Finance

One of the first lessons I learned out of college was this- college didn’t prepare me for anything that actually mattered. With a large number of college grads struggling to enter the workplace year after year as well as the rate of student debt skyrocketing, the need to develop new skills may matter more now than ever before. These are seven online courses available throughout the internet that will help you develop yourself into a more marketable individual as a result.

When the economy is in shambles, people jump in to learn how to invest for the first time. When the economy is doing remarkably, people are still learning how to invest. Either way, there is no such thing as a bad time to learn how to invest, so you might as well learn it now, especially if you’re reading this. I’m not a certified financial planner and you should do your own research, but here are my personal principles that I feel new investors should know before they start investing their hard-earned money.

The honeymoon period after you graduate from college is amazing, and for many people, the first time in your life you truly feel like a real, genuine adult. However, after the honeymoon phase comes the harsh truths about adulthood, especially when it comes time to come face to face with the state of your finances.

For millions of Americans and people all over the globe, this has been a period of not only incredible stress but also some much-needed self-reflection. While innovation and advances in digital and remote work have been changing the way our modern workforce communicates and accomplishes work, this current pandemic has potentially sped up the rate of which many jobs afterward will be accomplished either by employees working from their home, or will be outsourced to machinery and software completely.

We all want to say we’re in great financial shape, but the truth is we either aren’t or we still have room to get better. Sometimes, our day to day lives don’t give us the time to do research on our own in order to get a good grasp about tough concepts. For some of us, the money needed to work with a professional financial expert to help carry the load just isn’t an option either. However, there is an easy and engaging way to get the financial advice we need, on our time, for absolutely free! Whether on our lunch break, at the gym, or during our commute, podcasts allow us to listen in on the conversations and discussions about money matters right from our phones or other portable devices. So, what are some of the best financial podcasts to get started on as we embark on our journey to debt freedom, budgetary fortitude, and wealth growth?

Too good to be true! Right, gamers? A recent article from CBR has exposed a lucrative opportunity for eagle eyed gamers who want to earn money by pointing out bugs and other software related issues in Microsoft products. CBR reports “In recent years, as computer security has become more of a concern for everyone, trying to get ahead of the bugs and vulnerabilities that cause hacks and denial of service attacks is a higher and higher priority. Microsoft has been in on this game for a while, but they just recently launched the Xbox Bounty Program, taking what has become a relatively standard ‘bug bounty’ program and bringing it to another video game console. If you find a major bug in an Xbox Live service and report it to them, you could get paid for it.”

The beauty of the internet is that it is the ultimate leveling of the traditional market, meaning people of all skills have the ability to make ridiculous amounts of money online with nothing more than a good work ethic and a decent internet connection. Of all the ways to earn some good side-hustle money, basic reading and writing skills are probably all you need in order to start easily earning money online today!

Your bags are packed, you've dropped your furry friends at "doggy daycare", and your neighbors have happily agreed to collect your mail when you're gone.   You're all set for that trip of a lifetime.  Then, it hits you -- do I need insurance? Ok -- let's be honest -- you probably don't think about that. For most people, insurance is not top of mind when there are delicious cocktails and sandy beaches only a plane ride away.

Maybe you’re tired of hearing this, especially if you spent the last couple days or so watching Netflix non-stop, but if you’re financially comfortable and you find yourself with a bunch of extra time on your hands because of recent events, now might be the time to grow as a person to ensure the version of you that comes out of this pandemic is stronger than ever. That means stronger when it comes to your mind, body, soul, and especially your finances.

If you're in the market for a personal loan, you are not alone. The personal loan market has surged recently, with the total outstanding debt now over $156 billion. And if you are considering a personal loan, it should be clear that there are more lenders than ever before. Fintech startups, online banks, and traditional lenders are all vying for market share in this growing space.

A little extra lunch money never hurt anyone, right? Thanks to the wonderful world of the internet, it is easier now more than ever to make easy money right from your phone. Here are a list of websites ranging from surveys to rating services and cashback programs, and our experience using them to generate some easy cash. Note: None of these websites are paying us to say anything, so expect some hardcore honesty!

Running a small business poses many challenges -- paying suppliers, advertising, expanding, or improving an existing location.  And for those who own a small business, funding all these challenges can be overwhelming.  A small business loan can help.

Banking no longer takes place only in whitewashed buildings with greek porticos. Increasingly, when consumers need to pay a bill, get a loan, or deposit a check, they are doing it in front of a computer or mobile phone screen. In 2020, digital and mobile banking will continue to grow, and these three innovations are likely to lead the way:

Taking real, intentional steps towards being responsible for your finances and financial future is a true test of maturity. Far too many Americans let their money lead them astray, instead of taking full command over how their money is utilized. I made many financial mistakes as a young person and going into adulthood, but luckily once I started making a full-time income, I started down the path to financial recovery and eventually towards financial prosperity.

In the Christmas classic "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," Clarke W. Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) guides his family through what can only be described as a disastrous Christmas. The generous-but-inept Clarke goes all-in by placing a down-payment on a backyard pool -- before he's received his yearly bonus. This error in judgment tortures Clarke as he waits day after day for his check. It finally arrives amid a Christmas Eve fail for the ages. Hoping his financial problems having been solved, he rips open the letter only to see that he's been enrolled in a jelly-of-the-month club. For those fortunate enough to get a yearly bonus -- and wise enough not to spend what they haven't received -- the choice of what to do with a bonus can be overwhelming. Should you spend it? Invest it? Pay down debt?

Whether you listen at the gym, in your car, or riding the subway, podcasts are a great way to pass the time while also learning something new. One of the fastest-growing parts of the podcast industry is Business & Finance.  Need help with your personal finances?  There are podcasts for that.  Need to earn some extra income with a side gig?  There are podcasts for that, too.  But with so many to choose from, which one is right for you?

If you don’t have time to read a book line by line and you just don’t really seem to pay attention to an entire podcast, the wonderful viral world of YouTube is packed to the brim with some of the best financial education and informative channels you can find from content creators around the world. Whether you’re going to be the next Wolf of Wall Street, an extreme financial minimalist, or you just want to educate yourself on some basic financial literacy, here are the top five channels we’ve selected to help you find something beneficial to add to your playlist.

As my father always told me, “the best way to learn about money is to lose a lot of money.” While this is not advice I suggest people take literally, the wisdom is that through times of hardship, we become smarter and more resilient with time by learning from our mistakes. Whether you’ve lost a ton of cash or your debt is crushing you and your future financial prosperity, I can without a doubt tell you that you can pull yourself out of it, and you don’t need to buy anything in order to learn and apply this sage money wisdom.”

When the economy is booming, job openings are plentiful, and wages are on the rise. So why then are personal loans growing at such a rapid pace? According to the consumer credit rating agency Equifax, personal loans in 2019 grew 10% from the year before.  Experian and Transunion -- the two other major consumer credit rating agencies -- agree; personal loans are growing at a double-digit pace.

By the time you read this, almost 6.6 million Americans will have filed for unemployment benefits. This number is larger than that of those on unemployment during the midst of the 2008 financial crisis, and now, after four years of low unemployment and a bull market, even people in relatively secure jobs are uncertain as to what the future holds. For some people reading this, even maybe you, the fears of losing your job has become a reality.