I’m an independent shopper. If I need something, I like going into the store, getting it, paying for it, and leaving. Online shopping is perfect for me because I don’t have to drive anywhere, wait in line to pay, and then drive home. Which means one thing — I really do not like going into […]
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100+ Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free, Organized by Day of Week!
Everybody’s trying to save a buck these days. But hey, sometimes you want to treat yourself to a decent meal at a restaurant. If you have kiddos, though, you know how easily the bill multiplies when you add mac ‘n’ cheese and chicken strips into the picture. If you’re a busy parent who wants to […]
Best FIRE (Financial Independence, Early Retirement) Blogs You Shouldn’t Miss
Behind every mainstream story about a couple retiring in their 30s and traveling the world is a story of struggle, sacrifice, and smart trade-offs. The idea that you could retire early, that is to say before you were in your 60s, has been around for centuries. This History of F.I.R.E. published on Rockstar Finance is […]
ACS/Conduent Loan Servicing Problems – How to Avoid & Fix Them
Over 15 years ago, I graduated college with $35,000 of student loan debt. It was a mixture of different types of loans but I was able to consolidate them into a single fixed rate, somewhere in the 3% range, and serviced by ACS Education Services. ACS, short for Affiliated Computer Services, recently changed their name […]
12 Clever Places to Donate Your Used Old Books
If you’re like me, you know there’s nothing quite like cracking open a book. For decades us bookworms have amassed impressive collections of books to expand our small slice of the world. However, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with books. I used to have an entire room in my house just for my books. It […]
Achieve the Dream of a College Education with the Maryland 529 Save4College Program
College is expensive. I graduated with $35,000 in student loan debt. Some graduate with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. I never had access to a 529 plan. I started college in 1998 and they were created in 1996 as Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. Even if we knew about it, it […]
Average 401(k) Retirement Savings – Why We Need to Save More. Way More!
How much do you have saved up in retirement? If you’re like most Americans, the answer is not much. The average net worth of Americans is just $80,039. When you take out home equity, it’s only $25,116. That’s across the entire population of the United States – single, married, 65, 25, black, white, etc. Do […]
Dollar Store Guide to Health and Wellness: Five You Should Buy, Six You Should Skip
Ahh, the dollar store. In an age where prices are soaring, it’s the beacon of thrifty shopping options for people looking to save a buck. While you can easily score cheap party decorations and glass bowls at the dollar store, it can be tough to know what is and isn’t a good deal when it […]
Wells Fargo Banking Promotions: $200 Checking Bonus
Banks need accounts. You need more cash. How about $200 to open a Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account and making it your main bank account? That’s what Wells Fargo is willing to do if you’re willing to open an account, deposit $25+ make 10 posted purchases or payments each month for 3 consecutive months. It’s […]
How to Watch Live Sports Online for Free
I have a secret. I live in Maryland but I love my New York teams (I’m that weird Mets, Jets, Knicks combo). I’m not a die-hard fan in that I rearrange my schedule because I must watch every game (good luck — that’s 260 games combined), but I like catching a game when I can. […]
Where’s My Refund? How to Get Your Tax Refund As Quickly As Possible
Are you ahead of the game and already filed your tax return? You rock! Now you’re wondering “where’s my refund?” We can help! You’re in the right place. The IRS isn’t very straightforward with a lot of tax items, since there is so many gray and “up to interpretation” areas, but on the tax refund […]