Even if we don’t see it or think about it often, a credit score is an essential part of our lives. It’s a very important financial measure as it is used by a variety of businesses to assess the risk you pose. Lenders use this score to decide whether to give a loan and what terms to offer. A bad credit score could result in much higher interest rates. Utility or mobile phone companies may use your score to decide what kind of deposit will be required when doing business with you. Landlords may use credit scores when deciding whether or not to rent to someone, and employers sometimes check the credit history of job applicants.

Life can, at times, be difficult and costly. Nothing derails your financial progress faster than an emergency or even a global pandemic. You may have experienced an emergency dental procedure, an expensive car repair, a broken appliance, or maybe even needed to replace your cell phone. These types of financial situations can happen to us all at one time or another. This is why setting up an emergency fund is a must to protect yourself from financially falling behind.

Are you getting a tax refund this year? Before you spend your return on a new shiny object, pause and take a moment to understand there might be better ways to spend your tax return. Your tax return can be a great opportunity to make a smart investment in your life. In fact, there are many smart ways that you can spend your tax return. You might thank yourself later by not blowing your return on indulgences, like a new cell phone or big screen television.

Have you recently checked your credit score and noticed it had gone down? Don't be worried or frustrated. Credit scores fluctuate both up and down on a regular basis. Changes by a couple of points is no big deal. However, a significant drop or a downward trend might be something to check to discover what happened and why. Let's look at a number of potential explanations.

Tax season can be a stressful time of the year. However, if you have the right plan, you can file your tax return without any issues.

Sometimes, it can be a satisfying feeling just knowing you have completed your tax return. One of the best ways to ensure that your tax return is completed without any delay is to know what to do after you file your tax return.

According to USA Today, the average date today costs over $100. If you are on a first date or want to save on date night, you may want to look for a way to cut down your costs.

The good news is that there are several date ideas that cost about $20. Fun and creative date nights can spice up any relationship. Best of all, these dates can create unforgettable experiences that money cannot buy.

Have you missed a payment, made a late payment, or made a payment less than the amount owed to a creditor or lender in the past? A missed or late payment may be a big deal as it could negatively affect your credit score. Your creditors/lenders most likely won't show up knocking at your door looking for that missed payment, but they could report this action to the credit bureaus.

The holidays are a time for fun, big holiday meals, family get-togethers, and lots of gift-giving. When the holidays are over, though, you may find yourself to be a couple of pounds heavier and a couple of hundred dollars lighter in the bank account.

Don’t worry. There are several ways that you can get yourself back in financial shape after the holidays.

The holidays are supposed to be the most joyous time of the year. Sadly, many people ruin their holidays by creating their own financial stress.

The good news is that there are several ways to reduce your financial stress during the holiday. By following some simple, common-sense steps, you can greatly reduce or even eliminate any financial stress during the holidays.

Thanksgiving can be one of the most exciting holidays of the year. It is also one of the most stressful times if you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner.

Creating a Thanksgiving feast is not only a major investment in time, it can also empty your wallet quicker than you think. The good news is that there are several proven ways to host a Thanksgiving dinner on a budget.

Here are some proven steps that can help you save more during your next Thanksgiving celebration.