Smart Military Money
Personal finance tips andadvice for the military lifestyle.
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Starting a family is arguably the biggest change in an adult’s life. Although the unique sleeping schedule that goes along with having a child may seem like the most drastic change, taking on the role of financial provider for another is a huge undertaking.
According to new studies, it costs the average family $235,000 to raise a child to the age of 18, not including college. The financial investment in starting a family is no joke; if you’re thinking of starting a family, look for these financial signs you’re ready to take the leap.
With tax season coming to an end, the stragglers waiting until the last minute are rushing to file on time. The IRS estimates around 25 percent of Americans waited until the last two weeks to file. If you’re one of the last-minute filers, be sure that the rush and deadlines don’t make you an easy target for scams.
No, we’re not talking about compact discs. Certificates of Deposit, better known as CDs, are one of the most common banking services available. But what exactly are they, and would they make a smart investment for you? It depends.
They are more complicated than a conventional savings account, but they could be worth researching.
With the pocketbook shock of the holidays behind us, many decide to take advantage of the new year and make a resolution to manage finances responsibly. For most, this means sticking to a budget, living within their means, relying on credit less often and, of course, getting out of debt.
Realizing your debt is split between the mortgage, car loan, student loans, credit card and personal debt makes beginning the task of paying it off especially difficult. Easiest way to tackle all your debt: prioritize.
In a world where your credit score may affect everything from your home loan to car insurance rates, it is no surprise that everyone is looking for that quick fix to bump their score a few points. Although major improvements in credit take several months (and sometimes years) of responsible credit usage and money management, some personal finance blogs recommend raising your credit limit.
With the holidays coming up, chances are you may be planning a trip to visit family. Whether you’ll be gone for just a few days or more than a week, there are some household ends you should be sure to tie up before you head out to keep your home safe and save money.
As a kid, we all learned to shut off the lights when we leave a room to save energy. The same went for turning off everything when we were finished using it. But sometimes simply turning off appliances like televisions and computers doesn’t stop them from consuming energy (and costing us money).
Even when electronics appear to be turned off, many still consume power for charging, sending and receiving signals or for instant turn-on. Identifying and unplugging these energy vampires will help you consume less energy and spend less on your monthly utility bill.
After juggling ten things at once, you’re finally getting everyone to sit down at the table for a nice family dinner. Right then, the phone rings. Thinking it may be grandma or someone else important, you pick up only to hear a prerecorded message or a telemarketer.
Although a day without any phone solicitation seems unlikely, there are some tips and tricks you can use to keep your phone line as clear as possible.
Every year we hear reports of people getting trampled barreling through the doors of yet another department store at 4 a.m. on Black Friday. Safety aside, why do people still wait in long lines in the middle of the night just to go shopping?
The answer is the illusive Black Friday deal. That flat screen TV you’ve always wanted, the hot new toy of the season or a giant winter coat for what seems like pennies on the dollar: they all seem worth the wait. But are Black Friday shoppers really just wasting their time?
Emergency funds may not be the most exciting topic in personal finance, but it is one of the most crucial if you want to avoid unnecessary debt. The main reason financial planners give for creating an emergency fund is to pay for the necessities in case of a job loss.
However, don’t let a stable job keep you from creating or maintaining your emergency fund. Check out these reasons to have an emergency fund beyond paying for necessities after the loss of a job.
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