Personal Finance

An attractive woman wearing a bright red blazer standing on a balcony in a high-rise building.

How to Get Rich: The 4-Step Process Anyone Can Follow

Many people dream of having lots of money and think about what they would buy and where they would go if they did get rich. Yet, so many don’t actually know how to become rich. After all, don’t you have to come from a wealthy family or inherit a boatload of money to be rich?…

Cat Alford 27 Jan
A woman wearing glasses and looking up and away, wondering how many bank accounts she should have.

How Many Bank Accounts Should I Have? Experts Say At Least These 3

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…

Lindsay VanSomeren 27 Jan
A married couple going over their finances together.

11 Expert Tips for Managing Money and Relationships

When it comes to money and relationships, there are numerous ways to combine finances with your spouse or partner. Likewise, there are many benefits to combining marriage finances, namely a shared sense of unity and responsibility. Sharing a bank account with your partner encourages you to work together to reach your financial goals, but it…

Cat Alford 21 Jan
difference between banks and credit unions

Credit Unions vs. Banks: Pros, Cons & Major Differences

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…

Lindsay VanSomeren 20 Jan
A husband and wife mulling over their investment options over coffee.

What Is a CD Ladder? A Unique Savings Strategy Explained

A CD ladder is one of the best ways to maximize interest earnings on short-term savings. Everyone wants a sure thing when it comes to money. They want to invest their money without losing it and get a huge return without inheriting any risks. They want to have both the comfort and security of a…

Zina Kumok 14 Jan
An optimistic looking man in his mid twenties wearing a backpack and walking down the street with some palm trees nearby.

Everything You Need to Know About Managing Your Money After College

The first few years after graduating from college are some of the most exciting — and financially important — times of a young adult’s life. Learning what to do with your money can seem like an overwhelming and complicated task, especially if you’ve never done it before. I hadn’t when I graduated, and it took…

Jeff Proctor 11 Jan
An enlightened-looking man with a white outfit sitting in his minimalist living room.

10 Minimalist Living Tips for Living Well with Less

A common misconception about minimalist living is that it means living in a bare house and owning just a couple of outfits. But that simply isn’t true. Even if you have 20 pairs of shoes and walls filled with pictures, you can still practice minimalism. At its core, minimalism is about living intentionally with clarity…

Veneta Lusk 04 Dec
A man in his late twenties at a car dealership, looking at his different options.

Buying vs. Leasing a Car: Which Is Better?

Plenty of U.S. drivers find leasing a car to be an attractive option. According to leading auto research company Cox Automotive, vehicle leases increased from 1 million to nearly 4.5 million from 2009 to 2016.[1] Leasing a car can appear to be a great deal since the monthly cost is usually lower than a loan…

Cat Alford 02 Dec
woman considering the use of her emergency fund to cover an expensive car repair

Emergency Fund: How Much You Should Save (with Calculator)

I can’t tell you the number of times my emergency fund has saved me and my bank account.  There was that time my dog got sick and I ended up with thousands of dollars in vet bills. And the year when my trusty old Subaru went on the fritz. Let’s also not forget the day…

Megan Robinson 29 Nov
Van Life with Matt and Alli Owen

How One Couple Saved $600K and Retired to Van Life by 28

Van life has received a lot of attention over the last several years. Many of the people you hear about living in a van full time are part of the FIRE movement — financial independence and retiring early. If you’re not familiar with FIRE, consider the following. More and more people are taking a stand…

Megan Robinson 05 Nov