Money

Your credit score is made up of three numbers, serving as an indicator of your financial history, wellness, and responsibility. These three little numbers can spell the difference between approval and rejection for a mortgage, a job, a rental unit and so much more.

We have outlined how your credit score is calculated, why it matters and steps you can take to improve your score.

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.

If you feel like the middle-class squeeze is getting tighter each year, you’re not alone. The numbers don’t lie: Life really is a lot more expensive than it used to be.

Let’s take a look at what life costs like now compared to 20, 50 and 80 years ago.

Here’s all you need to know about striking a balance when borrowing for your business:

When trying to trim a monthly budget, most people don’t consider their fixed expenses. These recurring costs, which include mortgage payments, insurance premiums and subscription payments, are easy to budget and plan for since they generally remain constant throughout the year. While people tend to think there’s no way to lower fixed expenses, with a bit of effort and research, most of these costs can be reduced.

Here are five ways to trim your fixed expenses.

As part of the changes you’re gearing up for in the months after you graduate, you’re poised to enter the working world as a long-term employee, perhaps for the first time in your life. As you prepare for this transition, you might have dollar signs dancing in your head while you dream of what you’re going to do with your first paycheck.

Before you start planning a one-in-each-color shopping spree at the mall or a weekend in Vegas, check out our list of responsible things to do with your first paycheck.

Consumer debt in the United States is more than $3.4 trillion, with credit card debt alone at a staggering $16,048 average per household.

If you want to buckle down the spending belt, experts agree on tried and true measures for viewing the light at the end of debt’s tunnel.

College is not just about partying and breaking all the rules your parents subjected you to while you were growing up … It’s also about, you know, preparing for your future and all that.

Once you leave college and enter the “real world,” you are going to quickly realize there is something really important you need to develop: good credit.

If your business has reached a point where it needs an infusion of funds in order to grow, you may be in the market for a business loan. A business loan can help a struggling small business establish itself better, or help a thriving company expand its line of products, open an additional location, move to a larger site, hire new team members, or purchase expensive equipment.

Here’s all you need to know about applying for a business loan:

We all grow up hearing the same financial advice: Spend less, save more, and invest early. While most of these words of wisdom ring true, there are lots of widespread money management tips that are actually false.

Outlined here are 7 money myths that might be causing you more financial stress than benefit.

From shoplifting to stampedes, nothing rings in the holidays more fondly than a couple of parents doing battle in the aisles over the last bargain Barbie on the shelf.

Craziness aside, though, Black Friday is the high holiday for serial shoppers. Social distancing and mask wearing are not going to keep them away from the thrill of the deal. But shopping this year does pose a few questions. Here are some answers.

Keep your holiday dollars in check and you may have some holiday spirit left over, even after the last elf is packed away and the January bills start rolling in.

Understanding how a credit card works can help the cardholder use it responsibly.

Here’s all you need to know about responsible credit card usage.

Leaving college often means the start of a new job, student loan debt to pay off, new living arrangements to pay for and other new expenses to cover. All of this means your finances will likely need an overhaul. It’s time to create your post-college budget.

What makes us overspend? Let’s take a look at five common reasons and how we can overcome them.

The most obvious things in life are often overlooked, and your checking account is just one of them. Most people hardly give a thought to this important account and how to best manage it effectively. We’re here to change that.

Here’s all you need to know about checking accounts:

Who wouldn’t love some extra pocket money? Some freelance jobs don’t require any experience and can be done by practically anyone. Plus, some of them might pay you for tasks you’re already doing! These eight easy side hustles can help you pad your purse.

You’ve already gone for a follow-up interview and the position is as good as yours. The only obstacle to cross before joining the ranks of the officially employed is salary negotiation.

Here are some tips to help you negotiate like a pro:

You need to build up your savings, but it always seems to get bumped down your to-do list.

Here are some simple steps to start saving today.

If you’re like many of us, you’ve been trying to stick to a budget for a while, but by the time each month is over, you’ve busted your budget – again.

Because of this recurring pattern, you’re probably wondering if there’s a better way. Fortunately, the answer is yes!

Online shopping was already big before the pandemic, but now it's gone nuts. We're buying everything online now, but there are tricks to help you save big bucks!

Here are some tips for saving money when shopping online: