Finding the “perfect” Valentine’s Day gift can feel like a lot of pressure, regardless of who you choose to celebrate with. If you want to go above and beyond to show your appreciation for your partner, this list of Valentine’s Day ideas can help you find a present that’s meaningful.

While living in New York, I’ve found it daunting to prioritize my financial goals. With dozens of exciting countries to visit with friends on my bucket list, an invitation to eat out pretty much a few times a week, and a zillion things to do literally at all hours of the day, how could I avoid experiencing FOMO while keeping my financial goals top of mind? 

Here are a few tips that have helped me be more financially savvy while maintaining a healthy social life. 

Having a delicious meal is just the icing on the cake — the real treat is spending time with friends, family or going on an exciting date. Social outings keep us connected by growing relationships, but there are so many things to do with friends and others in your inner circle than spending money at a restaurant. 

Here are some ways to have fun without dining out.

If you’re overwhelmed by debt, bankruptcy may be a financial tool that gives you a fresh start. Filing for bankruptcy stops debt collection calls, wage garnishment, and debt lawsuits. It may also give you the opportunity to wipe your slate clean by discharging your outstanding balances.

But it won’t solve all your financial problems. Obligations like alimony and child support won’t be included, and your chances of getting your federal student loans eliminated are slim. You’ll also take a major hit on your credit.

Here’s what you need to know about filing for bankruptcy.

We’re just a couple of weeks into the roaring 20s — 2020, that is. New Year’s resolutions are in full-swing, kickstarting financial and wellness goals. A hybrid resolution you might’ve adopted this year is dining out less.

Cooking at home, instead of grabbing take-out, not only helps you make healthier meal choices but is also a great way to save money. Wellio, a digital meal prep system, found that ordering restaurant delivery is five times more expensive than a homemade meal. Even meal prep subscriptions, albeit convenient, cost three times more money than making cooking at home, from scratch. 

To maximize your food savings, and also make it possible to cook easy, healthy dishes, having a well-appointed pantry is essential. Here are the kitchen pantry items you should always have in your home.

A bad credit score can limit your access to credit cards, loans, and sometimes, even job opportunities. But what you may not know is that a poor credit score can also minimize your housing options. 

Property management companies and individual landlords may require prospective tenants to have a minimum credit score to qualify. According to credit bureau Experian, FICO scores of 669 or lower are considered subprime borrowers. Although it might be more challenging to secure your dream apartment with a low credit score, it’s not impossible.

Here are a few ways to help you get approved for your next apartment if you have bad credit.

Podcasts can be a great way to mix up your routine and learn a lot of new information, especially when it comes to personal finance. If listening to a personal finance podcast reminds you of just another droning professor in the lecture hall, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. We’ve listened to many podcasts about money and distilled our list to the best in the pack. 

With engaging guests that don’t talk just charts and formulas, the concepts in these best podcasts are easily digestible and you can bring them anywhere with you — the car, running on the treadmill — and get insight into expert information for free.

If staying on top of your health is your main mantra this year, knowing how to stay fit, affordably, is just as important as figuring out where to start. Although hopping on the latest luxury gym membership might sound appealing, for example, spending more than $100 a month on exercise can blow your budget.

Fortunately, with a little bit of creativity, you can eat and exercise in a way that keeps your financial wellness intact, too. Here’s how. 

New year, new salary! According to the Economic Policy Institute, nearly seven million people are starting 2020 with a raise. The rise comes from a higher minimum wage across 22 states nationwide.

If you’re starting the year with a bigger paycheck — congrats! Before getting too late into the year, it’s smart to set yourself up for financial growth success throughout the year by taking a few simple steps. Here are a few ideas on what to do after getting a raise at work.

Hello, beautiful people on a journey to live your best life! I’m Jillian Faulks-Majuta, a mother of 6- and 8-year-old cubs, a lover of travel, food and community events. I’m also a wellness practitioner who was making strides in just about all parts of my life, except my finances.

I became a member of The Financial Gym in October 2018 after having many conversations with my cousin about needing to make some BIG money moves. I’m an avid podcast listener and have gained a bunch of knowledge, tips, and motivation to make adjustments about the way I make, save, spend and respect money so I could stop living from paycheck to paycheck.

Owning a car can be quite a luxury, but it can also take a nice chunk of your paycheck each month. According to Experian, the average monthly payment is $554 for a new car and $391 for a used car. If you have other major financial obligations, like a mortgage or student loans, you may be struggling to stay on top of your car payments.

Auto loans that become delinquent run the risk of ruining your credit and having your car repossessed. Here’s what you need to know about the car repossession process and your options.

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. 

Many people think investing is intimidating or simply out of their reach due to limited finances. But new technology has made investing more accessible, with some micro-investing platforms only requiring a few dollars to get started.

Here are some micro-investing platforms and apps that make investing more accessible to the general public.

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’ 202 New Year Financial Resolutions Study, which surveyed more than 3,000 U.S. adults, found that 67% of respondents considered a financial resolution in 2020.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.