Kickstart a Frugal 2025 With These 9 Expert Money Challenges

Cara Danielle Brown   Sun, January 5, 2025 GOBankingRates

If you indulged in a bit too much online shopping or partook in a few too many girls’ trips in 2024, you may be looking to start 2025 on a more financially savvy note. After all, those Steve Maddens were undoubtedly cute, but ordering 10 different styles may have been overkill.

Since it’s never a bad idea to build better financial habits, cut unnecessary expenses, and boost savings, GOBankingRates put together nine ways for you to kickstart a frugal 2025, according to some expert penny pinchers.

Suze Orman: 6 Bad Pieces of Money Advice

Nicole Spector Fri, January 3, 2025  GOBankingRates

There has always been bad advice out there about what to do with our money. But now, in an increasingly digital age where many of us are glued to social media apps, inhaling particle after particle of “expert” information, we’re inundated with all sorts of financial advice. Some of it is salient and good; but some of it could be terrible for us, or, at best, not rightly sized for our needs and wants.

Suze Orman has become a multimillionaire as a personal finance guru, and is quick to call out a piece of advice about money that should be avoided. Let’s look at six bad pieces of money advice that Orman has bluntly struck down.

Rachel Cruze: 5 Reasons Everyone Seems Richer Than You

Rafaela Stalbalk Klose  Wed, January 1, 2025  GOBankingRates

n today’s digital age, feeling like others are financially ahead is a common experience. Social media, advertising and the constant showcase of others’ lifestyles can create a pervasive sense of inadequacy, making it seem like everyone else is wealthier and more secure.

Understanding the factors that contribute to this perception and implementing effective financial practices — such as emphasizing net worth, setting clear goals and reducing reliance on debt — makes financial satisfaction more attainable. Rachel Cruze, personal finance expert and author, explored the reasons behind these feelings and provided strategies to regain financial confidence in a recent YouTube video.  

I’m A Financial Advisor: 10 Most Awesome Things You Can Do for Your Finances in 2025

December 14, 2024 Written by  Cara Danielle Brown  Money / Financial Planning

Looking to make the most of your finances in the new year? Some may think taking financial risks or chasing trends is key to maximizing potential.

But, according to financial advisor at 4 Generations Wealth Management, Michael Fiammetta, the best thing one can do next year is the same thing he or she can and should be doing every year: master the basics.

Here are 10 awesome things you can do for your finances in 2025 and every subsequent year thereafter.

6 Ways To Prevent Your Property Value From Plummeting in 2025

John Csiszar  Mon, December 30, 2024    GOBankingRates

Property values have had quite a run since the 2020 pandemic, more than doubling in many markets. Between that run-up, high inflation the past two years, persistently high interest rates and the long time since the last recession, some market watchers are concerned about the lofty valuations in certain housing markets. While a true housing crash seems to be unlikely, there are some areas you might want to avoid — or steps you might want to take — to help protect your investment. Here are some suggestions.

Tips For A Financially Healthy 2025

Russ Wiles, Arizona Republic   Sun, December 29, 2024

The economy enters 2025 in reasonably good shape, with a low unemployment rate, modest inflation, a trend toward declining interest rates and strong corporate profit growth that has been giving the stock market a lift.

It's thus not a bad backdrop for getting a fresh start on improving your finances. Here are some trends, issues and tips to mind in coming weeks:

7 Financial New Year’s Resolutions for Gen Z

Ashley Donohoe   Mon, December 30, 2024  GOBankingRates

The Fidelity Investments 2025 Financial Resolutions Study found that Gen Zers came in second behind millennials for feeling financially optimistic, making plans to reach financial goals and being willing to set resolutions. However, some in this group struggle with paying off student debt, lack sufficient savings and have a hard time managing expenses.

If you’re an adult Gen Zer, starting 2025 with some smart money goals can help improve your financial stability and prepare you for big decisions, including buying a home and starting a family.

3 Things To Sell To Pay Off Holiday Credit Card Debt

Andrew Lisa  Sat, December 28, 2024  GOBankingRates

If your generous nature outperformed your budget this holiday season, hopefully you’re anticipating a year-end bonus to cushion the blow. If not, look around — your ticket out of a post-holiday financial fiasco might be hiding among your household clutter.

The most common advice is to sell things like vinyl records, trading cards, comic books and classic toys. The problem is that those kinds of collectibles tend to carry significant sentimental value and — unless they’re truly rare, unique and pristine — are usually rendered next to worthless by the law of supply and demand.

What To Know And Do If You Win The Mega Millions Jackpot

Medora Lee and Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY Updated Thu, December 26, 2024

'Keep it quiet:' Here's what to know and do if you win the Mega Millions jackpot

Whether you bought a ticket yourself or got some as a stocking stuffer, could that $1.15 billion Mega Millions jackpot have your name on it? The odds may be against you − like 1 in 302.6 million − but that doesn't mean you can't prepare.

If there is a winner, Mega Millions jackpot would be the fifth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history, making the take-home prize a lump-sum payment of an estimated $516.1 million after taxes. How do you even begin to get ready for a windfall like that?

5 Best Savings Tips From Money Experts To Kick Off 2025 Right

Chris Adam  Wed, December 25, 2024  GOBankingRates

If you’ve decided to make 2025 the year of savings, there are a few steps to take first whether you are looking to improve your finances, save for a big purchase or plan for retirement.

You’ll find lots of advice and expert tips about the best ways to save and what to do with that money. Here’s a look at some of the best tips we’ve found from five top money experts.

What Your Bank Isn't Telling You About Using Your Debit Card

Here's what your bank isn't telling you about using your debit card — and what savvy spenders do instead

Vawn Himmelsbach  Updated May 31, 2024  Moneywise

The use of debit cards has been prevalent in the U.S. for decades, and for good reason. They offer several advantages over other forms of payment, such as cash and checks.

However, they also have a few downsides — and knowing what these are might make you rethink how you're paying (at least in some cases).

What Documents to Keep and for How Long

Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY  Wed, December 25, 2024

Can I just throw out those old documents in my basement? We asked accountants.

As you ransacked your basement in search of holiday decorations, perhaps you came upon boxes of documents from the last millennium. And then, you probably asked yourself: “Couldn’t I just throw these out?”

Companies and governments often have document retention policies. Most people do not.

Common wisdom suggests we keep important papers for seven years, for reasons that, we vaguely recall, have something to do with taxes.