Laurie Blank

College is very expensive so saving up ahead of time is important. You’ve got several choices when it comes to saving for college - from 529s to Coverdell accounts - here are the best ways to save for college.

If you can't get a traditional checking account due to bad credit or a mishandling of checking accounts in the past it can be difficult to do simple things like cash a check or pay a bill. Luckily, bank accounts for bad credit are available for these situations.

So, what should you do with your fifty grand if you’re looking to grow it? The first thing to do is look at your overall financial situation and make sure you have your basics covered. Start with paying off high interest debt and fully funding your emergency fund. Then start maxing out your retirement accounts for the year.

Before you open a checking account for your teenager, you’ll want to consider which features are most important for you and your child. For example, some teen checking accounts have lower daily ATM and debit purchase limits than others. Plus the level of parental control varies widely.

Your income is not all taxed at the same rate. Instead, different levels of income are taxed at different rates. Your effective tax rate is not your tax bracket, but is probably best described as an "average" tax rate pertaining to the federal income taxes you pay.

Debt snowball spreadsheets are extremely helpful in planning your debt freedom strategy. Different spreadsheets work in different ways. Some are quick and simple, some are complicated and detailed.

Envelope budgeting is a simple, old-fashioned yet highly effective way to manage your money. You put cash into physical envelopes and then spend according to the plan. If you run out of money in an envelope, no more spending in that category for the month.

Selling a house without a realtor could save you a good bit of money if you do it right. Proper pricing, advertising, and knowledge of real estate laws will help things to smoothly. But savings can be quickly offset with just a few simple mistakes.

OnJuno is an online bank that offers a high interest rate on their checking account as well as cash back on some debit card purchases. Their basic checking account has no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements.

An In-Case-of-Emergency Binder helps your loved ones deal with an emergency, such as a medical emergency or unexpected death. You'll want to include everything they would need to know if you suddenly weren't around or were having a medical emergency.

You can earn free Amazon gift cards through shopping online, playing games, and taking surveys. While you won't get rich with these types of apps, it's a great way to maximize the things you are already doing online.

Transcription work can be a viable side hustle if you are a fast and accurate typer. Most companies pay per minute of audio transcribed so the faster you can get the work done the more money you will earn.