It is possible to get out of debt fast, but it's a gritty marathon to get to a better place. Here's how to keep up the momentum. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
If you're in debt, you're not alone. Here's how to make a plan and get yourself out. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
In this special episode, Sam Sanders of NPR's "It's Been A Minute" talks with financial journalist Hannah Seligson and Aminatou Sow from the podcast "Call Your Girlfriend" about why millennials are so financially intertwined with their parents. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Don't let college anxiety rush you into a financial mistake that could haunt you for years. This Life Kit episode lays out the do's and don'ts of paying for college so that you don't have to mortgage your future before you get there. Here's what to remember: - Consider attending community college before transferring to a more expensive four-year school. - Don't let a school's high price deter you — you may only have to pay a fraction of the advertised price. - The FAFSA form is the gatekeeper to...
You've taken the leap and enrolled in college! But money issues don't end when you accept your financial aid. Paying your way through school can be stressful, but lots of folks have made it work and they have advice for how you, too, can navigate your years in college. Here's what to remember: - Find out what resources your college offers for students — you may have to do some digging. - It's OK to get a job, but try to find one that's related to what you want to do. - Make a budget. And don't m...
Paying off student loans can be a financial nightmare. But if you know how to navigate the system, you can find a payment plan that's more affordable. Plus, if you qualify for loan forgiveness, you might get tens of thousands of dollars of debt wiped out. Here's what to remember: - Download a list of all your federal loans. - If you get an income-driven repayment plan, stay in it! - Don't trust your loan servicer. Do the research, find your payment plan and get it in writing. - Take a personal d...
If you use credit cards in a intentional way, you can free up some valuable perks. We geek out on strategies to make credit cards work for you. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Don't get caught in a cycle of unnecessary overdraft fees, credit card interest and high-cost loans. A few simple tools can help you hold onto those hard-earned dollars. Here's what to remember: - Automation is your friend. Set your bills on autopay. - Overdraft protection is deceptive. Link your checking account to a savings account to avoid overdraft fees. - Set up a buffer savings account with automatic deposits. - Don't use credit cards for emergency spending. - If you do have an emergency, ...
To many, it's a dreaded task: making a budget to keep track of money. Guess what? You can do it, and we show you some tools that can help — maybe even make it fun. The founder of the popular budgeting software You Need A Budget tells us how to track your spending. Here's what to remember: - Don't budget just because you should: Set a goal. - Leverage anxiety from a life change and turn it into motivation. - Follow the 50-30-20 method. - Use the power of scarcity. - A roommate is worth 1,000 coff...
We help you understand whether you need an adviser, and if you do want one, how to find someone who will act in your best interest. Here's what to remember: - Many people don't need to pay for financial advice. - Use a "fee-only" adviser, not a "fee-based" adviser. - Consider low-cost options like robo-advisers or Vanguard. - You might need to break up with your adviser — but you can still be friends. - Two online resources can help you find an adviser: NAPFA and Kent on Money . Learn more about...
Investing doesn't have to be hard. We explain how to grow a nice nest egg and avoid that four-letter word that starts with F ... fees. Here's what to remember: - Don't pick your own stocks. - Don't sell stocks if the market crashes. - Diversify your portfolio. - Don't pay too much in fees. - Invest in index funds, not actively managed funds. - Rebalance your portfolio every year — then leave it alone. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
If you're not good at saving money, it's not your fault: Humans are hard-wired to focus on the present. But there's a way to beat evolution and build for your future. Here's what to remember: - Make savings automatic. - Save, even if you have student loans. - Participate in your employer's matching plan. - Reward yourself for saving. - Envision your future self. - Start saving young. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
