The Financially Free Blog

Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

How to Choose a 529 Plan

Whether you’ve just had your first child or it’s been a few years, at some point, saving for your child’s college education has likely crossed your mind. Choosing where to set up an account can be a major barrier to getting started, and for that reason, many people default to their own state’s 529 plan, but that might not always be the best option. Follow these steps to pick the best 529 plan for your family.

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Kelly Medina, A Certified Financial Trainer Kelly Medina, A Certified Financial Trainer

The Cost of Keeping Cool: Managing Air Conditioning Expenses in Summer

As the summer heat ramps up, so does the temptation to crank up the air conditioning. While it's a relief to have a cool oasis indoors, it can also lead to a spike in energy bills. Managing air conditioning expenses effectively can help keep your home comfortable without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we'll explore strategies for controlling and reducing air conditioning costs during the summer months.

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Shannon McLay, Founder and CEO Shannon McLay, Founder and CEO

Message from the CEO - Proud of the Business We Built

Full disclosure, I hate themed marketing and email campaigns around celebrating diversity during a particular month. Why should we only celebrate Black people in February, women in March, Asian and Pacific Islanders in May and the Queer community in June?

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Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

4 Steps to Financially Prepare for Parenthood

Starting a family is a life-changing—and budget-altering—experience. The transition of welcoming a new family member into your home (and tending to their every need) will come with challenges. While parenthood overall is not something that you can entirely prepare yourself for, you can prepare yourself financially with these four steps.

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Investing Ijal Thompson, A Certified Financial Trainer Investing Ijal Thompson, A Certified Financial Trainer

4 Signs You're Financially Fit To Invest

Are you among the many who are under-investing? While cash provides security, it’s not ideal for high returns. With inflation eroding the value of cash over time, it’s essential to strike a balance between security and growth. In this guide, we’ll explore four key signs that you’re financially fit enough to take the leap into investing.

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Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

4 Mental Spending Loopholes That Are Keeping You Stuck

When it comes to making financial changes, you might be your own worst enemy. One of the ways you may be working against yourself is by exploiting mental loopholes: rather than sticking to what you said you would do, you find a reason or justification not to follow through. It’s not really your fault—your brain is trying to protect you from having to do extra work. Even so, if you want to make a change to how you spend money, you’ll need to learn how to spot and avoid these loopholes.

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The Financial Gym Team The Financial Gym Team

Why You Should Still Apply for Jobs That You Aren't Qualified For

As a Recruiter, the number one question people ask me is - “Do you think I qualify for this position?” I never give a concrete answer because I feel as if it is the candidate’s job to feel confident in what they are applying for. Here, at The Financial Gym, we hire people with an array of skills and backgrounds for positions that do not technically align with their resume. What are some reasons employers will still interview a candidate who does not have the technical skills for the current position?

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Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

What Does APR Mean for My Credit Cards?

Paying off debt is the most common financial goal of 2024. Getting out of debt is simple, but it’s not easy. To get out of debt (and stay out), it’s crucial to understand the details of your debt, especially the APR. Here are five common questions about APR.

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Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

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.

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Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

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.

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Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

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.

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Sam Cash, A Certified Financial Trainer Sam Cash, A Certified Financial Trainer

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.

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Shannon McLay, Founder and CEO Shannon McLay, Founder and CEO

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.

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Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

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.

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Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

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.

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The Financial Gym Team The Financial Gym Team

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.

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Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

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.

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Loans Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer Loans Kylie Lipinski, A Certified Financial Trainer

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.

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