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A Financial Guide to America in the 21st Century

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Do You Want To Build Credit?

Do You Want To Build Credit?

Jul 16th, 2020 · 0 Comment
  Do you know what to do to build credit and establish yourself as a good credit risk? Believe it or not, the way you approach a small...
more →
How We Saved Money Preparing Our House for Sale

How We Saved Money Preparing Our House for Sale

May 24th, 2022 · 0 Comment
My husband and I are planning to sell our house in the next few months, but we were concerned about how much we would need to spend to get our... more →
Sell Your Home for a Camper Van

9 Things to Know Before You Sell Your Home for a Camper Van

May 10th, 2022 · 0 Comment
Who hasn’t thought of selling their home and traveling the country? When it’s cold in the Midwest, you can drive to the South. If you need... more →
Steps to Flatten the YNAB Learning Curve

Steps to Flatten the YNAB Learning Curve

Apr 19th, 2022 · 0 Comment
You Need a Budget (YNAB) is my favorite budgeting software. I tried several after I abandoned my paper budgeting system, and YNAB is the one... more →
Draw Good Tenants to Your Rental Property

How to Attract Good Tenants to Your Rental Property

Apr 5th, 2022 · 0 Comment
Good tenants can make being a landlord a breeze. They pay on time, let you know promptly when something breaks, and take care of your property... more →
Tax Mistakes We Made

5 Tax Mistakes We Made Each Year

Mar 22nd, 2022 · 0 Comment
For the first ten years of our marriage, my husband and I filed out our taxes using a software program, which was often a frustrating experience.... more →
Avoid Credit Card Skimmers

How to Spot and Avoid Credit Card Skimmers

Mar 8th, 2022 · 0 Comment
  Do you know how to spot and avoid credit card skimmers? These devices are responsible for a high amount of credit card and debit card... more →
Set Up Adult Teen for Financial Success

Strategies to Set Up Adult Teens For Financial Success

Feb 22nd, 2022 · 0 Comment
  When your child turns 18 and becomes an adult, that’s the perfect opportunity to spend a day or two setting him up for a bright financial... more →
Effective Ways to Collect Money from a Borrower

4 Effective Ways to Collect Money from a Borrower

Feb 8th, 2022 · 0 Comment
When I was a college student, I shared an apartment with two graduate students. We each put one of the utilities in our names, and then we paid... more →

Best Financial Advice When You’re in Your 20s

Jan 25th, 2022 · 0 Comment
Being in your twenties is an exciting time in life. By your mid-20s, you may have gotten your degree and gotten your first real job. You’re... more →

4 Smart Things to Do After Payday

Jan 11th, 2022 · 0 Comment
If you’re a budgeting nerd like me, nothing beats payday. I derive such satisfaction from having a budget prepared and filling each line item... more →
How to Handle a Cash Gift If You're Broke

How Should You Handle Cash Gifts When You’re Broke? 

Dec 28th, 2021 · 0 Comment
If you were lucky this Christmas, you likely got a variety of Christmas gifts, perhaps including cash. However, if you sometimes need to ask... more →
Financial Benefits of a Social Media Cleanse

Financial Benefits of a Social Media Cleanse

Dec 14th, 2021 · 0 Comment
As wonderful as social media can be, it also has a dark side. Social media can affect our mental health. We see everyone living their best lives... more →
Hacks that Will Erase Bad Credit

Hacks that Will Erase Bad Credit Instantly

Nov 9th, 2021 · 0 Comment
Do you have bad credit? If so, you may be denied loans or pay a higher interest rate than those with a better credit score. If you know you... more →
Free Ways to Protect Your Identity

4 Free Ways To Protect Your Identity

Oct 25th, 2021 · 0 Comment
Nearly 12 years ago, I discovered that my identity was compromised, and someone had placed over $1,000 in fraudulent charges. I was upset and... more →
How to Invest in Trucking without Driving

How to Invest in Trucking without Driving

Oct 11th, 2021 · 1 Comment
Truck drivers have a challenging job. They must drive for hours on end and through all types of weather conditions. They must be able to successfully... more →
Commodity Trading Books for Beginners

Commodity Trading Books for Beginners

Sep 28th, 2021 · 1 Comment
Often people choose to use a financial planner despite the cost because they feel overwhelmed learning how to invest. However, many resources... more →
Earn from the Quora Partner Program

How Much Can You Earn from the Quora Partner Program?

Sep 14th, 2021 · 0 Comment
  You’ve likely conducted an internet search and, like many Internet users, stumbled upon an answer in Quora. After all, Quora gets over... more →
good grades equate to good jobs

Do Good Grades Equate to Good Jobs?

Aug 24th, 2021 · 0 Comment
“I got straight A’s! Gimme the job!” Don’t say this unless you want to be laughed out of the interview. One day (or perhaps even... more →
Find the Amount You Get Back from Taxes

How to Find the Amount You Get Back from Taxes

Aug 10th, 2021 · 0 Comment
The average American gets back over $2,000 a year as a federal income tax refund, which they appreciate. Many Americans like getting a large... more →
bank promotions

How to Make Money With Bank Promotions

Jul 27th, 2021 · 2 Comments
Bank promos and bank bonuses might be my favorite side hustle. At one point, I had a quarterly schedule for opening new accounts with different... more →
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About the Author

Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her homeschooling her kids, reading a good book, or cooking. She resides in Arizona where she dislikes the summer heat but loves the natural beauty.


Critical Financials’ Basic Personal Finance Rules

Here are some simple guidelines that will help you build wealth:  

1) Do the math. Get a budget and calculate your net worth

2) Get an emergency fund. Save at least 6 months worth of expenses

3) Limit costs. Spend no more than 30% of your income on housing

4) Max your retirement. Maximize contributions to your tax-deferred retirement accounts

5) Pay yourself first. Set aside money for yourself before you take care of your other bills

6) Set goals. Goal let you get ahead faster

7) Avoid high interest debt. Avoid credit cards, title loans and other usurious loans

8) Diversify. Diversity your assets.

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