Buying a hybrid or electric car used to get you a tax break, back in the Obama era. Now, though, it’s just the opposite in several states, where hybrids are being hit with new taxes. Across the country, states are asking them to pay new fees for road upkeep as lawmakers say these cars don’t …
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Aldi has shaken up the grocery scene the past couple of years, moving from a small retailer of cheap no-name products to a major threat to big supermarkets. The German grocer is expanding into a 2,000-store deep discount chain across the U.S. So if one has opened near you, you may want to know the …
If you were on the fence about adding yet another subscription service to your running list of Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, this news might make you think about adding one more. In a presentation that took place on the Disney lot in California, Robert A. Iger, Disney’s chief executive, unveiled Disney Plus, announcing …
As a parent of a 3-year-old, I’m just trying to get through my daughter’s current tantrum phase — figuring out the best way to save for college feels all but impossible. Even though I started saving before she was a year old, it’s tough to shake the anxiety over whether I’m saving enough. So I …
If you’re anything like me, the mere mention of complicated-sounding financial terms like “liquidity” or “internal rate of return,” and even more simple ones like “budget” or “mortgage,” make you feel intimidated. If you haven’t studied economics or feel like you’re the type of person who doesn’t have a head for numbers, it doesn’t have …
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Are you looking to save some money and simplify your life? You’re not alone: There’s a reason that the TV show “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” which teaches viewers how to declutter and downsize our lives, is hugely popular on Netflix. Thanks to Kondo, a Japanese organization expert, people are embracing “less is more” in …
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About eight out of 10 people in the United States have debt, whether it’s in the form of student loans, credit cards, a mortgage or unpaid bills. So while debt itself is fairly universal, varying strategies exist for how to tackle it. Take for instance the debt snowball method lauded by radio show host Dave …
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If you have kids between 4 and 14, it probably seems like they always want a new video game. Many times they’ll say, “But mom, it’s free!” But caution: That free game can end up very costly, because of a catch many parents don’t quite understand. The days of just driving Mario Kart, or playing …
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As the holiday season approaches, many of us will be heading to Target to buy gifts. But have you ever noticed that when you go into Target to buy a couple of $10 items you end up spending $75 or more? We’ve all done it: we have walked into Target for detergent and walked out with …
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While buying your own home is an incredible feeling, owning it can be pretty stressful. Aside from monthly bills, the upkeep alone can be a lot of work. And we’re not just talking mowing the lawn or shoveling your driveway. Sometimes, it can feel like as soon as you fix one thing, there’s something else …
There’s a common anxiety dream that involves walking into a classroom to discover it’s the day of finals and you haven’t cracked a book all semester. Then there’s the waking dream a lot of Americans have — the one where you’re getting ready to retire but haven’t saved enough money to cover expenses if you …
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Debt isn’t your typical cocktail conversation, but it’s an important conversation nonetheless. About 80 percent of Americans have some form of debt, be it credit cards, car loans, student loans or a mortgage. So with this many of us in debt, why don’t we talk about it? In a society where there’s a social network …
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Most Millennials are not on track when it comes to saving for retirement. That’s no surprise. After paying bills, rent and making student loan payments, there’s often not much leftover each month for young people, many of whom entered the workforce at a time of stagnant wages and high unemployment. But a new report shows …
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How does a married couple who earns more than $100,000 a year live most of the time on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis? It sounds kind of crazy, but I can tell you from personal experience it happens more often than you think. A debt-driven lifestyle has been robbing us of our peace of mind for years. …
We’re used to hearing stories of triumphant Olympians overcoming all odds to achieve their dreams. But for many, staying afloat financially is a lesser-known hurdle as they ski, skate, jump, flip and twirl their way to gold. NerdWallet talked to athletes competing in the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea—and one former Olympian—about all things …
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If you thought a trip to Disney World was already expensive, just wait—prices have gone up at both Walt Disney World in Orlando and at Disneyland in California. According to the Associated Press, “value” days at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will now cost $109 for adults and $103 for children, which is $2 increase. During non-value days, a visit …
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Between buying gifts, traveling and hosting parties, the holiday season is expensive. So, it’s not surprising that many people end up putting holiday purchases on credit cards. This happens year after year, but this season collective spending on cards increased. In fact, Americans accumulated an average of $1,054 of debt this holiday season, which is around five …
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More and more these days, we rely on credit and debit cards to pay for everything. I, myself, rarely have cash on me. When I do, I always feel like I need to save it for when I “really need it.” That’s how rarely I have it. However, if you’re trying to get a handle …
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For those who have one, a mortgage is likely your biggest expense. What’s more, promising the bank you’ll make large monthly payments for up to 30 years is a long-term commitment. The more time we take to pay off that mortgage, the more money that comes out of our pockets, thanks to interest. Journalist and …
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Almost every Sunday, I meal prep. And, by that, I mean I purchase a roasted chicken. If I’m feeling really ambitious, I make one of my own by following this recipe that calls for dijon mustard and thyme. Bonus: When I roast a chicken at home, the aroma fill my kitchen and my food-obsessed Boston …
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Let’s start with some good news: Nearly three-quarters of Americans have an emergency savings fund to pay for unexpected expenses, like a medical bill or day-to-day living expenses in the case of a layoff. That’s the best rate of emergency savers since 2011 when BankRate started its poll. Of those with emergency savings funds, 31 …
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It also may be the most expensive time of the year. The latest survey on holiday spending from the National Retail Federation confirmed it. According to the survey, holiday spending in the US is expected to grow to a whopping $682 billion this year. That means consumers …
Whenever I need to reign in my budget—whether that’s to save for the holidays or put aside money for a vacation—the first category of my spending that hits the proverbial chopping block is “dining out.” According to the most recent consumer expenditure report published by the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average household spends …
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Spending less than you earn is one sure path to financial security. But that doesn’t have to mean a spartan lifestyle. You can still enjoy yourself while living small. Focus on the benefits. Having a financial buffer makes you the boss of your money, instead of someone who scrambles until payday. It gives you the …
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If you’re like most Americans, you’re not saving enough. While there have been some improvements over the past few years in Americans’ household savings, we’re still among the worst savers in the industrialized world. Around 44 percent of adults say they could not cover an emergency expense costing $400, or would cover it by selling …
The holiday season is supposed to be about joy, giving and spending time with our favorite people. But just as you might pack on a few extra pounds over the holidays, you might pack on some extra debt, too. On average, Americans who plan to buy for friends and loved ones this holiday season aim …
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What is the best way to control spending? No matter what I do to control spending and pay down my credit card, I always feel like I come back to the same place where I had started with the balance. Having an authorized user is one problem but most of the expenses are just food, …
Trader Joe’s is not like most regular grocery stores. In addition to their affordable produce and wide array of health-food options, they also carry their own line of unique products like their “Everything But The Bagel Seasoning” and their infamous Cookie Butter that you just can’t find anywhere else. And let’s not forget their Two …
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There’s a lot of advice out there about planning for retirement. You’ve probably heard that you should be saving more and begin putting away money earlier. Whether you’re just getting started in your career, or you can hardly remember a time before you were a part of the workforce, you’ve likely thought about when you …
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You are likely well aware of Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods. You may have also heard rumors that this merger means lower prices at the natural and organic grocery store chain. However, if you are trying to stretch your grocery shopping budget (and really, who isn’t these days?), you may want to hold off on …
I recently got a hefty HOA assessment. My initial thought: “Ugh, this is just like drawing a bad ‘Chance’ card in Monopoly.” Except rather than handing over pastel paper play money to the bank, I had to, you know, pay with real money. Growing up, Monopoly was one of my favorite games. Any time I …
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If you struggle with your spending habits and/or credit card debt, you’re certainly not alone. Whether it’s that daily latte habit, that exotic vacation we can’t quite afford or online shopping, our credit cards bear the brunt of our less-than-perfect spending habits. While getting your finances in order should be an issue you take seriously, …
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If the price tag on the tattered zombie costume at the Halloween store gives you a fright, it’s time to look for ways to shed some of the cost. Here’s how much shoppers are expected to spend on the Oct. 31 holiday, plus ways to trim that amount with money-saving tips. Carving Up The Cost Of Halloween …
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Have you ever thought about the cost of being a parent? No, not the cost to your dignity or to your body. I mean the actual monetary cost. Gasp! Kate, how could you think like that? I know, I know, and believe me, I wouldn’t trade any of the squishy hugs and tender moments with …
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There are billionaires, and then there are the rest of us. Have you ever wondered what sets some people apart? What sends them straight to the top? What decisions they made along the way to become billionaires? You’re not alone. The folks over at Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment in the U.K. were curious, too, so they …
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I was working as a newspaper reporter, earning $38,000 a year when I became dead set on purchasing my very first home. At the time, rent in my bachelorette pad had been going up every year, to the tune of $50 to $125 per month. Meanwhile, my dishwasher was a prop that didn’t actually work …
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For those of you who are still not over the fact that summer is gone for good, we’re right there with you. You can barely wrap your head around drinking a pumpkin spice latte—much less booking a Thanksgiving flight, right? We hate to break it to you, but the sooner you prepare for the upcoming …
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It’s hard to give a blanket statement on how to save money, as everyone has different habits, desires and necessities. But if you’re someone who prefers to stay in and watch a movie rather than go to a party, there are specific money-saving tips that will work perfectly for your lifestyle. As an introvert, there …
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How how much should you have saved for retirement today, based on your age? How much should you be saving for retirement each month? Do you have the best credit cards in your wallet, in terms of APR, transfer fees and rewards? Can you or should you pay off your student loan faster? What do …
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in the United States in 2016 was $59,039. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in the same year, annual expenses averaged $57,311 for American households. That doesn’t leave a whole lot of wiggle room for emergency or other unexpected expenses. If you live in …
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Spending $5 here, $10 there or $20 on an impulse buy or frequent purchase won’t bust your budget—or will it? Seemingly small splurges don’t hurt your financial well-being by themselves, but when you add them up over the course of a year, they can be devastating to your personal finances. If you can find 10 …
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Standing in the grocery store faced with the option to choose organic or not can often come down to dollars and cents. Are those $5.99-a-pound strawberries really better than the $2.99 non-organic variety? Many health experts say yes, but how can we afford it? One mom, Sarah Cottrell, says it is very doable, it just …
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Are you dreaming of a brand new and sparkling kitchen, but lack the funds to spring for a professional renovation? No problem. It turns out that there a number of things you can do to spruce up your kitchen yourself, and they won’t break the bank either. Check out these simple, DIY kitchen upgrades that …
If there’s one thing we can probably all agree on, it’s that winning the lottery would pretty much top the list of life goals. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly practical for most of us. That doesn’t mean becoming a millionaire is out the question, though. It just means you’ll have to pay more attention to your …
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New cars can be exciting. There’s that new car smell. Your toddler has not yet smashed Cheerios into every available crevice. You don’t have to worry about repairs leaving you stranded with no way to get around. And you just feel cool driving down the street in a shiny, brand-new ride. (Is that just me?) …
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We can all agree: Vacations are the best. But you know what’s the worst? Looking at your credit card statement after vacation. Oof. Of course, most of us are getting paid while we’re on vacation (hello, PTO!) but vacation spending still hurts. Between airfare, expensive hotels or Airbnbs (come on, you have to splurge while …
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We’ve all heard about cutting the cord, which means ditching cable and using other, cheaper means to watch TV—Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube. But some people are just now discovering the original way to watch TV for free: an antenna. The Wall Street Journal published a story earlier this month about the millennials who are surprised …
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We’ve all been there before. You pull up to the gas station to refuel, but before you pump, you must decide if you want regular or premium gas. You may wonder if the extra cost of the “Top Tier” gas is worth it, or if it’s just a ploy for the gas companies to suck …
At some point, you may have heard statistics thrown around about how much more college graduates earn over their lifetimes. In particular, one study that seems to get repeated a lot says those with bachelor’s degrees earn $1 million more than high school graduates over their lifetimes. And, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, …
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Grocery shoppers, rejoice! Amazon has dropped the price of 13 items now that it’s running the ship at Whole Foods following last week’s acquisition. “Whole Foods Market will offer lower prices starting Monday on a selection of best-selling grocery staples across its stores, with more to come,” Amazon said in a statement on Friday, according to …
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