Savings

Many people avoid going to the gym because of membership fees, but at-home workouts can be just as effective with the right equipment. You don’t always need your own squat rack and stair stepper to meet your fitness goals – with this budget-friendly gym equipment, you’ll be saving hundreds while still staying active in the comfort of your home.  Resistance Bands  These lightweight and flexible bands are the perfect equipment...
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With each new addition to the family, expenses rise and finances can become more difficult to handle. That’s no reason not to enjoy having a big family, though! With these simple and effective money-saving tips, you can maintain peace of mind knowing you’re handling your money in the best way possible.  Check the Discount Stores  Going to a thrift store or discount store is especially helpful when shopping for kids’ clothing. Since the day...
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While struggling with debt isn’t uncommon, getting out of it as soon as possible is important. Student loans, car loans, credit cards and other payments can lead to your pile of debt getting bigger and bigger. So, what steps should you take if you are in debt? Keep reading to find out.  1. Clean Out Your House & Sell What You Don’t Use  Start small and simply sell the things you don’t need. You’d be surprised how many things you...
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Teaching your kids about saving money can be quite the undertaking. Luckily, there are games and fun ways to help your children engage with this learning process. Check out these 5 games that will help your kids learn more about saving.  1. Monopoly  Not only is Monopoly a fun family game, but it’s also a great game to teach kids about money. The game can get lengthy, but it teaches some valuable lessons. Not only do you learn how to save your money, but you also learn...
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If you or someone you know has a pet, you understand there are lots of factors that go into purchasing one. How do you know if getting a furry friend is the right decision for you? Keep reading to learn about the one-time pet costs you might not have thought about.  Initial Adoption Cost  The most obvious payment you’ll make when purchasing a pet is the cost of actually adopting one. What you’ll spend for adoption completely depends on the breed,...
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Are your kids ready to start earning money for themselves? As a parent, it can be worrisome trying to find a good first-time work environment for your son or daughter. Good news! There are many great ways for your kids to make some extra cash - even your youngest kids! 1. Babysitting Once your kid is old enough, he or she might be interested in taking care of younger kids. Sometimes the best way for someone to “practice” babysitting is by having them watch their siblings or relatives...
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You’ve heard big banks advertise their services all over the world, but most consumers don’t realize all of the benefits that come with banking local. When it comes to customer service, banking fees and ethical choices, banking local is the smart choice, and we’ll tell you why. Great Customer Service Because local banks have less customers than your average megabank, the employees have the chance to form deeper relationships with the people they serve. Tailored Programs Community...
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Parenting isn’t easy, and we are here to help you in whatever ways we can. Keep reading to learn about these 5 simple and important things to teach your kids about money! 1. The Importance of Saving The easiest way to encourage your kids to save money is by getting them a piggy bank. Some kids are fascinated by the piggy banks that automatically count your change, and other kids would enjoy a lovely glass pig to keep their money in. Go to the store and let them pick out a piggy bank they...
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Research shows that money is the number one cause of stress among Americans. Balancing your expenses and managing your spending habits can be tricky, but we’ve come up with six great tips to help keep that stress away. 1. Track What You’re Spending Keeping track of what you spend money on is a great way to analyze your spending habits and make changes. Sometimes you don’t realize what spending problems you have until you see your payments on paper. Keep a paper or digital...
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Extreme amounts of debt can weigh heavy on your shoulders. It has been found that extreme amounts of debt are linked to higher rates of suicide and depression. This is why it’s so important to have an understanding of good debt vs. bad debt and how you can go about paying back your debt efficiently.  Don’t Let it Define Your Life You, of course, want to have your debt paid off as soon as possible. However, letting it define the value of your life is counterintuitive to being...
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