Spring has sprung, and so has a new fiscally reasonable you. Start the new season on the right foot by establishing a monthly budget for yourself. If you are thinking to yourself, “I don’t need a budget. I’m fine how I am,” then either you probably aren’t thinking about saving or are very, very wealthy, in which case you could still benefit from budgeting. Having a monthly budget can help everyone. Whether you want to start investing so you can earn a passive income, establish a retirement plan, save for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, or save for a down payment to buy a home, all of these goals and more take planning to achieve; otherwise, they may never happen. These five steps will help you establish a monthly budget for the rest of 2021 and also teach you how to stick with it.
Credit
3 Doable Tips Unemployed Individuals May Consider to Protect Credit
People are often devastated when they suddenly lose their jobs. As a result of the ongoing coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, especially affected are those who have a family to raise and monthly obligations to pay to creditors. It’s a stressful situation if you think your “rainy day fund” is not enough to cover daily expenses and bills for the next couple of months.
Actions You Can Take if You Experience Credit Discrimination
Mortgage application is one of several reasons why people use credit. Most people heavily rely on credit to get favorable mortgage interest rates in order to realize their American dream of homeownership. However, there could be situations that you might believe or experience that some lenders or creditors are making it hard for you to get the credit you deserve. Experiencing credit discrimination is frustrating, and everyone can be a victim, but there are actions you can take to fight back against such illegal practices.
Why Gen Zs Should Care About Credit Scores?
Many members of Generation Z are entering adulthood within the next few years and they’ll likely make big purchases along the way. The youngest credit-eligible generation should know that potential lenders or creditors will check their credit score to possibly determine if they’ll become responsible debtors. The average credit score has increased again, and Gen Z members need to become aware of their credit scores if they plan to make a big purchase by taking on a mortgage.
7 HELOC Facts That You Need to Know as a Homeowner
News about plummeting mortgage interest rates is recently making rounds on the internet. As a new homeowner, refinancing might come to mind especially if you’re struggling with your monthly payments. However, if you are not eligible for a cash-out refinance, you may instead consider getting a Home Equity Line of Credit or HELOC.
5 Easy Ways Millennials Can Do to Improve Their Credit Score
Millennials who have plans on becoming a homeowner in a couple of years from now should work hard to improve their credit scores. While credit score provider FICO recently revealed that the median score is now pegged at 706, most millennials only have an average score of 668, which means many have “poor credit.” There are easy ways millennials can do to start improving their credit scores.
How to Protect Your Credit From Identity Theft
If you are concerned about protecting your financial information from identity theft and data breaches, it’s important to know your options. While credit monitoring and fraud alerts indicate suspicious activity and provide added security, they may not offer enough protection. Placing a freeze on your credit (also known as a security freeze) can add an extra layer of protection against criminal activity. Here’s what you need to know: