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Articles by Jake Bateman
5 Ways to Save for Your Kids’ College Years Without Bankrupting Yourself
Here's how to contribute to a college fund — and determine how much to put aside. Read 5 Ways to Save for Your Kids’ College Years Without Bankrupting Yourself from Money Talks News.
How to Open a Brokerage Account Without Leaving Your Couch
As you stretch out on the couch to binge-watch your Netflix guilty pleasures, it dawns on you: You’ve paid off most of your debt. You’ve done a great job at saving. You have a 401(k) that’s inching its way toward respectability. Now, maybe it’s time to set your sights on investing in the stock market beyond your 401(k). To do that, you’ll need a brokerage account. While that may sound daunting if you don’t know how to open a brokerage account, don’t let it intimidate you.
5 Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems and Won’t Hold Your History Against You
Life ain’t perfect. And given how difficult it can be to reach financial goals (or even just make ends meet), sometimes, our banking and credit histories aren’t perfect, either. Even if you’ve got negative information on your ChexSystems record, which is like a credit report for your banking habits, you likely need a checking account. And while your history may be a dealbreaker at some banks, we found five banks that don’t use ChexSystems.
ChexSystems: Like a Credit Score for Your Banking Habits
You’re probably well aware of the existence (and importance) of credit scores, even if you couldn’t cite your own off the top of your head. But did you know there’s a similar consumer reporting system for your banking habits? It’s called ChexSystems — and just like your credit report, your ChexSystems report could have serious effects on your future financial endeavors. Here’s what you need to know about this often-overlooked reporting agency and how it could impact your money. What is ChexSystems?
How Many Bank Accounts Should I Have? Here’s the Bare Minimum
Whether you’re living paycheck to paycheck or starting to build a nice nest egg, you’ve probably asked yourself, “How many bank accounts should I have?” It’s a fair question. Today, you have more options than ever, but is there such a thing as too many bank accounts? Do you even need more than one? While the answer isn’t written in stone, here are some basic guidelines to help you figure out just what the optimal number of bank accounts for you. How Many Bank Accounts Should I Have?
Ready to Leave Your Bank? How to Make the Switch in 5 Easy Steps
Man meeting with bank representative. Getty Images Love them or hate them, there’s no escaping the fact that you need a bank to keep your money safe. But if your current bank isn’t cutting it, you may be wondering how to switch banks and if switching to a new one is more trouble than it’s worth. If you’re looking to change banks but aren’t sure where to start, this step-by-step guide will set you in the right direction.
If You Have More Than $1,000 in Your Checking Account, Make These 4 Moves (SCHEDULED UPDATE)
Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. You’ve done it. You’ve built up a little cushion in your bank account — $1,000! It feels good, right? Those days of checking your account balance in a panic are behind you. Congrats! You’re on the right path. Now it’s time to think about some longer-term goals. What do you want to accomplish next with your money?
7 Debit Cards That’ll Give You Cash Back (and More!) for Swiping
Debit cards are popular. Like, really popular. Nearly 43% of adult Americans reported using debit cards as their main form of payment, according to a 2017 LendEDU study. And each year, people make billions (with a big ol’ b) of transactions using one. As a bonus, some debit cards offer rewards, similar to credit cards. So, if you’re one of the many using a debit card — or looking to upgrade yours — keep reading.
The Ultimate Guide to Saving for College and Beyond With a 529 Plan
If there’s a child in your life whose college education you have yet to fund, there’s a good chance you’ve had moments of panic. Millions of Americans are carrying a combined $1.5 trillion in student loans, tuition costs are still on the rise — but no one wants their kid to be buried in debt. The good news is that there’s an investment vehicle specifically designed for education expenses: the 529 savings plan. They offer tax-free growth and tax-sheltered withdrawals for many education expenses.
You Still Need to Know How to Write a Check. Here’s How to Do It
Updated 2 Hours Ago Writing checks: not really a popular pastime anymore. We live in a world where we can pay with a debit card or credit card for just about everything — and in some cases, simply swipe a phone over a payment terminal before whooshing out the door. Sitting down every month with your checkbook to write out paper checks for your utility bills? A thing of the past.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting to Retire: 6 Ways to Do It Right
Bill Poznanski didn’t want to retire. He worked for 35 years in the used car business in Toledo, Ohio, and he liked his job. “My job was fun, and I could handle it physically,” Poznanski says. “I had over 4,000 customers. My job was easy.” But then an accident left his wife in need of a new hip. Taking time off to care for her after multiple operations and for trips to the doctors drained his vacation and sick days.
Could the Capital One Quicksilver Simplify Your Finances?
Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. “It’s too hard.” “I’m overwhelmed.” “I just don’t know where to start.” Sound like you when it comes to personal finances? We hear ya. That’s why we’re here to help you do one thing: simplify. Simplify your bills, your budget, your life… With fun stuff like robots and dates and bonfires.
Here’s What People Really Have Saved in Their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s
It’s difficult to know if you’re saving enough for retirement. You can use a retirement calculator to project, but who knows what life events are going to come along and throw your savings off track? And how do you know the market will be so reliable? Experts often suggest you have a nest egg of $1 million to $1.5 million saved when you retire. Can that possibly be right? Is everyone else sitting on six figures?
Why Money Market Accounts Are a Smart Place to Stash Your Savings
When you hear the words “bank account,” you may think of two things: a checking account and a savings account. But here’s a different option you may not have heard of: money market accounts. What Is a Money Market Account? A money market account is like a cross between a savings account and checking account. It’s like a savings account in that its primary purpose is to, well… save money.
This 27-Year-Old’s Bank Paid Him $1,038 This Year. Here’s How
When Corey Brandl heard about Radius Bank and its perks, he decided to give it a try. Rick Loomis for The Penny Hoarder Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. This past year, Corey Brandl hasn’t paid a single bank fee. In fact, his bank is paying him, which helped him save for an engagement ring for his fiancee. Check it out.
Chasing Sign-Up Bonuses: Should You Apply for Another Credit Card?
Sean MacEntee under Creative Commons Although I don’t plan to use it, I opened a bank account yesterday. Why? Because in 10 business days, Chase Bank will deposit an extra $150 in my “Chase Total Checking®” account. I do have to keep the account open for six months, sign up for online access, and, to avoid a $12 monthly fee, keep at least $1,500 in the account. These requirements bring up an important question: Is it really worth your time to chase after incentives on financial products?
The Best Banks for Small Business
If you’ve started your own company — or you’re considering the move — you’ve likely marveled at the logistics required to pull it off. Popular first-time small business owner (SMB) questions include: How do taxes work now? What do I need to know about buying health insurance? What exactly qualifies as a business expense? There are many changes when you run your own show. And when you become a business owner, your banking needs to change, too. That’s right, you need a business account.
5 Ways to Save for Your Kids’ College Years Without Bankrupting Yourself
Do you know what it costs to go to college these days? If not, you should probably sit down for this. A two-year degree costs more than $3,600 per year on average, according to a College Board analysis of published tuition prices for the 2018-19 school year. A four-year degree from a public school? You’re looking at over $10,000 per year. And — take a breath — a private-school degree? $35,830. Every year. For four years. Do you know what it costs to go to college these days?
How to Save for a Home, Even When It Feels Like You’ll Be Renting Forever
How to Save for a Home, Even When It Feels Like You’ll Be Renting Forever Monopoly made it seem so easy. But in real life, there’s no advancing to payday, and rent does not cost $16 in New York. In fact, the median cost of a two-bedroom apartment rental in the U.S. is $1,178. That’s 35% of median take-home pay when you subtract taxes from the median household income. And in the way of all medians, this means half of us are stretched even thinner than the middle-of-the-road median American family.
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