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Debt & Finance Blog

Student Credit Card

When to Give Your Kids a Debit Card

By Joey Johnston | December 6, 2016

More than one-third of college students say managing a bank account is a major cause of stress. Also, 12% say they never check their bank account balance because it makes…

Child Care Savings

How to Save Money on Childcare Costs

By Joey Johnston | November 30, 2016

Sara Greenwood works at a bank. Her husband travels frequently for his job. Their parents live in different states. The couple has two boys, ages 2 and 4. So how…

Highest Credit Debt Generation X

Generation X Has the Most Credit Card Debt

By Joey Johnston | November 29, 2016

Gen Xers, the most neglected generational group in America, lugs around the most credit card debt. If you’re involved in the struggle, here’s a quick list of excuses: It’s Richard…

Pay Mortgage Early

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early: Pros, Cons & Early Pay-Off Tips

By Joey Johnston | November 14, 2016

Paying off a home is a large part of the American dream — if any of us ever actually get there — so let’s imagine the scene. The last payment…

Open Enrollment

How to Survive Open Enrollment and Save Money on Health Insurance Premiums

By Joey Johnston | November 10, 2016

As companies approach the “open enrollment” period for employees choosing health insurance, it pays to research benefit options and read the fine print. Logically, that makes sense. Practically? That’s another…

How to get a small Personal Loan

How to Get a Small Personal Loan: Fees, Term and What to Avoid

By Joey Johnston | November 10, 2016

Central air conditioners always die when you need them most. Rebecca discovered that on 100-degree afternoon last July. Without warning, her 20-year-old AC system died. Three hours later, a repairman…

Homebuyer Mistakes To Avoid

First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes You Want to Avoid

By Joey Johnston | November 7, 2016

Stacie Samuels wants a do-over as a first-time home buyer. Samuels, a nurse practitioner from St. Petersburg, believed she was well-equipped to purchase her first home, just a few years…

Raising ATM Fees

Why ATM Fees Are Rising and How to Avoid Them

By Joey Johnston | November 3, 2016

Standing outside an ATM at two in the morning, Thomas Knapp couldn’t help but hear his economics professor’s words ringing in his ear: A dollar today is worth more than…

Prepaid Card Rules

New Rules for Prepaid Cards: CFPB Calls For Transparency

By Joey Johnston | November 2, 2016

The soaring popularity of prepaid cards will be put to the test over the next year as providers adjust to new regulations handed down by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau…

stethoscope on credit card

Why a Great Credit Score Doesn’t Indicate Financial Health

By Joey Johnston | October 31, 2016

Credit scores are like plastic surgery. They can make you look good, but good credit does not necessarily mean you’re financially healthy. A lot of consumers don’t realize that until…

Sources:

  1. Nyheim, H. (2015, April 2). Money Matters on Campus: Survey of 43,000 College Students Shows Student Loan Amounts and Financial Stress Levels on the Rise. Retrieved from https://everfi.com/money-matters-on-campus-2015/
  2. Eckler, R. (2016, April 18). When Kids’ Allowance Goes Digital. Retrieved from http://www.macleans.ca/society/life/when-allowance-goes-digital/
  3. Carrns, A. (2016, October 14). Why, and When, Should Your Child Have a Debit Card. Retrieved from http://nyti.ms/2fG2ynr
  4. Travillian, A. (2016, August 15). When Should You Give Your Kid a Debit Card. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/2fG6Pr0