.23 Money Mantras to Live Your Life By

Start living a richer life today.

By Barri Segal

Achieving financial freedom is no easy task. If you're tired of living paycheck to paycheck, relying on coupons and dodging bill collectors, you might be in desperate need of some solid money advice to help improve your financial situation.

With that in mind, GOBankingRates asked America's top money experts to share their money mantras. Consider these quotes the next time you need to make any money decision -- big or small. Even better, you could use their words of wisdom to grow your wealth.

Click through to see the experts' motivational money mantras. With advice ranging from how to take control of your finances to becoming a better investor, these money tips can help you get rich.

.Here’s How Much Emergency Cash You Need Stashed If an Emergency Happens

Are you financially prepared for a national emergency?

By Jaime Catmull June 9, 2021

You've probably heard time and again that it's important to have a rainy-day fund set up "just in case" something unexpected were to happen. But we're now at a time when having an emergency fund is more vital than ever.

The coronavirus pandemic has already had devastating effects on the economy at large and, on an individual level, it has led to job loss and reduction of hours for many workers around the world. Even if the coronavirus' financial impacts haven't hit you personally, here's how to be prepared in case it does -- plus how to set up a fund for unexpected future national emergencies.

.7 Steps To Take for Financial Wellness in 2021

Nicole Spector Thu, July 8, 2021

At the start of 2021, you may have vowed to pay down debt, boost your credit score or build an emergency fund. Perhaps you're still going strong with these financial goals, or perhaps you’re starting to lose your momentum. Maybe you've surrendered altogether.

If you’re in any of these boats, rest assured that you’re not alone. According to a study by researchers at Scranton University, only 19% of people keep their resolutions, and most give up by mid-January. There are a lot of reasons why we fail at our resolutions, and usually, it has nothing to do with our willpower or lack thereof. One common reason we’re unsuccessful is that we don’t give ourselves clear paths to achieve the lofty goals we’ve set. Sometimes, all you need to triumph is to simply reframe your approach.

We consulted financial experts to learn common money goals that are harder to stick to than they might seem, and what you can do to make them easier to follow through on.

.14 Key Signs You Will Run Out of Money in Retirement

An accurate budget is the foundation for a happy retirement.

Cameron Huddleston Life and Money Columnist Jul 10, 2021

You don't want to go broke in retirement. Despite all your preparation, however, you might discover that your retirement is going to cost more than you planned. First and foremost, you need to become aware of the reasons that the budget you have in mind could be smaller than it needs to be. If you're worried about having enough money, check out the signs that you might not be saving enough for retirement.

You could quickly run out of money in retirement if you need long-term care but didn't have a plan to pay for it. More than half of adults turning 65 today will need long-term care and about 1 in 7 will need care for more than five years, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

.Here’s How Much Emergency Cash You Need Stashed If an Emergency Happens

Are you financially prepared for a national emergency?

By Jaime Catmull June 9, 2021

You've probably heard time and again that it's important to have a rainy-day fund set up "just in case" something unexpected were to happen. But we're now at a time when having an emergency fund is more vital than ever.

The coronavirus pandemic has already had devastating effects on the economy at large and, on an individual level, it has led to job loss and reduction of hours for many workers around the world. Even if the coronavirus' financial impacts haven't hit you personally, here's how to be prepared in case it does -- plus how to set up a fund for unexpected future national emergencies.

.Savings Tricks From Regular People Who Are Sitting on Millions

Saving $1 million is possible with good financial habits.

By Joel Anderson

One million dollars is a major milestone for almost anyone. It's the sort of nest egg that can fund a generous lifestyle in retirement or even build your dream home. However, for many, it's also a pipe dream. Understanding how to make a million dollars is a question for the wealthy, not the average American.

However, in many ways, that's a dangerous misconception. In fact, building up your savings to $1 million certainly isn't easy, but a lottery ticket or huge business deals aren't the only paths available. For plenty of people, smart budgeting, strategic investments and just good old-fashioned horse sense can combine to create the sort of habits that will put $1 million well within reach, even if you're living a relatively modest life.

.23 Tips To Build Your Emergency Fund

Prepare For Uncertain Times With 23 Tips To Build Your Emergency Fund

Cameron Huddleston Mon, July 12, 2021,

A shocking 69% of Americans have under $1,000 in savings, according to a 2019 GOBankingRates survey. That lack of emergency funds leaves people ill-prepared for financial emergencies.

Right now, many people are experiencing tremendous income insecurity because the coronavirus pandemic was declared a worldwide pandemic in March 2020. Many people have lost jobs, been furloughed or taken pay cuts as a result.

To make sure you’re financially covered in situations as extreme as this or for even less extreme situations like if you need to make a home repair, it’s a good idea to have a comfortable savings account that’s earmarked for emergencies. To help you reach this goal, follow this step-by-step guide to create an emergency fund.

.Don’t Buy a Lemon — Ask the Used Car Dealer These Questions

Here's how to buy a used car that won't let you down.

By Gabrielle Olya October 8, 2019

Used cars come with baggage from their previous owners. A used car might need a total engine rebuild or it might need nothing more than a new set of tires. Before you drive a used car off the lot, make sure you know exactly what happened in its history, what's been done to fix any issues and how protected you'll be from future problems.

GOBankingRates spoke to auto experts about the questions you should ask the dealer before buying a used car so that you don't make any car-buying mistakes and end up with a lemon.

What To Do Before You Go To the Dealer

Before you even set foot in the dealership, it's important to do some research first.

"As consumers, the more time you can spend researching before you get there, the more comfortable you are making choices and sticking to principles that you’ve laid out," said Alain Nana-Sinkam, vice president of strategic initiatives at TrueCar. "Figure out what your game plan is, what your budget is and your criteria, so that when you go out, you can be more measured in the way that you approach things."

.25 Things You Should Always Do Before Buying a Used Car

Know how to handle finances and inspections to avoid regrets.

By Andrew Lisa May 18, 2021

If you’re in the market for a new set of wheels, you can save big money buying used because, after all, the original owner or lessee already paid the bulk of the depreciation. If you don’t know how to buy a used car, however, you can leave money in the dealer’s cash register that should be in your bank account or, even worse, drive home with a lemon. Do your research, think before you sign and follow these tips for buying a used car.

Determine Your Budget

Step No. 1, when buying a used car, is the same as the starting point for buying a new car (or buying anything, for that matter) — find out what you can afford. That includes the cost of the car itself, title, taxes, fees, insurance and the principal and interest that constitute your monthly payments if you’re financing. Auto sites such as Edmunds offer budget calculators and other tools to walk you through the process.

.8 Tactics To Defend Your Family Finances From Whatever Comes Next

Ethan Rotberg Mon, July 12, 2021

A family budget is a delicate thing to balance, even without a pandemic crashing in and jumbling your finances.

In uncertain times like these — with the country dealing with an uneven economic recovery, rising inflation, stubbornly high unemployment and worrisome COVID variants — you need to keep yourself armed with extra financial tools to protect your household from potential money troubles.

Here's an eight-point battle plan to harden your family’s financial defenses, starting today.

.Steal These Money Secrets From 25 Millionaires Under 25

Here's how to make and manage money to become a millionaire.

By Cynthia Measom July 13, 2021

Unless you’re independently wealthy, you’ve probably entertained the idea of being a millionaire. As you read about the latest celebrity splurge, you might wonder what a normal person can do to make that kind of money.

The rich often know the secrets to financial success, and now you can, too. By knowing how these 25 millionaires under 25 amassed their fortunes, you can get some personal finance and budgeting tips that apply to your own life and growing bank account.