Jackie Lam

You've likely been tempted to use Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) on a pair of designer sneakers or during a spending flurry during the holidays. But what about to put food on the table? It turns out that tapping into payment plans and other forms of debt to pay for groceries is more common than you think.
According to a report released by the Urban Institute, many US households are tapping into payday loans, BNPL, credit card debt, and their savings to cover living essentials. Breaking it down, 60...

A branded post on homeownership, between Rocket Mortgage and The Balance.

Photographed by Megan Madden.
When President Biden announced in early April that the pause on federal student loan repayment has been extended to September 1, those of us who have been shouldering the burden of debt from higher education let out a colossal, collective sigh of relief. And while we’ll have a few more months to save up to pay down our debt, there's another economic force at large that's now dwindling our wallets: inflation.
The prices of goods and services climbed 8.5% at the en...

If you're experiencing a cash shortfall, an easy move might be to reach for your credit card for a cash advance.

Charles Schwab is one of the largest discount brokerages in America, and it offers something for investors of all levels of experience and needs. New investors will appreciate that there are no minimums to open most accounts, and customer service reps are available to help 24/7 via phone or chat.

Per a recent poll by CreditCards.com, 40% of people in serious relationships fessed up to committing financial infidelity through hiding a money account — think checking, savings, or a credit card — from their S.O.s.

Are you and your significant other cohabitating sooner than planned due to the coronavirus outbreak? You’re not alone. If so, you might wonder whether it’s time to open a joint bank account.

If you’re one of the nearly 38 million people who have filed for unemployment since March, 2020, you may also be one of the many people having trouble paying rent right now.

For many, your 20s are often the first time that you have some cash on hand. And it can be hard to know what to do—how much to spend, whether to pay back loans, and how much (if anything) to save for the future.

If you’re one of the nearly 38 million people who have filed for unemployment since March, 2020, you may also be one of the many people having trouble paying rent right now.

It’s particularly a concern, since average rent in the U.S. is $1,594. That amount is barely covered by the $1,200 stimulus checks sent out in April, which were gobbled up by basic necessities in just a few days.

Signs of an economic slowdown abound. The Department of Labor reports unemployment claims rose to 6.6 million the week ending March 28, a dramatic spike from 3.3 million the week prior. Indeed, as small businesses are forced to close due to the pandemic, jobs are being lost at a rapid clip.

WhenLogan Allec and his wife got married, they brought up money from the get-go. The pair made a pact: They would each have a set amount of money to spend on whatever they wanted.

Whether it was $50 or $100 a month, it was the financial equivalent of a hall pass. No questions asked. No accusations made. And there was no snooping to look at what they pulled from the bank account.

That would prevent resentment, judgment, and getting tiffs over seemingly small potato stuff — like indulging in a daily coffee fix.

“No matter how tight money is — or whether you choose to keep joint or separate

That motorcycle you buy — without first telling your partner: Sure, it’s a major purchase that should require discussion beforehand, but they did go on that weekend bender last month. You deserve your own rebelle sojourn, whooshing down Pacific Coast Highway, hair and heart ablaze in your BMW R1200RT.

With the economic uncertainty due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), you’ll want to get a grip on handling your money. It’s hard to predict how things will shake out and how the economy will ultimately shift. Perhaps recent events have already had a profound impact on your finances. Maybe they have affected your income, and in turn, your ability to cover bills and pay off debt, depleting your emergency fund.
If you’re experiencing a tough money situation — a job loss, or are hit with a medical emerge...