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How Much Does The Average American Spend on Holiday Shopping?
November 29, 2013

How Much Does The Average American Spend on Holiday Shopping?

  Even with Cyber Monday and Black Friday sales, it is still very easy to spend more than you intended during the holiday season. In fact, getting a great deal on one gift item could encourage you to spend extra on another item. So, how much does the average American actually spend on holiday shopping? […]

by Briana Fabbri
Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Good or Bad for the Budget?
November 25, 2013

Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Good or Bad for the Budget?

  Every year, retailers boast Black Friday and Cyber Monday that often seem to good to pass up. Flash sales and midnight doorbusters have become an annual occurrence, and even though eager shoppers find themselves camping out in front of malls and department stores to get gadgets at low prices, the question remains: “Are these […]

by Briana Fabbri
How Do Car Loans Affect Your Credit?
November 15, 2013

How Do Car Loans Affect Your Credit?

Public transit has become a way of life for many young adults and city dwellers, but the convenience of having your own car is an advantage that many people can’t pass up. Of course, that convenience comes with a cost. As of August of this year, the average price of a new car was $31,252, […]

by Briana Fabbri
Credit Check
November 1, 2013

Hard vs. Soft Credit Inquiries: What’s the Difference?

  Whether applying for a personal loan or interviewing for a new job, at one point or another you have probably been the subject of a credit check. Also known as a credit inquiry, this is a standard procedure that many financial institutions, companies and employers use to gather more information on a consumer’s credit […]

by Briana Fabbri
401k Alternative
October 30, 2013

5 Alternatives To The 401k

  So your employer doesn’t offer a 401k. While there are several obvious benefits to this common retirement plan (including easy set up and the possibility of matching contributions from your employer), that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of luck when it comes to saving for retirement. Here are five alternatives to the traditional and […]

by Briana Fabbri
Credit Card Use
October 28, 2013

Why Millennials Are Choosing Debit Rather Than Credit

These days a substantial number of young adults are opting out of credit cards altogether. In a recent study, FICO nicknamed the Millennial generation “The Young and the Cardless.” According to their research, in 2012, 16% of those ages 18-29 had no credit cards whatsoever. Back in 2005, before the Great Recession hit, just 9% […]

by Briana Fabbri
Employment
October 25, 2013

When Bad Credit Gets in the Way of Employment

Employers commonly use credit checks to get an objective view of job candidates. While this practice is legal according to the federal government, as many have found, employer credit checks can be debilitating to those in desperate need of a job. Employer credit checks are commonly associated with jobs at the executive level or within […]

by Briana Fabbri
5 Questions Consumers Should Be Able To Answer About the FDIC
October 21, 2013

5 Questions Consumers Should Be Able To Answer About the FDIC

You read about the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation back in high school history class, and you probably hear the acronym quickly rattled off at the end of TV commercials, or see the sign in the window of your bank. But what exactly does the FDIC do for everyday consumers like you and me? Let’s run […]

by Briana Fabbri
Employer Credit Checks
October 18, 2013

Employer Credit Checks: Know Your Rights

You know that bad credit can damage your ability to buy a home or get a loan, but for many Americans, a less-than-perfect credit report also looms when it comes to securing a new job. According to federal law, potential and current employers are allowed to check a candidate or employee’s credit report. That being […]

by Briana Fabbri
Thumbnail image for How Much Does It Cost To Raise A Kid in 2013?
October 16, 2013

How Much Does It Cost To Raise A Kid in 2013?

Whether you are a parent or not, you’re probably well aware that raising a child isn’t cheap. The cost of diapers, clothes, healthcare, housing and countless other expenses add up – but have you ever tried to put a number on the annual cost of raising a child? The answer depends heavily on a family’s […]

by Briana Fabbri

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