TessMore Finance Blog

One of the biggest misconceptions about eating a vegan diet is that it’s too expensive. But cheap vegan meals are a thing, and they taste good. Processed vegan meats, artisan vegan cheeses and vegan eggs are a delicious treat, but the cost can quickly drain your bank account when you are aiming to create vegan meals. For example, a 16-ounce pack of Great Value American cheese slices runs $2.66, whereas a pack of 7-ounce Follow Your Heart vegan American cheese slices is almost double the price at $4.98. Beef and plant-based meat substitutes are a different issue and depending on where you shop and what grade of beef is compared, prices could be comparable. However, you can find two Impossible Burgers (8 ounces total) for anywhere from $5 to $6.50. The national average for 1 pound of ground beef is about $4.50 and that would be about $2.25 for 8 ounces. 10 Vegan Recipes on the Cheap Cheap vegan recipes are affordable and can be made using ingredients you likely already have in your...

With the end of the year approaching, it’s time for many people to start planning holiday travel. There’s no denying that we are currently living in the golden age of air travel. If it’s been a while since you’ve flown, you will want to make sure you understand the basic economy ticket. What is Basic Economy? Basic Economy is a type of airfare that generally is priced the lowest of all airfare. Basic Economy tickets get their history from ultra low-cost airlines like Frontier, Spirit and Allegiant. These ultra low-cost carriers have unbundled their airfare so that buying a ticket comes with only the airfare itself. Extra costs can be found in seat selection, checked or carry-on baggage, and even onboard snacks. The legacy airlines (United, American and Delta) found that they were losing market share to the low-cost carriers because many people were choosing their airline based solely on price. These airlines have to balance low prices with providing the service that their elite loya...

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . Nobody plans to go into debt. But things happen. Maybe you lost your job, or got divorced or just had a rough stretch of luck. The next thing you know, you’re struggling to make your payments, your credit score is taking a hit and it feels like you’ll never be able to climb your way out of this hole. You may think you only have a few options: bankruptcy, a major settlement or a consolidation loan you might not even qualify for. But there’s another option, and it just might be the best-kept secret in the world of debt. It’s a nonprofit called InCharge Debt Solutions , and they help people get out of debt — without having to take out a loan or declare bankruptcy. The Best-Kept Secret to Getting Out of Debt InCharge isn’t debt settlement, consolidation or even a loan at all, but the experience is similar —...

The student loan servicing industry has had better days. Over the last several months, many servicers – companies that contract with the federal government to manage billing, customer service, etc – are stepping out of the loan servicing business. Here’s a quick breakdown: In July, FedLoan said it didn’t plan to renew its contract with the government, which ends in December. More than 8 million borrowers will be affected and transitioning to a new servicer. Granite State Management & Resources services loans for 1.3 million borrowers and also will not be renewing its contract with the Department of Education at the end of 2021. And, in September, Navient – one of the largest servicers in the country  – will transition its 6 million student loan accounts to another servicer, Maximus. Richard Cordray, COO of Federal Student Aid, recently gave a policy speech to the Education Finance Council. His remarks were given to Politico. He said in the speech that part of renegotia...

Getting a dog is an exciting addition to your life. Who wouldn’t want an energetic, adorable puppy zipping around the house? But adopting a dog comes with more responsibility than most realize. Outside of the obvious responsibilities like feeding, walking, and taking a canine to the vet, basic obedience training sessions are a must for any dog-owner. Having a well-behaved dog isn’t just a nice trait — it will make both you and your dog much happier. However, dog training can range from roughly $25 per group training session to over $100 each for individual and in-home sessions with a dog trainer. It can seem like a big task to teach your dog how to be on its best behavior on command, but it is completely worth it for a loving, content relationship with your pup. Here’s how to start with the basics of dog training — without chewing a hole through your wallet. How Much Does Dog Obedience Training Cost? Obedience training, whether learned at home or in a classroom setting, is crucial...

Let’s be honest: It can be awkward for adult children to talk about money with their parents. Especially if you haven’t done it much before. But avoiding the money talk, especially as our parents age and their needs change, can lead to a host of financial problems down the road. These talks are tough — but they’re also really important. Getting the conversation going early on — before a crisis strikes — and in a natural way can do a lot in helping your family plan its financial future. 3 Financial Planning Conversations to Have With Your Parents It isn’t all about money. There are many issues adult children might want to discuss with their parents, including long-term care, housing, and splitting assets and responsibilities. Consider the time, place and people you want involved in these talks. Depending on your relationship, you might want to schedule a specific time to discuss money with your mom or dad. Or it might be easier to casually bring up the topic in a non-pressurized e...

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . In times like these, we could all use a little self-care. Things like getting a massage, maintaining good sleeping habits, eating a vegetable or two, curling up with a good book  and sticking with a somewhat regular workout could do us all some good. Ah, but what about financial self-care? We’re always being reminded to take care of our mental, emotional and physical health. But what about your financial health? We all need that too, because we’re all financially stressed. For example, a survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education found that a whopping nine in 10 Americans say the COVID-19 crisis is causing stress on their personal finances. Financial self-care is about lowering your financial stress level by jettisoning bad habits and taking control of your money. With that in mind, we’...

Minimalism has become a popular practice in recent years. When you live as a minimalist, you strive to only use things that serve a purpose. It’s about living simply and having only what you need to go about your daily life.  For instance, some people may start a no-spend challenge or only fill their home with items they absolutely need. Not only could you save money, but you can also save time on cleaning and organizing. Practicing minimalism is an ongoing process. You’ll always find ways to improve and modify your minimalism. To start, evaluate what currently serves a purpose in your life and what may be superfluous. When you practice a minimalist mindset, you’re choosing to live a more focused life.  You may start with cleaning up your budget and then move on to organizing your home. Taking the first steps to declutter your life is a big move, but you might need a game plan to make these habits stick. Many of us may have too much stuff, and may even be spending too much o...

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . Do you remember why you chose your current checking account? If you got started early, your parents might have helped you open a kids’ checking or savings account at their bank’s branch. Or maybe you went with the credit union down the street from your work after getting your first W2 job. Whatever the reason, location likely played a big part. Thankfully, you’re no longer confined to a financial institution for a checking account because of its proximity to you — or a brick-and-mortar site altogether, for that matter. From higher interest rates to better benefits, it pays to expand your search beyond your local bank or credit union these days. Here’s how to choose the right checking account for you. 10 Best Checking Accounts for November 2021 Account Rewards ATM Access Fees Chime Spen...