TessMore Finance Blog

If you like to take care of your skin, you’re probably already resigned to the fact that skincare products are not cheap. The worst part is, those tiny bottles of serum and moisturizer always seem to run out faster than you expect. Wouldn’t it be great if you could pamper your skin without busting your budget? As it turns out, there’s a way you can do just that – and it’s the approach dermatologists have used for years. We called up a dermatologist to get the scoop on what skincare products are actually worth spending money on – and which ones you can probably ditch altogether. Simplify Your Routine With the popularity of the 10-step Korean beauty trend, many consumers have spent more money by adding steps to their routine. But Dr. Neelam Khan, a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, D.C., worries that a longer routine makes it harder for people to stay consistent. Instead, she prefers a simple routine she learned in medical school. In the morning, you should: Use a...

From candy to tableware and decorations and even clothing, seasonal merchandise is everywhere. Sometimes months before the holiday, be it Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Valentine’s Day. But this year, here’s a tip: Don’t wait to buy what you want. It may be gone before the holiday  even appears on the calendar. And don’t expect those blow-out post-holiday sales that have let you stock up on seasonal merch for next year. You’ll likely find better prices at discount retailers but this year what may bug shoppers more than sticker price is the lack of availability of seasonal items as a specific holiday gets closer. You want Thanksgiving placemats and napkins? Buy well before Halloween. “What we are definitely seeing, and I’ve been seeing for the last few years, is an increase in customers’ appetite for seasonal products, whether it be Christmas or Halloween or Easter,” said Lisa Surella, vice president and general merchandise manager for Bealls Outlet stores. COVID Pandemic...

Are you considering getting a debit card for your child? As kids get older, the thought of giving them more control over their money can be scary. As parents, we worry about whether they’ll make smart decisions regarding savings and spending. Thankfully, there are debit cards designed specifically for kids. With features like parental controls, roundup savings, autopay for chores, and more, kids’ debit cards can alleviate parents’ fears while giving kids the freedom to learn how to manage their money properly. This article will review the features and benefits of the most popular debit cards parents are using with their kids. We’ll also explain why you might want to consider getting a debit card for your kid. Table of Contents Why You Should Consider a Debit Card for Your Kid Teach Them Money Management Skills Make the Connection Between Work and Money Make Your Life Easier What are the Best Debit Cards for Kids? 1. Current 2. FamZoo  3. Greenlight 4.  GoHenr...

We all have reasons to save — whether it’s to work up to a big purchase, pay off our debts, or just to have a little extra buffer.  It’s something we have to work at little by little, and there are a million different ways we can put away a few more dollars from every paycheck. Studies also show that implementing daily reminders have the potential to significantly boost the chances of you reaching your goals.  What better way to get your daily reminder than from your phone lock screen? Here are some motivational wallpapers that can help you stay on track towards your savings goals. You can download them here . If you have a hard time saying no to any and all dinner invites: If you’ve got a trip on the horizon, but can’t see past next week: If you’re the type that struggles to save because you spend the majority of your paycheck in the first week: If you have some things you’re trying to save up for, but can never say no to a good sale:  If you’re a sucker fo...

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 . Lorenzo Frias has specific financial goals in life, including buying a better car and someday buying his own home. But all of that came to a screeching halt when he found out his credit wasn’t good. In fact, his credit was so poor that he couldn’t even get a credit card — let alone a car loan or a mortgage, which are harder to get than a credit card. It turned out his goals were way out of reach. What was his credit score? “It was 523, to be exact,” he says. “To be honest, it was pretty bad.” Late payments to an American Express card had pretty much ruined his credit. Your credit score is like your financial fingerprint, and a score below 600 makes you ineligible for most loans or credit cards. Frias puts it bluntly. “It’s embarrassing,” he says. “I realized there were definitely some things I needed to ...

If you’re on Social Security, you can expect your checks to increase by 5.9% in January. That’s the biggest cost-of-living adjustment recipients have seen since 1982. Here’s what that will look like for the average recipient: Retired workers will get an extra $92 a month on average, bringing the average monthly benefit to $1,657. Disabled workers will get an extra $76 a month on average, bringing the average monthly benefit to $1,358. The maximum Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit for individuals will increase by $47 a month, bringing the maximum monthly benefit to $841. A 5.9% COLA sounds pretty generous, considering that Social Security benefits increased by just 1.3% in 2021. But as prices for everything from groceries to housing skyrocket, will an extra $92 a month really be enough for the average retiree? Why a 5.9% COLA Isn’t Great News If you receive Social Security benefits, you may find that an extra $92 a month doesn’t stretch very far. Soaring inflation is t...

Do you love Christmas? Are you full of cheer? Can you grow a belly and — more importantly — a beard (or just fake it all well?) You might have what it takes to work as a professional Santa Claus. After all, the real Santa Claus can’t be everywhere all the time. If you’ve thought about pursuing this unusual seasonal job but didn’t know where to start, keep reading for advice from professional Santas in three different states. They share the inside scoop on working as Santa this Christmas. What it Takes to be Santa Claus Every year, thousands of shopping malls, department stores and corporations throw Christmas-themed events and parties that rely on guest appearances in person and on Zoom from Ol’ Saint Nick himself. (Spoiler alert: not the real one. He’s too busy. It’s actually a complex network of Santa Claus impersonators.) If you’ve got what it takes — e.g. a jolly chuckle, a mean beard (real or not), a background check and liability insurance — you can find a variety of Santa ...

No matter where you land on the financial spectrum — a traditionalist who favors hard cash or an investment aficionado — in this day and age, you’ve most certainly heard of cryptocurrency and maybe even some pros and cons of cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency has become increasingly popular over the past few years, with roughly 14 percent of the U.S. population owning cryptocurrency and an estimated 46 million Americans owning Bitcoin. Bitcoin is one of the oldest and most popular cryptocurrencies that exists. And for the cryptocurrency curious, it’s where you might consider dipping your toes into cryptocurrency investing. So if you’re asking yourself, “Is Bitcoin worth investing in?” or “Is it smart to invest in Bitcoin?” understanding the pros and cons of Bitcoin can help. Pros of Bitcoin Accessibility and liquidity User anonymity and transparency Independence from central authority High return potential Cons of Bitcoin Volatility No government regulations Irreversible ...

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 . Speaking from experience, being a stay-at-home parent is the most underpaid job in the world. We work the longest hours, don’t get an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan and definitely don’t receive paid vacation. The perks are great — getting to spend all this time with our kids, and our uniform is much more comfortable — but boy, would it be nice to see a few dollars for the work we put in. Unfortunately, it feels like social media is telling stay-at-home parents the only way we can make extra money these days is through a buy-in-required, set-your-own-hours, be-your-own-boss type of job. Yep. We’ve all gotten those DMs from long-lost friends asking us to join their multi-level marketing company. I’m not falling for it. You shouldn’t, either. Spending money to make money only works in the stock market — and r...