- The pandemic may have restricted the way many of us lived, but it pushed the housing market beyond historic boundaries. Now those same homes we were stuck in during quarantine are worth more than ever before, making home equity lines of credit even more attractive. Apply Now! Median home prices have skyrocketed since the onset of the pandemic. That puts homeowners in a now-more-than-ever type…
- 4 Ways I Saved (or tried) in College, When I was 17 my dad's motto seemed to be "stop spending your money." But to me, spending was easy. "Saving" was hardly a word. The first time I considered cost – another new word! – was the moment my dad said, "You know, you'll end up with a lot more student loans if you choose one of those private schools. We can only help so much." This language was confusing for a teen like me with limited…, The rest would be up to me – a fact that I would learn many years later., I applied to four private universities and one state school, which I considered as a back-up plan because in my mind "private" meant "elite" and therefore "public" meant "inferior." With my 98 GPA and solid SAT scores, I was accepted across the board and had my pick. With a full platter of selections, I obviously had my eye on the elite! Sure, I looked at the price tag, too, but if my parents…, Nope!, Student loans! That's the golden ticket to this chocolate factory. And being a cosigner on those loans, that meant my parents had financial liability and, ultimately, I'd need to make payments based on their incomes and credit scores . I picked a private school anyway, and away I went. Then I watched our family funds dwindle, and as the 2008 recession took hold of our economy, I knew I needed…, With frugality in mind..., My tough lessons in college finances: , 1. Pay myself first, I had to convince myself, "If I don't have money to save, then I don't have money to spend." It does not work the other way around . And once you can train yourself to do this, your lifetime of saving can begin. , 2. Avoid the expense of luxury, My various living situations in college: Becoming a Resident Assistant so I could get a "free" dorm room. Remember though, it's a job and can be time-consuming. Working new student orientation in the summers (again, free housing and good pay), which also helped me explore my college town when it wasn't swamped with students. "Couch-surfing" and living out of my car so I didn't need to pay rent!…, 3. Invest my time, Instead of investing money (because I didn't have any), I invested my time, asking, "How can my time now improve my finances tomorrow ?" Gain practical experience , instead of simply studying the topic: Apply my skills in a professional setting to make myself more valuable when seeking a better-paying job Build a strong resume for post-grad applications and internships Learn from active mentors…, 4. Stretch my student loans, Many student loans come with a bit of flexibility. Meaning, they are more than you need for tuition and housing . Seeing those excess funds in my bank account, I realized that I had to be responsible not to burn through it carelessly. Like many students, I was on my own in a new city, and yearning to break free from the pesky rules and watchful eyes of my childhood home. I won't debate the…, Other financial tips for college students, from personal experience:, Budgeting means being strict when asking, "What is a necessary expense ?" Buy used books from friends, and hunt for the bargains. Books can be pricey, particularly at the beginning of each semester. Sell the old ones, and never buy new if it can be avoided. Don't buy new outfits or clothes every semester. Focus on the supplies you need. Learn from your previous semesters and improve your system…
- Over the last several years the fitness industry has exploded., Unique diets, strength training regiments for all ages, you name it. Many people have shown a level of dedication to becoming healthier, both mentally and physically, and are enjoying healthier golden years as a result. I love fitness, so this focus and passion around the industry has been very exciting – fitness goals set and crushed by thousands! But let's pause... When was the last time you…, Close your eyes. What does your ideal retirement look like? , Retiring young and trying "van life"? Retiring to find a part time job that brings you extreme joy? Living comfortably and volunteering? Moving to a nicer climate and kicking your feet back? Whatever it might look like, let's open up about this topic. Have you been told you are too young and have years – or even decades – to worry about retirement? Maybe it's the opposite, and you believe you're…, Break it down into smaller, more manageable actions. , One simple step that I suggest you start with today is, check to see if you have a 401(k) or retirement plan offered through your employer. If so, do they match your contributions up to a certain percentage? If you find out that your employer does offer you a chance to participate in a plan, great! Start small. Two or three percent of your paycheck adds up over time. For an employee making 40,…
- Financial Prep for Study Abroad, So, you've decided to study abroad? How exciting! With dreams of the adventures that await, it can be tough to sit down and think logistics. If you take the time to map out your finances now, though, you'll not only leave yourself with less stress during your studies, but you'll be far more likely to recover afterward from the long list of unforeseen expenses. You'll be financially stable and…, What I didn't realize was how quickly that could change., Within months of starting my degree, the US dollar changed to parody, and by the end of my two-year stint in Australia, I was paying 1.5 times more than when I had initially set out! Take it from me: if you have the luxury to pay entirely upfront – do it. If not, educate yourself on the trends of the dollar and always expect the unexpected. You may want to plan several forms of payment during…, you could be looking at a hefty bill by the day you graduate., Speaking of loans... Financing Borrowing money can be one of the trickiest parts of preparing to study abroad. By the time I realized that I didn't have enough savings left to pay tuition, it was already a dire situation. Loans accepted in the US are not always the same as those accepted abroad. It highly varies by country. The university I attended was so picky that they only accepted loans…, You can easily avoid this situation by planning for the worst., Do your research and figure out what your options would be, even if you think you're all set. Take it a step further and contact the loan provider to get a clear picture of the interest rate for the loan as well. It's all about the prep work when it comes to studying abroad. Don't feel like you have to go about it alone, though. If you still have questions, we're here to help. Bon voyage! -ADJ
- Why I Ditched My Debit Card, All about that credit card life, I'm going to make a confession: I don't use my debit card. To be honest, I haven't used it in years. And while that's not something our Card Solutions Manager here at Visions will like, the fact is, I'm all about my credit card. Here's why I broke up with my debit card and haven't looked back. Rewards This is the big one. If I'm already spending money, why shouldn't I spend in a way that will…
- Most people realize that a job (or lack thereof) has a major impact on your financial future (as well as your current situation). Yet when we think, "What do I want to do when I grow up?" even if we have an opinion on the matter, most of us could never predict what our career path will eventually be. The best career advice anyone has ever given me was to: Always have an updated resume because…, Know who you are, decide what you want, and have a plan:, What are you qualified to do today? What does it take to be successful in your field? Will you need a degree or certification, or could ample experience get you the job? These are all great questions that may need some research. Look up job descriptions on listing sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, or your local department of labor. What do many employers require for what you are interested in? Don'…, Which benefits are important to you?, Which ones might become important to you as you look down the road? Research this information, too. Be sure that your prospective employer offers benefit programs or services that will meet your needs – because a great job without helpful benefits might not be a good move. Regardless of career path, receiving income through legitimate payroll is always more financially responsible than working "…
- Lessons From My Elders, I won't always be young. I'm not jaded by the notion that I have a lot of years ahead of me, and many lessons to learn. But eventually, I won't be able to work the same 40 hours per week (plus the occasional side gig) to support my family and cover my health expenses. Not forever. So when someone older than me talks about life, I'm happy to listen because I might be in their shoes someday. I'm…, Retirement #1: My crafty neighbor, My neighbor isn't from here. And by "here," I mean "this country." As a teenager, he boarded a ship and sailed to America in the 1960s to start a new life in the Land of Opportunity. He worked in construction but his passion was art, and I've never heard anyone say a negative word about him – always referred to as a hard worker, kind, family man, talented, helpful, funny – the list goes on! …, Here's what I learned from my crafty neighbor:, 1. Real estate is an investment you can suit to your needs. By the time he retired, my neighbor had no mortgages between a sizeable residence and a modest rental property. The rental offered a first apartment for his kids to live when they moved out of the house, then became extra income in later years, until he decided to sell it. He recouped his investment again in later years, when he and…, Read more Lessons From My Elders:, The Distant Artist , A Veteran's Folly
- Dear member, meet crypto. , Thanks to new technology, brilliant programmers, and a global economy, we're seeing a whole new world developing through digital assets and cryptocurrency. Even if you're not interested in investing yet, don't stay in the dark – get to know crypto! You can start here:, Bitcoin, the Blockchain, your Wallet, and YOU, We've all heard it: blockchain, Bitcoin, cryptocurrency – it sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. But it doesn't have to be confusing. As with anything new, awareness is key. So, let's start with some quick facts on how to better understand what cryptocurrency is and how it works. First things first: nothing is tangible. You can't hold it, but you can store it in a wallet (more on that…, What to know about blockchains, A blockchain is a database that stores information differently from the way a typical database does. It collects information in sets, or "blocks." When the blocks are filled, they're connected – or "chained" – to the previous blocks and can't be changed. The transactions and verification process use mathematical algorithms, which makes them more secure. All of this information is then duplicated…, Bitcoin today and how it's used, Today, there are thousands of types of cryptocurrencies being traded, but it all started with Bitcoin, which has become a catch-all term for cryptocurrency in general. Another popular term that includes crypto is CVC, or, convertible virtual currency, . And, with all of these currencies popping up and becoming legitimized, some merchants and retailers have even started accepting it as a payment type. , What other cryptocurrency should I know about?, There are several types of cryptocurrency such as stablecoins (which are backed by an asset to reenforce price stability), non-fungible tokens or NFTs (digital representations of assets that cannot be duplicated), and more. Each has its own set of functions and rules, and many of them operate on different iterations or evolutions of blockchain technology, like Ethereum the most widely used …
- What's an internship, anyway?, , Why would I need an internship? How do I get one? When do I start applying?These are just a few of the questions I asked myself four years ago while transitioning from high school to college. If you're reading this, I'm guessing you're a high school or college level student, who's struggling to maneuver all the expectations around graduation or starting a career, and considering an internship in…, it's okay., Believe it or not, I was in your shoes not long ago. My senior year of high school, I had been working an awful retail job, so I knew it was crucial for me to start my search for something more professional. I had a goal to work part time through college, because I needed extra money for my car payments, auto insurance, and phone bill. So, as far as I was concerned, any unpaid job or internship…, Here are some things I wish I knew., What Do I Want Out of an Internship? There are a few things you'll need to consider before applying for an internship. Do you want to take the internship as school credit, or would you rather be paid? Are you willing to relocate? Are you willing to take an unpaid, no-credit offer? These are all important to think about before you make any sporadic decisions. Internships are designed to give you…, Good luck!, Emily E.
