Finances Archives

Your Comprehensive Guide to Long-Term Care Planning

Post category:Seniors & Caregiving
Post last modified:December 21, 2023

Did you know that 70% of people over 65 will need some form of long-term care? October is the perfect time to start thinking about your long-term care planning. This comprehensive guide will explore the four pillars you should consider: housing, health, legal, and financial. Let's dive in! Housing: Making Your Space Comfortable and Accessible When it comes to long-term care planning, your housing situation is an important factor. Whether you're considering aging in place or exploring retirement communities,…

Combating Lifestyle Creep

Post category:Personal Finance
Post last modified:October 17, 2022

What is Lifestyle Creep Lifestyle creep happens when income goes up. Things that once were classified as “luxuries” become “necessities.” While this may be okay to a certain extent, it’s also important to make saving for the future a priority. Otherwise, it may derail debt reduction and retirement plans. Examples of Lifestyle Creep Lifestyle creep can take on many forms. The following are some common examples. Think about your own life. What else might you be able to add…

How to Prevent Online Splurging and Control Your Money Management

Post category:Personal Finance
Post last modified:January 18, 2024

These are busy times, and online shopping is convenient. You can price match and shop around numerous stores in minutes compared to the time it takes driving around to brick and mortar shops. With that convenience, we often buy without thinking it through. Here are some tips for reining in that impulse spending. Remove Shopping Apps It’s so easy to grab your phone when you’re bored and start shopping for things you don’t need. You’re better than that! There…

Mastering Your Budget: Balancing Needs and Wants for Financial Freedom

Post category:Personal Finance
Post last modified:December 4, 2023

Navigating the complexities of personal finance begins with a fundamental skill: distinguishing between your needs and wants. This understanding is not just about categorization; it's the cornerstone of achieving financial freedom. We delve into practical strategies for managing these two critical aspects of your budget, helping you pave the way toward a financially secure future. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we have…

5 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Credit Score

Post category:Personal Finance
Post last modified:January 18, 2024

As you know, your credit score determines your access to loans for things like cars, homes, and education. Anyone with a score of 800 or higher (20% of consumers) are considered to have excellent credit, while a score between 580-669 is deemed to be fair/poor (18% of consumers) and also called subprime. Scores at 740-799 (25% of consumers) are considered very good and are likely to receive better than average rates from lenders, but don’t worry if you’re not…