Hiring a Real Estate Agent? 3 Essential Questions to Ask First

Where do you start looking for an agent, and how do you go about interviewing them? 1.Whats Your Relevant Experience? Ask about their experience. Chris Zuppa/ The Penny Hoarder Do you have experience working with my key in of buyer? Probably not as good as youd like. It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings. But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?...

October 26, 2021 · 2 min · 324 words · Troy Becker

Putting a Down Payment on a House: How Much You Need and Other Facts

Navigating a house purchase isnt easy, especially when it comes to financing. The first variable in that long equation is the down payment. There are lots of factors to consider about a down payment. The most pressing: How much do you need? Heres our handy guide to down payments for first-time home buyers. What is a Down Payment? The remainder of the purchase price is then provided as a loan via a mortgage....

October 26, 2021 · 2 min · 303 words · Cameron Castaneda

Pay What You Want for Your Dream House With This Strategy

The intimidating part: the negotiation. Especially in the current sellers market. There arent nearly enough houses, making the current market sway very strongly in the sellers favor. Learn how tobecome a competitive buyerin the current sellers market. But there are a few general ground rules youll want to keep in mind. When Does the Negotiation Start? No Interest Til Almost 2027? Did you know? The paperwork is exhausting, but well worth the read....

October 25, 2021 · 2 min · 334 words · Nathan Colon

Dear Penny: Can I Afford My Boyfriend’s Plan to Support His Parents Forever?

Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges My long-time boyfriend and I are both in our mid-20s. Hes supporting his parents financially while living with them and working two jobs. He also has student debt. His parents are older and currently unemployed. When theyre able to work, they earn low wages. My boyfriend and I have wanted to move in together for a few years. However, my boyfriend will still need to support his family....

October 24, 2021 · 3 min · 526 words · Brandi Moreno

The 6 Best Print-on-Demand Sites for Turning Art Into Cash

In a perfect world, artists wouldnt have to worry about making money. They would spend their days creating, and cash would simply appear. Last we checked, we dont live in a perfect world. Getty Images How Print-On-Demand Sites Work You upload an image of your creation. Customers buy your products. The platform handles manufacturing, shipping, and returns. I was creating art anyway, so why not make some profit from my work!...

October 23, 2021 · 4 min · 778 words · Joseph Riddle

16 Budget-Friendly Halloween Decorations for Your Car

Weve already told you about cheap Halloween decorations for your house. But what if youre more of a trunk-or-treat, turn-the-car-into-a-Halloween-ghoul jot down of person? Well, weve got you covered there too. 16 Budget-Friendly Halloween Car Decorations Get ready to rule the trunk-or-treat. Weve also got ways to have a decked out car while driving around town. Probably not as good as youd like. It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings....

October 22, 2021 · 2 min · 332 words · Mrs. Stacy Stout

Dear Penny: Am I Entitled to Part of My Ex-Husband’s Inheritance?

Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges I was married to a user for 25 years. He had used others before me. I was the breadwinner through its entirety. I tried to get something legally in writing, but their attorney advised them against it. I stuck it out. I was left nearly penniless while he inherited over half a million dollars, if not more. I was told Im not entitled to anything he was bequeathed....

October 20, 2021 · 2 min · 404 words · Carlos Walters

This Overlooked Strategy Could Save You Money on Your Car Loan

If youre like most people, youve probably never thought about refinancing your car loan. Seriously, is that even a thing that people do? Its not like its a mortgage. Wouldnt that be a huge hassle? How much money could you actually save that way, anyway? But this under-used strategy reallycansave some serious cash and its not hard to do at all. How much could you save? Just look and see....

October 19, 2021 · 2 min · 297 words · Henry Alvarez

6 Ideas to Help Parents Save on Child Care

In case you didnt know, child care isnt cheap. But many parents will tell you they wish they had started preparing for child care costs much earlier. So what do you do? Need an assist from your employer? Check out these17 companies with child care benefits. Where do you start? Is it even possible to find affordable child care? 6 Tips for Managing Child Care Costs 1. Start Your Research Now...

October 18, 2021 · 3 min · 494 words · Keith Shepherd

6 Money Habits We’ve Normalized (And Why It’s Time to Stop)

We all pick up bad habits. If we keep those bad habits long enough, they become normalized. It feels normal to drink too much, eat too much, spend too much. Over time, a lot of us have normalized some bad financial habits. These habits sort of creep up on us. Before we know it, theyre part of our lives. And they cost us money. Month after month after month, our bad financial habits cost us money....

October 18, 2021 · 4 min · 640 words · Maria Wilson

Parents Have Spoken and the Need for Child Care Assistance Is Clear

The high cost of child care is tough for American parents to shoulder alone. During the past year and a half, however, something unprecedented happened. Unsurprisingly, that help was well received. Looking for ways to manage the costs of child care? We’ve got6 strategies for saving money. 7 Ways to Make Money if You Hate People Do you avoid people too? Enough small talk.Here are some waysto earn extra cash, without all of the social stuff....

October 18, 2021 · 2 min · 244 words · Paul Bailey

You Want Holiday Twinkle Lights? You Better Buy Them Now

From candy to tableware and decorations and even clothing, seasonal merchandise is everywhere. Sometimes months before the holiday, be it Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Valentines Day. But this year, heres a tip: Dont wait to buy what you want. Here’s aguide about the best time to buy everythingif you’re looking to make a non-holiday purchase down the road. It may be gone before the holiday even appears on the calendar....

October 15, 2021 · 2 min · 405 words · Matthew Davidson

This Guy Raised His Credit Score Nearly 170 Points — Here’s How You Could Raise Yours

We all have goals for our lives. Whatever your goals, too often, those three pesky numbers are standing in your way. Were talking about your credit score. If your credit is in bad shape, your dreams can feel out of reach. But its easier than you might think to improve your score and accomplish your goals. It turned out his goals were way out of reach. To be honest, it was pretty bad, he says....

October 14, 2021 · 2 min · 294 words · Bridget Santana