TessMore Finance Blog

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 partnership is unique, but one topic tends to introduce stress more often than others in a relationship: money. Specifically how we make it, how we spend it and how we talk about it. Do we get joint bank accounts? Do we invest separately? How do we split the bills? Do we have to tell our partner about every dime we spend? Finances can be a touchy subject — whether you’re married or not — but it’s an incredibly important one. What you do today can affect your future together (think: buying a home, going on vacations, retiring) and you need to be on the same page. But “same page” doesn’t always mean sharing the same accounts. Here are the times you should combine your finances — and when you shouldn’t. 1. Combine: Car Insurance Payments Did you know you could save money by combining your car insuranc

It’s 6 p.m. and you haven’t thought about dinner yet. Or you’ve thought about it but the ideas aren’t coming. Don’t stress or shell out for Uber Eats just yet. Even if your fridge is a barren wasteland, you probably have a carton of eggs. And even as the price of food has gone up in recent months, you can still get a dozen store-brand eggs for just over $2. You will pay more for eggs from free-range chickens or those that eat organic feed. But they’re still relatively cheap when you consider all that you can make with them. It’s a shame that most people think of egg dishes as just for breakfast when there are so many delicious ideas suited for dinner that span cuisines and cooking abilities. Plus, they’re loaded with protein and one large egg is only 75 calories. A diet rich in eggs can help keep your wallet fat and your waistline trim. Two Dozen Delicious Egg Dishes From fried to frittata, savory bread pudding to bowls, here are two dozen delicious ways to eat eggs for dinner f

2022 Tax Day is April 18. While most companies have announced their freebies and deals, we'll continue to update if we learn of any new ones. Some businesses seem to be procrastinating too! We’ve had two years of tax filing extensions because of the pandemic but so far in 2022, the deadline to file is back to April. The deadline to file your 2022 federal taxes is April 18. If there is any such thing as normal anymore, April 15 is the traditional Tax Day. When the 15th falls on a weekend, the deadline is pushed forward to the next business day. The 15th is a Friday this year but it’s also the day that Washington, D.C., will observe Emancipation Day . Federal offices will be closed so that’s why the move to Monday, the 18th. That’s an extra weekend for all of you who’ve waited until the end. In the meantime think about saving your refund for another time and start planning which Tax Day freebies and deals you will seek out. Oh, and there are lots of deals on tax prep software. T

Without interest, your money doesn’t grow. If you keep cash in a shoe box at home for a rainy day, your total won’t increase unless you add more to it. On the other hand, if you borrow $50 from your sister, the amount you owe doesn’t inflate to $75 when it’s time to pay her back because it’s a no-interest loan. (Thanks, sis.) But if you were to keep your savings in a bank account or take a loan from a payday lender, the outcome would be different. You’d see an increase to your savings — or what you owe — due to compound interest. But what is compound interest, and how does it work? We’ll explain. What Is Compound Interest? Compound interest is a basic financial concept that explains how your money can grow exponentially. Your balance increases by earning interest on the interest. A bit confusing, we know. So let’s break it down with an example. If you had $1,000 in an account earning 5% interest on an annual basis, you’d end up with $1,050 at the end of the year. If your intere

Podcasts can be a great way to immerse yourself in a topic. If your money goals are a priority, personal finance podcasts are a great gateway to useful information on money management, saving, investing and more. Not all financial podcasts are created equal, though. You want to find one that’s comprehensive, well-researched, educational and hopefully a little entertaining, too. The best personal finance podcasts can be found on apps like Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts or digital streaming services like Spotify and Amazon Music. If money’s on your mind, there’s a podcast to help, whether you’re seeking education, motivation or maybe just some practical advice. 14 Best Personal Finance Podcasts in 2022 Next time you’re clipping coupons or working on your budget, tune your ears to one of these personal finance podcasts to listen and learn. 1. Planet Money The long-running NPR segment and podcast Planet Money has a way of turning even the most complex or mind-numbing financial

Savings and checking accounts are two of the most common products banks and credit unions offer, but they serve very different purposes. Checking accounts make it easy to spend your money while savings accounts — you guessed it — are better for saving your cash. However, when it comes to our finances, it can feel like our list of decisions is never-ending. Should I start saving for retirement now? How should I file my taxes this year? Do I need homeowners and flood insurance? To make any decision about money, it helps to have all the pertinent information. When deciding whether to open a checking or savings account, you should start by knowing how they differ. So What’s the Difference Between Checking and Savings Accounts? At the simplest level, customers use a checking account for spending money and a savings account for saving money. Typically (though not always), customers open both bank accounts with the same bank or credit union . Savings vs. Checking At a Glance

I bet you’ve probably felt the pinch of inflation at the grocery store or gas pump these past few months. It’s been reflected in the government figures about inflation too – we’re seeing inflation figures we haven’t seen in decades. One of the bright parts in all that is that Series I bonds have been in the news too – because they enjoy inflated adjusted interest rates that are seeing record high numbers too. If you’re wondering how Series I bonds work, I hope this primer fits the bill. We start with the big news, what the rate is expected to be when adjust in May, followed by how Series I bonds work: Table of Contents 💸 May 2022 Interest Rate Update: 9.62% What Are Series I Bonds? Tax Considerations How Are Interest Rates Calculated? How Can You Predict Interest Rates? Historic Series I Bond Interest Rates When Should You Buy Series I Bonds? 💸 May 2022 Interest Rate Update: 9.62% For the experts in the room who just want to know the numbers – we expect that compo

Car financing can have an impact on your credit score. If you manage it properly, your credit score can improve. Let us discuss how car financing work and its impact on your credit score. How Does Car Financing Work? Car financing is buying or leasing a car on borrowed money. You pay interest over the loan term when you buy a car through a financing facility. Car financing can be availed from car dealers, banks, lending firms, and credit unions. Each type of lender offers discrete benefits to borrowers and every one comes with some limitations as well. Some lenders would offer easier financing approvals but would charge higher interest rates. Others would offer lower interest rates but would require a high credit score. Financing a used car is usually cheaper than financing a new car. However, different factors including your credit score, gross income, and loan term would determine your APR and monthly payments. How Does Car Financing Affect Your Credit Score? Car financing