Helpful tips for financial planning and getting your finances under control. Plan for a healthy financial future.
How do I know if I need insurance? Broadly speaking, insurance provides you with financial help when something bad happens unexpectedly or accidentally, for example, if your apartment catches fire or you are in a car accident. If you have the foresight to sign up and pay for insurance coverage before that event, your insurance may […]
It’s likely no surprise that money is a leading cause of stress among most Americans. Financial decisions—whether making purchases, paying down debt or building up savings—require willpower, good judgment and discipline. Why is it, however, that even when people aren’t in the midst of a financial crisis or vicious cycle of debt, making ends meet […]
Say you’ve resolved to curtail your wardrobe spending or set $100 aside each month into a rainy day account. Financial resolutions, like diets or work out plans, start out strong as our enthusiasm gives us a top-of-the-mind kind of commitment. But then… life gets in the way. We experience an unexpected disruption (or two). We […]
Unexpected costs are a fact of life. Accruing debt to payday lenders doesn’t have to be. It seems to be a reasonable solution, at least on the surface. You’ve got a chunk of money due right now and a paycheck coming your way in the next couple of weeks. What’s the harm in borrowing that […]
Recently Marlena H. embarked on a self-imposed, one-month “personal spending freeze,” announcing her intentions on social media and inviting others to join. Intrigued by what inspired her to take on such a challenge, SafetyNet™ reached out to learn more about the impact of her financially minimal month on her day-to-day life (and, subsequently, her […]
1) Save on laptops and software Check for sales and student discounts before buying a computer or software. Labor Day and Black Friday are good times to get deep discounts on electronics. Many companies offer reduced prices to students, and campus bookstores often have good deals. Protect your investment with anti-virus software. 2) Shop thrift […]
If you’re like most parents of young children, you have probably given some thought to the idea of packing up your office to become a stay-at-home parent. After all, for middle-income American families, child care and education is second only to housing when it comes to major expenses. These days, more than one-third of American […]
Last year, Gregory Frahm-Gilles and his colleagues founded Minneapolis-based Access Veterinary Care to provide “exceptional veterinary care that is approachable, affordable and accessible.” We asked them how all pet owners can take the best care of their pets within their financial constraints.
Often when you think about compound interest, it is in the context of debt, say, a credit card’s annual percentage yield (APY) and the real cost of that loan over time. But compounding is not something that only financial institutions benefit from. In fact, when it comes to your savings strategy, compound interest (essentially lending your money to a financial institution for a period […]
According to a new Bankrate survey, 24% of Americans say they don’t have the money to take a summer vacation this year and nearly half of those surveyed say they won’t be taking vacation at all. That’s too bad. After all, there are good reasons to take vacations. Time off from work and routine can […]
CUMIS Insurance Society, Inc.
