Face it — most of us spend more time planning our next vacation than we do creating a strategy to improve our financial well-being. According to research1, three in five Americans live paycheck to paycheck and just one in four have a written financial plan.
Saving
Financial Resolutions for the New Year
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
As the New Year unfolds, you may be ready to make some fresh money resolutions to get your financial house in order. Whether you want to save more money in 2019, get your budget on track, or improve your credit score, now is a great time to set some clear goals and start creating a stronger economic future.
5 Holiday Shopping Ideas When Money is Tight
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
According to the National Retail Federation, the average American plans to spend more than $1,000 during the current holiday season. That’s a 4.1% increase over last year’s figures. Doling out all that cash can put a serious strain on your budget. From planning family dinners to finding those perfect gifts, the shopping season that began on Thanksgiving and runs until December 25 can seem financially overwhelming.
Four Scary Financial Facts About You (or Someone You Love)
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
Does the state of your finances keep you up some nights? You’re not alone. Many Americans have trouble managing their money. Let’s look at four of the scariest financial facts regarding many Americans—and how to make some positive changes if you need to.
529 Plans: Give the Gift of Education
Contributing to a 529 College Savings Plan is a smart way to save for college and contributions are a great gift idea for friends and family members.
Understanding the Difference Between Needs and Wants
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
To get a handle on your finances, you must be able to distinguish between your needs and your wants. You need food, shelter and clothing. But you might want a juicy lobster and seafood dinner, a large upscale home and brand-name attire.
Protecting Yourself with a Financial Back-up Plan
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
As someone who has had her fair share of economic setbacks — including being in debt, going through a costly divorce and being downsized — I know from firsthand experience the importance of having a financial back-up plan.
What is a Share Certificate?
With so many financial products available, choosing which type of account to open can be just as stressful as deciding where to open one.
For consumers looking for earnings on their savings, one of the options that credit unions offer is share certificates. Here’s a brief overview of how they work and some of their advantages and disadvantages.
Tackling Saving and Debt Ahead of the Holidays
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
Now that fall is here, many people are already thinking about the holidays. That’s probably because retailers have wasted no time putting up decorations and launching sales in a bid to entice shoppers into getting their holiday shopping done early.
Create a Financial Strategy for Budgeting and Saving
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
If budgeting and saving money seem like difficult tasks to conquer, perhaps the issue is that you’ve not yet created a financial strategy for achieving these goals. Here are some ideas to improve your savings, and make you a better budgeter, by creating a financial strategy that works for your lifestyle.