What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you already have a hobby? If so, chances are your hobby costs money, rather than bringing money in—but it doesn’t have to be this way! If you have a hobby, and a little creativity, you might be surprised at the way you can actually […]
About Miranda Marquit
Miranda Marquit is an author, journalist, and award-winning personal finance freelance writer. Her work can be found at The Hill, Investopedia, Student Loan Hero, US News & World Report, The Huffington Post, and many other outlets.
Why I Like “Spending Plan” Better than “Budget”
I really hate the word “budget.” Of course, like so many things in life, my aversion to the word budget has more to do with my own personal baggage, then any real problem with the word itself. In the case of the word budget, my personal finance baggage is quite heavy. When I’m talking about […]
The Best Things to Spend Money On: Spending that Reflects Your Values
Often, we think about spending in terms of whether or not we are getting a “good deal,” or whether we are going to use the item we are buying. Sometimes we forget that we will feel better about different spending decisions we make based on our values. Take a few minutes to consider your values, […]
Do I Have to Pay a Tax on Unemployment Compensation?
The IRS isn’t about to let the fact that you don’t have a job stop it from collecting taxes from you. You are required to pay taxes on any income received. That includes the income you receive in the form of unemployment compensation. And, of course, if you were employed for part of the year, […]
What to Tell Grandma: Disadvantages of Doing a Reverse Mortgage
One of the retirement “tools” being touted right now is the reverse mortgage. The idea is this: You have put a lot into your home, building up equity. Now, you can use your home to fund a retirement. With a reverse mortgage, the bank pays you every month (or you can get a lump sum), […]
Discount Brokers vs. Mutual Fund Companies
The beginning investor is often overwhelmed by the options available. There are a number of places to open investment accounts, many of them providing do-it-yourself options. Some of the more popular do-it-yourself accounts are found at discount brokers and mutual fund companies. These financial services companies offer you the chance to invest with the help […]
