In a roller-coaster-type fashion, consumer saving and spending have seen their ups and downs during the Covid-19 pandemic. First, when the pandemic started, not only did spending on travel come to a screeching halt, but entertainment rapidly declined, as did in-person shopping. In general, people were spending less of their money, preferring to hold onto their cash partly or fully due to the unknown.
Everyone has months where their budgets take a detour and get off track. Whether it’s because of an unexpected expense or a much-needed, unplanned vacation, a hit to your monthly budget can definitely cause stress.
Every parent knows that feeling when a child is begging for candy at the checkout line or your teen asks for cash before going out with friends. Do you give in or make them use their allowance money? While paying allowances to children is common today, it’s wise to use this practice as a means to teach responsible money management and important decision-making skills.
Most people have multiple debts these days – ranging from credit cards and student loans to car and home loans. The thought of repaying them all can be daunting, especially if you’re only making minimum payments each month. However, there are strategies you can put into place to help organize and reduce your debt quicker.
Everyone deals with stress and anxiety. Whether it’s work-related, issues at home, health problems, or something else, stress can weigh you down emotionally and physically. While there are many solutions to help lessen the effects of anxiety, some people tend to turn to indulgences, such as emotional spending, to relieve tension in their lives.
Buying your first car is an exciting experience! After all, with your very own vehicle, you can finally experience the freedom and independence you’ve been wanting. No longer will you have to ask for rides from your friends and family or rely on ridesharing services or public transportation.
Filing your taxes can be a bit of a headache each year. While many people may have good intentions of filing as soon as they get their W-2s, the reality is people often procrastinate. Then, before they know it, the deadline sneaks up and forces them to reorganize their schedule to make time to file, causing a great deal of unnecessary stress.
Each year the IRS releases a list of tax scams that are currently affecting many individuals. The number of different scams seems to steadily increase each year, with fraudsters becoming more proficient in their targeting methods. This year, there is more for taxpayers to be mindful of with COVID-19 and economic impact payments setting the stage for tax scams.
Nowadays, everyone in the family is using technology - from kids to grandparents. These convenient digital tools instantly connect everything, from friends and family to financial accounts and shopping. Unfortunately, they also open the door to fraudsters.
Whether you’re heading off on vacation, tackling the stores or just enjoying an evening out, taking a few extra steps to protect yourself and your identity this holiday season isn’t only smart, it’s easy.
