Expense Tracking: Stay on Top of Your Finances Without a Budget

If you grumble at the thought of budgeting, youre not alone. But if you really hate limiting your spending, lets forget aboutbudgetingfor a minute and focus on expense tracking. Seeing the actual numbers associated with how you spend money can be that catalyst for improving your financial life. Feeling overwhelmed? Create a budget that works for you with ourbudgeting bootcamp! None is necessarily better than the others. It all depends on your preferences and what works best for you....

August 18, 2020 · 2 min · 386 words · Kent Walker

You’re Probably Wasting Money Because This Store Isn’t on Your Radar

We all have our regular shopping routine. We get our produce here, our cleaning supplies and toiletries there. We so easily fall into our same ol routines. But heres the thing: If your routine doesnt include shopping at this store, youre wasting money. Sure, you know about Dollar General. Heck, you probably drive by one at least twice a week. But whens the last time you actually stopped? Here are some things about Dollar General you probably dont know:...

August 18, 2020 · 2 min · 281 words · Antonio Miles

9 Ways to Invest in Real Estate — Even if You’re No Mogul

There are a lot of reasons to be scared away from investing in real estate. Maybe you think its something only super wealthy people can do. Or maybe you think youll have to become a landlord and deal with tenant emergencies 24/7. Getty Images But there are lots of ways to invest in real estate. You dont need to be mega rich. You dont need to become a landlord. You dont even need to own physical property....

August 17, 2020 · 4 min · 666 words · Michael Leach

Filing an Insurance Claim? Here’s How a Public Adjuster Can Help

We buy insurance to protect our large investments like our homes and businesses. Some people hire a public adjuster to help them through the claims process. But exactly what is a public adjuster? Getty Images We represent them to confirm the insurance company is paying the claim properly and fairly. What is a Public Adjuster? Public adjusters get paid a percentage of the final claim settlement. Enough small talk.Here are some waysto earn extra cash, without all of the social stuff....

August 17, 2020 · 1 min · 194 words · David Vargas

Dear Penny: I Bought a Florida Home, but I’m Homesick. Should I Walk Away?

Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges Im a 64-year-old single woman and retired teacher from the Chicago area. With savings and a pension, Im pretty comfortable financially. Four years ago, I had a tragic loss in my life. I purchased a beautiful one-bedroom condo in a 55-plus community in Florida. I paid $130,000 and made renovations for just under $40,000. Since then, there has been a hurricane, red tide and now COVID-19....

August 16, 2020 · 3 min · 490 words · Isaiah Gentry

Substack Review: Can This Platform Help You Get Paid to Write Newsletters?

Freelance writing can be a great side hustle, but it can also be a massive hassle. But what if you could skip all that and just… write? I love writing about witchcraft, but Im not gonna write about it for free, she said. Getty Images 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....

August 15, 2020 · 2 min · 332 words · Sara Castillo

5 Times You Should Always Choose a Traditional IRA Vs. a Roth

The traditional IRA is the original individual retirement account. So what is a traditional IRA? And when youre deciding between aRoth IRA vs. traditional IRA, does a traditional IRA ever make sense? Getty Images Is Your Bank Holding You Back? Got $1,000 in checking? Thesesmart movescould help you reach your next big savings goal. What Is a Traditional IRA? You dont even need to itemize your deductions to take advantage....

August 14, 2020 · 3 min · 555 words · Ronnie Barnes

Stressed About Money? 4 Free Resources for Financial Advice

Yeah, thats bad. But I get it. So do a lot offinancial advisers, and thats why many are volunteering their services. Not on commission, not a flat fee. And the best part? Heres how to find legitimate financial advisory organizations that are ready to help. Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week. This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed. Go ahead and start now, but be sure to bookmark this post so you could easily return later....

August 14, 2020 · 2 min · 337 words · Doris Kelly

A Look at Shiftsmart: An App That Pairs You With In-Person or Remote Gigs

Or, at least, faster than a typical job. Shiftsmart, a smartphone app that pairs workers with local and remote gigs, checks all those boxes. It wasnt always that way. Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week. This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed. Go ahead and start now, but be sure to bookmark this post so you could easily return later....

August 13, 2020 · 3 min · 466 words · Gregory Taylor

Here’s When You Could Get a Second Stimulus Check (Hint: Not in August)

That doesnt mean asecond stimulus checkisnt coming. Heres why well probably be waiting well past Labor Day for the next stimulus check to arrive. No Interest Til Almost 2027? This post refers to stimulus checks issued in 2020. For the most up-to-date info, check out ourrecent tax articles. Both versions would have used the same income limits as the first round. Postal Service funding and aid for struggling state and local governments....

August 13, 2020 · 2 min · 266 words · Stephen Wood

Why Instagrammers Are Going Wild Coloring in These Debt Free Charts

In 2009, Heidi Ifland Nash and her husband were paying off $38,000 of debt. Theyd been working on it for several years. The very first chart I made was just a big square with lines, she said, laughing. I said, This is so boring! Im gonna put some words on it. She divided her debt by the number of lines and added the increments to the side. It was the first officialDebt Free Chart....

August 13, 2020 · 3 min · 510 words · James Pacheco

4 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your 529 Savings Plan

First, What Is a 529 Plan? Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week. This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed. Go ahead and start now, but be sure to bookmark this post so you might easily return later. Well keep it updated as offers changes or expire. So, heres how to make your money stretch (not accounting for pizza in the dorm....

August 12, 2020 · 2 min · 313 words · Jennifer Mcdonald

5 Scenarios Where the IRS Will Finally Give You Your Missing Stimulus Check

No Interest Til Almost 2027? Did you know? Otherwise, you’ve got the option to reach out to the IRS or TAS for help. This post refers to stimulus checks issued in 2020. For the most up-to-date info, check out ourrecent tax articles. If youre married to someone whoowes child support, your entire stimulus check may have been garnished. But youre entitled to get your half back by filingForm 8379for injured spouses....

August 11, 2020 · 1 min · 207 words · Mikayla Clayton