Bad credit can be the result of a variety of things, maybe you defaulted on student loans, had years of high credit card balances or had a foreclosure. No matter the reason, living with a low credit score can be tough. You can be charged higher insurance rates, new credit cards could be difficult to obtain, and bank loans may costlier. Also the number of companies that require pre-employment credit checks will continue to grow.

Whether it’s your first job or not, negotiating your salary is always something you should consider doing. You may feel like what you were offered doesn’t represent everything that you bring to the table or maybe you just feel like you could get a little bit more. The important thing to remember is that you won’t know what your options are if you don’t ask.

Congress just passed the new Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 which offers some important new features for consumers. One of the most important features is the ability to freeze or unfreeze your credit report for free at all three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

For those of you who closely follow the capital markets, the recent volatility may be causing some investors to worry. In the past couple of weeks, from September 30 - October 10 the US market fell 4.8%. Some investors may find it difficult to remain calm while facing a dramatic market downturn. Weathering the storm through downturns may prove more beneficial to investors than bailing when things get rough.

As U.S. citizens, when you interact with the IRS you have certain rights, even with asking a simple question about taxes. These rights are outlined in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Below are the ten rights summarized with links to learn more:

Money can often be an uncomfortable topic, especially when you have to talk with your parents about their money. It may eventually become your job to ensure your parent’s financials are in order and you have a plan that meets their wishes. Even if your parents are capable of managing their money now, it would be helpful to discuss what happens if they become unable to do so.

Sometimes paying the bills on time can slip through the cracks. Maybe you’ve been traveling and the due date sneaks up on you. Suddenly you have late fees, penalties, increased interest rates and sometimes your credit rating can be damaged. To avoid those consequences we’ve created steps to make your bill paying process a smoother one.

Planning a road trip can be a fun experience, but also stressful. Driving across country is a lot different than flying, you’re in control of where you go and where you stop along the way. So here 8 helpful tips for your stress free road trip.

The six month tax return extension is fast approaching the October 15th deadline. If you filed an extension, you can file anytime before October 15th and fully or partially pay your tax bill anytime.

After years of saving for college in your 529 plan, the day has finally arrived that you need some of that money to start school. You have control of how much money you withdraw from your 529 account and what to spend it on. However, before you feel flush in cash, it’s important to know what is covered as a “qualified” expense.