Lindsay VanSomeren

You can make a quick buck by selling your unwanted items on Craigslist, but there are a lot of reasons why you might want to avoid the platform. Maybe you prefer a more modern-looking site, you’re tired of no-shows, or you just don’t want to meet anyone in person. In some cases, you can earn…

Think about the last time you heard the stock market mentioned on the news. How was it presented? Here’s what I’ve seen – just this morning – as I’m writing this: “Stocks are [UP or DOWN] on [FEARS or HOPE] of [INSERT EVENT].” Example: “Stocks down on fear that the housing bubble may be ready…

If you need to make money, one of the easiest ways to do so is by selling CDs and movies you no longer use. DVDs are a perfect first choice, especially if you use a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu for entertainment. Even though these digital entertainment platforms have quickly taken over, there’s still…

If you are one to periodically check your credit score for free, you know it can pay dividends in more ways than one. If you’ve never checked your credit score before, or it’s been a while since you last have, it might be time to look into it. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that one…

If you’re one of the 78% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, you know how stressful it is.[1] You feel anxiety from seeing the overdrawn bank accounts. You know how financial pressure affects every aspect of your life from your health to your relationships. You know the burden that comes with trying to take care…

Building and maintaining a respectable credit score is an important part of your financial life.  With a good credit score, you can qualify for the best loans at the lowest rates, earn cash rewards with responsible credit card use, and more. But how do you actually earn a great score? If you don’t know what…

Chances are you have some goals you’d like to tick off in your lifetime. Maybe you want to visit three dozen countries, buy a house, retire by the time you’re 55, or start a family and send your children off to college. Chances are also good that you won’t be able to achieve those goals…

The money that you earn from your savings account is just gravy on top of what you’ve already saved. It feels like free money. That’s why it can be such a shock when you find out that yes — paying taxes on interest is something you need to do. The amount you actually owe in…

If you’ve ever asked yourself “How many bank accounts should I have?” or find it difficult to manage your money in general, you’re not alone. According to one 2017 CareerBuilder survey, nearly eight in 10 Americans currently live paycheck to paycheck.[1] An alarming trend, but one we can work together to address. Fortunately, there are…

Your first big decision when finding a place to store your money is whether to choose a credit union or a bank. At first glance, the similarities between banks and credit unions might seem evident. After all, both offer checking accounts, savings accounts, and even loans and credit cards. But what is the difference between…