by Jason | Scholarships
Are you a woman looking for a college scholarship or grant? You are in luck! There are several scholarships that are only available to females. You just took out half of your “competition” and that is a great start to seeking money for college. Students...
by Chonce Maddox | Real Estate
Are you considering applying for a mortgage soon or within the next year? Want to have the best chance to get the loan you need? If you think you’re ready-to-buy-a-home ready to buy a house and you are a part of the majority who isn’t going to drop serious money to...
by Derek Sall | Small Biz
Have you ever heard of the cash flow quadrant? Robert Kiyosaki developed this quadrant many years ago, and I firmly believe that before anyone chooses their life’s career path, they should be taught this quadrant. On the left side of the quadrant are 95% of the...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving |
Living paycheck to paycheck is common for most individuals and families in our society. According to CNN Money, about 76% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. It’s common to work hard each week, receive a paycheck and spend a good amount of the money on food,...
by Derek Sall | Retirement
Don’t feel like you are saving enough for retirement? Imagine this scenario: You’re approaching 55, your kids are moving out of the house, and you’re starting to stare retirement in the face. Up until this point your life has been a blur… So,...
by Chonce Maddox | Debt
It’s no secret that cars are expensive. With the average price of a new vehicle ranging around $32,086, it’s no wonder why Americans are opting for used, more affordable cars to help meet their transportation needs. Yet and still, it’s difficult for some households to...
by Derek Sall | Investing |
“If you want a secure retirement when you’re older, you should be investing 15% of your money today.” This is what you’ll hear many financial gurus say when asked what percent of your income should be put away for retirement. Allow me to let...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving |
Wedding season may be nearly over, but couples are still getting married all year-round and no doubt planning for spring and summer weddings next year. Weddings are wonderful life changing events that people love to splurge on. But how can you save money on your...
by Derek Sall | Small Biz
Have you ever thought about starting your own business, but when you began thinking about everything you needed to do to get started you quickly dismissed the idea to a later date? I have met many people that postpone their idea of starting a business venture because...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Save Money By Not Having Children… Those headlines are everywhere. Experts claim it costs $250,000 to $300,000 to raise a child until the age of 18. While I believe this figure heavily depends on where you reside in the country, some parents feel the heavy...
by Derek Sall | Real Estate |
Which is better to invest in? Single family homes or multi-unit rental properties? With the stock market rising and falling like the Rockies, my wife and I are beginning to look for another option to place some more of our hard-earned money. Since a year ago, we have...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Obsessing too much over your finances and feeling burnt out? We’ve all been there.While personal finance is extremely important since it affects your everyday life, too much of anything isn’t healthy. Managing your finances properly and improving your financial...
by Derek Sall | Saving
There are so many tips for saving money out there, tips like: Learn to coupon and save 20% off your grocery bills Spend with only cash instead of credit cards Drive slower to save on gas Increase your deductible to save money on your insurance premiums Sign up for a...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Spending less than you earn is one of the most popular personal finance concepts that everyone should adopt. It may sound easy at first, but if you don’t budget, live in an area with a high cost of living or tend to overspend, it may be a little difficult to...
by Derek Sall | Debt, Investing |
When I was in college, I took on student loan debt. After graduation, I got into credit card debt. I then got married and began the American dream by signing up for mortgage debt. When the marriage failed, I was forced into paying the settlement debt. Through my short...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Food costs are one of the highest expenses for most households usually falling right under housing expenses. This is why it’s so common to have a grocery budget and attempt to stick to it. Even when you make a list and head to the grocery store with every intention of...
by Derek Sall | Small Biz
Do you desperately want to become a stay at home mom, but are afraid to give up your day job income? It can be a very scary thing, especially today when most parents work outside the home, but it absolutely can be possible to ditch your employee status and develop a...
by Chonce Maddox | Debt
Are you considering going to graduate school or pursuing additional higher education after receiving a bachelor’s degree? A lot of people don’t follow through with grad school due to having no way to cover the costs of tuition. If you already have student loan debt,...
by Derek Sall | Saving
As of the beginning of last week, back to school savings are in full swing. Staples, Office Max, Target, Walmart, and even stores like Rite Aid are all competing for your back to school dollars. But, whether you have realized it or not, many of those deals are coming...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
At the start of a new year, everyone is quick to set goals for their life and finances. But as the year progresses, it’s easy to fall off track and get unorganized. This year is flying by so it’s getting reorganized and following up on your progress is crucial. Are...
by Derek Sall | Saving
Have you ever heard of the term, “minimalism”? While I’m sure many of you have, I’m also quite certain that many of you truly have no idea what it means. You might have a visual of someone living in a tiny house and only owning 100 total...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Summer will be winding down soon but it’s not too late to take a family trip without spending too much money. Going on vacation and getting away from the norm and the daily grind of the work week doesn’t mean you have to book a stay at a 4-star resort on a private...
by Jason | Small Biz |
Who are the best millennial personal finance bloggers? I take a deep dive and through countless hours of research have found the best of the best. But first, what exactly was I looking for when starting this journey? What traits do they have in common? Read on......
by Derek Sall | Debt
Is all debt evil? Or is some debt smart? What is the real difference between good debt and bad debt? These are common questions that I’ve heard over and over again in my adulthood, and I’ve also heard some very different opinions on the topic as well. Some...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
How often do you buy used items? Is there anything that you won’t buy used? Buying second hand can save you a ton of money in the long run. Most secondhand items for sale are gently used so you can keep more money in your wallet without having to sacrifice quality....
by Jason | Debt
Ever got a raise at work? Sure you have. Where did it go? How did you spend it? My guess is you bought something, charged even more on your credit cards, or bought a bigger house or a nice car. Sound familiar? If you are guilty of this (and make no mistake I’ve...
by Derek Sall | Saving
Saving money can be fun, but it can also be a pain in the butt. Sure, you know you could save $5 or $10 on a yard tool by finding it used at a garage sale or thrift shop, but until you physically check out each one of these places, you’ll never know if they...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
As a result of the economic recession, most Americans have had to deal with rising expenses and housing costs while wages seem to have remained stagnant. It’s a tough pill to swallow when your food, rent, insurance and fuel costs have all gradually increased while...
by Jason | Small Biz
If you run a small business, whether online or brick and mortar, you might see some of your competitors starting their own podcasts. But what is a podcast and is it right for your business? What Is A Podcast? Simply put a podcast is self-published audio content that...
by Jason | Insurance
Recently I talked about what death would mean to your family if you passed away unexpectedly. If you allow yourself to “go there” for just a minute, you will quickly realize that your death would put your family into a tough spot. Setting aside the...
by Derek Sall | Investing
Are you currently investing some of your hard-earned money toward retirement? Based on the recent reports, approximately 52% of all Americans are not investing in the stock market, and I sure hope that you’re not included in that staggering percentage. By not...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Reducing your expenses is one of the best ways to improve the way you manage your finances. However, sometimes it’s easier said than done. If you live in a big city or an expensive area with a higher cost of living, it may seem like it’s nearly impossible to scale...
by Jason | Saving
Big warning – If you aren’t looking to get depressed then I would stop reading right now… Really, just come back another day and read this when you are NOT in a good mood. Still here? Well, you’ve been warned (or maybe you are just back and not...
by Jason | Reviews
A FICO score is one of the most important three digit numbers that you will ever come across. Essentially, that one number defines who you are, how trustworthy you are, how well you manage your money and more. You must understand that importance of this number and how...
by Derek Sall | Saving
Out of the millions of people that are able and willing to work, quite a large percentage of them are either underemployed or unemployed (14.5% and 6% respectively) in the United States today, which makes building up a savings account rather difficult to say the...
by Chonce Maddox | Insurance
Car insurance is one of those pesky expenses that some dread paying each month but wouldn’t imagine going without. For starters, it’s illegal to drive without car insurance in most U.S. states and no matter how much you pay, you get the reassurance that if you ever...
by Jason | Reviews
This review of Mint.com is based on my use of the service for the better part of 3 years. Yes, I’ve used it all this time and I must tell you – I like it very much. The best part? It’s free to use! How can you beat that?! Below, I will go into detail...
by Derek Sall | Saving
With the onslaught of technology these days, reading has fallen by the wayside. Television, video games, music devices, web-casting, social media, smartphones, video-chat: all of these new-age distractions have replaced one of the most popular past-times from our...
by Jason | Insurance
Renters insurance is really one type of insurance that often gets overlooked. Most people who are renting an apartment forget that this coverage is really important to have. They often assume that if their apartment building or rental house burns down or the roof...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
One of the key elements to becoming financially stable and even financially independent is building wealth. The most popular ways to build wealth include investing and establishing a passive income. What is Passive Income? Income from your investments is actually a...
by Jason | Reviews
Managing your money properly is vital to securing a high net worth. However, actually doing so can be quite a complicated process. I recently came across PersonalCapital.com, a system that promised to allow me to manage my net worth in a modern, easy to understand...
by Derek Sall | Investing
Saving for retirement doesn’t have to be complicated. But yet, there are quite a few people out there that are so intimidated by investing that they never even start! Do you know what this ultimately costs them?? Let’s say that Jimmy had the chance to...
by Chonce Maddox | Small Biz
Have you ever considered starting your own business? The idea of working for yourself and setting your own hours sounds great but it can take quite a bit of money to get your business off the ground depending on what you decide to specialize in. Start-up costs like...
by Jason | Small Biz
If you are a small business owner (or solopreneur) you know that social media is increasingly important to your bottom line. Whether you are using Facebook, Twitter or even Instagram you need a social media strategy if you want to be successful. But where do you...
by Derek Sall | Real Estate
The average person stays in their home for a duration of five to seven years. Then, they sell it and buy another house that is likely bigger and better than the last, but for what reason? Here are the typical responses that I’ve heard: We want to move to a...
by Chonce Maddox | Real Estate
Home ownership is highly sought after in our society. Lots of people associate it with the ‘American Dream’ and it’s often seen as a major accomplishment. The common myth that all homeowners are well off financially or have a lot of money is just not true as much as...
by Jason | Retirement
A person who is in retirement or nearing retirement age will need to make some decisions about the management of their retirement nest egg. One way to use the money is by purchasing an annuity that will convert the nest egg into a steady stream of payments that a...
by Jason | Real Estate
Are you a homeowner looking to increase the value of your home, or wanting to sell your house quicker? Want to increase the value of your home before you attempt to refinance your mortgage? Want to know what type of remodel home buyers are looking for? Modern...
by Derek Sall | Retirement
The average retirement age has been growing steadily over the past 5 years. In 2010, the average retirement age was 59 years old. Today, that age has climbed to 62 years old, but in all honesty, I think the average age should be much higher. Given our current economic...
by Chonce Maddox | Debt
It’s no secret that money problems like debt, living paycheck to paycheck, and not having enough money to pay bills can put a damper on your mood and self-confidence. But did you also know that common money problems can have a significant negative effect on your...
by Jason | Small Biz
Have you ever considered starting your own business? Even a small side hustle to earn extra money? What you might not realize is that there are some real benefits to starting your own business and some of them, you might just not have thought of before. If you are...
by Jason | Insurance
Diabetes can be a difficult disease to live with – it can turn every day into a challenge. Unfortunately, it can also turn a number of other things into challenges including obtaining a life insurance policy. Diabetes is one of the heavier red flags that an...
by Derek Sall | Saving
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Should I try to do this myself? Or should I just hire a professional to get the job done right?” I have been asking myself this question many times lately as my lawn needs cutting, my windows need replacing, and...
by Jason | Real Estate
Sometimes you are just unhappy with your current living situation and you need a change. Perhaps the home you are living in is too small, in the wrong neighborhood, or just doesn’t have the amenities that you want. If that is the case, you need to ask yourself...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
No matter where you stand financially, it’s important to have an emergency fund in place. An emergency fund not only gives you peace-of-mind by allowing you to feel more prepared when unexpected expenses pop up, but it can also help you stay out of debt and avoid...
by Jason | Retirement
Warning, if you are looking for a feel-good story about how wonderful your retirement is going to be, just stop reading here… Most of us dream of the day that we retire. The day when all our years work comes to an end. However, what might surprise you is that...
by Jason | Investing |
When looking to the commodities market, one can make some serious gains provided they do their homework. Of course, some people do not understand or follow these markets and have no idea how to make money investing in commodities. Here, we discuss ten of the top...
by Derek Sall | Real Estate
Home values are still on the rise and properties are selling like hotcakes! Finally, people are gaining equity back in their homes and it makes sense to renovate again. Have you been thinking about fixing up your home recently? Will the project still make sense when...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Sometimes our culture can seem like it’s surrounded by the idea of people actively spending money. It’s understandable that money helps keep the economy going and pretty much everything has a price. On the contrary, it’s common for overspending to be glorified and...
by Jason | Small Biz
One of the most rewarding things that a person can do is starting a small business. Being an entrepreneur can give you the ability to explore your passions and creativity, directly profit from your hard work and create something that can be passed onto your children....
by Jason | Retirement
Want to retire someday? Yeah, I think most people would answer that questions with a resounding “yes!” However, what you may not know is that most of those same people are woefully unprepared to retire. Most Americans haven’t saved enough to replace...
by Derek Sall | Insurance
When I started my written budget a couple of years ago, I began finding a bunch of waste in my expenses; mainly, in my insurance costs. Do you have any idea how many different types of insurances we pay for each year? Vision insurance Dental insurance Medical...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Your 20s will be some of the best times of your life. The milestones, the goals you set, the people you meet, and the experiences you have make it a great time to learn more about yourself and set the tone for the rest of your life. Between college, establishing a...
by Jason | Insurance
Health insurance isn’t just for humans. It’s frequently possible to get a veterinary insurance policy on your pet. Dogs and cats don’t tend to rack up bills of the same magnitude as their owners, but they can still be quite hard on the average...
by Derek Sall | Saving
Since 1973, the average family size has gone from a little over 3.0 people down to about 2.55 people – a decrease of 15%. During that same time, the average new home size has increased from 1,650 square feet to 2,650 square feet – a 61% increase! With the...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Vacation season is nearly here, and I’m sure a lot of couples and families will be preparing for a trip in the coming months. It’s no secret that traveling is expensive, but it’s also a highly sought after experience. While the best way to reduce the cost of travel...
by Derek Sall | Debt
Debt has become a way of life for many of us. Our grandparents hardly knew what debt was, but today if you don’t have some sort of payments, then you’re considered a radical. No car payment? That’s weird. No house payment? Now that’s just plain...
by Chonce Maddox | Debt
When you’re actively trying to pay off debt, it can seem like literally everything is getting in your way and derailing you from your goals. There’s also the fear of sinking deeper into debt, or accumulating new debt right after you become debt free. The fear of...
by Jason | Reviews
Looking for a review of Lending Club? Here’s my personal and first hand experience of getting a loan through LendingClub.com: Have you ever really looked at your credit card interest rates? Some people do some people don’t. I was one of the...
by Derek Sall | Investing |
No matter where you work, you probably hear it just like I do, “Hey, Derek, did you hear about XYZ stock? It’s value is up 25% this quarter alone. All the analysts say that it’s projected to keep going up. I’m definitely buying some, are...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Who doesn’t love a good deal when shopping online? Amazon.com is leading the way in convenience, affordability, accessibility, and quality products when it comes to online retail services. Over the past few years, Amazon has turned into the virtual go-to shopping...
by Jason | Real Estate
Qualifying for a mortgage is not a mysterious nor a random process. Lenders actually look at a number of factors when determining if you qualify for a home loan and how large of a loan you qualify for. Good credit is extremely important when trying to qualify for a...
by Derek Sall | Saving
Have you ever gotten through the month and breathed a sigh of relief because there was still a little bit of money left in your account? Many of us have, and it’s certainly no picnic. When money is tight, life is stressful! So guess what it’s like when...
by Chonce Maddox | Debt
Student loan debt plagues many recent college graduates and working professionals. Although sometimes you can get through college without incurring student loan debt, most students aren’t so lucky. With at least two-thirds of all graduates leaving America’s...
by Jason | Investing |
by Derek Sall | Small Biz
For those that start a small business, they know that cash flow is key. In fact, it’s their lifeline. Without cash, their business would cease to operate and they would simply have to shut it down. While it’s obvious that a business needs money to purchase...
by Chonce Maddox | Investing
If you’re interested in managing your money better and building wealth eventually, I’m sure investing has probably come across your mind. Investing can be a complex and tricky concept to a lot of people. While there are plenty of benefits involved with investing...
by Jason | Debt
Having a monthly budget set in place is a way for you to better manage your finances without worrying or stressing over bills you receive regularly. The more actively you get involved with managing your household’s budget, the easier it is to keep yourself...
by Derek Sall | Retirement |
Have you ever stopped to think about what your retirement will be like? You’re not working anymore, you have nowhere that you absolutely need to be, so what will you do to fill your time? Will you be living on a beach somewhere? Or perhaps you’ll be...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
We’ve all heard time and time again that money cannot buy happiness. As much as that notable statement has been made, do you believe it? A counter argument could be that money can buy stability and financial security, which can lead to happiness. On the other hand,...
by Jason | Debt
One of the biggest problems facing college graduates today is student loan debt. College costs are rising dramatically and with that comes increased debt to pay for those costs. Today’s students graduate with tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt....
by Derek Sall | Small Biz
Have you ever thought about starting a small business in addition to your full-time job? It definitely takes some work, but a cheap side business could easily earn you an additional $10,000 a year. Or better yet, if you grow it large enough it could even replace your...
by Chonce Maddox | Debt
Last year the Federal Reserve released statistics indicating that the average U.S. household carries $15,611 in credit card debt, $155,192 in mortgage debt, and $32,264 in student loan debt. That’s a lot of debt! If you don’t have a mortgage or any outstanding student...
by Jason | Investing |
Giving some thought to investing in coal stocks or a coal ETF? The coal industry is often misunderstood and is certainly the villain of the energy stock world. However, the global need for energy is not going away anytime soon. Even though there is a concerted push...
by Derek Sall | Investing |
Have you ever thought about managing your money without a financial advisor? In today’s world of unlimited information and interconnectivity, it certainly is possible. You can simply hop online, sign up with a brokerage account for free, and start buying mutual...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Are you looking to save more money this year in order to become content with less and meet your financial goals? The answer is simple. Become frugal. Frugality is not just a habit or a trend, it’s a lifestyle. Frugal living involves being resourceful and choosing to...
by Jason | Debt
Travel credit cards are ideal for people who travel frequently. They offer some amazing rewards including free flights, nights at top-tier hotels, access to exclusive airport lounges etc. These benefits make them equally suitable for people who want to avoid shelling...
by Derek Sall | Retirement
The term, “millionaire” still sounds impressive today, but should it really? Due to inflation, the purchasing power of a million dollars is decreasing every year. If you are planning to scrimp and save your way to millionaire status 40 years from now, will...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Spring is nearly here and it’s no secret that your finances might seem a little wonky and all over the place. The average person has several different bills to pay each month ranging from living expenses, utilities, and variable expenses to debt payments, and credit...
by Jason | Insurance
Considering a whole life insurance policy? If so, you might have questions about how these whole life policies work. If you’re looking to augment your existing life insurance coverage or to purchase your first life insurance policy, it pays to know the types of...
by Derek Sall | Debt
Have you ever witnessed the benefits of being debt free and then longed to get rid of your own debts? I have seen it many times, but often people are intimidated by the initial steps and instead just accept their fate of being in debt forever. This does not have to...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
Saving up for emergency expenses by building up a solid emergency fund should be included in everyone’s financial plan. Unexpected events and expenses are going to pop up, that’s life. It’s important to be prepared for a rainy day whether it is a job loss, medical...
by Jason | Insurance
If you are considering buying life insurance you might be interested to know: what is the best age to make that purchase? Life insurance policies are seemingly simple products right? You buy a policy, something unexpected happens to you and your beneficiary receives a...
by Derek Sall | Saving
There are so many articles on the Internet today that talk about saving money, but many of the ideas will only save you 10% or 20% off the full retail price. Sure, this saves you money if you were going to pay the retail price initially, but many of us conscientious...
by Chonce Maddox | Saving
What are your short term and long term financial goals? Do you want to pay off debt, start investing in the market, purchase a home, fund your retirement, or just stop living paycheck to paycheck? All of these financial goals require you to do one thing…start saving....
by Jason | Insurance
Add this infographic to your website by copying and pasting the following embed code: <br /><br /><br /><br /> <img src=’http://www.financialsumo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/life-insurance-over-50-infographic.png’...
by Jason | Small Biz
Some people like the sound of being an “entrepreneur.” They associate that word with freedom, money, and an independent lifestyle where you don’t have a boss or someone breathing down your neck. The truth of being an entrepreneur differs a bit from this idealistic...
by Jason | Saving
As you know, we Americans are consumers of debt. This fact has meant that many of us are in over our head and some of use can’t even manage the interest on the debt we carry. For this reason, paying off debt should be your number one priority. Of course, to pay off...
by Jason | Real Estate, Retirement
When a person gets close to the age of retirement, there are several things that they may be considering. For one, they may be wondering what they are going to do with the extra time that they are going to have, or they may be wondering about what type of hobby they...
by Jason | Investing
When trying to decide between owning individual stocks or mutual funds, a lot comes down to the type of investor you are. Are you a bit more conservative, like true diversity, and don’t mind paying an annual fee to invest your money? If so, then mutual funds...
