Being a new couple includes many “firsts,” including managing money together or even buying a home. From deciding whether to open a joint bank account or knowing if you should cosign a mortgage, these critical life events can make or break your romance. This post will cover ten money rules every first-time couple should follow. 10 money rules every first-time couple should follow Manage money together only when your relationship is long-term. Know your financial history.  Create financial goals together. Set a joint spending plan. Communicate about money regularly. Understand the risks of cosigning debt. Be clear about the pros…

It’s never too early to start teaching kids about money. And what better way to help them hone their financial skills and experiences than by helping them open and manage a bank account? But if the thought of giving your child free reign over a bank account concerns you, don’t worry. One of the benefits of modern banking for kids is that parents can choose the level of control they have over how their kids use (or don’t use) the account. This post will cover three types of kids banking accounts, including their innovative features, pros, and cons, so you…

Kaitlyn O. says, “I’m a big fan of the Money Girl podcast and have been listening for years! A while ago, I racked up substantial credit card debt. So, I opened a balance transfer credit card and worked hard to pay it all off within the 0% APR period, which worked out great. However, now I’m stuck with a super basic credit card that doesn’t offer any rewards. While I don’t want to waste time with this card, I’m also really nervous about closing it and messing up my credit score. I’m thinking about closing it and requesting a credit…

Achieving your financial goals is all about getting one step closer to the life you daydream about, where you feel happy, secure, and on top of the world. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to set and achieve your unique financial goals. You’ll learn clever ways to achieve them that feel fun and motivating, not restrictive or boring.  7 steps to achieve your financial goals faster Write down your financial goals.  Create SMART goals.  Track your cash flow.  Allow flexibility in your spending.  Increase your disposable income.  Reward yourself at significant milestones.  Find an accountability partner. Here’s what…

One of my favorite tax-advantaged accounts is a health savings account, or HSA, for short. Not only does an HSA allow you to pay for a wide variety of healthcare expenses with pre-tax dollars, but you can spend it any way you want after your 65th birthday. It’s a clever, legal way to pay less tax, save more, and invest for the future. All that said, having an HSA comes with strict rules you must follow or pay a hefty penalty. This post will cover terrific tax benefits you get from an HSA, updates on new (and often surprising) allowable…

If you’re like most people, you know investing money is a smart idea. But if you haven’t gotten started because you think investing is too complicated or risky, it’s time to learn how to invest without taking too much risk. This episode will cover why it’s essential to start investing as soon as possible and the different types of investments to choose from. You’ll learn how to create the best investment strategy based on your financial situation, age, and risk tolerance. Let’s get into the details of how to be a successful investor. Tip #1: Saving and investing are not…

To celebrate my 13th anniversary writing and hosting the Money Girl podcast, I’ve compiled a list of 13 things that are critical for financial growth. Creating your own definition of success and being proactive about reaching it is a surefire way to accomplish more with your money. Here’s more detail about each of these money tips: Tip #1: Protect your ability to earn an income Protecting your income or creating additional sources of income is probably the best thing you can do for more financial success. Not only does an extra income stream help you pay the bills and eliminate debt faster,…

Debt is a powerful tool that can boost your success or cause your financial life to crash and burn. The trick to using debt wisely is knowing the difference between good and bad debt and the right amounts based on your income and goals. Today, I’ll cover tips to use debt strategically, so it helps not hurts you. Plus, you’ll learn eight ways to know if you have too much debt and action steps to protect your finances. Debt is a complex topic because people have different opinions about it. Some insist that no amount of debt is acceptable, not…

The COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis have triggered extreme stock market volatility. This week, Wall Street also saw the stock price for GameStop, a video game retailer, skyrocket far above what many people think it’s worth. Seeing huge daily spikes and drops in stocks and the overall market may leave you wondering what to do with your investments or whether you should be investing in the first place. You’ll learn how to achieve long-term financial goals, such as retirement or paying for a child’s college, even if you don’t have much money to invest. Fortunately, the answer to wise investing…

No matter if you call it, an emergency fund or a cash reserve, the idea is that we all need extra money set aside to stay safe from the unexpected. Not having enough cash on hand to pay for an emergency is why many people get into financial trouble. Having a safety net protects your finances and also gives you peace of mind. Life happens, and it usually costs money! But knowing the right amount of emergency cash to keep can be confusing. Today, I’ll answer several questions to help you figure out how much your emergency fund should be,…