Tag: Personal Finance

Residual interest: What it is and how it works

You’ve been running a credit card balance for a few months, but finally, you have enough cash on hand to zero out the statement balance.

With great relief – and not a little pride – you pay it off. Thank goodness you’re done with that debt.

But wait: did you also pay the residual interest?

What is residual interest?

Residual interest is the interest that’s accrued on the unpaid credit card balance all this time that you’ve not been paying it. It’s also called trailing interest – because it trails into the next month.

The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigated residual interest charges on credit cards in 2015 as part of its biennial credit card report to Congress.

“We recognized, based on our research, that there is some confusion about this so-called ‘ghost charge,’ said Wei Zhang, the bureau’s credit card program manager. “People wanted to know, ‘What is this? Why is it happening?’”

The bureau did not find issuers doing anything illegal; however, they did discover that many details were buried in the fine print of credit card agreements. Card owners often were unaware of or did not fully understand what happened if they failed to pay their bill in full or how interest on the balance was calculated.

Before we get into those details any further, though, let’s start by explaining some terms:

Billing cycle – That’s the time between two bills. Many billing cycles are about a month long.
Closing date – That’s the date on which the billing cycle ends. When the closing date occurs, the card will post a statement balance. That’s the amount of purchases you charged during this billing cycle.
Grace period – This is the period of time between when the billing cycle closes and your payment is due. This can be a few weeks, or even up to a month.
Due date – This is the last possible day to make your payment without penalty. After this day, interest will start to accrue on the balance.

That interest that accrues? That’s residual interest.

See related: How to lower your credit card interest rate

How does residual interest work?

Here’s an example of how residual interest comes into play:

You have a credit card with a billing cycle that closes on the 15th of every month. On March 15, your statement balance is $1,200.
Your due date on the bill is April 14th. But when the date arrives, you can only afford to pay $900 – meaning you leave a balance of $300 on the credit card.
That $300 starts accruing interest the very next day. How much interest? Depends on your particular credit card. Let’s say, for this example, your card charges an APR of 22%.
To figure out how much that will be, divide the APR by the number of days in the year. So 22 divided by 365 – 0.0602%.
Multiply this by your current $300 balance, and you get 18.06 cents. That’s the amount of residual interest you will get charged on the balance each day.
By the time the next month’s due date rolls around, 30 days later, you will owe $5.41 in residual interest.

This is where things get tricky. Maybe you decided to clean up your financial act. You’ve only charged $200 this month, and now you can afford to pay off both the new balance and the $300 from last month. Everything’s squared away, right? Nope, not so fast. You still owe that $5.41. And if you don’t notice it and neglect to pay it, it will continue to accrue interest.

Or, you do pay the entire bill by sending a check in the mail. Interest may continue to accrue on the balance between the time you mail the check and the time the bank receives it and cashes it. Remember, once you enter the land of accruing interest, there is no more grace period.

“Because it accrues after the billing period closes, [residual interest] won’t appear on your current statement – meaning that this could be a surprise amount you discover in your next statement,” said Megumi Smisson, who discusses personal finance on her podcast Ms. Money Moves and her website, Money With Megumi. “Or, worst case, you think you’ve paid off your card, don’t check your next statement to make a payment, and incur a late fee and potentially damage your credit.”

See related: What happens when you miss a credit card payment?

Do all cards charge residual interest?

Residual interest is a common credit card feature. Supposedly, there are banks that don’t charge it, though those are increasingly hard to find.

“I’m not saying it’s impossible, but … [scoring a credit card that doesn’t charge residual interest] is kind of like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with a unicorn standing next to it,” said Bruce McClary, spokesman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling in Washington, D.C.

There are many credit cards that offer 0% APR on new and transferred balances for a number of months. To find out how your card deals with leftover balances, look at the back of the statement. It probably won’t say “residual interest” in those words.

Scan instead for writing like “finance charges may be assessed even if we receive payment in full in the current billing cycle.” Other ways to get this information, and discover what the APR is for your card, are to look at your card’s terms and conditions, go to the card issuer’s website or call the issuer.

How to avoid residual interest

There’s no reason you should have to pay months’ worth of residual interest on your credit card for a balance that’s quickly resolved. Here’s how to make sure this isn’t a problem for you.

Pay your card in full each month. “The No. 1 rule, the best advice for avoiding residual interest altogether, is to pay off your purchases immediately,” McClary said.
First timer? See if you can get a break. There’s no harm in calling your credit card issuer and asking if you can get an extension on your payment deadline, so you can avoid late fees, finance charges and any residual interest on this one cycle. “You never know what you’ll get until you ask,” McClary said.
If that’s not possible, check your balance and pay it online. The credit card issuer should post real-time information about your leftover balance and any accruing interest.
Get confirmation from the card issuer. This is particularly important if you are paying your balance by mail, either from a paper statement or from what you see online. Interest on the balance continues to accrue until the moment the bank cashes your check. If the check is insufficient because it doesn’t include those extra few days of interest, interest will accrue on the unpaid balance. Instead, before you write the check, pick up the phone and ask the credit card issuer for the payoff balance. “That is the best, the most foolproof way to accurately know the balance that would pay off the account,” McClary said. He advises overestimating the day the payment will arrive by a day or two; the company will repay you any overpayment but will charge more interest if you fall short again.

See related: Should I pay off my credit card all at once?

Bottom line

Remember, if you’ve let a balance carry from one statement to the next, you don’t just have to pay off the balance on your statement. You may also owe residual interest that is not included in your current statement. Check your total online. Call the card issuer to double-check. You can also check your credit card agreement to find out about residual interest or minimum finance charges.

And after you’ve paid what you believe you owe, check again, to be sure.

“Don’t just anticipate ‘I’m off the hook’ next month,” Zhang said. “In many cases, you are probably not off the hook. Make sure there are not any residual balances next month.”

Source: creditcards.com

By Leon Hoffman June 10, 2021. Account Management, Elderly Care Tips Account management, Credit, Credit Cards, Debt, Fees, Finance, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, How To, Make, money, News, Personal Finance, will

How to Make Better Financial Decisions

A key financial decision people struggle to make is how to allocate savings for multiple financial goals. Do you save for several goals at the same time or fund them one-by-one in a series of steps? Basically, there are two ways to approach financial goal-setting:

Concurrently: Saving for two or more financial goals at the same time.

Sequentially: Saving for one financial goal at a time in a series of steps.

Each method has its pros and cons. Here’s how to decide which method is best for you.

Sequential goal-setting

Pros

You can focus intensely on one goal at a time and feel a sense of completion when each goal is achieved. It’s also simpler to set up and manage single-goal savings than plans for multiple goals. You only need to set up and manage one account.

Cons

Compound interest is not retroactive. If it takes up to a decade to get around to long-term savings goals (e.g., funding a retirement savings plan), that’s time that interest is not earned.

Concurrent goal-setting

Pros

Compound interest is not delayed on savings for goals that come later in life. The earlier money is set aside, the longer it can grow. Based on the Rule of 72, you can double a sum of money in nine years with an 8 percent average return. The earliest years of savings toward long-term goals are the most powerful ones.

Cons

Funding multiple financial goals is more complex than single-tasking. Income needs to be earmarked separately for each goal and often placed in different accounts. In addition, it will probably take longer to complete any one goal because savings is being placed in multiple locations.

Research findings

Working with Wise Bread to recruit respondents, I conducted a study of financial goal-setting decisions with four colleagues that was recently published in the Journal of Personal Finance. The target audience was young adults with 69 percent of the sample under age 45. Four key financial decisions were explored: financial goals, homeownership, retirement planning, and student loans.

Results indicated that many respondents were sequencing financial priorities, instead of funding them simultaneously, and delaying homeownership and retirement savings. Three-word phrases like “once I have…,", “after I [action],” and “as soon as…,” were noted frequently, indicating a hesitancy to fund certain financial goals until achieving others.

The top three financial goals reported by 1,538 respondents were saving for something, buying something, and reducing debt. About a third (32 percent) of the sample had outstanding student loan balances at the time of data collection and student loan debt had a major impact on respondents’ financial decisions. About three-quarters of the sample said loan debt affected both housing choices and retirement savings.

Actionable steps

Based on the findings from the study mentioned above, here are five ways to make better financial decisions.

1. Consider concurrent financial planning

Rethink the practice of completing financial goals one at a time. Concurrent goal-setting will maximize the awesome power of compound interest and prevent the frequently-reported survey result of having the completion date for one goal determine the start date to save for others.

2. Increase positive financial actions

Do more of anything positive that you’re already doing to better your personal finances. For example, if you’re saving 3 percent of your income in a SEP-IRA (if self-employed) or 401(k) or 403(b) employer retirement savings plan, decide to increase savings to 4 percent or 5 percent.

3. Decrease negative financial habits

Decide to stop (or at least reduce) costly actions that are counterproductive to building financial security. Everyone has their own culprits. Key criteria for consideration are potential cost savings, health impacts, and personal enjoyment.

4. Save something for retirement

Almost 40 percent of the respondents were saving nothing for retirement, which is sobering. The actions that people take (or do not take) today affect their future selves. Any savings is better than no savings and even modest amounts like $100 a month add up over time.

5. Run some financial calculations

Use an online calculator to set financial goals and make plans to achieve them. Planning increases people’s sense of control over their finances and motivation to save. Useful tools are available from FINRA and Practical Money Skills.

What’s the best way to save money for financial goals? It depends. In the end, the most important thing is that you’re taking positive action. Weigh the pros and cons of concurrent and sequential goal-setting strategies and personal preferences, and follow a regular savings strategy that works for you. Every small step matters!

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Want to know how to allocate savings for your financial goals? We’ve got the tips on how to make financial decisions so you can be confident in your personal finance! | #moneymatters #personalfinance #moneytips

This article is from Barbara OâNeill of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5-Minute Finance: Create Financial Goals
How to Manage Your Money â No Budgeting Required
5 Money Moves to Make Before You Turn 40
10 of the Coolest Sayings About Saving
7 Apps That Make Budgeting Fun â No Really!

Source: feeds.killeraces.com

By Leon Hoffman February 3, 2021. Budgeting, Home Buying Tips, Money Management, Personal Finance 401(k), Budgeting, Buying, Compound Interest, Debt, Finance, Financial Goals, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, fun, Grow, How To, Life, loan, loans, Make, money, Money Management, money moves, Personal Finance, planning, Retirement, retirement planning, retirement savings, Save Money, Saving, saving money, savings, Security, setting goals, Student Loans, tips, will

How To Retire At 50: 10 Easy Steps To Consider

Can you retire at 50? On average, people usually retire at 65. But what if you want to retire 15 years earlier than that likeÂ at 50? Is it doable? Below are 10 easy steps to take to retire at 50.Â Retiring early can be challenging. Therefore, SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with Â a financial advisor who can help to work out and implement a retirement income strategy for you to maximize your money.

10 Easy & Simple Steps to Retire at 50:

1. How much you will need in retirement.

The first thing to consider is to determine how much you will need to retire at 50. This will vary depending on the lifestyle you want to have during retirement. If you desire a lavish one, you will certainly need a lot.

But according to a study by SmartAsset, 500k was found to be enough money to retire comfortably. But again that will depends on several factor.

For example, you will need to take into account where you want to live, the cost of living, how long you expect to live, etc.

Read: Can I Retire at 60 With 500k? Is It Enough?

A good way to know if 500k is possible to retire on is to consider the 4% rule. This rule is used to figure out how much a retiree should withdraw from his or her retirement account.

The 4% rule states that the money in your retirement savings account should last you through 30 years of retirement if you take out 4% of your retirement portfolio annually and then adjust each year thereafter for inflation.

So, if you plan on retiring at 50 with 500k for 30 years, using the 4% rule you will need to live on $20,000 a year.Â

Again, this is just an estimation out there. You may need less or more depending on the factors mentioned above. For example, if you’re in good health and expect to live 40+ years after retiring at 50, $500,000 may not be enough to retire on. That’s why it’s crucial to work with a financial advisor.

Get Matched With 3 Fiduciary Financial Advisors
Managing your finances can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with aÂ financial advisor. TheÂ SmartAssetâs free matching toolÂ will pair you with up to 3 financial advisors in your area. Hereâs how it works: 1.Â Answer these few easy questionsÂ about your current financial situation 2. In just under one minute, the tool will match you with up to three financial advisors based on your need. 3. Review the financial advisors profiles, interview them either by phone or in person, and choose the one that suits yourâ needs. Get Started Now>>>

Get Matched With 3 Fiduciary Financial Advisors

Managing your finances can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with aÂ financial advisor. TheÂ SmartAssetâs free matching toolÂ will pair you with up to 3 financial advisors in your area.

Hereâs how it works:

1.Â Answer these few easy questionsÂ about your current financial situation

2. In just under one minute, the tool will match you with up to three financial advisors based on your need.

3. Review the financial advisors profiles, interview them either by phone or in person, and choose the one that suits yourâ needs.

Get Started Now>>>

2. Maximize your tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

Once you have an idea of how much you need in order to retire at 50, your next step is to save as much as possible at a faster rate. If you are employed and you have a 401k plan available to you, you should definitely participate in it. Nothing can grow your retirement savings account faster than a 401k account.

See: How to Become a 401k Millionaire.

That means, you will need to maximize your 401k contributions, for example. In 2020, and for people under 50, the 401k contribution limit is $19,500. Also, take advantage of your company match if your employee offers a match.

In addition to the maximum contribution of $19,500, your employer also contributes. Sometimes, they match dollar for dollar or 50 cents for each dollar the worker pays in.

In addition to a 401k plan, open or maximize your Roth or traditional IRA. For an IRA, it is $6,000. So, by maximizing your retirement accounts every year, your money will grow faster.

3. Invest in mutual or index funds. Apart from your retirement accounts (401k, Roth or Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, etc), you should invest in individual stocks or preferably in mutual funds.Â

4. Cut out unnecessary expenses.

Someone with the goal of retiring at 50 needs to keep an eye on their spending and keep them as low as possible. We all know the phrase, “the best way to save money is to spend less.”

Well, this is true when it comes to retiring 15 years early than the average. So, if you don’t watch TV, cancel Netflix or cable TV. If your cell phone bill is high, change plans or switch to another carrier. Don’t go to lavish vacations.

5. Keep an eye on taxes.

Taxes can eat away your profit. The more you can save from taxes, the more money you will have. Retirement accounts are a good way to save on taxes. Besides your company 401k plan, open a Roth or Traditional IRA.

6. Make more money.

Spending less is a great way to save money. But increasing your income is even better. If you need to retire at 50, you’ll need to be more aggressive. And the more money you earn, the more you will be able to save. And the faster you can reach your early retirement goal.

7. Speak with a financial advisor.

Consulting with a financial advisor can help you create a plan to. More specifically, a financial advisor specializing in retirement planning can help you achieve your goals of retiring at 50. They can help put in a place an investment strategy to put you in the right track to retire at 50. You can easily find one in your local area by using SmartAsset’s free tool. It matches users with financial advisors in just under 5 minutes.

8. Decide how you will spend your time in retirement.

If you will spend a lot of time travelling during retirement, then make sure you do research. Some countries like the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, and so many others are good places to travel to in retirement because the cost of living is relatively cheap.

While other countries in Europe can be very expensive to travel to, which can eat away your retirement money. If you decide to downsize or sell your home, you can free up more money to spend.

9. Financing the first 10 years.

There is a penalty of 10% if you cash out your retirement accounts before you reach the age of 59 1/2. Therefore, if you retire at 50, you’ll need to use money in other accounts like traditional savings or brokerage accounts.

10. Put your Bonus, Raise, & Tax Refunds towards your retirement savings.

If retiring at 50 years old is really your goal, then you should put all extra money towards your retirement savings. That means, if you receive a raise at work, put some of it towards your savings account.

If you get a tax refund or a bonus, use some of that money towards your retirement savings account. They can add up quickly and make retiring at 50 more of a reality than a dream.

Retiring at 50: The Bottom Line:

So can I retire at 50? Retiring at 50 is possible. However, it’s not easy. After all, you’re trying to grow more money in less time. So, it will be challenging and will involve years of sacrifices, years living below your means and making tough financial decisions. However, it will be worth it in the long run.

How Much Is Enough For Retirement
How to Grow Your 401k Account
People Who Retire Comfortably Avoid These Financial Advisor Mistakes
5 Simple Warning Signs Youâre Definitely Not Ready for Retirement

Speak with the Right Financial Advisor

You can talk to a financial advisor who can review your finances and help you reach your goals (whether it is making more money, paying off debt, investing, buying a house, planning to retire at 50, saving, etc). Find one who meets your needs with SmartAssetâs free financial advisor matching service. You answer a few questions and they match you with up to three financial advisors in your area. So, if you want help developing a plan to reach your financial goals, get started now.

The post How To Retire At 50: 10 Easy Steps To Consider appeared first on GrowthRapidly.

Source: growthrapidly.com

50 Ideas To Help You Get Out of Debt!

The post 50 Ideas To Help You Get Out of Debt! appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

When it comes to trying to get out of debt, I’ve seen and heard it all. Â From the person who gets three jobs to the guy who sold his dream car – just to make it all happen. Â It got me to thinking – what are some of the craziest ideas out there to help you find your way out of debt?

find money to pay off debt

I decided to make a fun post about the craziest ideas people have tried just to try to get their debts paid off. Â The funniest thing is that these really do work! Â Who knows? Â Maybe one of these will inspire you too!

If you are struggling Â with paying off your debt, these folks may be able to help:
Call 866-948-5666.

50 IDEAS TO HELP YOU GET OUT OF DEBT

SELL ITEMS

Things are that – just things. Â They don’t define us, and they don’t always make us completely happy. Â My husband and I sold so many items when we were trying to get out of debt that we were able to raise more than $1,000. Â The thing is – I can’t even remember what we sold (which proves that they were things we obviously did not really need). Â Here are some unconventional ideas of things you can sell:

1. Hair. Â This may sound bizarre, but people will pay for long hair! Â Crafters often use it for making dolls, so they will pay to buy it. Â You will need to have at least 10″ or more to sell, and the price will vary greatly.Â You can visit eBay to learn more and get started.

2. Toilet paper / paper towel rolls. Â Have you been on Pinterest and seen the number of craft projects which require a paper towel or toilet paper tubes? Â They are all over the place!

You can get onto local sites such as Wallapop, Craigslist or even visit eBay and list your products for sale. Â It may sound crazy, but it actually can work.

3. Gift cards. Â If you get a gift card for any reason, be it a return or even a gift, you can turn around and sell the card. Â You won’t get quite face value for it, but you also can at least get paid cold hard cash.

They don’t have even to have the full value on them. Â For instance, if you had a $100 gift card to your favorite sporting goods store, but you only have used $26.48, you can still sell your card, and another person can use the remaining balance.

Visit Raise.com to learn more about placing your gift cards up for sale.

4. Daily Deal vouchers. Â Did you buy a deal on LivingSocial and haven’t yet redeemed the voucher, you can sell it.

5. Â Sell things you don’t need. Â Use eBay, Craigslist or LetGo to sell the stuff you do not need anymore. Â Go through your home and decide what you need and what you could sell to raise some quick funds to pay off your debt!

SIMPLE IDEAS

These are things that just make sense and most people think about…but you may not have thought of every one of them!

6. Â Budget. Â Of course, it seems this should go without saying, but it is not always obvious. If you don’t have a budget, you have no control of your money. Â Learn How to Create a Budget.

7. Coupons. Â Start using coupons to save as much as you possibly can at the grocery store. Â Then, use the amount you save to pay towards your debt! Read more about How to Use Coupons.

8. Change where you shop. Â If you live near an Aldi, start to buy groceries there. Â Skip the clothing store and find consignment stores to find gently used clothes. Â Read more about How to Shop at Aldi.

9.Â No more dinners out. Â This is a tough one, but it works. Â Best of all, its not something you will have to give up forever! Â Just think, if you spend $100 or more a month dining out that is more than $1,000 to pay towards your debt in just one year!

If you do have dinner out, skip the soft drinks and go for water instead, which is free! Â Make sure you also pass on the appetizers and consider splitting a larger entree to pay less.

10. Give up your hobbies. Â If you are an avid golfer, you might give that up for some time and use the monthly dues to pay towards debt.

11. Menu plan. Â By planning your meals, you not only know what you will have for dinner, but it also helps you plan your shopping trip. Â That ensures you have all you need on hand when you get ready to cook all of your meals – saving you from running to the store for that “one item,” which often leads to more. Â Read more about How to Create a Menu Plan.

12. Ask for rate reductions. Â Contact your creditors to see if they would lower your interest rate at all. This is not always something that works, but it is definitely worth a few calls to see if it won’t work for you.Â Learn the tricks to asking for a rate reduction.

13. Avoid paying monthly fees. Â If your bank charges monthly fees, ask them to waive them. Â If they will not, consider moving to another one which offers free banking. Â Even $5 a month is $60 a year that you are giving to them, just to have your account.

14. Keep the change. Â I always use cash. Â I don’t even pay with change. Â If the total is $6.42, I hand over $7 and keep the change. Â I roll all of this once a year and usually have quite a nice amount saved up. Â Best of all – I never miss it!

15. Â Overbudget. Â This is a fun way to get extra money. Â We may budget $300 for groceries every two weeks, but I will do what I can to keep my shopping way under this amount. Â Then, I take anything left over at the end of that two weeks and save it (you could use it towards your debt). It’s a fun way to challenge yourself to see how little you can spend!

16. Â Change insurance. Â Make some calls to find out of you can get a better rate on your auto and home (renter’s) insurance. Â You can sometimes find a better deal by bundling or even by increasing your deductibles a bit.

17. Â Skip the evening movies. Â If you love to visit the moviesÂ tryÂ the matinee instead! Â You can usually pay less by catching the afternoon show. Make sure you pass on the snacks too, as those can add up quickly!

18. Â Don’t buy books. Â Instead of buying books, visit the library or get free Kindle books. Â No need to buy them at all, when there are ways you can get them for free! Â Find out more ways to get free books.

EXTREME IDEAS

These are ideas which do not work for everyone, but have worked to help others get out of debt very quickly!

19. Stop retirement contributions. Â If you are in debt, you might want to take that 15% you were saving for retirement and throw it all towards your debt. Â As soon as you are debt free, you can start that contribution again (and maybe even do more than that to other accounts).

20. Cancel cable completely. If you really want to go drastic, you need to take all steps necessary to do so. Â Cable can run more than $100 (or even more than $150) per month. Â If you can cut out cable entirely, you might quickly free up $100 or more every single month!

21. Sell your car. Â If you are leasing a vehicle, that is a simple way to throw money away, as you will never own it. Â Turn in the vehicle and then take out a loan to purchase a much older car, where you will pay less per month. Â Best of all, you will own it in a few short years!

If you have an expensive vehicle, you can also sell that and then purchase an older car, which will reduce your monthly overhead (and possibly taxes and insurance).

22. Move. Â If you are renting or even if you own your home, consider downsizing to pay less each month. Â I know many people have opted to sell their home and use any income to pay towards debt, and then they rent until they are debt free. Â Then, they save to get the house of their dreams, which they can purchase debt free!

23. Â Turn off your home phone. Â This can run $30 or more a month. Â Just use your cell phone and cancel your home service.

24. Downgrade your cell phone. Â Try to reduce the data you use to see if you can’t lower your monthly payment on your cell phone. Â Stick with your home internet for most of your data usage, and you can use your phone less and less and rack up the savings.

25. Â Swap services. Â Instead of paying for babysitting, exchange time with another couple. Â You watch their kids for free, and they can do the same for you. Â You might be able to swap your tutoring for haircuts or your lawn mowing for handyman repairs.

26. Â Make gifts. Â Instead of buying people gifts for birthdays and holidays, consider making them yourself. Â You could even offer a “service” gift where you will babysit once a month for a year, etc. Â Find a way to give from the heart instead.

27. Â Budget bill your utilities. Â If you can, arrange for budget billing with your services. Â This can make it easier to include your budget and will avoid those swings in the summer or the winter when certain utilities may be more expensive.

28. Â Drop the gym or country club. Â If you have a membership of any sort, just cancel it. Â If you work out at the gym, try to find free videos you can follow at home or create your ownÂ workout plan. If you like to golf, go with a friend instead of paying for your membership.

29. Â No more coffee trips. Â Make your coffee at home each morning and cancel that run through the drive-thru.

30. Â Take your lunch. Â It is great to go out to lunch every day, but pack your lunch, and you’ll ensure you eat up leftovers.Â Not only will you waste less food, but you’ll also save a nice chunk of money every month.

31. Â Carpool. Â Take turns driving to work and save money on fuel and also wear and tear on your vehicle.

32. Â Set up no spend months. Â This is a tough one, but see if you can go a few weeks without spending anything more than you need to survive. Â That means no dining out. Â No entertainment. Â No clothes. Â Just food and fuel and that’s it!

MAKE MONEY

This is a bit different than working from home. Â These ideas help you make a bit more money just doing things you might already do – like search the internet, shop, etc. Â These sites will pay you money to do just that. Â Then, turn around and apply anything you make towards your savings.

33. Swagbucks.Â Use this site to get paid for doing searches and other things you normally do online! Â Click HERE to learn more about Swagbucks.

34. Sell crafts on Etsy. If you are good at crocheting, woodworking or anything at all, look at selling your wares on Etsy. It is a simple platform and the costs are very low, which allows you to keep most of what you make from each sale.

35. Rent a room in your home. Â If you have a walk-out basement, consider renting out the space to make more money. Â Just check with your local laws and homeowner’s association to ensure this is allowed before you jump in to start this one.

36. Sell stocks. Â If you have investments, considering selling them and using the proceeds to pay towards your debt.

37. Give music lessons. Â If you know an instrument or you can sing, consider selling your time to help teach others.

38. Tutor. Â Find your expertise and teach others. Â You never know who you might be able to help!

39. Start a blog. Â You may not get rich with your blog, but it can turn into a nice stream of income! Â Learn more about How to Start a Blog.

40. Â Visit garage sales and upcycle. Â Find items very inexpensive at a yard or garage sales. Â Put in some elbow grease, paint and creativity and turn them into something you can sell for a profit. Â Check out flea markets and farmer’s markets for larger items and for places where you can sell your items.

41. Â Find holiday work. Â When the holidays roll around, many stores hire employees for a short 6 – 8 week period. Â Sign up and put in some extra time after your regular job and make some extra cash you can use to pay down your debt.

42. Â Become a mystery shopper. Â This is a great way to get some things for free. Â This is not a way to get rich but is an excellent way to get some of the things you need for free (which allows you more money to pay towards your debt).

43. Become an eBay master. Â Purchase items on clearance or at deep discounts and then sell them for a profit on eBay. Â You can still offer prices which are less than in the store, but more than you paid.

44. Â Ask for a raise.Â Don’t be afraid to ask for one.Â Make sure you share the additional work or responsibilities you’ve taken on as a reason why.Â Or, if it has been a while since you last had a raise, you can mention that too. Â It never hurts to try.

45. Â Sell an eBook. Â If you are an expert in any field, or if you love to write, create a book you can sell on Amazon!

MENTAL

While there are things that you can physically do to save or to make money, you need to get your brain into the right mindset too.

46. Â Make your goal visible. Â If you want to get out of debt so you can afford to save for a vacation, tape a photo of the destination where you see it each day. Â It could be on your office wall, bathroom mirror or the refrigerator.

47. Â Learn toÂ be happy with less. Â Sure, a new TV might be fun to own. It could be enjoyable to go out to dinner. Â However, do you need those things? Â Probably not. Â Find a way to be happy spending time at home spending no money at all, and you’ll realize how much those things don’t matter.

48. Â Learn to say no. Â You may need to tell friends you can’t go out to dinner. Â It may mean telling the kids that they can’t get that treat at the grocery store. You may need to say to yourself that you do not need to grab that afternoon latte. Â Learning to say no can easily keep more money in your pocket.

49. Â Give more. Â This may seem crazy, but it actually works. Â When you give more of yourself to others, you feel better. Â Best of all, giving is not always financial. It can mean your time or even your prayers.

50. Surround yourself with the right people. If your friends encourage you to spend money, then you might want to distance yourself from them (at least until you can get better control over your finances and self-control). Â Find other people who think like you do so that they can encourage and build you up.

There you’ve got it. Â Fifty ways to help get you out of debt! Â Which are you getting ready to try?

ideas to help find money to pay off debt

The post 50 Ideas To Help You Get Out of Debt! appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Source: pennypinchinmom.com

By Leon Hoffman February 3, 2021. Estate Planning Auto, Banking, Blog, budget, Buy, Buying, car, Coupons, Debt, Extra Money, Fees, Finance, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, fun, Get Out of Debt, Getting Out of Debt, Home, How To, Insurance, interest rate, investments, loan, Main, Make, Make Money, money, moving, paint, Pay Off Debt, Personal Finance, planning, Products, Purchase, Retirement, Save Money, Saving, Saving for Retirement, savings, Shopping, Spending, summer

4 Practical Ways to Leave College Debt-Free

The following is a guest post by Lisa Bigelow, a content writer for Bold.

When it comes to paying for college, the anxiety about how to leave college debt-free starts early. And for thousands of grads who are buckling under the weight of monthly student loan payments that can cost as much as a mortgage, that worry can last for as long as 25 years.

According to EducationData.org and The College Board, the cost of a private school undergraduate education can exceed $200,000 over four years. Think you can avoid a $100k+ price tag by staying in-state? Think againâmany public flagships can cost over $100,000 for residents seeking an undergraduate degree, including room and board. And with financial aid calculators returning eye-poppingly low awards, youâd better not get a second topping on your pizza.

In fact, youâd better hope that you can graduate on time.

The good news is that you can maintain financial health and get a great education at the same time. You wonât have to enroll as a full-time student and work 40 hours a week, eitherâeach of the methods suggested are attainable for anyone who makes it a priority to leave college debt-free.

Here are four practical ways you can leave college debt-free (and still get that second pizza topping).

1. Cut the upfront sticker price

Donât visit schools until you are certain you can afford them. Instead, prioritize the cost of attendance and how much you can afford to pay. Staying in-state is one easy way to do this. But if you have wanderlust and want to explore colleges outside state lines, an often-overlooked method of cutting the upfront cost is the regional tuition discount. Many US states participate in some form of tuition reciprocity or exchange programs. You can explore the full list of options at the National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators website.

Letâs explore how this works. As a resident of a New England state, for example, you can study at another New England stateâs public university at a greatly reduced cost if your home stateâs public schools donât offer the degree you want. So, for example, if you live in Maine but want to go to film school, you can attend the University of Rhode Island and major in film using the regional tuition discount.

Some universities offer different types of regional discounts and scholarships that appear somewhat arbitrary. The University of Louisville (in Kentucky) includes Connecticut in its regional scholars program. And at the University of Nebraska, out-of-state admitted applicants are eligible for several thousand dollars in renewable scholarship money if they meet modest academic standards.

If you already have your heart set on an expensive school and youâre not likely to qualify for reciprocity, financial help, or merit aid, live at home and complete your first two years at your local community college.

Hereâs another fun fact: in some places, graduating from community college with a minimum GPA gives you automatic acceptance to the state flagship university.

2. Leverage dual enrollment and âtesting outâ

When you enroll in a four-year college itâs pretty likely that youâll spend the first two years completing general education requirements and taking electives. Why not further reduce the cost of your education by completing some of those credits at your local community college, or by testing out?

Community college per-credit tuition is usually much cheaper than at four-year colleges, so take advantage of the lower rate in high school and over the summer after youâre enrolled in your four-year college.

But beware: youâll probably need at least a C to transfer the credits, so read your institutionâs rules first. Also, plan to take general education and low-level elective classes, because youâll want to take courses in your major at your four-year school.

If youâve been given the opportunity to take Advanced Placement courses, study hard for your year-end exams. Many colleges will accept a score of 3 or higher for credit, although some require at least a 4 (and others none at all). Take four or five AP classes in high school, score well on the exams, and guess what? Youâve just saved yourself a semester of tuition.

3. Take advantage of financial aid opportunities

After taking steps one and two, you probably have a good idea of what the leftover expense will be if you want to leave college debt-free. Your next job is to figure out how to cut that total even more by using financial aid. There are four types to consider.

The first is called need-based aid. This is what youâll apply for when you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Known as the FAFSA, this is where youâll enter detailed financial information, and youâll need at least an hour the first time you complete this form. Hint: apply for aid as soon as the form opens in the fall. It is not a bottomless pot of money.

There is also medical-based financial aid. If you have a condition that could make employment difficult after graduating from college, you may be eligible, and qualifying is separate and apart from financial need and academic considerations.

The third type of aid relates to merit and is offered directly by colleges. Some schools automatically consider all accepted applicants for merit scholarships, which could relate to academics or community service or, in the case of recruited athletes, athletics. At other universities, youâll need to submit a separate scholarship application after youâve been admitted. Some merit awards are renewable for four years and others are only for one year.

If you didnât get need-based or merit-based aid then you still may qualify for a private scholarship. Some require essays, some donât, and some are offered by local community organizations such as rotary clubs, womenâs organizations, and the like. Donât turn your nose up at small-dollar awards, either, because they add up quickly and can cover budget-busting expenses such as travel and books.

4. Find easy money

Small-dollar awards really add up when you make finding easy money a priority. Consider using the following resources to help leave college debt-free:

Returns from micro-investing apps like Acorns
Tax return refunds
Browser add-ons that give you cashback for shopping online
Rewards credit cards (apply for a travel rewards credit card if youâre studying out of state)
Asking for money at the holidays and on your birthday
Working part-time by capitalizing on a special talent, such as tutoring, photography, or freelance writing

Leave College Debt-Free

Finally, if you have to take out a student loan, you may be able to have it forgiven if you agree to serve your community after graduation. The Peace Corps is one such way to serve, but if you have a specialized degree such as nursing, you can work in an underserved community and reap the rewards of loan forgiveness.

Lisa Bigelow writes for Bold and is an award-winning content creator, personal finance expert, and mom of three fantastic almost-adults. In addition to Credit.com, Lisa has contributed to The Tokenist, OnEntrepreneur, College Money Tips, Finovate, Finance Buzz, Life and Money by Citi, MagnifyMoney, Well + Good, Smarter With Gartner, and Popular Science. She lives with her family in Connecticut.

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By Leon Hoffman February 3, 2021. DIY, Student Loans Acorns, college, Credit, Education, employment, Family, Finance, financial aid, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, fun, guest post, Guides, Home, How To, Life, loan, Make, money, mortgage, News, Personal Finance, pizza, Rewards, Rewards Cards, School, second, Shopping, Student Loans, summer, tips, Travel

National Get Smart About Credit Day

Depending on the time period in which you were raised, many young children and adolescents had differing opinions (and ideals) about what credit was and how it should or shouldnât be utilized. While some were privileged enough to understand the complexities and importance of credit, others had to learn at the expense of their own mistakes along the way. No matter where you were or where you are currently, luckily there are always actionable steps that can be taken to clean up, improve, and get smart about your credit â letâs explore.Â

Become familiar with what can impact your creditÂ

There are five key components that are factored into your credit score.Â

Payment historyÂ

Your ability to make timely payments plays a huge role in your credit score. Lenders want to have the confidence that you as the borrower are capable of paying back any debts on time. If there is ever a situation that can impact your payment history, itâs best to notify your lender as soon as possible to avoid any negative remarks on your credit report.Â Â

Credit utilizationÂ

In order to determine your credit utilization rate, divide the amount of credit currently in use by the amount of credit you have available. For the best possible scores, keep this percentage under 30%. This shows creditors you have the ability to manage debt wisely. To optimize and improve your score, make it a goal to utilize less than 10% if possible.Â Â Â

Length of credit historyÂ Â

Lenders will take an account of all creditors and the length of time each account has been open. In order to improve this average, try your best not to close any accounts as this can have the potential to decrease your overall credit score.Â Â

Credit mixÂ Â

Car, student loan debt, mortgage, and credit cards are all varying types of revolving and installment loans. Lenders view this as favorable when youâre able to manage different types of credit. A good rule of thumb for using a credit card is charging a small amount each month and paying it off in full to avoid any interest payments. Not only does this impact your score positively, but it also creates good habits that donât require you to solely rely on credit cards for purchases. Â

New creditÂ

Any time you apply for credit, youâre giving lenders the right to obtain copies of your credit report from a credit bureau. Soft inquiries do not have an impact on your score, such as pulling your own credit report or a potential employer pulling your report as a part of the screening process. Applying for a new credit card, requesting a credit limit increase, financing a car, or purchasing a home are all examples of hard inquiries. For processes such as auto purchases, student loans, or mortgages these are typically treated as a single inquiry if done within a short scope of time such as thirty days. Be mindful of the number of inquiries outside of these scenarios â this mainly relates to retail store credit cards. Inquiries have a greater impact if you have a short credit history or a limited amount of active credit accounts.Â Â Â

Review your credit reports and dispute errors if necessaryÂ

Carve out some time to obtain a free credit report from one of the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion or Equifax) to review. Familiarize yourself with everything that is listed. In the instance something doesnât appear correct, follow the proper protocols to dispute errors. Completing this exercise at least once a year after initially cleaning up any errors can help correct any mistakes, but also ensures accuracy. The credit reporting agency and the lender must be contacted in order to jumpstart the process of resolution. Even in the instance, there are no issues found, youâll have peace of mind knowing the due diligence has been done.Â Â

Communicate and be honest with all creditorsÂ

If you are experiencing any type of financial hardships due to unforeseen circumstances, make it a priority to communicate upfront with all creditors. Explaining your personal situation while proposing reasonable solutions may work in your favor. Refrain from avoiding creditors due to emotional reasons or negative thoughts; your pride cannot overshadow your personal needs. When discussing finances, most of us donât want to disclose any personal information â however, if this can result in bettering your personal finance journey and credit score simultaneously; thereâs no way to lose. Make your requests known and be proactive so the best solutions can be provided.Â Â

Create a plan and remain completely committedÂ

Commit to at least three goals that relate to improving your credit. This could simply start with paying all of your bills on time and regularly checking in with creditors to ensure good standing. If credit card spending is a challenge for you, commit to limiting your credit card usage while paying more than the minimum balance. Rally the assistance of your family and friends to serve as your accountability partners to make sure you achieve your goals. No matter the personal goals you decide to set, commit to staying the course. Often times our personal lack of patience leads us to believe that the hard work thatâs being put forth is in vain. If nothing else, commit to improving your credit for you and your familiesâ wellbeing.Â Â

Protect your hard work (and your credit)Â

Once your new credit score emerges and is here to stay, the first order of business is to celebrate â congratulations! Your hard work and dedication have indeed paid off. In order to make sure your credit score stays in tip-top shape, donât be too quick to take your foot off of the gas just yet! Be sure to stay informed about any tactics or strategies to keep your credit score in the best shape possible. Weâre all on our phones throughout the day, so make it a regular occurrence to do a quick internet search on ways to improve your credit score. Continually staying educated about various credit improvement opportunitiesÂ Â

The post National Get Smart About Credit Day appeared first on MintLife Blog.

Source: mint.intuit.com

By Leon Hoffman February 3, 2021. DIY Auto, car, Children, Credit, Credit Cards, Credit Info, credit report, credit score, Debt, Family, Finance, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, financing, Home, loan, loans, Make, mortgage, Personal Finance, Spending, Student Loans

6 Tips for Successfully Managing a Checking Account in College

Heading off to college is exciting. Really exciting. You finally have freedom! You’re out on your own for the very first time, managing your studies, managing your social life and… managing your finances.

Despite being a big part of your newfound independence, personal finance is a subject you probably won’t find on your course schedule. If you didn’t take a personal finance class in high school and never had money lessons from your parents, you may not know how to manage a checking account as a college student.

“College students have very different needs for their checking account than their parents or other adults,” says Tommy Martin, CEO of Clear Path Financial Planning and a finance blogger at TommyMartin.com. If you live in a different city during the school year than you do during winter and summer breaks, for example, you may be after a bank for which location doesn’t matter.

Ok, so how do I manage my checking account in college, you ask? First, don’t get overwhelmed. Learning how to manage money while in college and getting a handle on checking account basics is simpler than you might think (oh, and the skills will serve you for years to come). Second, you can kick off your checking account education with these tips for managing a checking account in college:

1. Compare checking accounts before signing up

While your college life may center around your school campus, you should consider venturing off-campus to pick the right checking account for your lifestyle.

“Students typically sign up with a bank that’s on campus or close to campus,” says Sahil Vakil, a financial planner and president of MYRA Wealth in New Jersey. However, the nearest bank might not be the one that best fits your needs, he adds.

Wondering how to manage money while in college? Be sure to compare checking accounts to find one that meets your needs while you're in school.

Instead of picking a bank based solely on proximity, consider all of your options, including banks with off-campus locations and online-only banks.

Martin agrees, saying that learning how to manage money while in college means considering all of your banking options rather than “automatically enrolling or choosing the official school bank just because it has the school logo on it.” There are other ways to show your school pride, after all.

2. Learn about checking account fees and rewards

Vakil and Martin both say a tip for managing a checking account in college is to consider an account’s fees before signing up. Costly fees can eat into your savings and spending money, which can be a blow for students who are not working full-time. When you are choosing a checking account in college, consider fees for:

Monthly maintenance (essentially keeping your account open)
Minimum balance (not maintaining one)
ATM usage
New checks
Wire transfers
Online bill pay
Replacement debit cards

Martin says a checking account with no minimum balance requirement or minimum number of transactions could be a good fit for students. “It allows them to focus on their education” instead of worrying about incurring penalties, he says. “Even a $5 fee on a checking account with $60 in it can be devastating.”

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Costly fees can eat into your savings and spending money, which can be a blow for students who are not working full-time.

Martin also suggests finding an account that has a large network of no-fee ATMs located across the country to better manage your checking account as a college student. “Especially if you’re going to a school in a different state, the local bank from home might wind up costing you a lot in terms of ATM fees,” he says. If your parents plan to wire you money, find an account that doesn’t charge incoming wire fees, Martin adds.

While fees should be a focus when you are learning how to manage money while in college, don’t forget about incentives. You may be able to find a checking account that actually helps you grow your balance by paying interest or offering a cash back rewards program.

“If you have to pay for books or supplies, at least you can get some cash back and use it for a free dinner,” Martin says. Discover Cashback Debit, for example, offers 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.¹

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3. Track your checking account balance

Luckily, you don’t need to take Banking 101 to figure out your funds, and tech makes tracking your balance and account activity easier than ever. Most banks let you log in to your account online (don’t get distracted in class!), and with a bank’s mobile app you can transfer money to friends, pay bills, deposit checks and check your balanceâall while you’re on the go.

Knowing your balance at all times is a tip for managing a checking account in college because it can help you avoid overdrafts and insufficient funds fees. It can also help you forecast your income and expenses to ensure you’ll have enough money to cover future costs. Surpriseâthat’s budgeting!

There’s no one-size-fits-all budgeting program or system, though. You can go old-school and track your budget on a printed-out budget sheet, or you can go tech-savvy with a budgeting and spending app. “What’s best for you is the one you’re actually going to use,” Martin says.

If you learn how to manage money while in college and make a practice of maintaining your budget, the habit will follow you after graduation.

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âCollege students have very different needs for their checking account than their parents or other adults.â

– Tommy Martin, CEO of Clear Path Financial Planning and finance blogger

4. Secure your account

One of Vakil’s tips for managing a checking account in college is to make sure your account stays secure. Create a unique account name and password that you use only for your checking account, and never share your credentials.

Vakil says you can also enable two-factor authentication if your bank offers it and you’re looking for another way to improve the management of your checking account as a college student. “This additional layer of protection safeguards your sensitive financial data and strengthens the security of your account by requiring two methods of verifying your identity.”

For example, if you log in to your account from a new device, you may be sent a text message with a code that you’ll need to enter to access your account.

5. Keep an eye out for debit card holds

No matter where you bank, a merchant may place a hold on funds in your checking account when you use your debit card. Generally, a hold is placed for travel-related purchasesâsuch as at rental car companies, hotels and gas stationsâand used by merchants to protect against fraud and errors.

To manage a checking account as a college student, keep an eye out for debit card holds, especially while traveling.

“Holds on a debit card can make it tricky for you to manage your finances,” Vakil says. For example, “when you rent a car, the car rental company might put a $500 hold on your account. If the balance in your account was $550, now you can only use another $50.”

Being aware of holds can be particularly important if you are managing a checking account as a college student and tend to have a low account balance.

If a merchant will be placing a hold, it will generally post a sign to notify customers. The hold will typically be removed after the funds are transferred to the merchant from your financial institution, typically within three to four days.

Knowing when a hold will be placed, the amount of the hold and how much money you have in your checking account can help you manage your checking account as a college student by avoiding overdrafts and missed bill payments due to insufficient funds.

6. Don’t let one mistake throw you off track

If you can learn how to manage a checking account as a college student, and more generally, how to manage money while in college, you can lay the groundwork for a solid financial future. Checking account mistakes may occasionally happen (oops, I didn’t budget enough for that spring break trip), but don’t let them discourage you to the point of apathy. Instead, try to continually expand your knowledge and practice healthy financial habits.

¹Â ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo^Â® and PayPal, who also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Venmo and PayPal are registered trademarks of PayPal, Inc.

The post 6 Tips for Successfully Managing a Checking Account in College appeared first on Discover Bank – Banking Topics Blog.

Source: discover.com

Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS)

What is the AAMS certification? New financial advisors need something to help them stand out. Consequently, the AAMS does just that. Designed for newcomers to the financial advice business, the AAMS trains advisors to identify investment opportunities as well as help clients with other financial goals. It also gives more experienced advisors a fast and simple way to learn more about asset management and improve their credentials. Hereâs how it works.

AAMS Defined

An Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) can advise clients on college savings, taxes, and retirement savings. The course and tests for this certification are designed to ensure advisors can assist clients with their complete financial needs. It emphasizes evaluating the clientâs assets and making appropriate recommendations.

The AAMS certification is granted by the College for Financial Planning, a unit of the Kaplan Company. The college oversees a large number of financial certification programs, including the Certified Financial Planner designation, one of the most valued certifications in the field.

AAMS Certification Requirements

What is the AAMS certification?

To receive an AAMS, students first have to complete a 10-module education program provided by the College for Financial Planning. Then they have to pass an examination. Finally, they must agree to abide by a code of ethics and promise to continue their education.

The courses are online and can be delivered in self-study or instructor-led formats. Courses are open-enrollment, therefore students can begin at any time without waiting for the next session. The 10 modules cover the following material:

1.:The Asset Management Process

2. Risk, Return & Investment Performance

3. Asset Allocation & Selection

4. Investment Strategies

5. Taxation of Investments

6. Investing for Retirement

7. Deferred Compensation and Other Benefit Plans

8. Insurance Products for Investment Clients

9. Estate Planning for Investment Clients

10. Fiduciary, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues for Advisors

The College of Financial Planning provides everything necessary to study for and complete the modules and take the test. Students have access to the study materials and tests through an online portal.

Streaming video lectures, audio files, and interactive quizzes also can be found through the collegeâs site. Meanwhile, students can access live classes online and contact professors with questions and issues.

The AAMS Test

To get the AAMS certification, students have to pass just one test. However, they have to make their first attempt at the test within six months of enrollment and pass it within a year.

The fee for the first attempt at taking the test is included in the course tuition. There are no prerequisites for signing up to take the AAMS course.

Time and Money Requirement

Tuition for the AAMS courses is $1,300. This includes the fee for the first attempt at passing the certification exam. It also includes all needed course materials. Each additional attempt costs $100.

Students employed with certain financial services firms may be able to get tuition discounts. The college may also provide scholarships.

The College for Financial Planning recommends students plan to spend 80 hours to 100 hours on the course. Since the course is self-study, this amount of time is flexible.

To maintain AAMS certification students have to commit to completing 16 continuing education credits every two years. Also, continuing education has to cover one or more of the topics covered in the AAMS coursework.

AAMS certificate holders also have to agree to follow a professional standard of conduct. As a result, they have to maintain integrity, objectivity, competency, confidentiality and professionalism in providing financial services.

AAMS Certificate Holder Jobs

AAMS certificates are generally earned by entry-level workers in the financial advice business. Consequently, AAMS holders are typically trainees. In some cases, they may provide support services to more experienced and highly credentialed advisors.

The AAMS designation does not confer any special powers or privileges. Instead, itâs an optional credential that students may obtain to advance their careers and enhance their knowledge of financial advice.

Comparable Certifications

What is the AAMS certification?

In addition to the AAMS, the College for Financial Planning offers an Accredited Wealth Manager Advisor (AWMA) certificate. This is a somewhat more advanced designation. As a result, it requires a course equivalent to three graduate level college credits and requires 90 hours to 135 hours to complete.

Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC) is sponsored by the Investment Company Institute along with the College of Financial Planning. It is similar to the AAMS certificate except it focuses on mutual fund assets.

Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) is a general personal finance advice certificate from the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education. First, it requires 1,000 hours of financial counseling experience. Secondly, it demands three letters of reference. Finally, applicants must both complete coursework and pass an exam.

Bottom Line

The AAMS designation is usually for newly minted financial advisors, but even experienced pros can use it to bulk up their credentials. The courses and tests associated with the AAMS teach advisors how to evaluate assets and make recommendations.

While this certification doesnât give an advisor any real powers, itâs a sign that they can identify investment opportunities specific to their clients. Above all else, it can be a great relief to a client who has a child going to college or a retirement house on their wish list. As a result of obtaining an AAMS, and advisor can point them toward the right investments for their goals.

Investing Tips

If youâre looking to identify investment opportunities, consider using an AAMS as your advisor. Finding the right financial advisor that fits your needs doesnât have to be hard. SmartAssetâs free tool matches you with financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. If youâre ready to be matched with local advisors that will help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
An AAMS can help you with college savings, taxes, and retirement savings if you know what your goals are. However, if you are unsure how much you want to invest, what your risk tolerance is, or how inflation and capital gains tax will affect your investment, SmartAssetâs investing guide can help you take the first steps.

The post Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.

Source: smartasset.com

Expert Interview with Tiffany Aliche of The Budgetnista on Financial Planning

Financial Eduation is important for everybody regardless of their demographic, and yet it is frequently overlooked by both the young and those who are just trying to get get by.

Tiffany Aliche is passionate about financial planning, and shares that passion, as well as a lifetime of information and practice, on her blog,Â The Budgetnista.

Tiffany took a moment to tell us about The Budgetnista, how anyone can benefit from sound financial education, and how that education can enrich your life.

Can you briefly describe The Budgetnista for people who aren’t familiar with the site? How did you get started? What differentiates you from the other financial blogs out there?

The Budgetnista is an award-winning financial education firm established in 2008. We specialize in the delivery of financial literacy through seminars, workshops, curricula and trainings. The Budgetnista has been a brand ambassador and spokesperson for a number of organizations, and has served as the personal finance education expert for City National Bank.

I’m happy to say that I’m quickly becoming America’s favorite financial educator. I authored the #1 Amazon bestseller,Â The One Week BudgetÂ and created theÂ LIVE RICHER Challenge.

My love for financial education began at at home. I grew up in a financially-literate household, receiving weekly financial lessons from my CFO father. These lessons paired with my fun personality helped me create a fun, financial blog that resonates with thousands of women.

Who is your regular audience? What are some specific challenges they face, and how do they inform the things that you write about?

The Budgetnista’s audience is women aged 25-45. Their biggest financial issues are debt management, credit, and budgeting. When writing my blog, I focus on offering step-by-step guidance for these specific financial issues. In addition to women needing assistance, they also need encouragement. I try to not only be a source of information, but a source of inspiration as well.

What are some of the financial services The Budgetnista offers? Who is likely to utilize your services?

The financial services offered by The Budgetnista are keynotes, workshops and seminars on the following personal finance topics: money mindset, budgeting, savings, debt and credit. Many colleges, non-profits, and corporate entities utilize these services.

Each year, The Budgetnista also offers the LIVE RICHER Challenge; a FREE, online financial challenge created by The Budgetnista to help 10,000 women achieve seven specific financial goals in 36 days.

Your motto is “Live richer. To create a measurable lifestyle shift, through financial education.” First of all, can you briefly define financial education, and relate why it is so important? Secondly, how much of a noticeable shift has there been in your own lifestyle since you implemented this education?

Financial education through The Budgetnista provides participants with the tools they need to make sound financial decisions. It is essential because it grants people the power of choice, not just with their finances, but in other aspects of their lives as well.

In my own life, I’ve seen the power of financial education first hand. After a devastating job loss during the recession, I was able to create a business (The Budgetnista) and design the life I always dreamed of.

InÂ the long version of your bio, you’ve written, “By beginning to educate yourself, you’ve taken the first step towards financial empowerment.” How does that information translate into daily life? If this is the first step, what’s the next?

Education is the first step on your financial journey. The next step is to take action. Once you know how to manage your money – budget, save, reduce debt, and fix credit – you can use these skills to navigate your daily life.

One of the goals of The Budgetnista is to give someone a clearer understanding of how to more skillfully manage their money. What are a few basic tips people can use to get started?

Here are The Budgetnista’s top 3 tips to get started on managing your money.

3) Open a Bills Account: This is a FREE checking account (if possible), where you allocate your bill money each month. Separating your funds will help you to avoid “accidentally” spending money designated for bills.
2) Give and get an allowance: I bet you never thought you’d get one again. After creating your budget, decide which items you can pay for with cash each month and add the amounts up; then divide the total by four. That’s how much your new weekly allowance is. If you take weekly cash allowances, it will help to curb your spending. Also, give yourself a CASH allowance when shopping and leave the cards at home. This way when the cash is done, so are you.
1) Automate: By taking out the “flawed” human element (aka you), you’re more likely to stick to your budget. I’ve automated EVERYTHING; payments, bills, saving, investing, even giving to charity.

You recently wrote a blog post about how toÂ start planning for retirement now. First of all, why is this important? Secondly, does it seem like this is something that young adults are neglecting?

Retirement is critical for anyone who wants to maintain their lifestyle after they stop working. Many young adults neglect this because there is a disconnect between their present self and their future self.

You also recently wrote aboutÂ a budget trip to JamaicaÂ you get to take. What are some fun things that you’ve gotten to do simply by getting your finances in order?

My favorite thing to do, as a result of getting my finances in order, is travel. In the past few years, I’ve been to 16 different countries. Learning to master my money has given me the freedom to actively design and live my life.

You’ve talked aboutÂ how to make a budget for people who don’t have a regular paycheck. What were some of the basics of that article, and do you feel this is a reflection of the changing economy we’re living in, and if so, how?

Budgeting on an irregular income can be difficult. Here are some tricks to help you.

Calculate your Financial Baseline: Your financial baseline is how much your life costs you each month without the bells and whistles.
Be Like the Squirrel: Squirrels are super-smart savers. When acorns are plentiful, they work their hardest and gather as many as possible. Squirrel away your money when times are good, and live off of your stash when things aren’t.
Pay Yourself: Once you identify how much you spend each month, pay it to yourself from your business/savings account. Your clients/income provider should “pay” your savings account, then you pay yourself a regular income from the money that sits in that account.
Live by Percentages: Those that receive a regular paycheck can live by exact amounts; but for those of us with irregular incomes, we have to live by percentages. Allocate a percentage of your income to different categories: bills, savings, investing, spending, etc.
Separate to See: The best way to gauge how close you are to achieving your financial goals is to house your money in different bank accounts.
Systemize: Automate everything: transfers, bills, saving, giving and investing.

You’ve also offered some travel tips forÂ traveling on a budget. What are some ways people can save while they’re traveling? How possible is it to have fun on the cheap?

My top 3 Budgetnista travel tips are:

Be flexible: Sometimes travel deals spring up on sites. The more flexible you are about your travel destination and timeframe, the more likely you’ll be able to take advantage of those deals.
The right sites: My favorite deal sites are:Â theflightdeal.com,Â jetradar.com,Â europeandestinations.comÂ andÂ airfarwatchdog.com
When to book: The best day to book a domestic flight is Tuesday at 3pm (this is when the sales hit). The cheapest day to fly domestically is Wednesday.

Financial education is not a one-off event; it is an ongoing process that requires practice to perfect. For more education and inspiration, like The Budgetnista onÂ FacebookÂ , connect onÂ LinkedIn, follow her onÂ Twitter, and subscribe toÂ The Budgetnista YouTube Channel.

The post Expert Interview with Tiffany Aliche of The Budgetnista on Financial Planning appeared first on MintLife Blog.

Source: mint.intuit.com

By Leon Hoffman February 2, 2021. Budgeting, Credit 101 Blog, budget, Budgeting, Checking Account, Credit, Debt, Debt Management, Education, Finance, Financial Education, Financial Goals, Financial Literacy, financial planning, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, fun, Home, How To, Inspiration, interview, Investing, Life, Lifestyle, Make, Managing Your Money, Personal Finance, planning, Retirement, Saving, savings, Shopping, Spending, The Budgetnista, tips, Travel

How to Find My Citibank Routing Number

Are you looking for your Citibank routing number? It’s quite easy and simple. Below is how to find it.

If youâre sending or receiving money to friends and family members using your Citibank account, you need to make sure youâre having the right routing number.

CIT Bank Savings Rates: How Much Can You Earn

What is my Citibank routing number?

In brief, the Citibank routing number is a nine-digit number that the bank uses to identify themselves. Citibank routing number is sometimes known as ABA numbers, check routing numbers or routing transit numbers.

You need your routing numbers for several reasons. For instance, you need it for:

To set up direct deposit
For ACH payments;
To transfer funds between accounts at different banks;
For bill payments;
To receive government benefits;
To receive tax refunds;
For wire transfers;
To have payments like paycheck deposited into your account.

*TOP CIT BANK PROMOTIONS*
PROMOTIONAL LINK	OFFER	REVIEW
CIT Bank Money Market	1.00% APY	Review
CIT Bank Savings Builder	0.95% APY	Review
CIT Bank CDs	0.75% APY 1 Year CD Term	Review
CIT Bank No Penalty CD	0.75% APY	Review

Citibank Routing Number For Each State

Citibank routing number is different for each state. So, itâs important to know it. But your Citibank routing number is associated in the state you opened your bank account.

So, if you have moved to Illinois for example, but you had opened Citibank account in New York, your routing number is associated in New York.

It is as simple as that.

Here is a table of the Citibank routing number by each state:

State	Citibank Routing Number
Citibank Northern California (CA)	321171184
Citibank Delaware	31100209
Citibank Illinois (IL)	271070801
Citibank Nevada	322271724/ 322271779/ 321070007
Citibank New York (NY)	21000089
Citibank Texas (TX)	113193532
Citibank Washington DC	254070116
Citibank Connecticut	221172610
Citibank Florida	266086554
Citibank Maryland	52002166
Citibank New Jersey (NJ)	21272655
Citibank South Dakota	21000089
Citibank Virginia	254070116
Citibank California, Southern	322271724

If your state is not included in here, call Citibank at 800-374-9700 for assistance.

Citibank routing number to make ACH Transfers

To make an ACH transfer, youâre going to have to choose the Citibank routing number for your particular state.

For example, if you live in Florida, then you will use the Citibank routing number for Florida which is 266086554. If you live in another state, look at the ACH routing number for your particular state in the table above.

Citibank routing numbers for Wire Transfers

Wire transfers are a quicker way to send money than an ACH transfer. However, there is going to be a fee.

If youâre making a domestic wire transfer, however, you will need to use the routing number in your state, see the table above.

To make domestic wire transfers, and in addition to the routing number, you will also need the following:

The name of of the person whom youâre making the transfer to;
The name and address of the personâs bank;
The personâs account number as well as the routing number.

For international wire transfers, you will need both the Citibank routing number in your state and a SWIFT Code: CITIUS33. SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication.

In addition, you will need the following to make an international wire transfer:

The name of of the person whom youâre making the transfer to;
The name and address of the personâs bank;
The personâs account number
Purpose of the payment; and
The currency being sent

Where to find your routing number?

So, you want to know where to get your routing number from Citibank? Hereâs where to get it:

Your Citibank personal check

You can find your Citibank routing number on the bottom left-corner of a check. However, note the routing number on your check might be different than the routing number for a wire transfer. So, before youâre making a transaction, make sure you check with your bank to get the accurate routing number.

Learn How to Write A Check.

Citibank routing number on this page

We have listed the routing numbers for each state on the table above for ACH transfers. We have also listed the routing number for domestic and international wire transfers.

Your Bank statements

You can find your routing number as well on your monthly bank statements.

Citibank online

Your can find your routing number online by simply going into online banking.

On the Federal Reserve website

You can look up your routing number on the Federal Reserve website.

Customer service

Lastly, you can always call customer service at 800-374-9700: to get your routing number. Itâs available 24 hour a day, 7 days a week. However, note that you will have to provide some details to identify yourself.

Which routing number to use?

Depending on your financial transactions, you will need to use different routing numbers.

Domestic ACH Transfer

For domestic transfers, use the ABA routing number from your state (see the table above).

For Domestic Wire Transfer

Use the Citibank domestic wire transfer number in your state in the table above.

For international wire transfers

Use your state routing number: and the SWIFT code: CITIUS33

Citibank routing number: bottom lime

In conclusion, if you have a Citibank account, youâll likely need to your routing number. You will need to set up direct deposit, to set up automatic payments, or to wire transfer. So, itâs important to know it and keep it handy. Also, make sure you verify the number before you make a transaction. If you miss one digit or get one digit wrong, your money can go somewhere else.

Related:

Wells Fargo Routing Number
How to Find Your Well Fargo Routing Number for Texas

Speak with the Right Financial Advisor

If you have questions about your finances, you can talk to a financial advisor who can review your finances and help you reach your goals (whether it is making more money, paying off debt, investing, buying a house, planning for retirement, saving, etc).
Find one who meets your needs with SmartAssetâs free financial advisor matching service. You answer a few questions and they match you with up to three financial advisors in your area. So, if you want help developing a plan to reach your financial goals, get started now.

*TOP CIT BANK PROMOTIONS*
PROMOTIONAL LINK	OFFER	REVIEW
CIT Bank Money Market	1.00% APY	Review
CIT Bank Savings Builder	0.95% APY	Review
CIT Bank CDs	0.75% APY 1 Year CD Term	Review
CIT Bank No Penalty CD	0.75% APY	Review

The post How to Find My Citibank Routing Number appeared first on GrowthRapidly.

Source: growthrapidly.com

What is residual interest?

How does residual interest work?

Do all cards charge residual interest?

How to avoid residual interest

Bottom line

Sequential goal-setting

Pros

Cons

Concurrent goal-setting

Pros

Cons

Research findings

Actionable steps

1. Consider concurrent financial planning

2. Increase positive financial actions

3. Decrease negative financial habits

4. Save something for retirement

5. Run some financial calculations

Like this article? Pin it!

10 Easy & Simple Steps to Retire at 50:

Read More:

Speak with the Right Financial Advisor

If you are struggling Â with paying off your debt, these folks may be able to help: Call 866-948-5666.

50 IDEAS TO HELP YOU GET OUT OF DEBT

SELL ITEMS

SIMPLE IDEAS

EXTREME IDEAS

MAKE MONEY

MENTAL

1. Cut the upfront sticker price

2. Leverage dual enrollment and âtesting outâ

3. Take advantage of financial aid opportunities

4. Find easy money

Leave College Debt-Free

Become familiar with what can impact your creditÂ

Payment historyÂ

Credit utilizationÂ

Length of credit historyÂ Â

Credit mixÂ Â

New creditÂ

Review your credit reports and dispute errors if necessaryÂ

Communicate and be honest with all creditorsÂ

Create a plan and remain completely committedÂ

Protect your hard work (and your credit)Â

1. Compare checking accounts before signing up

2. Learn about checking account fees and rewards

3. Track your checking account balance

4. Secure your account

5. Keep an eye out for debit card holds

6. Don’t let one mistake throw you off track

Can you briefly describe The Budgetnista for people who aren’t familiar with the site? How did you get started? What differentiates you from the other financial blogs out there?

Who is your regular audience? What are some specific challenges they face, and how do they inform the things that you write about?

What are some of the financial services The Budgetnista offers? Who is likely to utilize your services?

InÂ the long version of your bio, you’ve written, “By beginning to educate yourself, you’ve taken the first step towards financial empowerment.” How does that information translate into daily life? If this is the first step, what’s the next?

One of the goals of The Budgetnista is to give someone a clearer understanding of how to more skillfully manage their money. What are a few basic tips people can use to get started?

You recently wrote a blog post about how toÂ start planning for retirement now. First of all, why is this important? Secondly, does it seem like this is something that young adults are neglecting?

You also recently wrote aboutÂ a budget trip to JamaicaÂ you get to take. What are some fun things that you’ve gotten to do simply by getting your finances in order?

You’ve talked aboutÂ how to make a budget for people who don’t have a regular paycheck. What were some of the basics of that article, and do you feel this is a reflection of the changing economy we’re living in, and if so, how?

You’ve also offered some travel tips forÂ traveling on a budget. What are some ways people can save while they’re traveling? How possible is it to have fun on the cheap?

What is my Citibank routing number?

Citibank Routing Number For Each State

Here is a table of the Citibank routing number by each state:

Citibank routing numbers for Wire Transfers

Where to find your routing number?

Your Citibank personal check

Citibank routing number on this page

Your Bank statements

Citibank online

On the Federal Reserve website

Customer service

Which routing number to use?

Citibank routing number: bottom lime

Speak with the Right Financial Advisor

If you are struggling Â with paying off your debt, these folks may be able to help:
Call 866-948-5666.

2. Leverage dual enrollment and âtesting outâ