Looking to get your financial house in order? Pay close attention to one room: the garage. Garage sales prove financially smart whether you're buying or selling; this week we'll concentrate on the buying part. I've been a big fan of garage sales … [Read more...]
With Its Video-Game Twists, Kapitall Takes Mystery Out of Investing
March 16, 2013 by 1 Comment
Along with saving, donating, and (judicious) spending, investing makes up one of the four cornerstones of a sound financial foundation. And that's fine, so far as the saving, donating and spending parts go (especially the spending). While you can … [Read more...]
Have Student Loan Debt? There’s Relief in Sight
March 11, 2013 by 4 Comments
As I learned the ropes of personal finance, a money-savvy friend taught me how to tell bad debt from good debt. Bad debt comes in many forms — including credit card balances (especially when tied to high interest rates), car loans and other … [Read more...]
How to Find a Financial Mentor (And Why You Need One!)
February 28, 2013 by 1 Comment
A few weeks ago, we met Allison Beacham, a young woman who helped us negotiate the world of renting. Like many Money Under 30 readers, Allison knows quite a bit about money for someone still in college. In her case, there's a good reason … [Read more...]
Six Financial Tips for 20-somethings From Financial Planner Cliff Caplan
February 19, 2013 by 16 Comments
It's tempting to think that journalists who write about money for a living have all the answers. (Ugh. You should see my checkbook.) By way of analogy, I'd like to suggest a different way of thinking. We all know Steven Spielberg ranks as one of … [Read more...]
The Five (And Only Five) Times it Might be OK to Tap a Retirement Account
February 14, 2013 by 3 Comments
Back in November, I spotlighted a letter from a reader who agonized over a debt dilemma that involved his retirement savings. "Nick from Michigan" wanted to tap his 401(k) to pay off $12,000 in credit card debt, but couldn't pull the trigger. I … [Read more...]
This Post for Rent: 8 Tips for Landlords, Renters in the Under-30 Crowd
February 11, 2013 by
Just as the Great Recession hit homeowners with a mighty wallop, it also took a toll on rentals, with bad news for landlords and tenants alike. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, vacancy rates reached a new high … [Read more...]
How Dwolla Works to Free Online Users From Fees
January 31, 2013 by
In the last few months, I've had many a bone to pick with PayPal, which I consider eBay's monetary equivalent of the Death Star from "Star Wars." Whenever someone sends me money for an item I sell on eBay, PayPal sees good to take 2.9 percent on the … [Read more...]
Make a Million Before 30: A Young Entrepreneur Shares Five Secrets to Success
January 25, 2013 by
Let's face it: There's a certain allure to achieving the status of millionaire, especially if you can hit the mark before age 30. The trouble is, no matter how many times we've heard it in songs (by rich rock stars, to be sure), money can't buy … [Read more...]
Welcome to 2013, the Year of Crowdfunding for College
January 11, 2013 by
When the final draft of 2012 in review gets written, it deserves to go down — in personal finance terms — as the Year of Crowdfunding. All sorts of crowdfunding records were set and shattered, with some remarkable stories as a result. In the … [Read more...]
