Common Debt Payoff Strategies Compared
Paying off debt is one of the best ways to improve your finances. But due to personal differences both in circumstances and ways of thinking, there isn’t one strategy that works best for everyone.…
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Christian Drerup
Signs You’re Living Within Your Means. And Signs You’re Living Above Them
Living within your means is one of the most important habits for financial success. Ideally, we would all like to find this sweet spot, consistently living an affordable lifestyle. Spending more than you earn…
Credit Score Milestones and What They Mean
A credit score is one of the most important numbers when it comes to finances. It can affect whether you’re approved for loans, the interest rates you can get, and even how much you…
When Renting a Home Actually Makes More Financial Sense
Buying a home is perceived as the ultimate financial goal, but homeownership isn’t always the smartest choice. Depending on your circumstances, renting can be the best option. It can save money, lower stress, and…
Ways to Save Money When Cash Gets Tight
When money gets tight, most people immediately think about major expenses like rent or car payments. In reality, though, it is usually the smaller charges and daily habits that can subtly drain your budget.…
Summer Is Secretly the Best Time to Buy These Things
Summer is known for vacations, backyard barbecues, and trips to the beach, but it is also one of the best seasons to save money on certain purchases. During the warm-weather season, retailers cut prices…
Situations Where a 15-Year Mortgage Makes Sense
The large majority of homebuyers opt for a standard 30-year mortgage and never even consider a 15-year loan. But in some cases, the latter loan term is the best choice. It can be a…
Costs Homebuyers Forget to Budget For
We all know buying a house involves saving for a down payment and making monthly mortgage payments. But these are only the costliest items on the home-purchasing budget. Many buyers, especially first-time buyers, are…
8 Ways Divorce Can Derail Your Finances
Divorce is often discussed in terms of emotional stress, but it can be financially significant as well. Even couples who separate on good terms face unexpected costs and long-term money-related consequences. Assets have to…
Financial Decisions People Regret Most After Age 50
By the time people reach their fifties, they have decades of financial experience behind them. Many have built careers, accumulated debt, raised families, paid off loans, and purchased homes. Yet even with all that…
Psychological Tricks Stores Use to Make You Spend More
Most shoppers like to believe they make purchasing decisions entirely on their own. However, retailers put enormous amounts of time and money into studying consumer psychology. Many aspects of shopping are carefully designed to…
How Minimalism Applies to Finances
Minimalism is often associated with decluttering homes or owning fewer possessions, but the philosophy can also apply to money and finances. Just as we can simplify our possessions, we can simplify our spending, reduce…
The Psychology Behind Impulse Spending
We’ve all purchased something impulsively at one point or another. Sometimes it’s a small grab at the checkout line, while other times it’s a major purchase made out of anxiety. The psychology surrounding impulse…
Financial Advice from Ancient Civilizations that Still Holds Up Today
Our modern financial world has evolved to include the use of credit cards, online banking, and Venmo. But centuries before any of these tools existed, ancient civilizations had their own way of dealing with…
Millionaire Habits That Have Nothing to Do with Income
Many people assume becoming wealthy is all about earning a big salary, but those who have acquired significant wealth often relied on more than income to get them there. Many millionaires build habits based…
Signs You’re Financially Better Off Than You Think
Many people assume financial success only means becoming extremely wealthy, hitting a point where you can pretty much buy anything you desire. But many of us fail to consider the merits of financial stability.…
Retirement Myths That Confuse Americans
Retirement is the ultimate financial goal many people plan for, yet it is surrounded by confusion and misinformation. Advice passed down from previous generations does not always match today’s reality. Many Americans are uncertain…
Ways Budget Airlines Can Cost More in the Long Run
Budget airlines offer customers incredible deals: plane tickets that cost half as much as a major airline fare. These less expensive airlines can feel like a way to get where you need to go…
Weird Things That Can Affect Your Loan Approval
Most people know lenders care about credit scores and income, but many other factors can influence whether a loan gets approved. Lenders use large amounts of data and risk analysis to decide who qualifies…
Why Minimum Payments Can Keep People in Debt for Years
Credit card minimum payments may seem convenient. After all, $200 a month can look super affordable for what you’re getting in return. But even relatively small minimum payments are designed to benefit lenders far…