How Much Should You Spend On A Car In your 20s?

How Much Should I Pay For A Car In My 20s?

How Much Money Do I Put Towards My Car?

There are certain moments that most 20-somethings look forward to. Finishing school, beginning a career, moving away from home and exploring a new city are a few common examples. Owning their own car and having the freedom to take it anywhere, anytime is a popular item on many people’s list of goals.

Though it might be tempting to purchase a nice car right away, there are some things you should keep in mind. This is a major purchase and the decision shouldn’t be taken lightly. A car salesperson may try to convince you that they come up with payments that are within your range and the car is essential to have. However, neither of these may be true. David Weliver explained on Money Under 30 that car dealerships have nothing to lose when selling a car too expensive for the buyer however, you do. Continue reading…

Uncovering Credit Score Myths

The Truth Behind These 3 Credit Score Myths

If you have ever been worried about your credit score, you are in good company. The American Bankers Association reported that 60 percent of Americans checked their credit score online in 2014. However, though most people know they have access to free annual credit reports, 44 percent said they believed a credit score and a credit report were the same thing. With this myth and several other commonly-believed falsehoods, it’s important for Americans to finally get the facts straight.

 

Credit Reports Are Not Credit Scores

While many believe these two terms are synonymous with each other, they are actually two completely different things. A credit report contains data about your financial history, U.S. & World News Report explained. The report has information about your bill payment history and patterns, what type of credit you use, how much new credit you have and any bankruptcy information. Consumers can request a free credit report every year from Experian, TransUnion or Equifax. People are encouraged to take advantage of this service to remedy any errors that might be included in the report. Continue reading…

Living Paycheck To Paycheck

How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck

How To Budget Your PaycheckSaving money can be difficult, especially when your expenses seem overwhelming. According to a survey by GoBankingRates, money concerns weigh on the mind of a majority of Americans, as one-quarter of respondents were primarily worried about finances. When you are living paycheck to paycheck, it’s hard not to think about your account balance.

However, with a little self-discipline and strategy, saving money won’t seem as daunting. It all starts with your paycheck. If you are like the majority of Americans, you get paid bi-weekly, or every other week, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The first step in beginning to save money is to have a plan for your paychecks.

Make Money, Save Money

It is important to make sure that, at the end of the day, there is enough money left over from your take-home pay to afford essentials such as food, heat and rent. However, Get Rich Slowly, a personal finance blog, explained that before you pay your bills each month, there is someone more important you must pay: your future self. After allocating the necessary funds to bills and expenses, be sure to set aside a portion of the rest of your paycheck toward some kind of saving strategy.

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What You Should Know About Interest Rates

What You Need To Know About Interest Rates

Rising Interest Rates

The topic of interest rates has been in the news a lot lately. They are an important part of most large financial decisions. Because of this, it’s good for people to know what they are and how they affect a person’s finances, before an investment is made.

Interest rates indicate the price it will cost to borrow money or how much it will pay to save it, according to Money Saving Expert. When you borrow money, it is agreed at the time of the loan that the money will be paid back, plus a percentage of the total amount borrowed, within a determined time frame. Likewise, when money is placed in a savings account, the bank agrees to pay the customer annually a percentage of the amount saved.

Currently, interest rates are relatively low. According to MarketWatch, the interest rate on a 15-year loan is 3.79 percent. Interest rates on savings accounts vary depending on the bank or credit union the account is with. NerdWallet reports that the average savings account interest rate right now is 0.06 percent.

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How To Save Money on Insurance

What You Can Do To Get Cheaper Car Insurance

Finding the right car insurance can take a lot of time & it often involves extensive research. According to InsuranceQuotes, the process is so tedious, two-thirds of Americans don’t shop around for car insurance.

Car insurance is a necessary thing all car owners need, though it can become a financial burden. However, there are some ways to reduce how much you’re paying for car insurance.

Shop Around
InsuranceQuotes explained that after comparing prices, many will find they are paying more than they need to be for car insurance. To find the best deal, car owners should be comparing prices regularly.

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