The Money Tracker Blog

What if you slept in this holiday season and saved $1000s? If you saw the commercial you know where this is going. The first time I saw this commercial I thought it was perfect. It starts out with 2 neighbors in their driveways talking about Black Friday. One guy is pulling out huge piles of boxes from his trunk and stands up revealing this shining black eye. His surprised young neighbor says “Phil, what happened to you?” Phil says “Oh, … Read More

By Jess Pearse Guest Blogger Mortgage payments, tuition, grocery bills, retirement contributions, and insurance premiums represent only a few of the wide-ranging expenses faced by household spending managers. Depending upon the scope of your spending obligations and the income available to cover living expenses, accounting for these and other financial commitments can present formidable challenges. Even the best household spending managers face occasional difficulties, so don’t be too hard on yourself when cash flow problems arise.  Instead, use a proactive … Read More

By Guest Blogger, Dolly Santos Nobody enjoys tax season. The key to a more pleasant experience completing your taxes is to get prepared now. There are many things you can do now to not only make things easier but perhaps even save money next tax season. Below are some ideas to help you get set for next year’s tax season. Where to Start Be sure to keep all of your tax forms, statements, last year’s return, and any relevant receipts … Read More

A lot is written about financial strategies for millennials, and with good reason. Despite the much-publicized entrepreneurial spirit of the current generation of young professionals, there are some very serious economic disadvantages that have fallen on the shoulders of the same group. Massive student debt, lack of access to retirements funds, falling wages, and scant job opportunities with concrete career paths are crippling millennials these days, no matter how much initiative they show to start their own businesses. A lot … Read More

Sometimes the early bird does not get the worm when it comes to shopping. If you are looking to tighten your budget, it may pay off to to be a little late. From booking off-season flights to buying summer clothes in winter, here are a few unseasonable purchase ideas that will help you find new ways to save. Do the Math A great method of saving money is to let the numbers work for you. Retailers estimate a certain number of … Read More

Even though the focus right now is on the holidays, it won’t be long before tax time rolls around and digital tax fraud becomes rampant. Read how to become more aware and more diligent for protecting your information. According to the IRS, a Security Summit with public and private tax administration leaders met to discuss ways to combat the rapid rise in digital tax-related identity theft. Led by IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, the group reached an agreement on a series … Read More

By Judy Lawrence, M.S. Ed. Financial Counselor, Money Coach and Author of “The Budget Kit 6th Ed.” 1. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED Remember the last time your budget was thrown out of whack with some weird, unexpected emergency? The nasty dog fight that landed Fido at the vets. The washer breaking down when you had a load full of soaking, dirty clothes. And yes, that last precious bite that broke your tooth. You’ve heard it hundreds of times, but the “Pay … Read More

Are you caught up in the tidying and decluttering trend? If so, have you reached that overstuffed financial drawer yet? Or maybe you’re dealing with your elderly parent’s cluttered financial papers. One of the more daunting financial areas can be life insurance. A common issue with an old life insurance policy that you or your parents have had for years, is being stuck with premium payments for a policy that is no longer relevant to the current situation. I hate … Read More

You’ve said it a million times, you need to get a grip on your finances. But this time you mean it because after looking at your empty bank account, yet again, you are starting to realize that there is no other option. It may not be comforting, but know that you are not alone. A recent Bankrate.com study found that 37 percent of Americans are one unexpected expense, like a big medical bill or car accident, from financial disaster. Although … Read More

Staying up to date with the best gadgets and tech gear can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Oftentimes, the expenses associated with tech are hidden from view and stack up quickly. U.S. News reports that, on average, Americans spend the equivalent of 17 percent of their monthly mortgage payment or rent on tech expenses. There are ways to cut down on your tech budget without having to go completely retro, such as the … Read More