Finance Globe

One of the happiest times in a couple’s life is joining together in holy matrimony. As you settle in your life together, one of the decisions you’ll have to make it whether to have separate or joint bank accounts. There are pros and cons to each, so think through the options. Joint accounts With a joint account, both spouses’ names are on the account. You’ll probably both deposit your checks into this one account. When it’s...

Graduation, birthday, wedding, Christmas are all occasions when you’re likely to receive gifts and what better gift than cash. With cash you can buy whatever you like and possibly an even better gift than the giver would have purchased in the first place. While you may be inclined to blow the cash on electronics, clothes, or a vacation, there are some wiser ways you can use your gift. For a big occasion, like graduation or wedding,...

Do you often find that you run out of money before your next payday comes? Feel like your money should stretch further than it actually does? Do you frequently overdraft your checking account? If you make enough money to cover your living expenses, but you’re continually broke, you may be wasting money, you know, spending it on frivolous things. Here are some signs that you’re wasting money. Pay for subscriptions you don’t use. The gym charges...

This situation may have happened to you: Your bank account is running low, but you have certain purchases you must make. So, you cleverly make your transactions in such a way that, when they’re posted, you’ll only overdraft the final one or transactions, thereby minimizing your overdraft fees. Unfortunately, you may have been among the many consumers who found out the hard way that outsmarting the bank is tougher than that. Did you check your account...

We know that saving money should be on everyone’s list of financial priorities, yet not many of us are actually saving money. The national personal savings rate as a percentage of disposable income in March 2013 was only 2.7%, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis. That means Americans only saved $2.70 for every $100 of disposable, or after tax, income. If you have big goals to reach, you may have to...

“Would you take a taxi on a cross country trip?” asks the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in an infographic summarizing the findings of their recent white paper on payday loans (and checking account deposit advances). Of course you wouldn’t take a taxi on such a long road trip because it would be expensive. Though they are quite expensive, and heavily warned against, many consumers still take out these dangerous loans. In its white paper, the CFPB...

Growing up, we're repeatedly told, “Mother knows best,” but people don’t believe that’s true in all situations. In a recent survey from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, a majority of respondents answered negatively about their mother’s personal finance skills. 21% said their mom was intimidated by financial matters and avoided them26% said their mom saw managing money as a necessary evil and didn’t enjoy it18% said their mom has never managed money on their own....

The wedding industry is booming. In 2012, the average wedding cost $25,656, MarketWatch.com cites The Wedding Report. Much focus is placed on helping the bride and groom save on the money spent on their big day, but it’s not just the brides and grooms shelling out cash. Wedding party and attendees also spend several hundred, maybe even thousands of, dollars on the wedding, especially an out of town or destination wedding. Expense of Attending a Wedding...

Last week, Earth Day was celebrated by more than a billion people across 190 countries, the Energy Department reported. First started in 1970 to encourage environmental reform, Earth Day is a time for each of us to take steps to protect the planet’s natural resources so they will be available for future generations. And as an added benefit, these actions also save us money.ElectricalUpgrade old appliances to energy efficient appliances - look for the Energy Star...

Some surprises are welcome: a surprise birthday present, a surprise engagement, a surprise job promotion. However, when it comes to your finances, surprises are typically not appreciated. Avoid many surprises by staying in the know with your own money. Read your mail. Banks and other businesses will typically send account notifications to you by mail. Sometimes notices are included with your regular billing statements or they may be mailed separately. Often, important notifications are sent in...