At the end of the year, when holiday celebrations and expressions of gratitude are in full swing, many people think about making a charitable donation. Maybe it’s the animal shelter around the corner from your home, or perhaps it’s a scholarship fund at your alma mater that does amazing work. Whatever pulls at your heart … Read more
For many families, the holiday season may not be complete without a festive lighting display. Whether you prefer to go full Griswold or stick with something more minimalist, lights can help to infuse your home with holiday cheer both inside and out. But how much does it cost to run Christmas lights? The short answer … Read more
Pets can bring love, companionship, and fun into your life. But they can also bring a lot of added expenses. In fact, the lifetime cost of owning a dog can run anywhere from $19,893 to $55,132, while owning a cat for its full natural life can range between $4,250 to $31,200. If you’re yearning for … Read more
Traveling can already be costly, but add a pet and your prices could be even more anxiety-inducing. But sometimes traveling with a pet is unavoidable, be it because you’re planning on being gone for a while or you simply want to bring your best friend with you. Fortunately, if you’re looking for the cheapest way … Read more
On Aug. 24, 2022, President Joe Biden ended months of speculation by announcing  that each American who earns $125,000 or less per year ($250,000 for married couples) will be eligible for $10,000 in federal student loan cancellation. He also announced that Pell Grant recipients can receive up to $20,000 in debt cancellation. Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded to … Read more
Cryptocurrency experienced staggering volatility in 2021. The price of Bitcoin, the biggest digital currency by market value, started the year at around $30,000, only to more than double and hit north of $60,000 by mid-April. Since then, the cryptocurrency has tumbled to around $30,000 again. Let’s take a look at some of the key indicators, … Read more
Many people dream about how their retirement years will play out. Some want to spend their golden years spoiling the grandkids, while others envision traveling the world. As long as retirees have saved enough during their working years to fund the expenses, these goals are attainable. Unfortunately, not all Americans know what to expect regarding … Read more
There are lots of reasons—and lots of ways—to save. However, for those looking for a benchmark of just how much they should’ve saved by a specific age, things get tricky. Average savings by age is a tough metric because there are so many variables that go into a number like that. The Importance of Saving … Read more
When applying for a mortgage, you have some control over the mortgage rate, as lenders will consider your credit score, income, and assets to determine your risk as a borrower. On the other hand, mortgage rates change daily based on external economic factors like investment activity and inflation. If you’re in the midst of the … Read more
The summer months are one of the most popular times to travel. Families with young children are often locked into summer travel due to school schedules. Even some adults have work schedules that make summer the most convenient time to travel. The upshot: Without proper planning, summer travel can be crowded, chaotic, and expensive. While … Read more