Quiz: Should You DIY Your Taxes?

Summer is almost over, and that means back-to-school season is around the corner. Use our back-to-school budget spreadsheet to plan for your child’s school expenses and follow five tips to save money on your list. 

For many, college is a time for brand new starts: new friends, new academic pursuits, new living situations and more. While some of these beginnings might come naturally, others aren’t as straightforward, like budgeting for the first time, looking for jobs or establishing your credit history.

There are plenty of books, radio programs, podcasts and TV shows that offer advice on how to achieve “financial freedom.” It sounds nice in theory, but it’s a difficult term to define. One person might imagine financial freedom as living a lavish, millionaire lifestyle, while another may consider not living paycheck-to-paycheck to be enough. If there isn’t a textbook definition for this term, why is it important, and how can you get there?

When did you first learn about money, and what were those lessons like? Your memories might include your first piggy bank or an allowance, conversations about saving and spending with your parents, or observing the adults in your life making their own financial decisions. 

Booking flights is by far one of the most expensive aspects of traveling. Domestic and international flights can cost thousands of dollars per ticket. To save money, travelers are always on the hunt for tips and tricks. Unfortunately, not all the advice out there is up to date, and myths abound. I fact-checked some of the most popular claims to bring you the truth about how to book cheap flights.

“I never thought I’d consider bankruptcy” Does this sound familiar? As you research the impact of bankruptcy you may be questioning what will happen with your financial future if you move forward. It can be difficult to find resources that describe the aftermath because every bankruptcy experience is unique. While we feel comfortable going to our friends for advice on where to shop, or what kind of car we should buy, financial troubles are rarely discussed.