Financial Services

Every year, new lists come out highlighting the country’s best retirement destinations. States are ranked based on a variety of criteria, such as healthcare and quality of life, and then given an average retirement score.   While these overall rankings can be useful, you may be better off focusing on a few specific criteria that matter to you. Here are five important considerations. &...

We’d all like to retire someday. Once you do, you’ll be depending on your Social Security benefits for some or all of your expenses. Social Security is complex, but here are a few key pieces of information you should know about the program as it currently stands:     How Old Do I Have To Be To Get My Benefits? You’re allowed to retire as early as age 62 and as late a...

Home maintenance is intimidating. Even if you’re good with tools, working on your home can take up a lot of time, energy, and worst of all, money. You’re better off leaving complicated projects to the experts, but there are little things you can do to keep your home in good shape. Here are a few:      Check Roof Your roof is your first line of defense against rain and...

There’s no way around it - it just feels good to spend money. Unfortunately, once you start, it can be hard to stop, even when your finances are in bad shape. It won’t be easy to get your spending under control, but here are some small, manageable steps you can take to develop better habits and keep more of your money. Create a Budget If you’re going to develop better spendi...

The stress of tax season has finally ended. A majority of Americans will be receiving a refund, and for many of us, it’s a rare occasion to have extra money. You may be tempted to buy something fancy, but you can feel even better if you spend your refund on something practical. Here are some ideas: Pay Off Debt You may have learned to live with debt, but now is the time to start getting rid ...

My dad has spent most of his life working and little of it planning, thinking that retirement would never come. But as he’s gotten older, he’s started wondering if it’s possible. I know he hasn’t taken any steps to make it a reality, though, so I decided to start helping him. If you’re like my dad and aren’t sure what to do, knowing the answer to these ques...

When you’re having problems with money, paying rent can be difficult. There are government programs that help low-income families get into apartments, but finding temporary rent help is a little harder. However, it is possible. When looking for help paying your rent, be sure to check these five places:   Suntopia This website can direct you to financial resources in your area, includ...

Whether or not you receive rent assistance for a new apartment, you will probably have to pay a security deposit. This can add stress to the apartment hunting process. However, there is help.   Government programs are the first place to look. State and county governments usually have a Human Services or Social Services Department that provides help for those in need. Though they all have di...

Section 8 housing assistance is one of the most well-known government programs for low-income families. However, most people know very little about what the program is, who qualifies, and how to apply. If you need this type of assistance, it’s important to know this information.    What It Is Section 8 is a housing assistance program that is funded by the Department of Housing a...

If owning your own home is one of your dreams, you’re in good company - it’s one of the most common goals in our society. But positioning yourself to buy a home isn’t always easy. Bad credit and a low income are just two obstacles that can create a barrier between you and your first home - but they don’t have to. First-time homebuyer programs make it possible for those that...