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You’re in your last year of college and you can’t wait to finally get out there to start making your mark in the real world. As you search for your first post-college job, don’t take an internship off the table. Contrary to popular belief, internships can do you a world of good even after graduation. […]

Quick-what’s your credit score? As a financially responsible individual, you should be checking your credit on a regular basis. You can do this by signing up for free credit monitoring on a reputable website like CreditKarma.com, requesting your annual complimentary credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com and reviewing your monthly credit card statements. If all goes well, […]

Any sensible retirement planning strategy starts with a target number. This number is how much you need to have saved for living comfortably and independently throughout your retirement. A good rule of thumb is to take your current living expenses and multiply that by 400. That’s how much you’d need to have to sustain yourself […]

We keep hearing the economy is improving, but that news rings hollow for many Americans. Long-term unemployment is still a reality for a million people. They’re isolated and increasingly desperate, making them a perfect target for cyber-criminals. The Better Business Bureau has reported a creative breed of cyber-crime that turns innocent people into accessories in […]

How to Create a Budget in 6 Easy Steps Who needs a budget anyway? If you’re always wondering how you’re going to pay the next bill, feel guilty when you indulge in overpriced treats and you can’t seem to find money to put into savings, then you probably need a budget. A budget is not […]

1.    You’ll spend less. 2.    You’ll always have enough for fixed expenses. 3.    You’ll argue less about discretionary spending. 4.    You’ll save more. 5.    You’ll have money for fluctuating expenses. 6.    You’ll feel more in control of your finances. 7.    You’ll be motivated to increase your earning potential. 8.    You’ll feel less guilt about impulse purchases that are within your budget. 9.    You’ll feel […]

Q: My spouse and I filed for bankruptcy several years ago, hoping to start fresh. We’ve been living within our means and haven’t had so much as a late payment. Yet, when we applied for a home equity loan, we got turned down! The financier said our debt utilization ratio was too high, but we […]

8 Creative Ways to Save on Heating Costs this Winter Q: I just got my first wintertime heating bill and I’m reeling. I’ve sealed all leaky windows and I’ve replaced the weather stripping around my doors, but my bill is still astronomical. Short of hibernating until spring, is there anything I can do to keep […]

Beware The Fake Check Scam Targeting College Students Making the transition from high school to college isn’t easy. You need to deal with a whole new set of rules, adapt to dorm life and get to know your new classmates, teachers and roommates. Then there’s the financial aspect: applying for financial aid, grants and scholarships; […]