The overwhelming majority of U.S. households (95%) own a vehicle, and for 85% of Americans, it’s how they get to work. But not all cars are created equal, and if you choose the wrong one, you could wind up hemorrhaging an unhealthy amount of cash each year for no good reason. The cost of owning […]
OCTOBER IS AN IMPORTANT month for college-bound teens. It’s when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA, becomes available for the 2018-19 school year. This form is used by colleges and universities across the nation to qualify students for scholarships, grants and loans. Dependent students will need to include their […]
You know you could do better, but you don’t know where to start. As we enter the last quarter of the year, it’s time to turn things around. During the year, you bought items with rebates – but never filled out the rebate forms. You splurged on impulse items at the grocery store. You signed […]
When we think about compensation at work, it’s not just salary we need to consider. The benefits employees receive make up a big part of their total package, and if you’re a business owner, it’s important to acknowledge their significance. At the same time, since these benefits do cost money, it’s crucial to focus on […]
Americans in 2018 are spending a record amount on out-of-network ATM fees. The average cost for such transactions has risen for the 14th consecutive year, from $2.97 in 2017 to $3.02 now, according to the most recent Bankrate.com checking account and ATM fee study. And over the past decade, banks have raised those fees by […]
Teresa Long, an assistant manager at a Walmart near Dallas, is like many Americans: She sometimes struggles to pay her monthly bills on time, especially when her biweekly paycheck fluctuates. Occasionally, when she was not able to budget correctly for the month, she would default on a bill, miss a payment or send in a […]
When your boss is a jerk and ends up leaving suddenly, it’s a cause for celebration. Losing a great boss, on the other hand, can be a major blow, especially when you don’t expect it. But while it’s always hard to say goodbye to a strong manager, one of the most challenging situations you can […]
Halloween is less than a month away. We are in the holiday sluice run, facing down pumpkins, turkey, lights and gifts. And tips. So many tips. As an annual event, there’s plenty of time to plan for this expense. Yet very few do. Most people absolutely do not set aside money for seasonal tipping, says […]
Can I have a raise? It’s a simple question, but one that generally should not be asked in the same way you might ask to take Tuesday off. Instead, it’s five words that you should not say out loud until you’re prepared to make a case for yourself. This isn’t about wanting a raise — […]
Social Security serves as a key source of income for millions of retired seniors. These mistakes, however, could cause you to lose out on key benefits that would otherwise come in handy when you’re older. 1. Not knowing your full retirement age Though your Social Security benefits are based on how much you earned during […]
Let’s start by getting one thing straight: A mentor can’t actually get you a promotion. The hard part of impressing an employer and sealing the deal is all up to you, dear. But a mentor can help you snag the job you’ve only been dreaming about, according to Fredda Hurwitz, chief strategy and marketing officer […]
FOR MANY BORROWERS, repaying student loans is tough work. But achieving those debt payoff goals while fully funding a retirement savings account is even harder. For those struggling to perform this juggling act, a tax decision made public in August from the Internal Revenue Service offered a glimmer of hope. The private letter ruling allowed […]
