? Are you hoping to change this in the year to come? Although you may have made some poor financial decisions over the past few months, it doesn’t mean you have to continue this trend in the future. By making a few basic changes to your approach, you’ll find it much easier to prevent...
The days of getting a new cell phone just for signing a two-year service agreement are long gone. Unless you can take advantage of a carrier promotion, you’ll likely pay full price for a new smartphone. With phone prices creeping higher and higher each year, owning a smartphone is pretty expensive, sometimes even more so than owning a laptop computer. Carriers make it fairly easy to upgrade to a new phone, allowing you to pay in...
Everyone who’s looking for an opportunity to make money outside of their regular paycheck should be aware of pyramid schemes. These scams are typically disguised as legitimate opportunities to work from home and lure in people with the promise of big money. Pyramid schemes, which are illegal, are different from multilevel marketing programs, which are legal and can actually allow you to generate income. Pyramid schemes convince those interested to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars...
We’ll spend our entire lives making financial decisions. The wrong decisions can be difficult to undo and can cause major financial troubles. Good decision making takes some practice, but here are some guidelines to help you make better financial decisions. Think through your decisions. Avoid making major decisions on impulse. Otherwise, you’re more likely to make a mistake. When you’re faced with a financial decision, take time to think through the choice. Consider all the factors...
With 2017 coming to an end, it won’t be long before you turn your attention to the new year. This can mean many things to you both on a personal and professional level. As an employee, you may have one thing on your mind at this time: earning more money in 2018. While there are many ways to reach this goal, one of the best is to simply ask for a raise. There is no guarantee...
“The best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray.” True dat, Robert Burns. True dat. I don’t know anything about Mr. Burns, the poet who penned those wise words, but I suspect he must have had children. If all had gone according to plan I would have finished this half of the “Relapse Recovery” column weeks ago and the holiday shopping tips I was going to share would still have relevance for most of...
