Real financial wellness tips given by real people

how to budget for an apartment: picture of nice living room with soda and hardwood floors.

How to budget for an apartment

Budgeting for an apartment is an important step to make sure you end up in the right living space for you, and making sure you can comfortably afford it. Here’s how to budget for an apartment, with key things to consider and steps to take to make sure your next move is a success. 1. …

debt to income ratio

Understanding debt to income ratio

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) plays a significant role in various aspects of your financial life, including your ability to get a loan, manage your budget, and plan for a secure financial future. In this article, we’ll dive deep into what DTI is, why it matters, how to calculate it, and how to manage it effectively. What …

credit score report on desk

What is a credit score?

A credit score is a crucial financial metric that plays a significant role in various aspects of our lives. From securing loans to renting apartments, it influences the opportunities available to us. Yet, for many, the concept of a credit score remains shrouded in mystery. In this article, we will demystify credit scores by exploring …

fico score vs credit score

FICO score vs credit score: what’s the difference?

You may have wondered about the term FICO score vs credit score—they sound similar, but what’s the difference? While they may seem interchangeable (and a little intimidating for most of us!), they actually are two different scoring models used by lenders and credit bureaus. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between a FICO …

cropped shot of father and son using credit card while paying bill in cafe with debit card for kids.

A debit card for kids: what you should know

Teaching kids about managing money responsibly is a valuable life lesson. One tool that can help with this is a debit card designed especially for them. These cards are a way for kids to learn about spending, saving, and budgeting, with full parental control and visibility. Here’s what you should know about a debit card …

what is a credit score?

How often does your credit score update?

Your credit score is a constantly-changing number that reflects your creditworthiness. It’s something that lenders, landlords, insurers, and even some employers consider when making decisions about extending credit or services to you. But how often does your credit score update, and what impacts it? How often does your credit score update? Credit scores don’t update …

Woman with pink suitcase and passport, travel insurance.

Should you buy travel insurance?

Deciding whether to buy travel insurance is one of those things that can get pretty confusing. It’s an extra cost that adds to your overall trip expenses, so it’s easy to want to skip it. But what if you don’t get it and then something happens and you end up needing it? Overthinking abounds. Obviously …

TV streaming, multimedia, how to save money on entertainment.

how to save money on entertainment

These days, there’s a ton of content available online, from ebooks and music to movies and TV streaming services. It’s great to be able to stream the entire Taylor Swift catalog, or Netflix and chill any night of the week… but the costs can add up fast. The good news is, there are some ways …

Young african american woman putting money in a piggy bank to save $10,000 a year.

How to save $10,000 a year

Saving $10,000 a year may seem like a lofty goal, but with the right strategies and commitment, it’s entirely achievable. Whether you’re saving for a specific financial milestone or want to bolster your emergency fund, here are some tips for how to save $10,000 a year. 1. Create a detailed budget A well-structured budget is …

How to meal prep for the week to save money on lunch

We all know there’s no free lunch… but with a little meal prepping, there’s a much more affordable lunch for every day of the week! By preparing your lunches for the week ahead, you can reduce your spending on eating out or ordering takeout and eating out. Planning ahead also makes it easier to eat …

colorful beach houses, ideal for a house swap!

How to take an affordable vacation with a house swap

Vacations are a great (and usually much-needed) way to relax, explore new places, and create lasting memories. But the cost of travel, a place to stay, and dining can quickly add up, so unless you’re a Kardashian (or otherwise independently wealthy—lucky you) you probably can’t afford to take a lot of vacations each year. Fortunately, …

open enrollment

What you should know about open enrollment

Open enrollment is a timeframe when employees of a company can select or make changes to their health insurance plans. Here’s how it works, and everything you should know about it. What is open enrollment? Open enrollment is a window of time each year when individuals and employees can enroll in or make changes to …

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