How to Create Your Estate Plan: A Checklist

Follow these steps to tackle this daunting task.

Christine Benz  Nov 30, 2022

“Estate planning” is off-putting on so many levels. “Estate” conjures up images of the uber-wealthy setting aside giant tracts of land for the next generation. (Do I even have an estate, you wonder?)

And once you delve deeper and find out that estate planning revolves around organizing your affairs in case of your death or incapacity, the project sounds even less compelling than cleaning the gutters or shredding those giant piles of paperwork that have been accumulating in your office. Then there are the costs: Properly drafted estate plans usually involve attorneys, and they like to get paid for their services.

9 Bills You Should Never Put on Autopay

Dec 15, 2022  By Valencia Higuera

We can all use a simpler, more efficient way to manage expenses and save money. Putting your bills on autopay can ensure never forgetting a due date, which minimizes the risk of late fees and dings on your credit report. But although automatic payments can save time and streamline your personal finances, it isn’t the right choice for every expense.

7 Things You Should Never Pay For With Cash

Jennifer Taylor  Wed, December 14, 2022

Some people charge everything to a credit card to rack up rewards points, but that isn’t your style. When possible, you prefer to pay with cash. Maybe you’ve ditched the plastic as a way to curb overspending, avoid credit card fraud or simply because you prefer to shop off the grid. However, despite the many good reasons to pay with cash, it isn’t always the best choice.

Not sure what types of purchases warrant leaving the cash in your wallet? Here’s a look at seven common payments that should always be made with a different form other than cash.

6 Money Resolutions To Get Your Finances on Track for 2023

Jenny Rose Spaudo  Tue, December 13, 2022 at 5:28 PM·4 min read

Have you thought about your financial New Year’s resolutions yet? If not, now is a great time to start. Over 27% of American adults say saving more money is their top financial goal for 2023, according to a recent GOBankingRates survey. Around 23% plan to get out of debt, and another 23% want to make more money.

What practical steps should you take to reach your goals next year? Here are the top money resolutions financial experts recommend if you want to get your finances on track in 2023.

One-Third of Americans Say Inflation Is Top Stressor Going Into 2023 — How To Not Let It Get You Down

By Ashleigh Ray  December 12, 2022

The holidays are rapidly approaching, meaning 2023 will be here before you know it. While a new year always brings with it feelings of hope and optimism, there’s also a lot of uncertainty and concern surrounding the economy. The rising costs have had a significant impact on everyone, forcing budgets to get tighter and tighter.

A recent GOBankingRates survey found that a third of Americans (33%) say inflation is their number one stressor going into 2023. You can see this especially when you consider the two thirds of people who say rising food and gas costs impacted their finances the most this year.

How Long Should You Wait To Remind Your Friends To Pay You Back?

By Nicole Spector  September 3, 2022

It can start out so innocently: a friend asks you to spot him some cash. Maybe it’s a fairly trivial amount — a $20 for his share of brunch, say. Or perhaps it’s a tad more substantial: $100 to tide him over until he gets paid. Or maybe he asks for $500, $1,000 or more.

And he’s your friend, and he’d do it for you, right? And you have the means…

15 Most Important Assets That Will Increase Your Net Worth

Jennifer Taylor   Tue, December 13, 2022

Your net worth is more than just the balance in your bank account. It's a measure of your financial health.

To get the answer to "What is my net worth?" subtract your total liabilities from your total assets. If you're trying to figure out which assets are the most valuable or will otherwise give your net worth a boost, here's a rundown of 15 critical assets. Learn how you can start making lucrative investments toward your future.

6 Things You Must Do When Your Salary Reaches $100,000

Heather Taylor  Mon, December 12, 2022

Once your salary reaches $100,000, you need to take certain steps to ensure you stay in good financial health.  There’s a chance you already might be making some of these money moves, even if you’re earning a little less. Make sure you start taking these actions as soon as you begin earning $100,000.

Ideas That Changed My Life

DEC 7, 2022  by Morgan Housel @morganhousel

You spend years trying to learn new stuff but then look back and realize that maybe like 10 big ideas truly changed how you think and drive most of what you believe.

Brent Beshore recently listed the biggest ideas that changed his life. A few of mine:

Everyone belongs to a tribe and underestimates how influential that tribe is on their thinking. There is little correlation between climate change denial and scientific literacy. But there is a strong correlation between climate change denial and political affiliation. That’s an extreme example, but everyone has views persuaded by identity over pure analysis. There’s four parts to this: