Money Tips Network

Questions About Soap, Wills, Restaurant Gift Cards, Note-Taking, Dave Ramsey, and More!

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. Afraid of 401(k) losses
2. Too much retirement savings dangerous?
3. Bar soap or body wash?
4. Online wills
5. Coworker lunch gift card issue
6. Specifics on early retirement
7. Cheap school backpacks that last
8. Home refinancing question

What Do You Want Out of Financial Success?

Most people who find their way to The Simple Dollar have one key thing in common: they want to achieve some level of financial success that they don’t currently have in their life.

For some, just keeping their head above water without continuing to rack up overdrafts and finance charges is all they want. Others want to get rid of a few debts. Still, others might want freedom from debt entirely or to retire comfortably or even early.

All of us are drawn together by that common thread: we want more out of our money than we’re currently getting.

Here’s an interesting question, though. What exactly is that “more” that you want out of your money?

When you think about the financial success that you want, what exactly does it change in your life? What does your life look like if you achieve the financial success you’re striving for?

Best Cheap Renters Insurance in Wyoming 2020

Wyoming is not one of the largest states in the United States; in fact, its 97,000 square miles is home to fewer than 600,000 people. Renting is not easy here, where 69.4% of housing is owner-occupied, but rent is certainly far more affordable at $843 compared to the average mortgage of $1,428.

Renters insurance is a must when you rent your home. It protects you from liability and helps you cover costs if your items are damaged, and some landlords even require renters insurance in the lease. It’s crucial that you find the right coverage for your home and belongings at a price you can afford, and in Wyoming, insurance can vary greatly.

This is what you need to know before you buy your next Wyoming renters insurance policy.

Find the Best Renter Insurance

Enter your ZIP code below and be sure to click at least 2-3 companies to find the very best rate.

The Cheapest Renters Insurance Companies Georgia 2020

Georgia is one of the most expensive states for renters insurance, as they’re the sixth most expensive state, with premiums around $243 annually in 2017 compared to the average premium of $180 in the United States. Even with the extra cost in Georgia, renters insurance can be affordable and can save you a lot of money if something happens that would require you to use your coverage.

Find the Best Renter Insurance

Enter your ZIP code below and be sure to click at least 2-3 companies to find the very best rate.

When considering renters insurance, there are several things to consider:

Lemonade Renters Insurance Review

Find the Best Renter Insurance

Enter your ZIP code below and be sure to click at least 2-3 companies to find the very best rate.

Zip Code

Yes
No

Currently Insured

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Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

When Hurricane Irma came whipping into town in September 2017, areas throughout the Atlantic basin suffered from severe winds gusting upwards of 185 miles per hour and storm surges that soared as high as 39 feet before crashing down and taking everything with it.

Find the Best Home Insurance

Enter your ZIP code below and be sure to click at least 2-3 companies to find the very best rate.

The Cheapest Louisiana Renters Insurance Companies 2020

If you’re a Louisiana resident renting a house or apartment, having renters insurance is extremely important. Because the state is frequently hit by hurricanes and severe coastal storms, there’s a high chance that your home could be damaged along with your personal belongings inside. Renters insurance helps pay to replace your possessions if they were to get damaged in a covered event.

The Cheapest North Carolina Renters Insurance Companies 2020

If you’ve recently moved into a new rental property, it’s time to start thinking about purchasing renters insurance. Because North Carolina experiences hurricanes and other extreme weather, homes and apartments in the state are at an increased risk of damage or destruction—and so are your personal items. Although it’s not required, having renters insurance ensures that your personal belongings are protected from certain catastrophic events.

Green Dot primor® Visa® Gold Secured Credit Card Review

The can help get you on the path to improved creditworthiness. There is no minimum credit score required for acceptance, and the odds of approval are favorable for all types of applicants. Like most secured card options, the Green Dot primor® Visa® Gold Secured Credit Card requires you to put down a cash deposit that will equal your credit limit. The initial deposit requirement is reasonable and compares similarly to other secured cards on the market.

The Cheapest Renters Insurance Companies Michigan 2020

Whether you’re scaling down to a rental property for retirement or moving out of your parent’s house with hand-me-down furniture, you need renters insurance. Michigan renters insurance is affordable and can help replace your belongings in case of fire or burglary or pay legal expenses following a mishap in your home.

Find the Best Renter Insurance

Enter your ZIP code below and be sure to click at least 2-3 companies to find the very best rate.

According to The Zebra, a research company that studies the insurance industry, Michigan renters pay an average annual premium of $155 for renters insurance, nearly $30 less than the national average. When shopping for Michigan renters insurance, look for policies that provide:

Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card Review

If you like staying at Marriott hotels, you might as well receive points for it. The allows you to do precisely that and more. With no annual fee, this travel rewards credit card is a no-brainer for frequent travelers who prefer Marriott, especially since the company has locations in over 130 countries around the world.

The card offers decent rewards rates and automatically upgrades your status for a more comfortable stay at any Marriott location. Plus, the APR is on par with its competitors. Take a look at our breakdown of the most essential features of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Review

is a fantastic choice for earning 2x points on all purchases as a small business owner (up to $50,000 a year, then 1x point per dollar). With $0 (See Rates & Fees) annual fee and a 0% intro APR for 12 months from date of account opening for purchases (then ongoing 14.74% - 20.74% Variable See Rates & Fees), you’ll have the ultimate flexibility to spend and earn so your small business can grow without worrying about a complex credit card statement.

With this card, you’ll earn 2x points for every dollar you spend on up to $50,000 in purchases each calendar year. After you cross that threshold, you’ll earn 1x point per dollar on every purchase. The card’s flat-rewards rate saves you from having to track categories or activate promotional rates every quarter, giving you the freedom to earn rewards easily.

Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business Review

The is a great option for business owners who travel often and want to earn rewards, while also keeping their costs down. The card has no annual fee for the first year and then $95 after that, which is relatively low among other business travel cards. As for bonuses, you can earn up to 50,000 miles when you spend $4,500 on your card within the first three months.

In terms of its reward program, you’ll earn 2x miles on every dollar spent with no limits or specific category restrictions. Plus, earn 5x miles if you book hotels or rental cars through Capital One. When compared to other business travel cards, the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business has superior benefits coupled with low costs, putting it ahead of the pack in value.

Discover it® Student chrome Review

The is a low-cost credit card that’s a good fit for college students looking to earn cash back rewards on everyday expenses. It offers 2% cash back for purchases made at gas stations and restaurants, up to $1,000 per quarter, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Additionally, the card’s intro bonus includes an unlimited cash back match after the first year. Among student credit cards, the Discover it® Student chrome is certainly one worth considering.

Passive income ideas you can try today

Earlier this week, J.D. wrote about what he calls the biggest truth in personal finance: You can't get rich through frugality alone. As Liz at Frugalwoods says, “You can't frugalize income you don't earn.” Income is one-half the fundamental personal-finance equation, and it's probably the most important half.

J.D. advocates a three-pronged attack for boosting income: becoming better educated, becoming a more valuable worker, and learning to negotiate salary. But I think he's missing a fourth important income source: the proverbial “passive income”.

Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Wildfire Damage?

In recent years, wildfires have dominated the news. We’ve watched on TV while people evacuated their homes, taking with them just what fit in their cars. In the aftermath, we’ve read in newspapers about huge insurance payouts and how communities have started to recover.

Maybe you’ve wondered if it happened to you, could you rebuild? Would your home fire insurance pay enough money, and where would you live in the meantime? If you’re concerned, read on to find out the ins and outs of home fire insurance.

Find the Best Home Insurance

Enter your ZIP code below and be sure to click at least 2-3 companies to find the very best rate.

Erie Renters Insurance Review 2020

Find the Best Renter Insurance

Enter your ZIP code below and be sure to click at least 2-3 companies to find the very best rate.

Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance Exchange Group is a United States insurance provider that offers a range of policies and services, with categories such as auto and leisure, home and property and business insurance.

The company currently has more than 5.8 million policies in place in the United States. In 2018, Erie was ranked tenth nationwide in the total number of direct premiums written at 1,675,976. These numbers are significant, considering Erie renters insurance is only available in twelve states and Washington, D.C.

10 Things to Know Before Getting Your First Credit Card

Credit cards are a fantastic tool for building one’s credit and making shopping — particularly online shopping — more convenient and more secure.

However, credit cards come with significant risks. I should know — during my late college and post-college years, I racked up a lot of credit card debt that haunted me for many years and drained tens of thousands of dollars from my pocket.

Credit cards are like chainsaws; they’re incredibly efficient and useful tools, but they can also be incredibly dangerous.

As my own children approach the age where they may choose to have a credit card of their own, here are 10 key pieces of advice I’ll give them before they get their first credit card.

How to Pay for Fertility Treatment

Deciding to start a family is a thrilling decision filled with happiness and dreams of the future, but adding a bundle of joy to the family doesn’t come easy for everyone. Having a baby can require medical intervention in some cases, with some people risking all they have or taking out a personal loan to make their family plans come true.

Couples today face a slew of obstacles standing in the way of conceiving naturally, including male infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, prior surgeries and cancer diagnoses. Age is also a factor, as 50% of millennials delay starting a family to do things like pursue careers, focus on education and build financial stability.

The Easy Path to Retirement

Sarah and I are aiming to retire before the traditional retirement age of 65; in fact, we’re probably hanging up our professional careers when our youngest son moves out in about a decade or so.

When I tell people that, they usually assume that we either must have some sort of financial secret, we’re earning a lot more money than we are or that we live like hermits. None of these things are true.

For starters, besides a couple of exceptional years where we nearly killed ourselves with work, neither Sarah nor I have earned six figures in a year. We’re not exceptional income earners.

We don’t live like hermits, either. In general, if Sarah or I want something, we have it. If you went through our home, you wouldn’t think of it as much different than the typical American home.

So, what’s the story here? How is it possible?