You worked hard for your money. Why not hold on to it? These expert tips will help you stretch your money and retain your wealth well into your older years. 1. Invest in no-load mutual funds. This type of mutual fund doesn’t impose a sales charge. Try to look for for no-load index funds, which also have low annual expenses and provide diversification. Avoid fees when possible, which will go a long way toward helping you maximize your net wealth. Read on →

It may be easier than you thought to find ways to save money in your spare time. These are the best steps to take to find thousands where you’d least expect them. 1. Find deductions hiding in your closets. Clean out your closets and take the items you no longer want or need to your favorite thrift store. Your donation will be considered a tax deduction. This strategy helps in two ways. Read on →

Chances are you’ve tried to keep a budget in the past and failed horribly. These easy tips will help you stick to a money management plan and ensure that you have plenty of your hard-earned cash well into your later years. 1. Don’t sweat the dollars and cents. It doesn’t matter exactly how much you spend, just how it relates to the amount you planned. Try using a spreadsheet to keep track of what you actually spend compared to what you planned to spend. Read on →

You’ve done it! You’ve made it to retirement with money in the bank. So what do you do now? These easy tips will help you live the life you want without blowing through your nest egg. Be sure to check out our blog each month for the latest on money management. 1. Make a plan. For starters, consider what your annual living expenses are going to be throughout retirement. You need to be able to cover all the basics first. Read on →

Your 30s are likely to hold plenty of exciting life changes. As other aspects of your life evolve, your financial habits should stay up to date. These tips will help you on your way. Be sure to check in with our blog regularly for the best advice for maintaining your money. Aggressively Pay Down Debt The longer you hold onto debt, the longer you prevent yourself from working toward your other financial goals. Read on →

Get in the Right Mindset Saving money is more than just a habitual practice—it’s a mindset. Saving money must be a lifestyle you’re completely committed to in order to be effective. So, the first step to saving money is making the decision to do so. Start Small—Very Small Saving money doesn’t have to mean putting 10% of every paycheck away. At first, save more like 2% or even just $20 per month. Read on →

Bankruptcy doesn’t have to be a dirty word. With our expert advice, we’ll keep you on track. Be sure to visit our Facebook and Twitter pages for the most up-to-date advice on how to better yourself after bankruptcy. Things to know before filing: A huge mistake people make before filing for bankruptcy is maxing out their credit cards. If you can, avoid using your credit cards at least six months before you file, and ideally for a year prior. Read on →

If the worst has happened, and you’ve filled for bankruptcy, it doesn’t have to be the end. Use these easy tips to help you rebuild your credit and get back on track. 1. Perform a financial self-evaluation. Ask yourself what led to you having to file for bankruptcy. Make a list of two or three things, and commit yourself to not repeating those same mistakes. 2. Establish a monthly budget. It’s important that you go over your income and expenses and establish a sound monthly budget that you can stick to. Read on →

Eventually, you will have to retire. When that time comes, will you be prepared? If your answer is no, try these simple steps to prepare yourself, and your bank account, for the inevitable. Start saving by age 25: If you start saving for retirement at age 25, you only have to save about $4,830 annually to reach $1 million by age 65, compared to more than $15,000 per year if you start saving at age 40. Read on →

Filing bankruptcy is a serious decision that will have negative short-term effects on your credit rating, but can have long-term benefits for your life. You may need a chance to get that fresh start that bankruptcy can provide, putting you on a path to future financial health. There are many immediate benefits to filling bankruptcy as well. Once your lawyer has taken your case and made your filing, it will put an immediate stop to harassing calls from creditors and collectors. Read on →