Learning the ins and outs of money management and success can be difficult, especially when you most likely didn’t learn about it in a high school or college class. As you graduate college and enter the real world, starting smart financial practices immediately can help you avoid many of the money issues that individuals in their 20’s encounter. Below are ten tips to get you started on having a better understanding of your finances and things you should be doing to improve
If your financial situation is looking pretty bleak, you might be wondering, “Can I just get rid of my student loan debt by filing for bankruptcy?” Unfortunately, if you’ve ran out of other options and have decided filing for bankruptcy is the best option for you, you more than likely will not be able to wipe out your student loans in the process. What is Bankruptcy? If you encounter a rough financial patch in your life, whether it be from a serious illness,
A monthly budget is an essential staple for your household if you are trying to save money. It’s never fun getting to the end of the month and having no idea where all your hard-earned money went. Thinking about your finances can be stressful, but coming up with a solid budget and sticking to it can eliminate some of the stress and anxiety surrounding money. To make your budget, you can start as simple as writing it out by hand with pen and
When applying for financial aid through your university, your school will likely include student loans as part of your financial aid package. It is important that you understand the different types of loans offered so that you can make the best decision regarding what type works best for you. Generally, there are two types of student loans – federal and private. Regardless of the type you choose, one thing is common: you have to pay back the money you borrow, plus interest, whether
Trying to save money while simultaneously trying to pay off your student loans can seem like an impossible feat. The two concepts also seem at odds with one another – should you prioritize saving money, or paying down your student loans as fast as possible? Both financial goals are important and it can be hard to decide which is best for you. Below are several things to keep in mind when deciding whether you should be saving money or pouring all that extra
Paying off student loans is stressful and can make it feel like all your hard-earned money is going solely towards your minimum monthly payment, not leaving much leftover for anything else. With these five money-saving apps, you can work towards saving up some extra cash to line your pockets or to store away for a rainy day. 1. Mint Mint is a service created by Intuit that allows you to keep track of your monthly budget, bills, credit score and even retirement
Marriage is a life-long commitment that comes with a multitude of new responsibilities as you merge your life into one with your partner. While most people may not automatically think about their student loan debt when it comes time to say “I do”, it is important to know the effect that marriage can have on your student loan obligations. In a 2016 Consumer Reports nationally representative survey, it was found that 12 percent of Americans have delayed marriage because of their
Student loans are often your first major financial obligation, which can be stressful and overwhelming. Understanding the relationship between student loans and credit is important, as student loan payments (or lack thereof) can have a big impact on your credit score. Student loans can be both positive and negative for your credit history, so staying on top of your student loans is essential. The Positive Side of Student Loans Typically, we think of student loan debt as being bad. Who wants thousands upon thousands of