Real financial wellness tips given by real people

Credit cards are pretty necessary in everyday life, but they can make it easy to get into debt trouble. What’s the average household credit card debt, and how can you manage yours more effectively? Recent data tells us that the average household credit card debt in the United States is about $8,600. (That’s according to …

Budgeting is the cornerstone of financial well-being, offering a roadmap to manage income, expenses, and savings effectively. Regardless of your financial goals, creating and sticking to a budget is an essential skill that empowers you to take control of your financial future. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key steps and strategies to help …

Managing credit is a super important part of maintaining a healthy financial foundation for your family. Keeping your credit solid not only opens doors to lots of opportunities but also builds strong overall financial stability. Here are some key strategies for managing credit effectively when it comes to family finances. 1. Open communication and joint …

Have you ever wondered what goes into your Experian credit score? As you may know, Experian is one of the three major credit bureaus in the United States (along with Equifax and TransUnion). Each of them collects essentially the same information, but there can be slight variations in the data they report, which can lead …

If you’re shopping for a new or used car, one of the key things that will affect your ability to get financing (and also the terms of that financing) is your credit score. Your credit score is the numerical representation of how creditworthy you are, and it plays a big role in determining the interest …

Your credit score is a financial measurement that impacts your ability to do a lot of things. It’s important to understand the factors that play a significant role in shaping your credit score. Here are the elements that have the most impact on your credit score. 1. Payment history (35%) To maintain a positive payment …

Your credit score is the cornerstone of your financial life. It affects your ability to secure loans, credit cards, and favorable interest rates. If you want to learn how to raise your credit score, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s what you need to know to get your credit score headed in the right …

We tend to hear a lot about the ideal credit score, but what’s the lowest credit score? While we don’t encourage underachieving, it’s actually important to know about the lowest score to understand the risks of having less than stellar credit. What is the lowest credit score? The lowest possible credit score can vary slightly …

When it comes to leasing a car, your credit score plays a major role in whether you’ll qualify and what terms you can get. But what if you have bad credit? Will you still be able to lease a car? The short answer is yes—but it might require some extra effort and consideration. Let’s get …

What credit score do you start with? This is a question that comes up a lot, especially for people who are new to establishing credit. Here’s an overview of what that very first credit score is likely to be, and how to continue your credit journey from there. When you first check your credit score, …

Have you ever wondered, ‘what is a perfect credit score?’ Well, it’s 850! That’s the top end of all the most commonly used credit scoring models, like FICO and VantageScore—which are the most commonly used credit scores in America. But here’s the thing: you don’t need a perfect credit score. According to research conducted by …

For 2024, there are several tax credits and deductions that may be available to you. (A tax deduction lowers the amount of income you’re taxed on, and a tax credit directly lowers your tax bill.) These can save you some money on your end of year tax bill. General For Parents  For Students & Teachers