If you’re wondering what happens to your 401(k )when you leave a job, the short version is that the money usually stays put until you decide what to do with it. The harder part is figuring out which choice protects the most of what you already saved. T…
Category: Financial Wellness
Car loans are secured debt. Almost every auto loan you get from a dealer, bank, credit union, or online lender is secured by the vehicle itself. What Secured vs. Unsecured Actually Means Secured debt is backed by an asset, called collateral, that…
When I was promoted to Private First Class (E3), I was learning a lot! A little more responsibility, a little more pay—and, as it turned out, my first exposure to credit. Not long after that promotion, I was “automatically” approved for a $750 credit c…
When I was promoted to Private First Class (E3), I was learning a lot! A little more responsibility, a little more pay—and, as it turned out, my first exposure to credit. Not long after that promotion, I was “automatically” approved for a $750 credit c…
Spring is here, and for many of us, it used to mean one thing: buying more. I grew up in a city where spring meant going to the “rich side of town” to shop—clothing, furniture, anything we could resell or bring home to make us feel like we were moving …
When comparing a charge card vs credit card, the biggest difference comes down to how balances are handled. A credit card allows you to carry a balance and pay interest over time. A charge card typically requires you to pay the full balance each month….
The cost of everyday life keeps going up, from groceries to gas to rent. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices in 2025 are nearly 30% higher than they were in February 2020. While prices may eventually stabilize, many households are s…
When it comes to building wealth, investors usually land in one of two camps: the “set it and forget it” crowd or the “watch the market like a hawk” crew. That’s the difference between passive vs. active investing. Both approaches can grow …
Math is important for money management, but the numbers aren’t everything. Mindset matters—a lot. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of “never enough,” you’ve experienced a scarcity mindset. Living out of scarcity can do a number on your …
Debt collectors are known to be pushy. Fortunately, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) gives you tools to make sure that you only pay what you owe. One of these tools is debt validation. Here’s what you need to know. What Is Debt Vali…