Deb Hipp is a full-time freelance writer based in Kansas City, Mo. Deb went from being unable to get approved for a credit card or loan 20 years ago to having excellent credit today and becoming a homeowner. Deb learned her lessons about money the hard way. Now she wants to share them to help you pay down debt, fix your credit and quit being broke all the time. Deb’s personal finance and credit articles have been published at Credit Karma and The Huffington Post.
Financial missteps in your 20s can make going bald or wearing mom jeans the least of your worries later.
Your credit score can make your life easy or hard, so pay attention.
No matter how much debt you have, you don’t have to go broke when you’ve got a budget.
You don’t have to suffer for years at that soul-killing job just because you’re paying down debt.
Not everything that comes with a good credit score is obvious.
Credit card companies have their own interests before yours. Read between the lines before accepting an offer.
It’s all about priorities when deciding what to cut or keep while getting rid of debt.
There’s easy money to be made if you’re willing to wade through the junk to find it.
Now that you’ve earned an excellent credit rating, here’s how to cash in on your good reputation.
Got the blues from being in the red? Here’s how to take control of your finances and feel better.
From checking your credit report to comparison shopping, go the extra mile to keep your cash.
Don’t spoil your fresh start by racking up credit card debt due to higher cost of living.
Here’s how to stop throwing money down the garbage disposal.
You don’t have to spend that much money to wish someone well.
With a little ingenuity and hustle, you can pay cash for unexpected expenses instead of racking up credit card debt.
Brush off that wilted spinach and climb out of the grocery store dumpster.
You don’t have to max out your credit card to enjoy that hard-earned vacation.
You don’t have to sideswipe your budget every time you hit the highway.
If you blow off the tip to save money when dining out, karma is cooking up a special dish just for you.
If you paid off your debt once, only to run up twice as much later, don’t be too hard on yourself. You can still learn from your mistakes.
If you dig a little deeper into your fixed expenses, you may find they’re not so fixed after all.
If you’re convinced that all thrift store clothes are shabby, it’s time to fine-tune your shopping style.
It’s time to get out of debt and stop living paycheck to paycheck!
Don’t allow financial surprises to stall your freelancing momentum.
How to create a hard-hitting plan to get rid of those student loans for good.
You don’t need to max out a credit card or tap into your emergency savings.
Hint: Only the last one involves books.
Tired of making your credit card company rich while you stay broke? Turn it around.
There are plenty of good deals out there if you just take time to sniff them out.
The last thing you want after your big sale is to drag half of all that stuff back inside.
Want to save money and pay off debt? Try living like your grandparents.
Is your state holding unclaimed money that never made it to your mailbox? Here’s how to find out.
Customizing a summer side hustle is almost as easy as sipping a big glass of lemonade.
Get feverish about saving money or paying off debt with a savings thermometer.
Just because everyone else is in debt doesn’t mean you have to spend your life paying creditors.
Did you spend 2017 awake at midnight, worrying about bills? Create a budget and sleep debt-free.
