The Financially Free Blog
3 Work-Sponsored Benefits To Check Before Starting a Family
Having a child is a deeply personal decision, but also a financially impactful one—studies estimate that the average middle-income family will spend $310,605 to raise a child to age 17. In the United States, where you work has a major impact on the cost of starting your family. Here are three employer-sponsored benefits you should review to help estimate how much it will cost you to have and care for a new baby.
How to Get Physically Fit (While Staying Financially Fit)
Do you want to work out without breaking the bank? The typical gym membership costs between $40-$70 per month but premium gyms and personal trainers can cost up to ten times that amount. Here are five ways to get physically fit without compromising on your financial fitness.
Is Moving to A Cheaper Place Worth It?
With rent prices up about 30% compared to pre-pandemic, moving to a place with cheaper rent sounds like a great way to save money. In some cases, a move can pay off, but moving is also expensive, and the costs associated with it (along with extra hidden monthly costs) mean you might be saving less than you thought—or it could even mean that you end up paying more! To figure out whether moving will actually put money back in your pocket, make sure you consider these expenses.
Is That a Side Hustle or a Business?
When deciding how to earn extra income there are many factors to consider, both financial and non-financial. Here are key factors to consider if you're thinking about entering the gig economy or launching a side hustle.
Message from the CEO - Lessons from the Launch
As many of you may know by now, earlier this year, Financial Gym launched its investment subsidiary as a response to high client demand; and I have personally spent hundreds of hours over the last three months speaking one-on-one with our clients (past, present and future) about their investment portfolios and strategies. As a result of these conversations, there are a few common takeaways I want to share with you.
How To Take Advantage of One Time Account Adjustments Toward Income-Driven Repayment Plans
The federal government is making a one-time account adjustment toward loan forgiveness for certain borrowers on income-driven repayment plans and PSLF. Read about the details and whether you need to take action to qualify.
Your Financial Blueprint: 4 Interactive Exercises to Decode Your Money Mindset
Today, we're diving into the fascinating realm of understanding your money mindset through hands-on, interactive exercises. Buckle up as we guide you through four engaging activities designed to decode your unique financial blueprint.
How to Combat Lifestyle Inflation
If you have ever dreamed about making more money, received a raise, and then had no idea where that extra money in your paycheck was going, you’ve fallen prey to lifestyle inflation. Here are four ways to combat lifestyle inflation and put your raise to work for you.
3 Myths About Your Credit Score
Credit scores may be the most well-known measure of financial wellness, but how they are calculated is less clear to many people. A survey from CompareCards by LendingTree found that 37% of consumers agreed with the statement that they had “no idea how [their] credit score is determined.” This lack of clarity allows misconceptions about credit scores to thrive and can keep people from taking the necessary steps to improve their scores.
5 Ways to Find Women-Owned Businesses
There are many ways to support the women around you to rise to their full potential, one of the easiest being to empower women with your wallet. The ranks of female entrepreneurs are swelling as women-owned businesses become more commonplace.
5 Ways to Make Filing Your Taxes Less Stressful
Not many people look forward to filing their taxes—it can be overwhelming, confusing, or just a pain in the rear. But there is no point delaying the inevitable so here are five tips for getting through tax season without succumbing to stress.
What You Need to Know About Applying for a Personal Loan
A personal loan can be a useful tool for paying off credit card debt once and for all. Rather than juggling multiple credit cards with variable interest rates, you can just make one fixed monthly payment. Here is what you should know about applying for a personal loan.
Message from the CEO - Exciting Next Chapter for Financial Gym
Three months ago, I shared that we would be launching an investment subdivision for Financial Gym after years of client requests to provide this service. If I’m being fully transparent, I honestly had no clue how this news would be received. I knew we had a number of clients asking for this service, but I didn’t know what would happen when I sent that email into the universe. What has transpired in the last three months is something beyond anything even I could have imagined.
How to Set & Communicate Your Financial Boundaries
As if your own relationship with money isn’t complicated enough, making decisions that involve money and other people adds a whole new dimension. That’s where financial boundaries come into play.
6 Low-Cost Date Ideas (For Couples or Friends!)
Dates are supposed to help people connect through fun and conversation. Whether you’ve just started dating, have been married for years, or just want to have fun with a friend, many go-to date ideas like dinner and a movie or drinks at a bar get expensive. If you’re looking to up your fun factor without blowing your budget, try these low-cost date ideas.
How to Talk to Your Partner About Money
Talking about finances with your partner can lead to conflict or it can bring you closer together. No matter how long you’ve been together, it’s never too late to change the conversations you’re having about money (or even to start them!). Here are five tips for how to approach it.
3 Signs You Should Save Less for Retirement
“Save for retirement” is one of the most common pieces of financial advice. And generally, it’s good advice; the sooner you start saving, the longer that money can grow for you. But it’s not always the best advice for every situation. Depending on your circumstances, you may be better off reducing your retirement contributions or pausing entirely for some time.
How to advocate for what you're worth
Have you ever felt like you’re not getting paid enough? Or have you heard murmurings that others are making more than you for the same job? You know it’s not a good feeling. You’ve probably heard the phrase “Ask for what you’re worth!” You know you should do it...but how? Don’t worry, we’re breaking down how to advocate for what you’re worth.
How to Set Better Financial Goals
The second Friday in January is “Quitter’s Day”—the day you’re most likely to give up on your New Year's resolutions. Part of the reason that people give up on their goals and resolutions is that they don’t set good ones. They are too vague, poorly thought out, or influenced by others. Here are the steps to set good financial goals that are more likely to stick and set yourself up to follow through.
4 Steps to Recover from Holiday Spending
If you racked up credit card debt over the holidays, you’re not alone: about one-third of U.S. adults take on debt each year to pay for holiday expenses. The start of the New Year is a great time to tackle that debt and prepare better for next year so you don’t end up in the same position. Here are the steps to take.