Smart Money Links 4U

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . Maybe you dream of waking up next to the ocean on a gorgeous piece of land you own, surrounded by nature, with zero internet because you never need to work again. Or maybe you dream of waking up somewhere other than your childhood bedroom, without your parents nagging you to get a job and move out because you’re 35 years old. Financial freedom can mean something different to everyone, but it always comes back to this: What drives you to get up and go to work? We’re not talking about just your job , we’re talking about whatever it is you’re doing to reach those financial-freedom goals you have — improving your credit score so you can buy a home for your family; paying down your debt, so you can relieve yourself of the anxiety sitting on your chest; finally taking that leap to invest and build your retiremen...

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . You’ve thought about retirement for years. But now that it’s approaching, you still have a lot of questions. A lot of them hinge on healthcare — and the prospect of having to part with an employer plan. And for those already on Medicare, too many wonder if they’re getting the best deal out of the government-sponsored coverage they invested so much in over their career. Whether you’re enrolling in Medicare for the first time, shopping for a better deal or trying to improve your coverage or benefits, it can all be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, a free resource called Chapter will search every single Medicare option nationwide to match you with the right fit for your needs. It saves people an average $750 a year, plus it will help you find more benefits for less money. Use This Service To Find the Right Medicar...

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . Do you remember why you chose your current checking account? If you got started early, your parents might have helped you open a kids’ account at their bank’s branch. Or maybe you went with the bank down the street from your work after getting your first W2 job. Whatever the reason, location likely played a big part. Thankfully, you’re no longer confined to a financial institution because of its proximity to you — or a brick-and-mortar site altogether, for that matter. From higher interest rates to better benefits, it pays to expand your search beyond your local bank or credit union these days. Here’s how to choose the right checking account for you. Advantages of Choosing the Right Checking Account You probably already know that you need a checking account. It serves as the primary hub for your money...

While readers and writers have skeptically watched the fluctuating publishing industry in recent years, one literary market has caught us all a bit by surprise: audiobooks. An audiobook (sometimes stylized as “audio book”), like the name suggests, is a recording of a book that readers can listen to. Somewhere along the path of lengthy commutes (pre-COVID 19, anyway) and ubiquitous smartphones, a market for audiobooks erupted — people who don’t otherwise read much. Whether you’re on a treadmill or have a couple hours to kill before boarding your flight, audiobooks are a great way to fit in learning and entertainment. Not to mention, it’s a nice reprieve from staring at a screen all day. How to Pursue Audiobook Narration as a Career or Side Gig While this market explodes — audiobook sales totaled a stunning $1.2 BILLION in 2019 and hit eight years of double-digit revenue growth — you may be wondering how you can get a piece of the pie. Whether you’re a budding voice actor or season...

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . Money is still a bit of a taboo topic among families and friends, which is why many of us don’t know what a normal amount is to have (or aim for). But thankfully, there’s an easy calculation to know the exact dollar amount you need to have on-hand in your checking account: It’s one or two months of your living expenses. That’s it! So if between rent, utilities, groceries, budgeted fun stuff for your kids and debt payments, you spend $5,000 each month, then you should have $5,000 to $10,000 in your checking account. Here’s some advice: It might not be smart to keep more than two months’ worth of expenses in your checking account. If you can keep it closer to one month, that’s even better. Why? Because it’s likely earning you next to zero in interest, when you could be making way more with your money elsewh...

SoFi is the brainchild of a few Stanford Business students who initially wanted to tackle the student loan debt issue in this country by making it easier for borrowers to refinance student loans. Eventually, they expanded the company’s focus to include several financial products and services, including online banking through SoFi Money. Today, SoFi offers a lot of banking services with some great benefits. This SoFi review gives you everything you need to know about those banking options. Our in-depth and honest review of SoFi Money will look at the product’s checking and savings features, and SoFi Money compares with other online bank accounts to help you determine whether it’s right for you. In this review: What Is SoFi Money? Banking With SoFi SoFi Money Account Fees SoFi Student Loans Other SoFi Products SoFi Customer Service Frequently Asked Questions Is SoFi Money Right for You? Our Bank Review Methodology What Is SoFi Money? SoFi Money is an online-only cash ...