A majority of consumers today are suffering from the effects of inflation. We’re seeing inflationary rates that are akin to what happened in the 80s, so we’re talking decades ago. At the rate inflation is increasing lately, most people can’t afford what they’re used to and it’s causing financial strain on families everywhere. 

Many people have specific financial goals (e.g., filling a rainy-day fund, buying a house, paying down debt, or starting to invest), and most of these goals involve saving money. If you are struggling to put money away for your financial plans, reducing your spending may be necessary. Consider these tips to help you cut expenses and build your savings to facilitate your future financial plans.

Do you want to get on a budget but don’t know how? You look at your income and expenses and your head just spins. How do you know where to budget and how?

Money can be a big challenge for relationships, especially for couples on a budget with limited income or a lot of debt. Overwhelming debt, lack of communication, and financial secrets can lead to arguments, guilt, finger-pointing, and resentment. Here are the steps to help.

Understanding what a budget is, what it can do, and how to build one together can help couples address problems in a healthy, positive way as they work toward mutual financial goals.

A budget is simply a roadmap for dividing household income into expenses (including mortgage, groceries, and discretionary spending). Building a budget together means agreeing on the roadmap and helping each other stick to it.

Inflation is the increase in the prices of goods and services over time. The current inflation rate is 8.6%. When the inflation rate is high, you'll spend more money on buying goods and services. Therefore, inflation leads to an increase in the cost of living.

Higher interest rates can mean more money in your savings, but it can also have a dramatic impact on your cost of living. Keep reading to learn the basics of inflation and how it affects you.

From emergency funds to retirement accounts and everything in between, it can feel impossible to save enough money each month. Even if you make more than enough money to make ends meet, you might wonder if you’re ever saving enough. While there’s no cut and dry answer as to how much you must save each month, we’ve created a guide to help you determine what’s right for you.

We all want to be financially free, right? Living under the burden of bills, saving, and trying to figure life out feels impossible and overwhelming at times. What if we told you that achieving financial freedom is within your reach – you just have to know the do’s and don’ts of handling your personal finances. 

Here’s what you should know. 

You could set as many financial goals as you want, but without the right mindset, they are nearly impossible to reach. How you think about money—consciously and subconsciously—can affect your decisions, how you handle money, and how much money you have overall. The good news is that you can change your money mindset at any time and turn your personal financial situation around. 

What Is Your Money Mindset? 

Your money mindset is any thoughts or feelings you have about money. For example, if you tell yourself, "I’ll never make enough money to retire early", then guess what? You won’t. 

You are starting your career, and you know you should save some of your income. Here are some essentials to saving and helping secure your future.

Make a Budget

One of the biggest tools to help you save money is a budget. A budget helps you plan where you want your money to go. If you have never made a budget before, you can start by keeping track of all your expenses for a month. At the end of the month, examine how you are spending your money and determine how you can spend it more wisely. If you are trying to save as much money as you can, you should cut down on your expenses as much as reasonably possible. You can still live well while not spending as much.

Are you a young professional planning for your financial future? You may be contemplating how to clear your student loan debt and save more for your retirement. Discipline and commitment will never go wrong when it comes to financial decisions, but having a financial plan is key. Read on for three reliable tips on how you can save and pay back your student loans.