January is a great time to create a financial checklist for yourself and set a plan for how you can better prepare for the year ahead. This checklist will help you create a better plan of realistic goals for the short-term and long-term. While it is great to have a checklist in place, you also need to keep in mind that plans change, and the world is full of uncertainty. It is important to find peace with the fact that…
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A 2019 holiday spending survey found that 61 percent of Americans worry about the holidays due to extra spending, while 57 percent dread Christmas, specifically. Further, one in three consumers are losing sleep worrying about how they will pay for all of these winter holiday details. But here are some ways you can financially prepare and plan to soften the Christmas budgetary blow back. Construct and adhere to a holiday budget Once you’ve calculated the numbers for how much…
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The holidays are just around the corner and searching for a great deal for that special someone can get expensive. Thoughtful and memorable gifts do not have to break the bank. Allegecy says that the holidays do not have to cost an arm and a leg to make the day special. Going above and beyond with a homemade gift, treat, or even assisting with a task can mean more. Be creative with the funds you set aside for the holidays….
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Inflation is one of the most familiar and easily definable economic topics to anyone who has watched the decrease in the purchasing power of their money. Put simply, inflation is a general increase in prices of goods and services over time. What causes inflation? Inflation can be caused by numerous factors, but the two primary types of inflation are demand-pull inflation and cost-push inflation. Demand-pull inflation typically occurs in a time of economic expansion. During these periods of growth and…
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If you are planning a wedding this year, it could be challenging. With high demand coming from a global pandemic, brides have limited options for everything from wedding dates to food to venues; it’s a true “wedding boom,” according to Brides.com. After more than a year of postponed and called-off weddings, the industry has seen an influx of weddings coming back as the world opens up again. As a result, the demand for every aspect of the industry is higher…
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While getting financials in order at the beginning of every year is a ritual for most, it doesn’t hurt to keep things fresh with some out-of-the-box resolutions. The average American calls their resolutions quits by the time February rolls around (or never follows through with them in the first place), according to the New York Post. So, a new perspective might just be the ticket to sticking to the financial plans you intend to make. An article published by Wallet…
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With the holidays approaching, it’s important to make a holiday budget and stick to it, or the post-holiday season could become a financial struggle. Making a list of everything needed, tracking holiday spending, and using cash instead of credit cards are all good ways to stay on top of holiday expenses before they get out of hand. Read on to learn how to create and stick to a feasible budget with these tips from The Balance: Make a list Always…
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The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) provides needed assistance to businesses, expansions to unemployment insurance, and direct relief checks to many Americans. If you qualify for a stimulus check, you may be wondering what to do with the money—or what the wisest thing to do might be. Here are a few things to consider. Fill in Financial Gaps Many Americans have found themselves struggling financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Those who have had their hours cut…
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Are You Spending Too Much on Groceries? How many times have you checked out at the grocery and were surprised by the total? It’s easy to let our grocery bill get too big if we’re not careful. Yes, food prices have gone up for certain items lately, and we’re making more meals at home now than eating at restaurants, but there are ways to keep that expense under control. Figure out how much you can reasonably spend on food. Financial…
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The typical family spends an average of $2,200 per year on utilities, according to the Energy Department. Tweaking your usage can lower your spending by as much as 25%. Check out this infographic for 10 easy ways to save on your utility bills.
