TessMore Finance Blog

Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, wildfires in vast parts of the West and recent flooding in Tennessee have upended many people’s lives and damaged their homes and property, not to mention where they shop and work. When natural disasters are over, there’s nothing people want more than to quickly get their homes and lives back to normal. But when thousands of people need roofers with plenty of roofing supplies or help clearing fallen trees and repairing windows, “quick” isn’t part of the equation. Making matters worse is that every natural disaster is followed by people trying to take advantage of those who have suffered the most. And in the case of Hurricane Ida, thousands of people in New Orleans will be without power for days or weeks, contributing to the panic and sense of urgency. This is when disaster victims are at their most vulnerable and scammers know this. There is federal disaster assistance available for people who have been affected by Hurricane Ida. Details on how to apply f

After years of systematically saving for what once looked like a faraway retirement, you’re beginning to look ahead. You’re reviewing your 401(k) and other retirement accounts , and you’re getting ready to live the dream. Congratulations! Many Americans don’t have nearly enough retirement money set aside. You should appreciate your success. But don’t start kicking back just yet. As much as you’ve planned and worked to get to this point, there’s still much to do. After all, you will now have fewer years to fully recover from any missteps with investment choices or fluctuations in the stock market. So your decisions matter even more at this stage. To make the most of your retirement money once retirement is within reach, here are six steps to take. 1. Understand Your Retirement Money and Financial Life Stage A financial advisor will frequently divide clients’ financial lives into five stages. The names may vary, but here’s the gist: Early career Family/growing career Prime earn

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 . Maybe you dream of waking up next to the ocean on a gorgeous piece of land you own, surrounded by nature, with zero internet because you never need to work again. Or maybe you dream of waking up somewhere other than your childhood bedroom, without your parents nagging you to get a job and move out because you’re 35 years old. Financial freedom can mean something different to everyone, but it always comes back to this: What drives you to get up and go to work? We’re not talking about just your job , we’re talking about whatever it is you’re doing to reach those financial-freedom goals you have — improving your credit score so you can buy a home for your family; paying down your debt, so you can relieve yourself of the anxiety sitting on your chest; finally taking that leap to invest and build your retiremen

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 . You’ve thought about retirement for years. But now that it’s approaching, you still have a lot of questions. A lot of them hinge on healthcare — and the prospect of having to part with an employer plan. And for those already on Medicare, too many wonder if they’re getting the best deal out of the government-sponsored coverage they invested so much in over their career. Whether you’re enrolling in Medicare for the first time, shopping for a better deal or trying to improve your coverage or benefits, it can all be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, a free resource called Chapter will search every single Medicare option nationwide to match you with the right fit for your needs. It saves people an average $750 a year, plus it will help you find more benefits for less money. Use This Service To Find the Right Medicar

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’ account at their bank’s branch. Or maybe you went with the bank 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 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. Advantages of Choosing the Right Checking Account You probably already know that you need a checking account. It serves as the primary hub for your money

Starting a new job? Chances are you already made a great impact on the hiring managers, but on your first day, it’s time to impress the whole team. First impressions are usually what people remember the most. In fact, 95 percent of people believe first impressions are very important. To avoid a negative first impression, show your new coworkers you’ve come prepared with everything you need to succeed, including a positive attitude. If you prepared well for your interviews, studied the company, researched salary opportunities , and practiced for salary and signing bonus negotiations, then you went through the most difficult part of the hiring process — but now the real work begins. Your next step is to get ready for your first day on the job, and we’ve got you covered below. Keep reading to check out our free starting a new job checklist or jump to our infographic for tips on how to nail your first week on the job. Tasks to Complete Before Your Start Date If you really want to

Starting a new job? Chances are you already made a great impact on the hiring managers, but on your first day, it’s time to impress the whole team. First impressions are usually what people remember the most. In fact, 95 percent of people believe first impressions are very important. To avoid a negative first impression, show your new coworkers you’ve come prepared with everything you need to succeed, including a positive attitude. If you prepared well for your interviews, studied the company, researched salary opportunities , and practiced for salary and signing bonus negotiations, then you went through the most difficult part of the hiring process — but now the real work begins. Your next step is to get ready for your first day on the job, and we’ve got you covered below. Keep reading to check out our free starting a new job checklist or jump to our infographic for tips on how to nail your first week on the job. Tasks to Complete Before Your Start Date If you really want to ma