Mega e-tailers, like Amazon and Walmart, may monopolize online commerce, but it’s the small businesses across the country that keep the economy going. In fact, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA), the 28 million small businesses in America account for 54 percent of all sales in the country. Small businesses create jobs, build a […]
Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be great fun – but they can also put you at great risk. Scams abound on the weekend that kicks off the holiday shopping season, and you don’t want a phishing scheme or a bogus bargain to turn you into a Grinch. In Episode 7 of the podcast we […]
Americans love eating out. According to the USDA’s food expenditure data, millennials spend more than 44% of their food budget on this meal option. In addition, other data proves that Americans spend a lot more on restaurants and bars ($54.86 billion) than they do on their groceries ($52.5 billion). We Americans really like our restaurants. […]
All the best financial experts agree you need to keep an emergency fund. Keeping three to five months of living expenses in a savings account, certificate account, or investment account can be the difference between a temporary hardship and a lifelong debt trap. Using that money instead of credit cards or short-term loans is a […]
Halloween is coming – and so is the fun! Everyone wants to win the prize for creepiest costume and the most frightening yard décor in the neighborhood. But all that spookiness comes with a scary price tag. The average American will spend $169 on Halloween costs this year. And, if that’s not enough to terrify you, […]
The importance of maintaining a good credit score is old news. As you probably know, the higher your score, the more attractive you’ll be to potential lenders, making larger loans and the best interest rates more accessible. Hopefully you’re working hard at keeping that score high by using your cards and paying your bills on […]
With the average American spending 24 hours a week online, internet safety is more important than ever. A hacked or compromised computer can put you at risk for money loss, phishing scams, or even complete identity theft. It gets worse: If your computer’s security has been breached, it can be turned into a “middle man” for […]
If you’re like many of us, you’ve been trying to stick to a budget for a while, but by the time each month is over, you’ve busted your budget – again. Because of this recurring pattern, you’re probably wondering if there’s a better way. Fortunately, the answer is yes. The money envelope system has been […]
Hackers are at it again. In late June, Ticketmaster announced that several of its sites had been compromised. Recent research reveals that this breach was only a small part of a massive credit card-skimming hack. Here’s what you need to know about the Ticketmaster breach: What happened? Sites like Ticketmaster often rely on a third-party […]
You may be deep into your summer routine of lazy afternoons at the beach, family day trips and bedtimes postponed in favor of firefly-chasing, but back-to-school season is already in full swing. And, any way you slice it, it’s going to be expensive! Between new backpacks, textbooks, a long list of supplies and a fresh […]