TessMore Finance Blog

Gold prices have been hovering around $2,000 per ounce after almost hitting the record high in early March and are expected to stay robust through much of 2022. Which means this is a good time to sell your gold jewelry if you’re looking for some extra cash. That tangle of chains in the back of the jewelry box or the heavy gold earrings you never wear could be worth something, especially when assessed together. Keep in mind that gold buyers aren’t necessarily looking for the jewelry pieces themselves, it’s the gold content that’s bringing the value. What’s Driving Up Gold Prices? In times of crisis people turn to gold for stability, said gold buyer Tony Davis of Atlanta, and that in turn increases the value. The Russia-Ukraine war, global supply chain issues caused by the pandemic and inflation are all fueling the price spike. The 2022 prices are about $300 more than spring of 2021. “Even if things settle down here shortly in Ukraine, you still have a number of other contributing

Want to invest in real estate but don’t have the money to buy a property or have no desire to be a landlord? There is a way and it’s called REIT investments. Investing in a REIT, or a real estate investment trust is a way to own parts of a property without the traditional tasks of maintenance, taking rents or finding tenants. A REIT involves buying shares of a fund and receiving part of the profits as passive income. Many REITs are traded on major stock exchanges and can benefit investors in many ways. “(Investing in REITs) takes away the headache and heartache of direct commercial real estate ownership,” said Abby McCarthy, senior vice president of investment affairs for the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts — called Nareit —  based in Washington, D.C. Pro Tip REIT is an acronym for real estate investment trust, and you pronounce it as a word that rhymes with street or sweet. What Is a REIT? REIT — real estate investment trust — is a company that owns, ope

If you’re a woman and have been worried about finances lately, you’re not alone. More than 60% of working women said they had to make changes due to a financial strain related to the pandemic, according to a  2021 survey by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. Combine that with the fact that women are more likely to take time out of the workforce to shoulder caregiver responsibilities — plus that little matter of equal pay — and it’s clear why your personal money struggles as a woman may seem more daunting. The fact is, taking care of your own financial house can end up on the bottom of multiple to-do lists. And the consequences become apparent at stressful times — if you’re about to have a child, you’re getting a divorce or you’re ready to retire. But today is going to be different — we’re going to set our course and take control of our financial destiny. Here’s how to get started. Women and Money: Four Smart Moves to Make Today Regardless of your age, employment or

The Internet is awash with a financial concept commonly known as FIRE . That’s an abbreviation for financial independence, retire early . And while it sometimes presents as a single financial strategy, there are several. One of them is Lean FIRE . But what is Lean FIRE all about? Before we get into the answer to that question, let’s first recap exactly what FIRE is and the different types of FIRE that have emerged over the years. Table of Contents FIRE 101 FIRE Portfolios and Stocks How Many Versions of FIRE Exist? 1. Regular FIRE  2. Fat FIRE 3. Coast FIRE 4. Barista FIRE What Is Lean FIRE? What Is Fat FIRE? Lean FIRE vs. Fat FIRE Lean FIRE Pros & Cons Is Lean FIRE Right for Me? FIRE 101 A full-blown FIRE movement is dedicated to achieving financial independence , early retirement, or both. At its most basic level, achieving FIRE enables you to quit your job and spend the rest of your life living on the income generated by your investment portfolio. Who wou

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 .  Who couldn’t use some extra income these days? The thing is, more money almost always means more work. And you’re busy enough as it is. That’s why passive income is so great. But without a rental property or some massive investment, chances to earn passive income are pretty hard to come by. But if you live in California, it couldn’t be easier. A company called OhmConnect pays Californians to reduce energy usage and stabilize the grid. Even better? It’s a free service, and this could help reduce your electricity bill every month. Plus, right now, you can get a free $10 Amazon gift card just for signing up. Reduce Your Electricity Bill Mindlessly OhmConnect works with all the major power companies in California and pays people to use less energy and avoid turning on dirty power plants. Then, they pass th

The child tax credit is a tax benefit that can reduce the financial burden faced by American families with young kids. While the child tax credit has been present in previous years, the amount eligible taxpayers can receive as a result of this benefit has reached a historic high in 2021.  The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is an economic stimulus bill designed to help Americans weather the economic turmoil brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This piece of legislation increased the child tax credit so that taxpayers receive $3,600 for each qualifying dependent child under the age of six and $3,000 for each qualifying dependent child over the age of six. For an in-depth answer to “how much is the child tax credit for 2021?” and more clarification on who qualifies for it, read this article from start to finish. You can also jump to any section in the article using the links below. What Is the Child Tax Credit?  How Much Is the Monthly Child Tax Credit?  Is Everyone Entitled t

Grocery store loyalty programs used to be the way to go to save money on gas. But now that gas stations are offering their own gas rewards programs, it’s time to rethink your fueling strategy, especially as gas prices skyrocket.  We entered 2022 with prices $1 higher per gallon than at the start of 2021, which was already problematic for middle-class families facing stagnant wages and rising inflation (the highest it’s been in decades). But Russia’s war on Ukraine has driven gas prices to a 14-year high. The national average gas price officially surpassed $4/gallon on March 6, according to AAA. In some of the most expensive parts of the country, like California, gas prices have soared to $5.34/gallon. The war between Russia and Ukraine, continued COVID-19 restrictions and ongoing supply chain issues will likely take gas prices even higher. Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, expects the national average to jump to $4.50, and President Biden’s recently announced ban on U.