If your debt was delinquent and sent to a debt collection agency, you might have received a letter from a debt collector. Communicating with debt collectors, by phone or in writing, can be intimidating.

It’s important to know your rights as a consumer before responding, as the information you share with collectors can and will be used against you, if your case is taken to court. How you handle communications with the collections agency is crucial. Here are the first steps you should know when dealing with a collections letter.

The desire to give can be very strong during the holiday season. With multiple causes that are near to your heart, you may want to put aside some cash for charitable giving. One of the easiest ways to do this is to participate in this year’s GivingTuesday campaign on December 3rd.

The holidays are upon us once again. With colder weather and festive gatherings afoot, you’ll probably have more houseguests than usual. When preparing for houseguests, it can be hard to stay on budget. 

Preparing in advance helps you save in the long-run, allowing you to shop for deals instead of buying an expensive last-minute item. As a host, you’ll want to anticipate the wants and needs of your guests to make sure they’re comfortable. 

Food, drinks and a welcoming environment are the base of a successful holiday event, but going above and beyond with attention to detail will make your event even more memorable. This year, delight your friends and family with a holiday gathering to remember.

Not sure how to go about preparing for houseguests? Keep reading to learn how to be a good host.

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.S. When I was younger, Thanksgiving was all about food and family. As I got older, it became about food and family drama, then it became about preparing the food and hosting the family drama. This year, as I reflect on Thanksgiving, the only word that comes to me is gratitude. This is truly the only holiday that is focused on gratitude, so much so that it’s in the name of the holiday “giving thanks.”

The holidays are a magical time filled with family gatherings, fun decorations, and gift-giving from the heart. But the holidays can take quite a toll on your bank account. Between family gatherings, work celebrations, and school parties, the cost can really add up. 

This year, we challenge you to shop smarter by maximizing your purchasing power through credit card benefits and shopping apps designed to reward you for your spending. Here are some proven ways to make money while knocking out your holiday shopping list.

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a type of secured loan that gives you a revolving line of credit by using your home as collateral. If you’re looking for a flexible way to finance a major purchase, a home equity line of credit may meet your needs. Here’s what to expect as you move through the decision-making and HELOC application processes.

One in five Americans will live in a neighborhood with an HOA, yet many people have questions about what an HOA actually does. What do HOA fees cover? What is an HOA and how will it affect my daily life? 

Whether you live in a neighborhood with a designated HOA or simply want more information about what HOA fees, we’ve got you covered with all the answers to your questions.

Editor’s note: Please be aware that we’re not tax professionals and this is not tax advice, just a general guideline.

The federal income tax is a pay-as-you-go tax, meaning you pay taxes as you earn or receive income throughout the year. Depending on your financial situation, you may pay these taxes through withholding earnings or making estimated quarterly tax payments. 

So, how do you know whether you should make quarterly payments or stick with traditional annual taxes? This will largely depend on the type of work you do and how you’re paid for that work.

Veteran’s Day has always held a special place in my heart. In addition to being my brother’s birthday, as the daughter and granddaughter of retired military members, I appreciate a holiday that honors those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. My paternal grandfather fought in the Battle of Mindanao during World War II, my paternal grandmother served in the Army and supported the war effort from home; and my dad graduated from the United States Air Force Academy then served in the Air Force for 15 years after that.

When looking to save money, many shoppers buy in bulk at a warehouse store like Costco or Sam’s Club. The main idea behind buying in bulk is that you’ll get a wholesale price for committing to a larger purchase of a given item. Especially in situations where you require a large volume of goods, warehouse stores can be lifesavers. Despite that, not every item offers benefits when bought in bulk.

If you’ve been banking with the same financial institution since you were in high school, you might be curious about your other banking options. Whether you’re looking for a new high-interest savings account or are fed-up with your current bank’s costly fees, here’s how to switch banks in just a few steps.

In recent years, data breaches across various retailers, credit bureau Equifax, and the most recent, the Capital One data breach, have made data breaches seemingly inescapable. Since consumers rely heavily on the security measures these companies use, there’s not much you can do to prevent a data breach.

This can be especially troubling if the financial institutions that you bank with fall victim to a breach. If you believe your personal information was stolen during a bank data breach, there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself.

After being with my then-boyfriend of 10 years, he finally got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Our engagement lasted longer than most (*cough, cough three years*) for many reasons such as moving, new careers, and the birth of our beautiful daughter. 

However, the biggest reason we delayed solidifying our union was the huge ticket price that comes with a wedding. We had many conversations about the most cost-effective ways to get married but deep down we wanted a wedding. It was important for us to be able to celebrate our love in New York City, surrounded by our family and closest friends. 

Taking on a side gig is a practical way to make money on the side ahead of the big shopping season, or simply accelerate your earnings to start off your 2020 savings fund, strong.

As soon as you know it, pumpkin spice lattes will be replaced by eggnog and hot chocolate. But along with all the great things that come in a holiday season, there’s also the part about increased spending. You will need money for travel, buying gifts, and to set aside cash to continue hitting your financial goals. 

But don’t fret — although there are many strategies to help control your holiday spending, you also can capitalize on seasonal part-time jobs that many companies offer this time of year! 

We took a look at five companies that can help you earn a little more cash leading up to the holidays.

Having a strong credit score can open doors to more affordable financial products, like loans, and can even help position yourself as a prime candidate for a new apartment. If your credit is poor or you’ve just undergone bankruptcy, however, these opportunities might be harder to come by.

Learning how to rebuild credit after bankruptcy or increase your credit score is possible, but there’s no instant solution to get you there. It takes time, but implementing a few strategies to improve your credit, can go a long way.

Money can help catapult you closer to larger life goals, making rewarding milestones, like buying your first home or retiring early a reality. On the flipside, the lack of money can also feel like a setback keeping those very goals away from arms reach. 

The holidays are packed with opportunities to celebrate life, family, friends, and traditions. With increased family gatherings and celebratory occasions, the holidays tend to cost a little more than the rest of the year. 

Aside from holiday shopping for gifts, this time of year tends to bring unexpected expenses like travel costs and special meals. While you can keep your fingers crossed for a holiday miracle, it might be a better use of your time to budget for unexpected expenses. 

With the holiday season around the corner, you can get ahead by anticipating costly purchases. Check out the holiday spending tips below. 

My challenge also forced me out into the world to explore different avenues of making purchases that were sometimes even cheaper than Amazon’s prices.  

I used to rush to Amazon Prime to buy books, office supplies, clothes, and anything that I thought I needed. But, when the challenge began in July and I needed a few things, it pushed me to go to physical stores, and not only find more affordable options, but also discover my community. 

An individual retirement account (IRA) is used to set funds aside and invest savings for retirement later down the road. The account functions as a holding tool for a variety of assets, from stocks and bonds to certificates of deposits and money markets. There are two primary types of IRAs to choose from: traditional and Roth.

While each type of IRA has its pros and cons, both are an effective tool for saving for the future. One of the most enticing features of an IRA is its tax-advantaged nature — investments held in an IRA don’t have any tax implications as long as they remain in the account. This means your savings can grow and compound without increasing your income tax for the current year.

You can think of your financial journey to retirement as a road trip. If you start in New York and plan to retire in California, you have two choices: make the trip as direct as possible or allow some stops along the way to make the journey a little more comfortable. 

A 401(k) allows workers to save part of their paycheck before taxes are taken out. Sponsored by a given individual’s employer, the purpose of a 401(k) is to provide a savings plan that workers can access once they have retired.