Smart Money Links 4U

Members of our military, whether active duty or veterans, have access to unique bank accounts from both banks and credit unions. Such accounts are uniquely designed to suit the specific needs of active duty members (easy online bill pay, international branches on bases or 24/7 stateside assistance, for example) but also honor both active members and veterans for their service via a higher annual percentage yield (APY), better insurance rates, lower annual percentage rates (APRs, or interest rates) on loans and other great benefits. If you or your spouse currently serves or has previously served as a member of the US military and you are looking for a bank account that meets your needs, consider one of these six military banks and credit unions: Service Credit Union America’s Credit Union USAA Bank Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed CU) Navy Federal Credit Union Security Service Federal Credit Union Below, we’ve explored each military bank in detail, focusing on their chec...

Costume parties in and of themselves seem like a great idea. That is, until you realize that you’re about to spend $50+ and countless hours putting together an outfit you’ll wear once before shoving it deep under the bed with the rest of your one-hit-wonder Halloween ensembles. And while I always try to be frugal (because despite my over-the-top holiday enthusiasm, I’m still a Penny Hoarder at heart), I’m also pretty lazy when it comes to Halloween costumes. I always think I’m going to go all out and DIY my costume, but then every year, without fail, I end up running to the store at the last minute and spending a lot of money. There has to be a better way to go about this whole costume business — a way that, ideally, won’t cost any money at all. 7 Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Make at Home If your aim is to wear a completely free (we like free!) costume on Halloween, start with your closet. Chances are you already have a few costume pieces lurking in the dark recesses of...

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 . How cool would it be to invest in the success of small businesses across the country — and get a piece of that success yourself? That’s what a company called Mainvest is doing to make it easy for people living all over the country to invest in small businesses and earn passive income. Instead of fronting a ton of cash to invest in some global conglomerate that doesn’t affect you at all, you can invest in local small businesses that you can personally benefit from, too. And all you need is $100 to do it. The ‘Have Your Cake and Eat it, Too’ Investment Strategy When you invest in a local business through Mainvest, like Lil Mama’s sandwich shop in Chattanooga, or Provision Coffee Roasters in Phoenix, you’re investing in real small business owners. For as little as a $100 investment into a local small busi...

The annual Medicare open enrollment period is going on now through Dec. 7. It’s your yearly chance to switch, drop or add coverage. But how does Medicare work, anyway? Whether you’re about to turn 65 or you’ve been enrolled in the program for years, now is a great time to brush up on this federal health insurance program, what it offers, what it costs and how to make changes to your Medicare coverage. 7 FAQs About Medicare and Open Enrollment Medicare is the largest health insurance program in the United States, covering more than 60 million Americans. It’s also one of the most confusing and complex programs. Contrary to popular belief, Medicare isn’t free and it doesn’t cover all your health care costs either. Here’s what you need to know to get the most out of your Medicare coverage. 1. What Is Medicare? Medicare is the federal government’s health program for people age 65 and older, as well as some younger people with disabilities or kidney failure. If you’re at least 65 y...

If you have a pet, then your smartphone probably has hundreds of snapshots of your furry friend from different angles, in natural light or playing with toys. But have you ever wondered whether your pet photography hobby could turn into a paying gig? Those impromptu photo shoots of your pet napping in the sun might be enough to jumpstart your new profession. While you might think you’re simply capturing your dog or cat at ease, that skill can earn big bucks. There’s a reason why: Looking  at photos of dogs actually makes people feel happier, more energized and relaxed. And that’s just when they look at images of other people’s dogs. Imagine how wonderful your new clients will feel when they look at their own pet portraits on the wall or add a four-legged family member to their holiday family portraits . Whether you’re taking photos of people, pets or landscapes, it’s easier than ever to ​​ sell your photos online. Ready to go into the pet photography business yet? Here’s every...

When you’re in the market to buy a house, the fun part is browsing listings and touring places in person, imagining yourself in your new abode. The intimidating part: the negotiation. Especially in the current seller’s market. According to a report from Freddie Mac, the housing shortage has recently increased by 52% from 2.5 million in 2018, to 3.8 million in 2020. Translation? There aren’t nearly enough houses, making the current market sway very strongly in the seller’s favor. Despite this unsettling news, everything in real estate is still relatively negotiable, and the back-and-forth can work in your favor. But there are a few general ground rules you’ll want to keep in mind. We’re here to demystify the process and explain how you can best negotiate the price on your future home, even in a sellers market. When Does the Negotiation Start? Some real estate agents like to say the negotiation process starts when you go “under contract” with a seller — in other words, you’ve made...

Dear Penny, My long-time boyfriend and I are both in our mid-20s. He’s supporting his parents financially while living with them and working two jobs. He pays for 85% to 100% of their rent (which is pretty pricey), and for food, utilities and other costs. He also has student debt.  He makes decent money, but he hasn’t been able to save much because he is responsible for so much. His parents are older and currently unemployed. When they’re able to work, they earn low wages.  My boyfriend and I have wanted to move in together for a few years. We’re looking for an apartment that we can afford together, which, given our expenses, shouldn't be an issue.  However, my boyfriend will still need to support his family.   My financial situation is significantly better than his. I earn slightly less but don’t have many debts or expenses. But I can’t pay for our hypothetical apartment on my own for long. I’m also not willing to drain all of my savings when I hope to own ...