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6 Tips for Surviving Your 20s When You’re Broke

April 5, 2023 By Erin H Leave a Comment

Hello, fellow broke 20-somethings! Are you sick of living on instant noodles and dreaming of the day you can afford avocado toast or a five-star meal? Well, worry not. This piece gives you some tips on how to get through your 20s without going bankrupt. So get your piggy bank, and let’s dive in!

1. Have a Budget

A budget may seem obvious, but making one is the best way to manage your money after going broke. Find out how much money you receive each month and where it needs to go. Ensure you have enough for basic needs like rent, utilities, and food before spending on anything else.

Once you have a budget, check your spending carefully to see where to cut back. For example, do you truly require that subscription service to a streaming app you rarely use? Canceling unnecessary expenses can save you a lot of money over time.

2. Give Your Savings Accounts Fun Names

Instead of having a savings account that says ‘Savings Account #100’ when you log in to your bank account, you might want to change the name to something more specific. Maybe it could say, ‘I’m quitting my job in January 2024’ or ‘Going to Maldives in May 2024.’ The more specific you are, the less likely you are to keep taking a little money off the top every time your checking account gets a little low.

3. Be Mindful of Expensive Cosmetic Procedures

Before deciding to get a cosmetic procedure, it’s essential to do your research and fully understand the costs. Don’t just rely on what the plastic surgeon or clinic tells you. Research online and talk to people with similar procedures to understand the possible costs.

Research shows that about 11.36 million plastic surgery procedures were done worldwide in 2019. It indicates that more people know these procedures, so shop around for financing options that are more accessible. Getting caught up in wanting to look better is easy, but remember, stay moderate and spend what you can afford.

4. Avoid Unscrupulous Deals

You might fall victim to embezzlement if you work a white-collar job. Embezzlement is one type of white-collar crime. In this crime, a person mishandles money they are in charge of and uses it in a way that is not allowed. It’s wise to implement solid financial controls like performing regular audits or reviewing financial records to avoid the devastation of embezzlement. Promote a culture of transparency and accountability and save yourself from going broke

5. Be Responsible and Invest in Yourself

A survey says drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 are most likely to be drunk behind the wheel. However, you don’t have to be among them. Choose a responsible life and avoid situations that could lead to such an occurrence. Instead, focus on investing in yourself, like improving your skills or getting an education or training that will help you earn more.

6. Have an Insurance Cover

Insurance can keep you from going bankrupt in your 20s by protecting you from sudden financial losses caused by accidents or things you can’t control. For instance, if you suffer from a severe illness or injury, health insurance can assist in paying your hospital bills. You might have to pay these expenses out of cash if you don’t have health insurance, which can be costly and cause financial strain.

Being optimistic and focused on your goals will help you get through the rough financial times that often plague your 20s. Set yourself up for long-term financial success. Remember, you can make the most of your situation and set yourself up for long-term success with the right attitude and good money habits.

Filed Under: Beating Broke Rules, budgeting

My Credit Card Rewards Were Stolen!

April 3, 2023 By MelissaB 1 Comment

Person Holding Money and a Credit Card Above a Laptop

I do an excellent job of keeping my credit secure. Over 14 years ago, my husband and I froze our credit; we only thaw it for a day or two when someone needs to make a credit inquiry for a new line of credit. In addition, we use a credit monitoring service, and I check our credit cards at least once a week to record transactions in our budgeting software, You Need a Budget. Yet, despite my best efforts, my credit card rewards were stolen!

How I Discovered the Theft

I thought about traveling internationally and decided to check my rewards balance. I knew I had tens of thousands of points, but I couldn’t remember how many. So imagine my surprise when I looked and saw only 9,000 points!

I looked at my redemption history and saw a 30,000 redemption for $300 worth of gift cards. The redemption took place on March 1st. I had been in my credit card account at least three times since the redemption, but I didn’t notice the theft because I didn’t check the rewards points. I’m embarrassed to admit that it took me three weeks to realize someone had cleaned my account of $300 in rewards points.

Called the Credit Card Company Immediately

I immediately called the credit card company. While the agent was friendly, she asked me several times if I had redeemed them and didn’t remember or if my husband had redeemed them.

I live in New York, but the redeemed cards were addressed to my name in Houston, Texas. I told the agent that I never redeem my points for gift cards; she could look through my history and see that.

Steps the Credit Card Company Took

Two credit cards on a table in front of a laptop.

In the end, the credit card company took two steps.

First, they put my 30,000 reward points back in my account.

Second, they canceled my current credit card and sent me a new one.

Steps I Took

I also took steps to protect my account further.

First, I went to my other two credit cards, confirmed the correct number of rewards points, and then I cashed them out.

Second, I changed my passwords for all my online credit card accounts.

Third, I am investigating signing up for AwardWallet. This free program helps people manage the points for the many reward programs they signed up for. Best of all, users can set an alert to be notified if the balance changes. This program will help me realize the theft immediately instead of three weeks later.

Final Thoughts

While thieves have compromised my credit card several times, I was shocked to discover they stole my credit card rewards! I never thought of those as ripe for theft, but they are. Hopefully, I can ensure my credit card rewards are not stolen again by taking more protective steps. However, if they are, hopefully, I’ll realize the theft more quickly than I did this time.

Read More

How YNAB Changed Our Finances

Make Improving Your Finances Your Part-Time Job

How to Freeze Your Family’s Credit

Filed Under: credit cards Tagged With: credit card rewards, credit card theft, identity theft

How To Choose the Best Internet Plan For You

April 3, 2023 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

Are you in the market for an internet plan but feeling overwhelmed by all the choices? With so many providers and plans available, it can be difficult to pick the best one for you. Fortunately, there are a few key things to consider when deciding what internet plan is right for you. Keep reading to learn more about how to choose the best internet plan for you.

Browse different internet plans.

When choosing the best internet plan for you, it’s important to consider your needs and budget. ISelect internet plans offer a range of plans tailored specifically to meet those needs, allowing customers to select the most suitable option depending on their requirements. The plans are based on different speeds, budgets, and data limits so customers can find the right plan that suits them. Internet plans provide a wide selection of internet options that cover everything from basic home use up to large businesses with multiple users who require high-speed connections. For instance, there are basic packages that are ideal for occasional web browsing or streaming video content at an affordable price point; these packages include unlimited data allowances with download speeds of up to 50 Mbps in some areas. On the other hand, if you have more than one person using your connection or need higher download speeds, then you might be better suited with one of their Business Starter packages which feature faster speeds (up to 100 Mbps) and larger monthly data caps (up to 1TB). Other features such as static IPs and Wi-Fi extenders may also be available depending on your location and plan type.

Examine reliability and customer service ratings.

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Examining reliability and customer service ratings is an important step in determining which internet plan best suits your needs. Reliability refers to the quality of the service provided, while customer service ratings refer to how well a company meets consumer expectations regarding its services. Reliability can be determined through various metrics such as uptime percentage, latency rate, speed tests, ping times, and jitter scores. Uptime percentage measures how often a connection is available for use; latency rate determines how quickly data is sent between two devices; speed tests measure download/upload speeds over time; ping times inform users of the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another and jitter scores measure packet loss or delay when transferring large amounts of data. By researching these factors you will gain insight into what kind of performance you can expect from each provider and help determine which plans would work best for your individual requirements.

Investigate discounts or promotional offers available.

Investigating the discounts or promotional offers available when choosing an internet plan is a critical step in finding the best one for you. Different providers offer various promotions and deals, so it’s important to research what each provider has to offer in order to make an informed decision. Some of these discounts may include free installation costs, waived activation fees, discounted rates on monthly plans, and equipment bundles that can save money in the long run. Additionally, some providers will give you incentives such as credits on your bill or rewards points if you sign up for their services.

Understand your internet usage habits.

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Understanding your internet usage habits is essential when it comes to selecting the best plan for you. To make sure you choose a plan that meets your needs, it’s important to consider how much data you use each month and what types of activities require more bandwidth than others. The first step in understanding your internet usage habits is to calculate how much data you need each month. Generally speaking, it’s recommended that most users have at least 10 Mbps download speeds and 5 Mbps upload speeds, although these numbers may vary depending on what type of activities you do online. For instance, streaming HD video requires higher speed than browsing websites or sending emails. Knowing the amount of data needed can help narrow down which plans are available to fit within your budget and meet your needs.

Overall, having the right internet plan for you can make a world of difference in terms of speed, reliability, and cost. Taking your home’s needs into consideration, and researching your options, can help you make an informed decision on the best plan for you.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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