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The Payday Loan Trap: When a Lifeline Turns Into a Loop
Imagine you’re short $300 to cover rent, your next paycheck is five days away, and your bank balance is nearly zero. For millions of Americans, this isn’t a hypothetical. It’s a monthly occurrence. Enter the payday loan. On the surface, payday loans offer fast cash with no credit check and minimal paperwork – often approved…
Continue ReadingTariffs: Who Pays, Who Gains?
It’s one thing to understand what a tariff is but it’s another to understand who benefits once it’s in place. If we pay more at the register, where does that money go? Is it fueling government programs? Offsetting deficits? Just disappearing into the system? And if higher prices are the price of “protectionism,” is anyone…
Continue ReadingWhy Expense Forecasting Is the Habit You Didn’t Know You Needed
Many people are familiar with expense tracking. You look back at what you’ve spent, categorize it, and highlight areas that could be more efficient based on your goals. It’s incredibly useful and something we strongly encourage. But it’s just one piece of the puzzle. There’s a reason every business doesn’t just track expenses but also…
Continue ReadingBudgeting App Scams Why “Safe Enough” Isn’t Good Enough
Last summer, Creditnews Research released its findings on the data safety practices of popular financial apps. Their findings were eye-opening. Not only did the majority of apps share some form of user information with third parties, but many shared far more sensitive data than users would expect. This issue doesn’t just affect budgeting tools—it stretches…
Continue ReadingThe Evolution of ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ (BNPL) Services
A few decades ago, if you couldn’t afford to buy something outright, you had two options: wait and save, or use layaway. Layaway was a patience-based system – you paid for the item in installments before receiving it. It taught discipline, but it also came with the risk of cancellation, restocking fees, or simply losing…
Continue ReadingDay Trading Gurus: The Social Media Scam That Won’t Die
Social media has become the perfect stage for day trading scammers. They promise instant wealth, total freedom, and a life you can only get by joining their Discord group, paying for their signals, or copying their trades. TikTok and YouTube are packed with these stories. Some are polished. Some even look scrappy on purpose because…
Continue ReadingWhy Does News Cause Market Swings?
Ever wonder why a company reports record profits and the stock drops? Or why bad economic news sometimes sends the market up? News affects markets – but not always in the way you’d expect. The Power of Earnings, Fed Announcements, and Data Drops Some news matters more than others. Corporate earnings reports give investors a…
Continue ReadingHow Can You Prepare for Volatility?
You don’t have to predict every market dip or headline to be a successful investor. What you do need is a plan for how to handle those ups and downs because they’re going to happen whether you like it or not. Let’s break down the strategies that actually help you stay steady when the market…
Continue ReadingToo Good to Be True? The Rise of Fake ‘Passive Income’ Investments
In today’s pursuit of financial security, the promise of passive income is enticing. However, this appeal has been exploited by scammers through various fraudulent schemes. Here’s an overview of some prevalent scams targeting those seeking reliable income: The Fake Dividend Trap The “Guaranteed Monthly Income” Scam Social Media & AI-Powered Investment Scams Protective Measures By…
Continue ReadingHow to Build a Dividend Portfolio: Basics & Considerations for Income Investing
Building a dividend portfolio is like planting a money tree that keeps giving. It’s not just about picking stocks that pay dividends; it’s about crafting a strategy that offers stability, passive income, and the magic of compounding growth. Let’s break down how to build a solid dividend portfolio, keeping it real and straightforward. Why Dividend…
Continue ReadingWhat’s Going On with the CFPB?
Back in our very first newsletter last August, we highlighted the growing attention on so-called “junk fees” – surprise charges buried in everything from bank overdrafts to credit card late payments. We applauded the work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the federal agency behind those efforts. At the time, we said: they’ve got…
Continue ReadingDemystifying Tariffs: The Basics Behind the Buzzword
Tariffs continue to dominate the news cycle, indicating their lasting impact on our economy. But while today’s headlines focus on the latest trade policies, the fundamentals of tariffs haven’t changed in centuries. Whether it’s steel, semiconductors, or shoes, understanding how tariffs work helps decode the ripple effects they create in everyday life. So let’s break…
Continue ReadingHow to Build a Personal Expense Forecast (Without a Finance Degree)
Forecasting doesn’t have to be complicated. You’re not trying to predict the stock market, you’re simply creating a forward-looking map of expenses you already know are coming. It’s not about precision; it’s about visibility. And once you have it, you’ll make financial decisions with more clarity and less stress. Here’s how to build a practical,…
Continue ReadingThe True Cost of Debt
You walk into a store and see something you want – a laptop, an appliance, a designer item. The price tag reads $850. You don’t have the cash, but your credit card has room. It feels like a manageable decision, one you’ll sort out over time. This kind of moment plays out thousands of times…
Continue ReadingSOCIAL SECURITY: What it Is. What it Isn’t. Why it Matters. Why it’s SO Hard to Reform
Last August when we launched our very first issue we asked What Will Become of Social Security? A week later we followed up with Social Security, Please Hold, focused on the operational breakdowns inside the SSA itself – delays, underfunding, and a staffing crisis. Back then, the headlines were familiar: warnings about the trust fund…
Continue ReadingWhat ‘Stay the Course’ Really Means for Long-Term Investors During Market Volatility
“Stay the course” – the simple phrase that gets tossed around every time the market tanks can feel useless if you don’t know what it really means or why someone’s saying it. It often sounds like someone trying to get out of a conversation they don’t want to have. It feels dismissive, like they can…
Continue ReadingWho’s Actually Moving the Market?
If you’ve ever watched the market jump or crash and thought, “Who decided that?”, you’re not alone. It’s easy to assume it’s a crowd of everyday investors, each clicking “buy” or “sell” on their phones. But the truth is, retail traders (people trading their own money) make up a small slice of the action. Most…
Continue ReadingWhat on Earth is Market Volatility?
If you’ve ever checked your investment account and felt like you were on a rollercoaster, congratulations: you’ve experienced market volatility. But what does that even mean? In simple terms, volatility refers to how much and how quickly prices of stocks (or other investments) move up and down. A calm, steady market has low volatility. A…
Continue ReadingNavigating the Financial Squeeze: The Realities of the Sandwich Generation
“Sometimes, carrying on, just carrying on, is the superhuman achievement.” – Albert Camus Life has a way of throwing curveballs just as you start feeling like you have things under control – building your career, saving for retirement, having a family and so on – but at some point, you suddenly find yourself responsible for…
Continue ReadingInflation-Protected Securities: Should You Consider TIPS?
Inflation eats away at your money, whether you notice it or not. One year, your grocery bill is manageable; the next, you’re wondering if you accidentally bought caviar. Enter TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) – bonds designed to keep up with rising prices. Sounds great, right? Well, not so fast. Let’s break down what they are,…
Continue ReadingCybersecurity 101: Protecting Financial Data from Common Threats
Managing your financial life comes with a unique set of responsibilities – and risks. In today’s digital world, cyber threats are everywhere, and your financial data is a prime target. Whether you’re managing your money solo or working with professionals, understanding how to safeguard your information is critical. Here’s what you need to know. Why…
Continue ReadingCyber Scams Targeting Kids: What Every Parent Should Know
With kids spending more time online, they are increasingly exposed to scams designed to catch them off guard. From fake giveaways to phishing attempts in games and apps, these scams can compromise your child’s data—and even lead to unauthorized purchases. Here’s a guide to understanding the types of scams that target kids, with practical steps…
Continue ReadingBreaking the Cycle: How Kids Learn Bad Financial Habits Early and How to Help
Kids absorb financial habits quickly, often without even realizing it. Some of these behaviors—like impulsive spending or avoiding money conversations—can persist into adulthood, impacting long-term financial well-being. By identifying these tendencies early on, parents can guide their children toward healthier financial habits that support a more secure future. Identifying Impulsive Spending BehaviorsMany kids see immediate…
Continue ReadingSocial Security False Reporting: An Indirect Hit
Back in June, rumors starting running rampant that there would be a $600 social security increase. While potentially very exciting, this turned out to also be very FALSE. The rumor spread quickly, resulting in the Social Security Administration’s phone lines being inundated with more than 463,000 calls in a single day. This incident highlights a…
Continue ReadingThe Study of JOY, Part 2
Last week we discussed the basis for finding happiness in our relationships and what that means in retirement. When you consider the relationships we have during our working lives and how structured they are, retirement is a huge change. Suddenly, we are without our colleagues on a daily basis, interacting with people a lot less.…
Continue ReadingThe Study Of JOY
In 1938 scientists began a study to track the health of its participants over a long period of time to try to figure out what makes people healthy and happy. The study continues to this day, of course adding new participants (including the offspring of the OGs!). So what does this Harvard Study of Adult…
Continue ReadingJUNK Fees
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking companies to task to make sure you aren’t getting taken to the cleaners. Their plan is to save you billion$. To start, note that there is nothing wrong or illegal about adding fees to a service – the issue is that they are not being properly disclosed. Since they are…
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