The Financially Free Blog
How to Use 0% Interest Credit Cards the Smart Way
If you need money now and have solid credit, a common financial strategy is to sign up for a new credit card with a 0% APR. Promotional no-APR credit cards don’t charge interest on your spending until the promotional period ends. As long as you pay the card off before the promotion ends, it won’t cost you anything to use.
This strategy requires you to be savvy to maximize the promotional period and pay off the card balance before interest rates hit. Here’s how to make sure you’re taking full advantage of a no-APR credit card.
3 Top Financial Resolutions for the New Year — and How to Stay on Track
The start of the New Year is an inspirational time. The calendar resets along with the resolve to be better and do better at reaching our goals than we achieved in the year prior. Fidelity Investments’ 2025 New Year Financial Resolutions Study, which surveyed more than 3,000 U.S. adults, found that 65% of respondents considered a financial resolution in 2025.
Of those who said they plan on setting a financial resolution, the top three resolutions cited were fairly broad. Here are the most popular money resolutions; if you want to work toward one of these goals, we also share tips to help them stick year-round.
How to Organize Your Life and Money
The new year is right around the corner and with it, a fresh start for your home and finances. If you want to brush up on your organizational skills, there are a handful of steps to approach both parts of your life. Here’s how to organize your life and money in preparation for the new year, using one plan of attack.
How to Choose a New Year's Resolution for 2020
New year, new habits — at least that what many Americans strive for when declaring a new year’s resolution. Resetting the calendar can feel like the perfect time to wipe the slate clean and set a new course toward personal growth.
The reality, however, is that studies found that 80% of those who make new year’s resolutions fail by the first month. If you’re thinking about 2020 new year’s resolution ideas, make a thoughtful decision about your declaration. Here are a few steps toward a more meaningful — and sustainable — resolution.
7 Your Money Mantra Quotes From The Financial Gym Trainers
The end of the year is a great time to reflect on your finances and you’ve interacted with money — whether in healthy or unhealthy ways. To help you define your 2020 money mantra, the team at The Gym offered their top suggestions going into the new year.
How to Gift a 529 Savings Account
If you want to invest in a child’s future rather than giving them another toy they’ll quickly outgrow, consider giving a gift of college savings this holiday season. A 529 college savings plan can help a young relative or close family friend get started on the right financial foot when they enter adulthood.
Using a Credit Card for Holiday Shopping — Dos and Don'ts
Carrying a credit card around this holiday shopping season can make sense in many ways. It offers convenience and greater purchasing power, but there’s a fine line between smart holiday card use versus letting credit card shopping get out of hand.
Here’s a basic guide on the dos and don’ts when using a credit card over the holidays.
5 Premium Credit Card Protections that are a Lifesaver this Holiday
The holidays can be a whirlwind when it comes to gift shopping and travel logistics. Planning holiday expenses with the help of a credit card can offer convenience — particularly, when it comes to online shopping and maximizing rewards credit cards — but also when it comes to its valuable benefits.
Whether you’re dealing with a strict return period for a holiday gift or a storm delays your trip en route to a family gathering, here are five credit card benefits offered by premium cards that come in handy this season.
What to Know About Credit Card Balance Transfers
Managing debt can be a daily challenge if you’re waist-deep in it. Staying on top of multiple payment deadlines, balances, and interest rates for each account can complicate the issue even further.
A balance transfer credit card is one method of consolidating your debt. It works by transferring your various consumer debt — like credit cards and loans — into one, no-interest credit card. This debt repayment strategy can help you streamline your payments and may also help you spend less money toward paying down your debt.
Here’s what you need to know before using this debt approach.
12 Host or Hostess Gifts That Are Under $20
When you’re celebrating the holidays with friends and family, it’s easy to get swept away with gift-giving. As you’re picking out presents for your loved ones, offering your upcoming party host a thoughtful gift is another way to celebrate the season of giving.
We’ve pulled together a list of the best gifts for hosts that are under $20. These host gift ideas can also easily be found online, if you need to grab a last-minute gift.
7 Ways to Maximize Gift Cards
It’s always nice to make your dollars stretch just a little further, right? Well, if you have gift cards there are a few hacks that help your cash do more for you. If you’re a savvy shopper you can squeeze every dollar out of those gift cards with a few tips and tricks.
Use these seven hacks for optimizing your money with discount gift cards and standard gift cards with small balances.
6 Ways to Practice Self-Care During the Holidays
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be a hectic time. All of the moving pieces during this time of year — from meeting up with loved ones, buying gifts, hosting gatherings, and more — can result in holiday-induced stress and burnout.
In addition to being mindful of others’ needs, it’s equally important to stay aware of your own needs so you can close this year on a financially and emotionally healthy note. Here are six self-care tips that can help you maintain balance.
Debt Collection Series: How to Respond to a Collections Letter
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.
How to Donate for #GivingTuesday While Paying Off Debt
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.
9 Holiday Staples When Preparing for Houseguests
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.
Message from the CEO - Gratitude
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.”
7 Ways to Make Money While Holiday Shopping
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.
7 Step Process to Taking out a HELOC
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.
What Is an HOA?
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.
What's the Difference Between Quarterly Taxes vs. Annual Taxes?
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.