Americans know that carrying a credit card balance is a bad idea, but 45% typically do so anyway, a recent survey said. Consumers of all ages and financial backgrounds are amassing credit card debt, and struggling to live within their means, and these behaviors are only getting worse, the Quicken survey said.…

I don’t consider myself a deeply religious person. But lately I’ve been thinking of an 11th Commandment I’d like to inscribe in stone. In case you’ve missed the news, pricey water bottles are a thing. Specifically, pricey water bottles from Stanley, a brand that has a history going back to…

Daughter is in her late 50s, with a difficult mother who is in her mid 80s. Daughter’s mother, V, has always been “kind of nutty” as Daughter describes her. They were semi-estranged for years but not entirely out of contact, with Daughter living in a different state. One day, Daughter…

Our goal here at Credible Operations, Inc., NMLS Number 1681276, referred to as “Credible” below, is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we do promote products from our partner lenders who compensate us for our services, all opinions are our own. The…

We need to relocate from Seattle for a variety of reasons — work, disliking our neighborhood, desire for better weather, need better schools — and will be moving 2,000 miles away. We currently have a four-bedroom 2021 new construction 2,700 square-foot home. Our mortgage payment is approximately $3,800 and our…

I’m reading the short book, The Gap and the Gain, co-authored by Dan Sullivan, the famed founder of Strategic Coach, and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, and while it applies to many areas of life, its implications in how we approach our finances and goal-setting are profound. This infographic perfectly illustrates the…

Our goal here at Credible Operations, Inc., NMLS Number 1681276, referred to as “Credible” below, is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we do promote products from our partner lenders who compensate us for our services, all opinions are our own. The…

The Department of Education said it will fix a problem with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which would have cost students about $1.8 billion in lost federal aid, according to news first reported by NPR.    While the new form was intended to give students from low-income…

Most Americans are experiencing a holiday spending hangover that could take months to recover from, a recent survey said. Seventy-four percent of consumers said inflation had a more significant impact than anticipated on their holiday spending budgets and 45% overspent, according to WalletHub’s recent survey. Additionally, 1 in 4 Americans said…

When can I file my income taxes for 2024? While we’re at it, what are the income tax brackets this year?What’s the child tax credit for 2024? How about the standard deduction? And what are the 401(K) limits for this year? Trying to Plan AheadDear Planning Ahead, Full disclosure: I…