3 Steps to Building a Successful Savings Plan and Start Saving Money

You already know saving is important. But just because something is important doesn’t mean it’s easy. There are countless tips and tricks out there that can help you save money: skip the morning coffee, bring your own lunch to work and open a savings account, to name a few.

However, the best intentions can be easily thrown off track with some simple mistakes. If your savings are lagging, take a look at these common mistakes people make: Continue reading…

Smartphones and Savings: Top Budgeting and Personal Finance Apps

Technology is racing toward new advancements seemingly every day and the way we connect with each other and the world around us is changing too. Today, more than two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone, and for millennials and Gen Xers, that number is more than 80 percent.

No matter which brand you choose, smartphones make many aspects of life easier for consumers. They can give directions when you’re lost, answer tough questions when you’re stumped and entertain you when you’re bored.

One thing they’re particularly well-equipped for is helping you save money. There are countless budgeting, couponing and investing apps out there that help people improve their financial health, one day at a time. Some of the best ones include: Continue reading…

Think It’s Time for a Raise? Here’s How to Ask Your Boss

Asking for more money is hard. Whether you’ve just been offered a job or have been working at the same desk for a long time, it takes a lot of confidence to tell your boss that you think you deserve a higher pay grade.

However, learning how to negotiate salary is a part of being a successful, well-paid employee. Fortunately, most people learn how to overcome their nervousness of asking for a raise or higher starting pay. If you’re still struggling to work up the nerve to ask for more for yourself, take note of these tips that have helped many people boost their wages over the years. Continue reading…

Millennial Money Makers: How Gen Y is Saving Major Bucks

Millennials are often given a bad name for being irresponsible or lazy. But not everything you read is true. A recent study from Bankrate found that millennials are actually doing a better job at saving for their future than older generations.

Just about 50 percent of working Americans age 30 and older are saving 5 percent of their income or more. Meanwhile, more than 60 percent of working millennials are saving 5 percent or more, and almost 30 percent of millennials are saving 10 percent or more.

How are these young adults managing to sock away so much cash? Continue reading…

Credit Card Smarts: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Store Cards

Most shoppers have been asked that attractive question: “Would you like to save 15 percent on this purchase by signing up for a store credit card?” A discount on your shopping spree is always tempting, and getting that card would be so easy. It probably comes with a low introductory rate, too. But before you say yes, it’s important that you think carefully about what a store credit card will mean to you. Continue reading…