Your credit score takes a hit if you fall behind on payments to a creditor, and again if an account is sent to the creditor’s collection department or sold to a third-party collector. You may be able to repair some damage…
The average amount of student loan debt that undergraduates have at graduation varies dramatically by college and state, according to a report about the class of 2016 released Wednesday by The Institute for College Access and Success. Average debt depends in part…
While you might think that you can't make enough being a Lyft driver to cover your daily latte habit, let alone support of family of seven, Sam and Susen Meteer will prove you wrong. They manage to pull in between $800 and $1,500 a week working for the burgeoning company.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in the United States in 2016 was $59,039. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in the same year, annual expenses averaged $57,311 for American households. That doesn’t leave a…
Title insurance: It’s another one of those mysterious fees buried inside the pile of paperwork you’ll receive at your loan closing. Who knows what it’s all about? All you’ve figured out is that lenders require a policy for their protection, and…
If you're thinking of cutting the cable cord but want to know what your options are, this list of 10 free streaming services is the perfect place to start.
American consumer debt has rebounded to prerecession levels, and the category that includes credit cards hit a record $1.02 trillion this summer. Maybe your credit card debt has crept up too, setting your own personal record. It makes sense to…
Spending $5 here, $10 there or $20 on an impulse buy or frequent purchase won’t bust your budget—or will it? Seemingly small splurges don’t hurt your financial well-being by themselves, but when you add them up over the course of…
It doesn’t take much to upend many Americans’ finances. A car that won’t start, a furnace that dies or a trip to the hospital can leave households struggling to make ends meet. According to the Federal Reserve, 44 percent of…
If you were choosing a dream career, and your choices were a high-powered attorney or the manager of a fast food joint, which would you pick? Most people would assume that being a lawyer is the obvious choice. The median…
Here’s a question with an easy answer: Want to get rich? Even if you’re not the type to chase wealth, you’d probably say yes to financial comfort. That feeling of not having to think about money—or the more typical reality,…
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.Like many…
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.Standing in…
There’s an app for everything today, so why not use them for car shopping? Shopping for a car online requires diligent research and repeated checking of listings, usually on multiple websites. Car-buying apps cut out some of that work. They can…
Warren Buffett is considered to be one of the most successful investors of all time. He has a net worth of $76.9 billion, and his multinational conglomerate holding company Berkshire Hathaway owns over 60 companies, including Geico, Dairy Queen, Fruit…
Driving for Uber or Lyft is often presented as an easy way to make money. At a basic level, there are only two steps: sign up, then drive. But in reality, it’s not that simple. Before you can start earning on…
All you have to do is love to eat to make money. Thanks to Yelp’s cash back program, eating at participating Yelp establishments can earn you a bit of cash. Sound like a good deal? It is. What’s even better—it’s…
You don’t need to belong to a warehouse club or shell out for pricey memberships to benefit from buying in bulk. These are eleven of our favorite bulk buys. Our list isn’t even close to exhaustive, of course. It’s really just the tip of…
Pull out your wallet and check your dollar bills-really, really check them.
You might be an avid online shopper, but are you saving as much money as you could be? Shopping online can be an art form unto itself, and how you go about it can make or break the amount of…
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.I could…
Are you dreaming of a brand new and sparkling kitchen, but lack the funds to spring for a professional renovation? No problem. It turns out that there a number of things you can do to spruce up your kitchen yourself,…
Debt collectors’ tactics are limited by the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. Here are 10 things third-party debt collectors—those who collect a debt on behalf of another creditor—can’t and can do. 5 Things Debt Collectors Can’t Do 1. Come To Your Workplace…
I’ve been blessed that I’m financially stable, but early on in my business career, I was swindled by several business partners and employers, and the devastating financial insecurity this caused me in my 30s has stayed with me. Today, I’m…
Personal finance blogger Zach of Four Pillar Freedom created a chart that breaks down just how many years it will take you to become a millionaire.
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.The average…
One of the best thing about taking a trip to Costco—besides the chance to shop in bulk—are the unlimited free samples. You heard me—unlimited. Now, if you’re no Costco newbie, then you likely already knew that you could feel free…
Times change quickly, and as a result, many of us are still holding onto (and paying for!) antiqued household items and services that we no longer need. I talked to the shopping, technology and lifestyle experts at Brad’s Deals, and…
You may be ready to head to dealership to trade up for a new car. It might be in your financial best interest to hold off, though.
Ever look at your cable bill and wonder why it's so expensive? Well, one family decided they had enough and saved $700 by cutting the cable!
We can all agree: Vacations are the best. But you know what’s the worst? Looking at your credit card statement after vacation. Oof. Of course, most of us are getting paid while we’re on vacation (hello, PTO!) but vacation spending…
For people looking to make money by doing jobs on the side, TaskRabbit can be a solid option. But before you make yourself available to assemble Ikea furniture and run errands, be sure you know what’s involved. The Basics Requirements: Applicants must pass background…
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.We’ve all…
Sweet Martha’s isn’t some small bakery. It’s a well-oiled machine that’s churning out homemade, delicious chocolate chip cookies. And when Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar sets up at the Minnesota State Fair, the company rakes in $3 million dollars in a…
We’ve all been there before. You pull up to the gas station to refuel, but before you pump, you must decide if you want regular or premium gas. You may wonder if the extra cost of the “Top Tier” gas…
It happens to all of us: you are running around all day, sending messages and opening apps on your phone, and long before you are home you get the dreaded low battery warning. But before you panic, we have some…
You may think if you have rich parents, you have it made. After all, the offspring of wealthy parents often don’t have to worry about costs like college tuition and get the best of everything money can buy. And when…
At some point, you may have heard statistics thrown around about how much more college graduates earn over their lifetimes. In particular, one study that seems to get repeated a lot says those with bachelor’s degrees earn $1 million more…
Grocery shoppers, rejoice! Amazon has dropped the price of 13 items now that it’s running the ship at Whole Foods following last week’s acquisition. “Whole Foods Market will offer lower prices starting Monday on a selection of best-selling grocery staples across…
Whenever a natural disaster strikes, many of us ask how we can help, whether in the form of cash or donations of cleaning supplies or canned goods. Giving is good. But giving to a good charity that knows how to…
Saving money for the holidays doesn’t have to be difficult, but you’ll want to start now to maximize your bank balance. Start with these simple steps today, and you could be as much as $1,000 richer before the end of…
Going green is not only good for the environment. It can also save you—and in some cases earn you—green. One example is San Diego resident John Hastie, who is using a local energy saving program that pays local residents cash…
When it comes time to get a new car, the logical choice seems to be to trade in your current car at the dealer, right? Not necessarily. If done right, you can double your money by selling your used car…
When Glen Zubia graduated from college in 2010, his student loans, car loan and credit card debt added up to a daunting $50,000. Working as a graphic designer, Zubia could barely cover his minimum monthly payment, so he decided to…
Are you one of the millions of Americans struggling to get out of debt? While there is plenty of advice out there about things you should do to become debt-free, learning what habits and practices to avoid may be just as important…
As a full-time freelance writer, I’ve always been perplexed as to how the heck Carrie Bradshaw lived in a New York City apartment with a closet full of designer shoes while writing just one column a week. The mystery has…
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.When it…
Disney theme park souvenirs allow guests to bring home a piece of the vacation magic when their trip is over. But, some are also worth good money.
Your neighbor pulls up in a new ride. Your co-worker says she’s taking a trip. We've all been envious of other's finances, but here's why you shouldn't be.
Kara Stevens found herself with student loans and credit card debt. Learn more about her steps to becoming debt-free once and for all.