TessMore Finance Blog

A lack of motivation can destroy the most well-intentioned plans to save money. You can have all the financial literacy and even the surplus funds to make a dent in your savings goals, but if you lack the motivation, you can easily fall victim to the paycheck to paycheck lifestyle. Saving money is often a marathon, not a sprint. Here are some helpful tips that’ll boost your motivation to save money. 6 Ideas to Keep You Motivated to Save Money Use these tips as fuel to power you along on your savings journey. 1. Set SMART Goals Set yourself up for success by creating savings goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely — otherwise known as SMART goals . This framework makes it more likely that you’ll actually achieve your goals. It’s easier to stay focused on your savings journey when you clearly know what you’re trying to achieve, why it’s so important and that you’re actually capable of seeing it through. 2. Use Visual Reminders Looking at visual repre...

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 . Saving money is never a bad thing, right? You take a percentage of your check every payday and tuck it away in a savings account. You’re doing what you’re supposed to, right? Wellllllllll, kind of . Unfortunately, saving alone will never get you to retirement. You’re on the right track, but the money you’re stashing away isn’t growing like it could be. Not even close. Let’s take a look at why this won’t work — and what you should do instead. The Downside of Saving To retire comfortably, you need to grow your money. You need to build wealth . Saving money is all well and good, but it won’t really grow your money. That’s what investing is for . Here’s the thing about savings: Let’s say you put your money in a savings account at a bank. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the av...

Unless you live somewhere like New York City or another dense urban city with excellent public transportation, chances are you’ll need a car to get to work, school and other locations. When looking at your different options, you might wonder if it is worth it to lease or buy a car.  Both leasing a car as well as buying a car can be right for different people in different situations. Understanding the pros and cons of buying vs leasing a car can help you make the right decision for your specific situation. How to lease a car When you lease a car , you’re not actually purchasing the car at all. The lessor (usually the car dealer) maintains the car title and complete ownership of the car throughout the term of the lease. When leasing a car, you will often put down some money upfront, and then make regular monthly payments for a period of time (often 36 or 48 months). The amount of the monthly lease payment will depend on the car’s expected value at the end of the lease term. ...

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 .  Every month, your car payment takes a big bite out of your bank account. The average payment these days is more than $600 a month for new cars and $400 a month for used cars. What if you could lower your monthly payment by $150 or so? Would that be worth a few minutes of your time? You should seriously consider refinancing your car loan. This means you replace your existing auto loan with a new loan that has a lower interest rate, saving you money. Why pay more money to the bank than you have to? Check out this handy auto loan aggregator by a company called ReFiJet . It’ll refinance your auto loan — and as a bonus, you won’t have to pay for the first two months. It can lower your monthly payment and potentially save you thousands of dollars by the time your loan gets paid off. Maybe refinancing your car...

Oops, you realized you may have gotten a bad deal at the car dealership. Maybe it was an impulse purchase or a very convincing salesperson persuaded you to go beyond your budget. Or perhaps you’re now struggling to pay your other bills after purchasing the car and don’t feel comfortable with the monthly payment amount.  If you’re experiencing mechanical problems, you may be able to take it back to the dealership, depending on your warranty (if you purchased one) and your state’s lemon laws. If there are no mechanical issues with the car, under contract, you must continue paying for the vehicle and likely cannot return it to the dealership.  Whatever situation you’re in, if you’re thinking of getting out of your car loan, there are a few options. Figuring out which one makes the most sense depends on your situation and preference for wanting to keep the car and refinance the loan, sell or trade it in, for example. Here’s what you need to know to put yourself in a better fina...

You’ve probably tossed more than a few avocados into the trash after missing that (very slim) window between being perfectly ripe and turning brown, mushy and gross. And avocados are expensive, so that’s good money you’re throwing away. Here’s a little secret, though: As long as there’s vibrant green meat somewhere inside (just scrape away the brown spots), that brown avocado can still be seriously yummy. Never again will I toss an avocado just because it’s past prime guacamole-making texture. In my never-ending quest to save money on groceries and reduce food waste , I’ve discovered a few overripe avocado recipes, and lemme tell ya’, they’re delicious . What to Do With Overripe Avocados: 10 Recipes to Try Sauces, dressings, desserts and even drinks, we’ve got your overripe avocado needs covered. Sauces and Dressings The easiest way to fancy up any meal (and use up those avocados) is by making a simple sauce or dressing. Five minutes, a food processor and voila! 1. Magic Gree...

Quick Navigation How Much Do You Have to Make to File Taxes? 2021 Tax Year How Are Your Taxes Calculated? Deductions and Credits Doing the Math How to File Your Taxes E-File Using the IRS Free File Tool E-File Using a Private Tax Preparation Software Old-School Using Paper Tax Filing Hire a Professional Tax Preparer If You Owe Money Common Tax Mistakes — And How to Avoid Them Mistakes When Calculating Mistakes When Filing Personal Finance Mistakes Self-Employment Mistakes Getting your tax affairs in order is just a simple fact of life. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy or pain free. There is a lot to know when it comes to filing taxes. Our complete guide for the 2021 tax year should help. (Ibuprofen sold separately.) How Much Do You Have to Make to File Taxes? Making more money is, in almost every way, a good thing. But it’s also true that the more money you make, the more taxes you’re required to pay — at least up to a point. On the opposite end of the spectrum...

Our time is valuable. That’s why we’re willing to pay for fast and reliable delivery. For over a decade, Amazon Prime has dominated the online shopping space, but retail giant Walmart introduced a competing service — Walmart Plus — in 2020. With both offering similar online shopping experiences and free shipping options, it can be difficult to decide which membership service to join. In this article, we’re laying out the costs, benefits and drawbacks of Amazon Prime and Walmart Plus, so you can make an informed decision about which is best for you. Walmart Plus vs. Amazon Prime: Comparison at a Glance Features Walmart Plus Amazon Prime Annual Cost $98 $139* Monthly Cost $12.95 $14.99* Free Trial Period 30 days 30 days Shipping Free next day or two-day Free next day Free Grocery Delivery Yes, with $35 minimum Yes, order minimums vary Streaming Service No Yes Fuel Discounts Yes No *Prices reflect ...

If you’re an Android user, the Google Play Store might be the first place you visit to find new movies, shows, games, and books. However, many of these products require an upfront purchase. Thankfully, there are several ways you can get free Google Play codes to reduce your digital entertainment expenses. Of course, you can also have fun earning these credits. Table of Contents Best Places to Get Free Google Play Codes Swagbucks Survey Junkie Fetch Rewards Mistplay MyPoints LifePoints Toluna Evidation InstaGC Google Opinion Rewards Register Your New Electronics Costco Avoid Google Play Gift Card Scams Google Play Free Code Generators Gift Card Marketplaces Purchasing Cards for Others Sharing Play Card Numbers Free Google Play Codes: Final Thoughts Best Places to Get Free Google Play Codes You can get complimentary Google Play gift card codes by taking surveys, scanning receipts, and doing other online activities. Swagbucks Swagbucks is a paid survey s...

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 . If you’re financially stressed out these days, you’re far from alone. These are rocky and uncertain times we’re living in, and the stress level is super high. A number of recent surveys have confirmed that Americans are financially frazzled right now. 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. Most worry about not having enough saved, or not being able to pay bills. A survey by John Hancock Financial found that nearly a quarter of Americans have dipped into their emergency savings during the pandemic. Surveys are finding the main sources of financial stress. We’ve got strategies for tackling them all: 1. Fear of the Uncertain Future Are you worried about losing yo...