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Cash in the Closet: Why Cleaning Up Could Help You Save on Holiday Spending
The average consumer could spend more than $800 this year on the holidays, according to the National Retail Federation. For countless hours, they’ll scan websites and walk around malls to find the perfect gift for their friends and family. But, in many cases, those very same consumers could be saving plenty of money – and […]
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Can You Afford to Ignore Your Emotional Health? Part 1
It seems that in every sector, the cost to be healthy is rising. Insurance rates are up, medical copays and coinsurance rates are up, prescription medication costs are up. It has become increasingly difficult for Americans who are struggling financially to be healthy. Mental and emotional health are no exception. Between prescriptions, doctor visits, therapy sessions, and […]
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Cooking with CESI: Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Chicken
If it seems like you are always on the go and mealtimes are stressful because “who has time for cooking,” then this recipe is for you! I get it – I work full time and I have 4 active kids ranging from 12-17. Mealtimes are stressful around my house because everyone is just getting home […]
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How To Talk Retirement Savings With Your Parents: 6 Essential Tips
The topic of retirement savings isn’t untouchable. Here are 6 ways to effortlessly discuss smart saving with your parents.
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Teach Them Well: An age-by-age guide for teaching kids about financial literacy
As kids begin the school year, there’s one subject that’s missing from many of their class schedules, even at the high school level – personal finance and economics. According to the Council for Economic Education’s 2016 Survey of the States, only 17 states require high school students take a class in personal finance. Just 20 […]
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Budgeting For Baby: Hidden Costs of Going Back to Work
Budgeting for baby is best done when all possible scenarios are played out. Here are 4 surprising ways you can financially prepare for baby’s arrival.
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Five Cheap Healthy Meals for Less Than $1 Per Serving
We all have to eat, but the annual cost to buy food at the store or in a restaurant adds up. In fact, food expenditures total about $6,800, or 13 percent of our total annual spending, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey. The good news, however, is that if you are […]
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Back to School Shopping: Six ways to save
It might seem like summer vacation began just the other day, but, believe it or not, those school bells will start ringing sooner than later. And that means, for many families, it’s time for back to school shopping. According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in kindergarten to grade 12 spend more than […]
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Do Parents Save More When Kids Leave Home?
That first drop off at preschool comes with a question that parents will ask themselves at various stages during their kids’ childhoods: “What will we do with all that money when they’re done?” The answer, it appears from a new report, is to spend it instead of increasing contributions to their 401(k) plans. The May […]
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Life Insurance: How to Pick the Right Policy For Your Family
It’s not something many of us want to dwell on, but life has no guarantees. At some point, we all will leave our loved ones behind. Life insurance can provide some stability for those left to pick up the pieces – especially for parents with children. Financial advisors often recommend that new parents sign up […]