Essential Sinking Fund Categories to Use in Your Budget

Essential Sinking Fund Categories to Use in Your Budget

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Everyday life requires its own set of quintessential purchases. There are things that every budget should account for, like food, water, and shelter. Additionally, there must be a plan for occasional spending on higher-priced items, such as cars, washing machines, and other primary goods. While sinking fund categories vary from household to household, the steps to obtain the resources are mainly the same.  Why Do I Need a Sinking Fund? A sinking fund is necessary because it keeps people out of financial hardship. Instead of being caught off guard, the household creates a plan to save for larger purchases. For...
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good credit

Help Your Teen Establish Good Credit

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If you think showing your teenager how to balance a checkbook is hard…try explaining how to maintain good credit! Ah, the joys of adulting. Many adults don’t quite understand the intricacies of the credit system. So, the idea of breaking it down where a teenager can grasp the intricacies is laughable. Yet, it must be done! Otherwise, your impressionable teen may fall into a very expensive trap when they turn 18. As of 2018, the average American carries around $90,000 in debt (1). Of that debt, the average credit card debt is around $6,849 (2). Yikes! That’s not even taken...
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have fun

Fun For Free (Or Close To It)

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You don’t have to spend a fortune to have fun. In fact, some of the most memorable moments are free! Finding time to have fun, and spending time with our loved ones, is important for so many reasons. Improved health, increased productivity, and overall life satisfaction. Yet, we tend not to prioritize it. Sometimes, the reason is a tight budget. Let’s nip that excuse in the bud now. Here are some great ways to have fun for free, or close to it! Here are just a few fun ideas on a tight budget: A water gun fight in your own...
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4 Smart Ways to Earn Incentives with Your Friends

4 Smart Ways to Earn Incentives With Achieva

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Achieva Credit Union members have a brand new opportunity to earn incentives with Achieva for both themselves and their friends. Those with a current account can share the joys of GOOD banking via Achieva's Refer-a-Friend program. Powered by ReferLive, there are four simple ways to receive real cash. Refer your friends, and you’ll both earn $50* When your friend signs up as a member using your referral, you will both earn incentives. There are no limits to the amounts of friends you can invite, so the more, the merrier. The referrer and the invitee will both receive $50 if the invitee opens...
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Money Journal Prompts to Last the Rest of the Year

7 Money Journal Prompts to Improve Finances

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People thrive where they place their passion. If it's on the mind, dedication towards the subject will create awareness, thus improving the odds of being successful. Could writing money journal prompts increase the relationship between a person and their wallet? Experts around the globe say, "Yes." Commit to wealth tracking for just 90 days Rachel Cruze, the author of multiple bestselling financial books, states that people should "Consider what [they] can do as an individual to move beyond complacency." Actively creating money journal prompts may be the big push that someone needs to work towards getting ahead. It starts by having...
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extra cash

Five Creative Ideas to Make Some Extra Cash

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How would you like a little extra cash? If you’re shaking your head yes, then you should keep reading! Most people would enjoy making a little spending money on the side. Throw in a stressful, challenging crisis, and the idea becomes almost a necessity. Good news! There are TONS of great ways to pad your budget. Even better, it doesn’t involve digging through your couch cushions—not that we’re saying that’s a bad idea. Here are a few ideas you can try: 1. Become an affiliate marketer. It’s NOT as hard as it sounds. When you find a cool product, you...
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Bad Debt Tops Over $100 Billion in Expected Defaults

Easy Ways To Avoid Bad Debt

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As businesses make their quarterly earnings announcements, the nation's five largest lenders expect a loss. Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and U.S. Bancorp claim that defaults due to the Coronavirus will cause a significant amount of debt. Collectively, the amounts of projected damages top over $100 billion. How can you avoid bad debt when these companies couldn't? How companies are handling debt worldwide A shift in retail sales caused many suppliers abnormality regarding their inventory and cash flow. Major companies, such as Nike, reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that they have millions of dollars in bad...
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Understand Credit Card Interest and Get Better Terms

Understand Credit Card Interest and Get Better Terms

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We talk a lot about budgets. We promote wise spending, as well as making fruitful investments. When it all boils down, a lot of our financial maneuvers depend on our creditworthiness. Is there a way to master a revolving balance? Can we better understand credit card interest to obtain more beneficial terms? The answer is YES. The more you know about credit scores, balance transfers, and APRs, the more you can use them to your advantage. In a timeframe as short as six months, smart consumers can reduce their credit card interest significantly. What do they know that others don't?...
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The Top Ten Most Affordable Home Improvement Projects

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So, you’re feeling inspired by Chip and Joanna, huh? Nice! Home improvement can be fun…or a total nightmare…depending on how you approach it. We’ve all been enchanted by the adorable duo and their magical way of making home improvement look easy—and even entertaining! The side we don’t see as much is the stress, budgeting, and failures. The great news is it CAN be a wonderful, rewarding process. As long as you have a plan, a realistic budget, and the right team backing you up. Your team includes trusted contractors, your bank if a loan is required, and a trusted realtor...
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