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The Simple Dollar

Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world.

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Latest Posts from The Simple Dollar (page 60)

How to Get TSA Precheck or Global Entry Free with a Credit Card

Published Friday, August 3, 2018 - 07:00 by The Simple Dollar

Even the best airports make you wait in line; those who fly have no choice but to show up and go through the motions to get to their gate. The process often starts with a long, boring wait to check in your bags and get boarding passes. From there, a trek across the airport to head through security is inevitable. […]

The Wisdom of Frugality: The Environmentalist Case for Simple Living

Published Thursday, August 2, 2018 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

This is the seventh entry in an eight-part weekly series that provides a detailed look at the book The Wisdom of Frugality by Emrys Westacott. If you’re new to the series, feel free to hop back to the first entry. This chapter of The Wisdom of Frugality takes direct aim at one of the biggest benefits often cited for living a simpler frugal life: it’s environmentally friendly. […]

Secondhand Clothes from a Personal Stylist: I Tried ThredUP’s ‘Goody Box’ Service

Published Thursday, August 2, 2018 - 07:00 by The Simple Dollar

Whether or not you enjoy shopping for clothes, sometimes a little assistance for time-saving or style-shifting purposes can be helpful. Until recently, companies that specialize in new apparel such as Stitch Fix and Nordstrom’s Trunk Club have cornered the online personal shopper market. […]

The Hidden Key to Frugality: Seeing More of the Options

Published Wednesday, August 1, 2018 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

Recently, I was talking to a friend that I hadn’t seen in ages about what we might do if Sarah and I visited them. Naturally, we started talking about sharing a meal. My friend immediately suggested that we meet and dine somewhere in her area and offered up a handful of suggestions. I looked them up and it turned out that they were all pretty pricy. I made another suggestion. […]

The Average Credit Score Is Getting Higher

Published Wednesday, August 1, 2018 - 07:00 by The Simple Dollar

You don’t have to look far to find troubling financial news. Whether it’s excessive student loan debt or an increase in credit card delinquencies, it seems like there’s never any good news coming out of the consumer finance world. When it comes to credit scores, however, the news is actually quite encouraging. […]

30 Ways to Show Your Love and Still Be Frugal

Published Tuesday, July 31, 2018 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

My wife and I have been married 15 years, and dated for six years prior to marriage. During that time, we’ve had three kids, lived through moves and career changes and great moments and tragedies, and yet we’d still rather spend time with each other than anyone else. […]

When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Use a Personal Loan

Published Tuesday, July 31, 2018 - 07:00 by The Simple Dollar

Deciding whether to take out a personal loan is a “personal” decision, but it’s also one that’s rife with risk. If you borrow money you cannot pay back, you can end up with all sorts of consequences that make your life more difficult. This could include ruined credit, additional fees and interest charges, and even bankruptcy. But, that doesn’t mean personal loans are a bad deal all the time. […]

Questions About House Downgrading, Disney Saving, 401(k)s, Home Odors, and More!

Published Monday, July 30, 2018 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

What’s inside? Here are the questions answered in today’s reader mailbag, boiled down to summaries of five or fewer words. Click on the number to jump straight down to the question. 1. Downgrade now or later? 2. Getting rid of stuff 3. Homemade mac and cheese idea 4. Saving for a Disney vacation 5. Cutting interest payments 6. Inexpensive pleasant house smell 7. Long lasting grill 8. […]

Four Habits Making Some Millennials Rich

Published Monday, July 30, 2018 - 07:00 by The Simple Dollar

There have been countless stories and studies about the financial woes faced by millennials, a generation saddled with student loan and credit card debt and struggling to recover from the Great Recession. Yet earlier this year Bank of America released a report revealing that 47 percent of millennials have $15,000 or more in savings and 16 percent now have savings of at least $100,000. In addition, […]

Back to the Nest? Tips for Living in a Multi-Generational Household

Published Sunday, July 29, 2018 - 08:00 by The Simple Dollar

One in every five Americans now lives in a “multiple generation” household, according to a Pew Research Center analysis. Using data from the U.S. […]