Updated Articles and Resources
Rules of Thumb for Saving and Spending
Everyone's finances and goals are personal, but it's good to know the rules of thumb that can help guide you toward making sure you're not spending too much on any one area of your life, such as your home or car. Financial rules of thumb can also help you figure out how much to put towards debt or save for retirement.
How Much Do I Really Make?
Most advice about budgeting focuses on figuring out how much you spend. But what if you're not sure how much you earn?
Tracking your income isn't as simple as it sounds. If you're self-employed, you know that tracking your income is harder than you think. Don't worry, there are lots of resources on this page to help.
If you get a steady paycheck, you might have more sources of income than you realize. Commissions, bonuses, interest, dividends, rental property and royalties can add up to a decent chunk of income. Are you really aware of just how much money you're making?
How to Optimize Your Finances
There's a lot of financial advice for people who are struggling. Budgeting and personal finance tends to focus on helping people pay off their debt, build emergency savings, and stop living paycheck-to-paycheck.But what if you're already in a strong financial position, and you want to optimize even further? You're debt-free, you have savings, you're maxing out your 401k. What budgeting advice do you need to hear?
Budget for Retirement
Budgeting for retirement can be tough, partly because it's hard to know how much to put aside. Many experts disagree about how much money you should save and how much you should withdraw yearly during your retirement. Learn about the different ways to create a retirement budget. Read about the different types of tax-advantaged retirement accounts and learn how to spread out your investments.Budget for Your Car
Car expenses can be hard to predict. Urgent repairs can pop up at unexpected times, a minor fender-bender might cause your insurance rate to skyrocket, and no one can guess what the price of gas will be a few months down the road. Learn how to budget for your car despite its unpredictable nature.Budget for Your Home
You might be trying to buy your first home, trying to move into a different home, renovating your space, or looking for investment properties or a vacation home. Learn about the in's and out's of budgeting for your home, such as how to come up with a down payment, what to do if you're stuck paying two mortgages at the same time, how much to budget for repairs and upgrades, and how to decide whether to buy or rent.Budget for Vacations and Holidays
Vacations and holidays can make a serious dent in your budget, so it's best to prepare for these far in advance. Learn how estimate your expenses and budget throughout the year so you're not worried when the holidays arrive, as well as how to save money on trips and destinations.
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