Sharing insights since 2007 on carefully saving money, investing, frugal living, coupons, promo codes because the little things matter in achieving financial freedom!
Many times, you’re at a store paying for your items when the cashier asks “would you like to save 20% off your purchase today by signing up for our credit card?”. Sounds like a great deal, doesn’t it? You’re inclined to say yes, fill out the easy application and have the instant gratification of saving on things you were willing to pay full price for. Is it too good to be true though? It very well might be.
Retail stores have been tempting customers for years to sign up for credit cards with discounts, free gifts, and special promotions. While it may seem like a no-brainer to sign up and get instant savings, there are longer term implications that can affect your personal finance for years to come. Make sure you consider these five important things before signing up for a store credit card: [ continue reading… ]
My friend was telling us the other day how they were extremely fortunate to have bought their million dollar home a few decades ago, because they scraped together a $3,000 down payment to buy a $15,000 home they now live in. They will never tell you they are investing geniuses, but multiplying their initial investment by at least 300 times since the home is worth north of $1 million bucks today qualifies as a legendary return in my book.
Hearing these stories always gets my juices flowing. Just like that, my off and on desire to start investing in real estate is turned on and revved up to the max.
I’ve toyed with the idea of investing in rental properties in the past few years. What makes me hesitant every time I think about the topic is the amount of work involved in managing multiple rental properties. I already have full time work here at MoneyNing.com, and I really don’t need more stress. If anything, the potential income from investments should give me more freedom and time, not less.
Plus, I live in Southern California and prices of properties in my neck of the woods are very high. I once saw a small shopping plaza for sale and the rent you could get was 1.5% of the listing price. Woah? Who would buy anything risky that pays just 1.5% a year?
If you have student loans, I’m sure you’ve dreamed of just not paying them back. You imagine what else you could be doing with that money and think how much easier life would be without the relentless payments.
I’ve totally been there. Although I’ve dreamed of not paying back my debt, I know it’s my responsibility, both morally and legally, to do so.
Aside from my thoughts on the price of higher education, signing up for student loans is still something I did myself. I signed on the dotted line and agreed to pay back my debt, which I’m working hard to do.
Recently, an op-ed was published in The New York Times about the author’s experience defaulting on his student loans. He went so far as to practically encourage others to do the same, in the name of student loan reform. [ continue reading… ]
Considering the massive student loan debt most college graduates face, there’s increasing debate about whether a traditional four-year degree is a worthwhile investment for young adults. Still, most (69.7% in 2016, to be exact) high school graduates still choose to enroll.
And college tuition and boarding aren’t the only expenses for students either, because finances come into play long before that first meeting with the financial aid department. Trying to meet or beat the universities’ standardized test thresholds and stay competitive for limited scholarship funds, many high school students (or more likely, their parents) fork out money for ACT or SAT test preparation programs as soon as their sophomore or junior year.
The tests themselves don’t cost that much – the basic SAT testing fee is $45, while the basic ACT is a little lower at $39.50. One-on-one test prep tutoring, on the other hand, can be a several-thousand-dollar investment. While group test prep programs tend to run on the lower end of that, elite programs that promise top test scores can cost up to $9,000! That’s more than the average tuition and fees for attending an in-state university for four years. [ continue reading… ]
I felt like I was constantly going to wedding a few years ago. Every week from late June to early August, it seemed, a cousin or a sibling or a friend was tying the knot. The bills to celebrate all this happiness with your friends and family racked up pretty quickly too.
I’m hardly alone though. According to American Express, in 2016 Americans planned to attend an average of three weddings and spend $703 for each wedding. $703!
Do you want to keep the wedding season from breaking your bank? Here’s what you can do to keep your budget intact through the list of summer weddings: [ continue reading… ]
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