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Tired of overdraft fees? Sign up now for this free fee-blocking app
Banks make big bucks from overdraft fees — more than $11.6 billion in 2019 alone, according to one study from the Center for Responsible Lending. And those fees, which are charged to customers when they spend more than they have in their bank account, can add up quickly. A single overdraft fee, which hovers around […]
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The Power of Influencers
As a former photographer, I like to think I can spot digital manipulation from a mile away. I’ve used Photoshop and GIMP for years to edit photos for clients. I have spent thousands of hours using those apps to train my eye without me being completely aware. There’s a brand of lipstick I really like […]
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NEWER, BIGGER, BRIGHTER, SHINIER
Beautiful Persuasion As a former store manager, I became adept at persuading people to part with their money. I knew my customers. I greeted them when they shopped, learned their kids’ and their pets’ names, favorite colors, and style preferences. I maintained a light touch and never forced anything on them but I created a […]
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Reassessing Your Budget Pie Chart
As a financial literacy educator, I believe I must give all of the class attendees as many tools as I can that will help them. Among the first tools, they need to become financially successful is a budget. I know, I know, you are groaning at that word “budget” but I ask you to hang […]
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6 Tips to Address Financial Stress
Americans are increasingly stressed, and a primary cause of that stress is likely no surprise to many of us. A 2018 survey by Northwestern Mutual found that financial stress was the primary source of stress for 44% of those surveyed. And with all of the turmoil of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s likely that those […]
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Creating an Emergency Budget
For millions of Americans, the financial impact of COVID-19 is just starting to be felt. Reduced work hours, temporary layoffs and other hardships have caused significant financial stress for people in every state. What can a family do if they are facing a financial crisis do to stay afloat? Managing a financial setback requires a […]
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5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Finances
Flowers are beginning to bloom. The sun is starting to peek out behind the gray winter clouds. And our thoughts are turning to spring, a time for new beginnings—and maybe dusting those cobwebs that have lingered in the corner of your bedroom for far too long. But as you contemplate a spring cleaning of your […]
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How to Budget When Paychecks Fluctuate
It’s possible to know how to budget even when you don’t know what you’ll get paid this week or next. Here’s what to do when your income varies…
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Basics and Beyond: How to Get Things You Need For Free
The U.S. economy is growing, and unemployment is at an historic low, but plenty of Americans are still struggling to cover just the basics. A 2018 study from the Urban Institute, a nonprofit research group, found that nearly 40 percent of adults report that they or their families had trouble meeting at least one basic […]