Does Debt Cause Mental Illness?
Experts say there’s a definite relationship between debt and depression. But we don’t like talking about either one.
Brandon Ballenger
Having more than $10,000 in student loan debt has a way of piquing your interest in personal finance. And because my degree was in English and public communication, I get to share that interest with you. My wide-ranging stories on money and business have run on Business Insider, the Christian Science Monitor, Reader’s Digest, the front pages of MSN.com and Yahoo! Finance, Money Talks News, and the South Florida Business Journal. In my free time, I like to jump off skyscrapers and play video games.
6 Ways Millennials Manage Money Better Than Their Parents
Millennials get a bad rap. On the bright side, it might be pushing them to excel.
The Biggest Cities With the Cheapest Homes
Housing affordability is a major concern, but that doesn’t mean home ownership is out of reach. From Chicago to Dallas, the salary required to afford a home might be less than you’d expect.
How Long Does Stuff Stay On Your Credit Report?
Nothing in credit lasts forever — good or bad.
The States With the Most And Least Credit Card Debt
The worst way to get out of debt is to pay the bare minimum. Find out how much that would hurt where you live.
Facing Our Worst Financial Fears
We’re most scared of dealing with emergencies, losing our jobs, and outliving our savings.
Are You Living in Credit Hell?
This spooky map looks at how long it takes to pay off the typical credit card debt in every state.
CFPB Recovers $14 Million for Ripped-Off Consumers
The federal agency continues to aggressively battle companies that confuse and shortchange consumers.
Help After Hurricane Harvey: What You Can and Should Do
Whether you were a victim or want to donate money, here’s our advice to protect yourself after the storm
Your Back to School Budget Might be Breaking Your Bank
After the holiday season, back-to-school shopping is the second largest spending event of the year. Nearly half of Americans will shop online, according to the National Retail Federation. In total, they’ll spend an estimated $83.6 billion — a more than 10 percent jump over last year, and a five-year high — to get grade school […]
Waiting Until Tax Day to File Is How You Get Ripped Off
Tax-related identity theft is increasing, and experts say we ignore easy ways to protect ourselves by stressing about filing.
We’re Getting Squeezed By Credit Card Debt — But Acting Smarter
Our expenses keep going up, but our credit card debt is lower than it was a decade ago
Still Haven’t Got A Costume? Try These Popular Picks
This year’s Halloween spending is expected to top a ghastly $8.4 billion, the highest figure since the National Retail Federation began surveying consumers about their holiday spending. Where do the sale of Halloween costumes fit into that number? The biggest chunk of that is on costumes: $1.5 billion on costumes for adults — $1.17 billion […]
A New Way to Figure Out How To Pay Less on Your Student Loans?
The federal government tries something novel: clarity.
10 Reasons You Never Get Anything Done at Work
A new study highlights the most popular ways to slack — and we’ve got the remedies.
Forget Your Kids’ College, Save For Retirement
Parents are making sure their kids don’t learn the best lesson college can teach — financial independence.
6 ways to beat dumb banking fees
Why pay a bank to use your money? Avoiding fees involves some simple tech and even simpler questions.
Save Up To $2,000 On Taxes With the Saver’s Credit
Most people don’t know that if you’re saving for retirement on a modest income, the federal government will cut you a break on taxes.
More Homeowners Are Turning Into Apartment Hunters
A majority of former homeowners say they’d rather keep renting than buy another home. Here’s all our advice for the new breed of nomads…
14 Places to Get Your Taxes Done For Free Online — And The Catches
If you make less than $60,000 a year, you don’t have to pay for an accountant or online tax software. You can get free tax prep and a fast refund.
Quiz: Which Of These Late-to-Work Excuses is Real?
If you’re late to work because of the Super Bowl this morning, hope you didn’t use one of these crazy excuses…
Americans Don’t Want to Trade Privacy for Cheaper Car Insurance
Despite saving as much as 30 percent, pay-as-you-drive insurance has a lot more haters than it did a year ago.
What Your Generation Does to Save Money
Are you spending and saving better than your peers? What they’re giving up might surprise you
The 2015 Word of The Year Should Be One of These
We can do better than a political saying or whatever object we decide to stick in our mouth this year.
The Stupidest Holiday Gifts of 2014
Odds are you’re going to get something you don’t like for the holidays. Hope it’s as funny as these…
Here’s The Best Prepaid Debit Card For You
These cards have a bad rep for a good reason, but done right, they’re cheap, free, or even profitable.
Ebola On A Budget: How To Save On A Hazmat Suit
If you’re dead set on buying safety gear for an Ebola outbreak, here’s what an expert recommends. But the CDC says don’t bother.
Your Waiter Might Be An Identity Thief
No stats are available, but our research shows dining out makes you a prime target. Here’s how to protect yourself.
Are The Latest Student Loan Proposals Any Good?
The latest writing on student loans is equal parts crazy and useful. Here’s what you need to know.
Be the boss or befriend the boss?
New studies show a lot of people want to be in charge but aren’t cut out for it. Here’s how to enjoy the perks of leadership without the work.
