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Practices that reduce your spending and save you money The steps mentioned below are designed to help you create a financial plan and provide access to helpful resources during these times. Create a Budget Making and sticking to a budget is key to handling money and financial planning during tough times. It helps you to get a handle on debt and spending. Until you get a realistic picture of how much money you’re bringing in and where it’s going, it’s difficult to know whether you’ll have enough left over to put away. Getting started can be the hardest part, especially if your finances feel out...

Discover the empowerment of having a solid credit score Achieving and maintaining a good credit score will enable you to fund the major purchases that you’ve been dreaming about. Here are just some of the doors that having a positive credit history will open for you. More Confidence in Obtaining a Loan Granted, financial institutions take more than just your credit score into account when you apply for a loan. For instance, they consider your debts and income. But a good credit score will increase the likelihood that you’ll get approved for the loan you need, as The Balance’s Latoya Irby...

How to Prepare for the Unexpected (No, Not the Zombie Apocalypse) We can plan as much as we’d like, but life will inevitably throw a wrench (or five) into our plans. Having a safety net to bounce back up after life knocks us down can make a tough situation easier to handle. What if your furnace stopped, your car suddenly broke down or you found yourself with surprising medical bills? Most financial advisors agree that we should have an emergency fund that can withstand three to six months of living expenses. The best way to accomplish this is to develop a rainy-day savings plan. Set a monthly...

Easy Financial Education Exercises For Your Kids Putting your children on the path to making good financial decisions is one of the best ways to set them up for success later in life. It is never too early, or too late, to teach them the value of money and how to save for a rainy day. Below are some suggestions to help get you started. Teach Them to Budget An allowance can be a great first step in showing your kids how to manage money. Practice makes perfect, after all. If they blow their allowance on a new toy and don't have enough left to get ice cream, that can actually a good thing. This...

How to get your house ready for cold weather When you own a home, it’s all too easy for winter to sneak up on you. This year, ensure peace of mind by making sure your house and property are prepared for cold weather. Each of these important indoor and outdoor maintenance steps can be done while it’s still autumn, saving you significant time and money later on. Clean the Gutters After the surrounding trees have shed the last of their leaves, thoroughly clean out your home’s gutters and downspouts. If they’re old and worn, consider replacing them as well. When the weather gets cold and wet...