Amy Freeman , Author at Money Crashers

9 Best Receipt Rewards Apps for 2024

Amy Freeman — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Food is a significant and growing expense for the average American. Thankfully, grocery rebate apps can help put cash back in your pocket after a grocery store trip. Try these receipt-scanning apps to get back more of your hard-earned cash.

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How Are Credit Scores Calculated? – Fico and Vantage Score

Amy Freeman — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0000

A three-digit number can make or break your finances. If you have a good credit score, a world of opportunity awaits. But if your score isn’t so hot, loans and insurance cost more and can be harder to get. Find out how FICO and VantageScore use your credit report to calculate this critical number.

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How to Protect Your Finances Before a Divorce

Amy Freeman — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:00:00 +0000

You might see a divorce coming from a mile away and still take steps to protect your finances before it happens. From opening an individual bank account to changing your beneficiaries, learn what to do now so that you’re not filled with financial regret later.

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The 5 Best Home Buying Apps to Purchase Real Estate Property in 2022

Amy Freeman — Mon, 30 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In the market for a new home? Before you fill your calendar with open houses, download one of these home buying apps. They offer valuable insight into your local market and can help you decide whether the time is right for you to buy.

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How to Refinance a Car Loan – 6 Easy Steps for Better Auto Payments

Amy Freeman — Tue, 24 May 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Refinancing your current car loan can reduce your monthly payment, lower your interest rate, or shorten the loan term for a faster payoff. You might be able to save money in the long run and reach other financial goals sooner. But before you call a lender, follow these steps to ensure you get the best deal possible.

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How Much Should You Pay for a Gym Membership?

Amy Freeman — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +0000

You know all the reasons you should exercise, from improving your health to helping you deal with stress. But lots of things can stand between you and a fitness routine, including the cost of a gym membership. But how much should you really pay?

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25 Ways to Save Money on Groceries – Food Shopping Tips on a Budget

Amy Freeman — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000

How much are you spending on groceries each month? No matter how much it is, there are ways to trim your household’s food costs. Cutting your grocery bill can seem challenging at first, but with a plan and a few changes to how, when, and where you shop, it is doable.

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6 Reasons to Avoid Bankruptcy – Alternatives for Your Debt Problems

Amy Freeman — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 21:00:42 +0000

When you have so much debt that it seems like you’ll never pay it off, bankruptcy can seem like your best or only option. But declaring bankruptcy carries long-term consequences that make it worth avoiding if you can. Learn how to avoid bankruptcy and why you should consider your other alternatives.

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17 Money-Saving Tips for Families on a Budget

Amy Freeman — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 12:00:16 +0000

If you want to save more money, it can help to take a wide-angle look at your family finances and examine your spending habits up close. Adopting more frugal practices and finding ways to cut back on your most significant expenses means extra money in your pocket. These tips can help.

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Which Bills to Pay Off First (or Cancel) When Money Runs Tight

Amy Freeman — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 19:30:39 +0000

Whether it’s from job loss, a drop in income, or an unexpected expense, sometimes, it’s a struggle to pay your bills. It’s essential you prioritize your bill payments and what you owe, paying the most important bills first. But how do you prioritize when your income and expenses don’t match up?

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How to Build a CD Ladder to Maximize Your Savings Rates (Strategy)

Amy Freeman — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 22:15:00 +0000

Once you’ve saved a considerable nest egg for your future financial goals, one way to keep your money relatively safe and accessible is to build a CD ladder. This strategy offers the flexibility to access your savings while offering a decent return. Learn how to build a CD ladder with your savings.

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How Zero-Based Budgeting Can Help You Better Manage Your Finances

Amy Freeman — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 15:00:02 +0000

Traditional budgeting asks you to guess how much money you’ll earn and spend each month. Zero-based budgeting is a simple way to assign a purpose to every dollar and takes the guesswork out of monthly planning. Learn about zero-based budgeting and how it can help you better manage your finances.

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How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions by Using S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Amy Freeman — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 22:00:43 +0000

Breaking New Year’s resolutions is so common it’s become a cliche. But the trouble with your resolution isn’t you. It’s the resolution itself. If you want to stick to your resolutions this year, shift your thinking. A SMART goal is a road map to help you finally keep your New Year’s resolution.

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8 Financial Mistakes to Avoid After Getting Divorced

Amy Freeman — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 19:15:24 +0000

Even if you’re happy to part ways with your partner, divorce sucks. Depending on how many assets you shared with your former spouse and how you decided to handle your finances when you were married, getting divorced is often a long and complicated process, not to mention expensive. Since every couple is different and because divorce

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Should Married Couples Combine Their Finances or Keep Money Separate?

Amy Freeman — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 20:37:38 +0000

If you asked a random assortment of couples about the subjects they fight with their significant other over, you’d most likely hear the same things over and over again. A study published in Family Relations that evaluated the diaries of 100 married men and 100 married women for 15 days revealed that the following topics

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How Kakeibo (Japanese Budgeting Method) Can Save You More Money

Amy Freeman — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 18:00:00 +0000

We live in a world where pretty much anything that can be automated is. You can subscribe to grocery delivery so fresh food shows up at your doorstep every week, without you having to create a list or head to the store. You can program your home’s heating and cooling systems to turn on and off

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Top 5 Personal Finance Tips for Recent College Graduates

Amy Freeman — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 19:45:17 +0000

When you’ve recently graduated from college, the world can seem like your oyster. After four years of unpaid internships or part-time jobs, you suddenly can see full-time employment with a full-time salary on the horizon. But sometimes, finding a full-time job can be more difficult than you thought it would be – and you may find

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