Making Cents Sense

Are you looking to invest $1,000 this May and seeking steady returns? Look no further than dividend stocks! Dividend stocks are a smart choice for investors who want to build long-term wealth through regular payouts and capital appreciation. In this blog post, we will share three top dividend stock picks that you can invest your $1,000 in this May for smart returns. We will cover important topics such as why dividend stocks are a smart choice, how to choose the right dividend stocks for your portfolio, and the importance of diversification in dividend stock investing. We'll also explore how to analyze the financial health of dividend-paying companies, the pros and cons of reinvesting dividends, and the role of dividend stocks in a balanced investment strategy. So, let's dive in and discover the three dividend stocks that can help you achieve your financial goals this May! Why Dividend Stocks are a Smart Choice for Investors in May Dividend stocks are a smart choice for investor...

Financial literacy education is taking center stage in Indiana as a new bill mandating personal finance courses in high schools heads to the governor's desk. The new requirement is set to equip Indiana students with essential money management skills, from budgeting to investing. This landmark legislation reflects the growing recognition of the importance of financial literacy education and its impact on students' long-term financial success. In this post, we'll explore what the personal finance course requirement entails, its potential impact on Indiana students, and why financial literacy education is crucial. We'll also discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by this new requirement, as well as ways to further support financial education beyond the classroom. Let's dive in! What does the personal finance course requirement in Indiana entail? The personal finance course requirement in Indiana mandates that high school students take a one-semester course ...

The 50/30/20 rule is a simple and effective way to budget your money. The basic idea is to allocate your income into three categories: needs, wants, and savings. By following this rule, you can make sure that you're spending your money wisely and saving enough for the future. Here's how to do it: Determine your after-tax income To start, you need to figure out how much money you have to work with each month. This means looking at your take-home pay after taxes, as well as any other sources of income you may have. Allocate 50% to your needs The first category is your needs, which includes things like rent or mortgage payments, groceries, utilities, transportation costs, and other essential expenses. You should aim to spend no more than 50% of your after-tax income on these items. Allocate 30% to your wants The second category is your wants, which includes things like dining out, entertainment, travel, and other non-essential expenses. You should aim to spend no more than 30% ...

 Here's a pre-deployment checklist for personal finances: Create a budget : Start by assessing your current financial situation and creating a budget for your upcoming deployment. Make a list of all your income sources and expenses, including any bills or debts you have to pay. This will help you understand your financial position and plan your spending accordingly. Set up automatic payments : Set up automatic payments for your bills and debts so that they are paid on time and you don't have to worry about missing any payments while you're deployed. Notify your bank and credit card companies : Inform your bank and credit card companies that you'll be deployed and let them know which countries you'll be visiting. This will help prevent any security issues or payment processing problems while you're away. Create a power of attorney : Designate someone you trust as your power of attorney to manage your finances while you're deployed. This person will be able to...

Reselling Amazon return pallets can be a profitable business if done correctly. Amazon has a large customer base and a high volume of returns, which means there is always a constant supply of return pallets available. However, reselling these pallets requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail to ensure that the process is successful. In this blog post, we'll discuss what Amazon return pallets are, how to purchase them, and how to make money reselling them. What are Amazon return pallets? Amazon return pallets are merchandise that customers have returned to Amazon. These pallets can contain a variety of products, including electronics, clothing, household goods, and more. The products on the pallets can be new, used, or damaged, and the condition of the items will vary depending on the reason for the return. Return pallets are typically sold at a discount compared to the retail price, which makes them an attractive option for resellers who are looking for merchandi...

Hiring a financial advisor can be a wise decision when it comes to managing your wealth and investments. However, it's important to recognize that not all financial advisors are created equal. Unfortunately, there are times when it may be necessary to part ways with your financial advisor. In this blog post, we'll discuss the top three reasons to fire a financial advisor, according to experts. Lack of Communication One of the primary reasons to hire a financial advisor is to receive professional guidance and advice on your investments. However, if your advisor fails to communicate effectively with you, it can be difficult to determine if they're acting in your best interest. It's important that your financial advisor provides clear and concise explanations for any recommendations or decisions made regarding your investments. If you find yourself constantly having to chase down your advisor for updates or feel that they're withholding information, it may be time to r...

Recently, a personal finance expert took a stand and spoke out against the United States' runaway spending. The expert, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated that the country's spending habits are "ridiculous" and that Washington "has no backbone" when it comes to making tough financial decisions. The expert pointed out that the US government has been spending more money than it brings in for decades. This has led to an ever-increasing national debt that now stands at over $28 trillion dollars. Despite this, the government continues to spend money on programs and projects that are not essential, leading to further financial strain. The expert believes that Washington needs to make some tough decisions when it comes to spending. This may mean cutting back on non-essential programs or finding ways to increase revenue. However, the expert notes that Washington seems unwilling to take such actions, as many politicians are more concerned with getting re-elected ...

Are you struggling to keep up with high-interest credit card debts? Are you tired of paying excessive amounts in interest charges? If so, consolidating your debts with a personal loan might be the smartest move you can make to knock out your debt. Personal loans are unsecured loans that allow you to borrow a fixed amount of money over a specific period, typically ranging from one to seven years. Unlike credit cards, which often have high interest rates that can compound rapidly, personal loans have lower interest rates that are fixed over the loan term. When you consolidate your high-interest credit card debts into a personal loan, you'll be able to combine all of your payments into one monthly payment. This not only simplifies your finances but can also help you save money on interest charges. Since personal loans typically offer lower interest rates than credit cards, you can reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan. So, how do you go about consolidating yo...

Retirement is a major milestone in life, and it's important to be financially prepared for it. However, figuring out how much money you really need to retire can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider, such as your desired lifestyle, healthcare costs, and the rate of inflation. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the factors you should consider when calculating your retirement needs. Your desired lifestyle The first factor to consider is your desired lifestyle. Do you want to travel extensively? Do you plan to live in a high-cost city or a low-cost area? Will you downsize your home or maintain a large residence? All of these factors will impact your retirement expenses. It's important to consider the lifestyle you want in retirement and estimate the associated costs. Healthcare costs Healthcare costs are a major expense in retirement. Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people over 65, covers some healthcare expenses but not all. You may ne...

Personal finance education is becoming increasingly important in today's world, where managing money has become an essential life skill. According to a recent survey, 43% of American adults struggle to pay bills and make ends meet, highlighting the need for financial literacy. In response, 18 states in the US have made personal finance education mandatory in their schools' curricula. Here's what they're teaching kids about money. Budgeting Budgeting is a crucial part of managing personal finances. Students learn how to create a budget, track their expenses, and save money for future goals. They also learn about the importance of living within their means and avoiding unnecessary debt. Banking Students learn about the different types of bank accounts, including checking and savings accounts, and how to use them. They learn how to deposit and withdraw money, write checks, and use online banking tools. Credit Students learn about credit scores, how they are calculated, ...

Are you a high school student looking to learn about personal finance? Look no further than Berkeley High School's new personal finance class, which promises to give students $2.4 million "for free" by the time they retire. The class, which is being offered for the first time this year, aims to teach students about a range of financial topics, from budgeting and saving to investing and retirement planning. But what sets it apart from other personal finance classes is the promise of a $2.4 million payout. So how does it work? According to the course description, students will begin by setting a retirement savings goal based on their desired retirement lifestyle. They will then learn about different investment strategies and work with a financial planner to create a personalized investment portfolio. Over the course of their careers, students will be expected to contribute to their retirement accounts, just as they would in real life. However, the class promises to provide ...

Are you looking for a low-risk way to save money while earning a little interest? A CD ladder might be just what you need. In this post, we'll explain what a CD ladder is, how it works, and the advantages of using one for your savings goals. What is a CD ladder? A CD ladder is a savings strategy that involves dividing your money into several CDs (certificates of deposit) with different maturity dates. The CDs are arranged in a ladder, with each rung representing a different maturity date. For example, you might have CDs with 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month maturities. When the 6-month CD matures, you reinvest that money in a new 18-month CD, and so on. How does a CD ladder work? Let's say you have $10,000 to save. Instead of putting it all in a single CD, you divide it into four CDs of $2,500 each, with maturities of 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. When the 6-month CD matures, you reinvest that $2,500 in a new 24-month CD. When the 12-month CD matures, you reinve...

  Do you struggle with bad spending habits and a low credit score? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many people find themselves in a situation where their poor financial decisions have left them with a bad credit history. But what if there was a way to turn your bad habits into a decent credit score? That's where this company comes in. The company, which we'll call "CreditBoost," specializes in helping people with bad credit histories improve their credit scores. Unlike traditional credit repair companies, CreditBoost doesn't just dispute negative items on your credit report. Instead, they work with you to identify the root causes of your bad credit and develop a personalized plan to help you improve your financial habits. So how does CreditBoost work? First, they'll analyze your credit report and identify any negative items that need to be addressed. This could include things like missed payments, collections accounts, or high credit card balances. Once...

If you're looking to earn some extra cash on the side, you're not alone. Many people are turning to side hustles to supplement their income, pay off debt, or save for a big purchase. Whether you're looking to make a little extra money or start a full-blown business, there are plenty of side hustle ideas to choose from. Here are 27 side hustle ideas to get you started. Freelance Writing If you have a way with words, freelance writing can be a great way to earn extra cash. You can write for blogs, websites, or even magazines. Virtual Assistant As a virtual assistant, you can help busy professionals with tasks like email management, scheduling, and social media. Pet Sitting If you love animals, pet sitting can be a fun and rewarding side hustle. You can offer your services to friends and family, or advertise on sites like Rover. Uber or Lyft Driver If you have a car and a clean driving record, you can make money driving for Uber or Lyft. Photography If you have a good eye...

As parents, we all want the best for our children, and sometimes that means helping them out financially when they need it. But just how common is it for parents to make financial sacrifices for their adult children? According to a recent survey, 68% of parents have made a financial sacrifice to help their adult children with money. This could mean anything from lending them money to pay off debt, helping with a down payment on a house, or even supporting them financially through a difficult time. While it's heartwarming to see parents step up and support their children, it's important to remember that financial sacrifices can have a significant impact on a parent's own financial well-being. Parents may be putting their own retirement savings at risk or taking on debt to help their children. So, what can parents do to help their children without putting their own finances in jeopardy? Here are some tips: Set clear boundaries: Before agreeing to help your child financially, ...