As the holidays approach, gift cards remain a popular gift option, but they’re also a target for scammers. These fraudsters use tactics like phishing and tampering with physical gift cards to steal funds before they can be used. To protect yourself and your loved ones this season, it’s important to stay aware of these risks.
Having a well-stocked emergency fund is important. But so is saving for retirement. So how do you know which one to focus on? Well, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you should know.
Halloween is a time for spooky fun, but it can also bring a scare to your wallet if you're not careful. From costumes to decorations and treats, the costs can add up quickly. Here’s how to manage your Halloween budget and keep your spending under control while still enjoying the festivities.
Now is the moment to turn your attention to your tax obligations. With less than 60 days remaining until the tax deadline now is a good time to prepare your documents and file.
Need a smart strategy to save on essential school supplies? Planning your dream vacation or gearing up for the holiday season? With a club account, you can save for essential school supplies, exciting vacations, and joyful holiday celebrations, making your financial goals more attainable and stress-free.
When you graduate from college, one of the first things that you start to save toward is getting your own place. You just lived on your own for 4 years and had that taste of “freedom.” You could go about as you pleased without having to tell your parents where you were going at 11:00 pm. And if your diet consisted of late-night pizza and mozzarella sticks then so be it. College is essentially a 4-year long sleepover with your closest friends but then one day it ends and before you know it you are back in your bedroom at home.
I knew that I wouldn’t be able to get a place right off the bat. I did a terrible job my senior year of college when it came to saving. I had a job as an HR Assistant throughout the year but I only worked 2-3 days a week. Because I was going out every weekend, I got into the habit of buying new cute outfits and buying alcohol and snacks. Then spring break rolled around and my savings account was doomed. There is no sugar coating it- I dropped the ball. So I knew once I graduated in May that I would be living at home for a long time.
For some of my friends, this was a giant “no.” They got a taste of independence and were out living in Southie by the end of summer. Funny enough, those friends moved back into their parents’ houses by the next summer. When asking them about it their reasoning was always the same: they needed to save money. It wasn’t even necessarily the rent that was expensive for them, but the temptation of eating at Boston restaurants, going to the bars each weekend, attending Red Sox games, etc. It’s expensive to live on your own!
To be honest, I was never jealous of those friends that lived on their own. I was seeing an increase in my accounts because I wasn’t paying rent, buying toiletries, etc. I bought the groceries that I needed for myself but in comparison to what my friends bought weekly- my grocery bill was nothing! I also was in a different headspace. I had goals set for myself and I wanted to reach those goals. I wanted to get a home, yes, but I wanted it to be one that I really loved and saved up for. Right now, I’m working at having enough in my savings account to put 10% toward a down payment for a house. I’m 3 years out of college and I’m still getting there. It takes time!