TessMore Finance Blog

Did you vow to to read more books in 2022, possibly shamed into it by all those people on social media claiming to have read a book a week in 2021? Book lovers, you can always save your dollars by using your local library and apps like Libby , but there’s something satisfying about having a full bookshelf, even if that bookshelf of new and used books is digital. And if you can find cheap new books, so much the better. You probably already know how to get physical books on Amazon and eBay, but there are several online book retailers where you can get great deals on books and maybe get rewarded in the process. Whether you prefer physical books, e-books or a mix of both, you can use these websites to expand your library without hurting your wallet. Deals on Physical Books Do you prefer the feel of a book in your hands but still want to find cheap books online? We’ve rounded up eight of the best online bookstores for new and used books. No doubt you’ll find plenty of classic books and...

The price of used vehicles is on an upswing, which might make you start looking at the car in your driveway in a new light. Kelley Blue Book, a leading automotive resource, reports that the average price for a used car in America was $28,205 in December 2021 — jumping 28% from December 2020 prices. Compared to two years ago, just before the start of the pandemic, the average price for a used car has increased by 42%. While vehicles are often seen as a depreciating asset, the inflated prices of today’s market means you could potentially break even on a car you bought a few years ago or even score a profit. You may be asking yourself, “Should I sell my car now?” The Catch-22 is that new car prices are also on the rise. You may fetch a profit selling your used car, but you’ll face sticker shock if you’re looking for a new vehicle to replace your former set of wheels. The average new car in December 2021 cost over $47,000 — about 13% more than the year prior. And if you sell your ca...

College life is better when you have a little extra in your pocket that allows you to have fun on occasion. That’s where a part-time job comes in. It leaves you with enough time to do your regular college stuff while still bringing in some much-needed cash. Here are 10 tips on how to find part-time jobs for college students so that you can roll in a little dough. 1. Ask Around If any of your roommates or classmates are currently employed, network with them . They may not know first-hand if the company is hiring, but there’s a strong possibility that they’ll be able to put you in touch with a manager who does. And if the job is working well for them, it’s probably a good place for students. Optimize Your Resume With a Leading Job Search Site Get Started Today 2. Look for On-Campus Employers On-campus positions, whether just regular part-time jobs or ones you found through Federal Work-Study , are the way to go for several reasons. For starters, the managers should be willing to ...

Valentine’s Day is coming and you’re still paying off bills from the holiday time. Don’t stress it though. You can get a cheap but thoughtful gift for that special someone with just a little planning. There are a variety of discount stores — many with “dollar” in their name — offering the necessary components for Valentine’s Day. But don’t overlook other discount stores that can be a great source of gifts under $10. You can of course go the ultra-traditional route and give Valentine’s Day presents like cuddly little bears with sweet messages, boxed candy, and a romantic card. All of these can be found at any dollar store for a few bucks. They are good choices but you may be looking for something that stands out more. Let’s really get romantic with more memorable, but not more expensive, gift ideas. Our dollar store gift guide has items you can find in stores but we also have the links to retailer sites included. 13 Bargain Valentine’s Gift Ideas to Profess Your Love These cheap Va...

First dates are a high-risk, high-reward situation. If things go well, it could be the first step to a relationship that changes your life forever. If it goes poorly, you’ll essentially be paying money to suffer through hours of awkward conversation. You can help to lower that risk – and the price tag – by planning a date that is equal parts thrifty and fun. We’ve outlined some first date ideas below, divided by what you can afford to pay. How to Plan a Thrifty Date When you’re short on cash, you have to be a little more creative when planning a first date. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to be romantic without blowing your budget . If you’re both active or into nature, going on a hike can be a perfect icebreaker. Admission to most local or state parks costs between $5 and $10 a person, while national parks usually cost between $10 and $15 a person. Hiking means you’re doing something interesting that naturally lends itself to conversation. Pack a couple of snacks and water b...

As a holiday, Valentine’s Day is kind of a mixed bag. On one hand, it serves as a reminder to appreciate our significant others and the value of romance. On the other hand, the modern iteration of Valentine’s Day was essentially created to sell greeting cards. Oh, and it also tends to make single people feel like crap. That’s why I like Galentine’s day, an alternative holiday designed to celebrate the friends in your life. Here’s how you can celebrate this year without blowing your budget . Get Inspired by the Original In “Parks and Rec,” Leslie Knope celebrates Galentine’s Day by organizing a brunch at her favorite diner for all her female friends. Take a page from her book and plan a brunch with your friends at a local diner. If you want to save money, host a potluck brunch where everyone brings a dish or beverage to share. You can make a filling and affordable dish like baked french toast or a breakfast casserole, or you can get a little boozy with a make-your-own mimosa bar. ...

Life has been lumpy lately. I've been dealing with some heavy stuff in my personal life — Mom , my cousin Duane, etc. — and that's left me feeling low. Combine that with my natural inclination toward depression, and you've got a recipe for a gloomy guy. That said, I woke up feeling great today. And that energy carried through as I had my regular Zoom call with Diania Merriam, the organizer of the EconoMe Conference . Diania and I started these calls for professional reasons, but after nearly two years they've evolved into something else. Now they're mostly a chance for us to help each other with our respective mental health struggles. During today's conversation, we had an interesting digression about personal finance. We were talking about how I need to get out of the house more. Because I work from home, I spend most of my time alone. It's not good. Humans are social creatures, and that goes double for me. No wonder I feel shitty when I never leave the...

The Great Cream Cheese Shortage of 2021 has spread into 2022 and with the Super Bowl approaching, this is serious business. And that’s because the best Super Bowl snacks often include cream cheese. We won’t dwell on what could have been on your game day party table, but rather focus on what super easy — and cheap — dips you can prepare to make them forget all about that creamy Buffalo chicken dip. As a matter of fact, we’ve got a Buffalo chicken dip recipe that can be made without it. The Los Angeles Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL championship game on Feb. 13 in the new SoFi Stadium, which just happens to be the Rams home field. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. local time and that means it’s a night game for the East Coast, starting at 6:30 p.m. So when to put out your deviled eggs, pigs in a blanket and chicken wings? Anytime you want really, the Super Bowl party gang will eat non-stop. Pro Tip We've got you covered with 10 ways to watch the Super Bowl live even though...

An effective budgeting strategy can help you achieve your financial goals sooner. The good news is that there are plenty of systems from which to choose. The Kakeibo budgeting system is perhaps lesser-known but is a simple and free way to track your financial progress and make a spending plan. Here is a closer look at how this method can help improve your finances without complicated spreadsheets or expensive apps. Table of Contents What is Kakeibo? Who Should Use the Kakeibo Budgeting System? How to Use Kakeibo 1. Track Your Income and Expenses on Paper 2. Identify Fixed Expenses 3. Create Monthly Savings Goals 4. Categorize Weekly Spending into the Kakeibo Pillars 5. Conduct Monthly Reviews 6. Repeat the Process Kakeibo Pros and Cons Positives Negatives Kakeibo FAQs Final Thoughts on the Kakeibo Budget What is Kakeibo? Kakeibo is Japanese for “financial household ledger.” This budgeting method was introduced in 1904 by Japan’s first female journalist – Han...

Buying a home is the biggest financial decision many people ever make. So it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. Whether you’re moving from a rental to your first house, looking to move out of your starter home, or thinking about buying that forever piece of real estate, you’ll need to have a good sense of your financial situation. Before signing the dotted line, you want to know your monthly mortgage payment, homeowner’s insurance and property taxes. You need to consider other monthly expenses, like student loan payments, credit card debt, car loans – making sure you can cover them on your annual income along with that new mortgage payment. And that’s just the beginning. So let’s walk through many of the factors you’ll need to consider before you can answer that all-important question, “How much house can I afford?” Calculate Your Housing Budget While it can be tempting to immediately start browsing the listings, the first step in this process is knowing your housing budget. To...