The Financially Free Blog
5 Ways to Stretch Your Summer Travel Budget
Summer is one of the most popular times to travel—about 85% of Americans plan to take a trip this season. And while summer can be a great time to get away, it can also impact your wallet. Here are five tips to get the most out of your summer vacation without breaking the bank.
How to (Successfully) Start Your Own Business
Starting your own business can be an effective way to build long-term wealth—or it can really set you back financially. Increase your chances of success by following these five tips: understand your why, build a strong foundation, develop a marketing plan, prepare for taxes, and watch your expenses.
Top 5 Ways to Get Ready for Student Loan Payments
Federal student loan payments will restart in October. Read about the top five steps to take to get ready to make your student loan payments again and avoid last-minute stress.
Costs to Consider When Adopting vs. Fostering a Pet
While we love the idea of getting dogs and cats out of shelters, we want to remind you that pets are a financial investment. The energy and time it takes to care for a pet comes with a price tag and we want you to be aware of this price tag. Here are some costs you should plan to fit into your monthly budget before adopting!
How to Use a Secured Card to Build Credit
It’s hard to get credit if you don’t already have it. That’s where secured credit cards come in. Read about how a secured credit card can help if you are starting to build your credit for the first time or rebuilding after past credit challenges.
5 Summertime Budget Leaks to Avoid
Summer means indulging in vacations, social activities, and outdoor events (AKA “budget leaks”). Read about five common budget leaks to look out for this summer and how to keep them from busting your budget.
Everything You Need to Know to Start Travel Hacking
Travel hacking can help you afford more travel with less money. Learn all about how to get started by choosing a travel hacking strategy that works best with your travel goals and financial situation.
How to Calculate Your Emergency Fund Goal
You may have heard you should save an emergency fund of 3 to 6 months of expenses, but what does that actually mean? Learn what’s included in these expenses and how many months you should have.
Is the Financial Gym Worth It?
Spending money to get help with your finances is not an oxymoron. Learn when it’s worth working with the Financial Gym and what results you can expect from your membership.
The 4 Financial Seasons and How to Handle Them
Just like the physical seasons change throughout the year, we also experience financial seasons. Read about the four financial seasons and how to handle them.
Should You Travel When You Have Credit Card Debt?
Travel has so many benefits but traveling when you have debt can feel…complicated. Read about the pros and cons of traveling when you have debt and how to travel without adding to your credit card balances.
3 Things You Can Learn From Your Pay Stub
You probably don’t spend a lot of time looking at your pay stub but it contains useful details that can help with your financial planning. Read about three things you can learn from your pay stub and what to do with that information.
What to Know About the Supreme Court's Student Loan Decision
Ten months after the Biden administration announced its plans to forgive up to $20,000 of federal student loan debt for many borrowers, the Supreme Court blocked the plan. While the decision was not unexpected, it is extremely disappointing to tens of millions of federal student loan borrowers.
4 Things I Wish I’d Known as a New Grad
As a young person, finances are often the last thing on our minds. But there are some very important tips to help when moving from student life into the working world.
5 Challenges the LGBTQ+ Community Still Faces With Their Finances
People face different challenges depending on a multitude of factors—including sexual orientation and gender identity. Read about five challenges that LGBTQ+ folks may face in their financial lives.
How to Budget on Variable Income
In many industries, variable income is a common occurrence. You could be in the hospitality industry earning tips as your primary source of income or in real estate earning commission. Having variable income that is either inconsistent in payment amount or inconsistent in when you’re paid requires a system and planning ahead.
Should I Take Out a Personal Loan to Consolidate My Debt?
When juggling multiple credit cards with eye-popping interest rates becomes overwhelming, it’s time to take a different approach. There are many strategies for paying off credit card debt, but it’s important to find one that works with both your finances and your psychology. To find out if consolidating your dent with a personal loan might be for you, consider these five factors.
4 Major Saving Mistakes You Might Be Making
We all know that we should be saving — and yet, nearly 60% of Americans could not cover a $1,000 unexpected expense in cash. While income and the cost of living are issues for many people, that’s not always the case: sometimes we are getting in our own way when it comes to saving. Are you holding yourself back by making any of these saving mistakes?
How to Create More Financial Freedom for Yourself (And Others)
While Juneteenth marks a celebration of freedom for Black Americans, it also encourages us to reflect on what “freedom” really means. Black Americans have been free from slavery for more than a century and a half now, but their freedom has been restricted in other ways due to systemic racism, including financially.
Ask a Trainer: Should I Live at Home or Move Out After Graduating?
Graduating from college is a significant milestone in one's life, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter. It's a time of mixed emotions, with feelings of excitement, accomplishment, and uncertainty all intertwined.