TessMore Finance Blog

If you’re looking for a free turkey this Thanksgiving, whether due to budget constraints or just trying to be frugal, we’ve found some ways you can. With sky-high grocery prices , people everywhere are searching for ways to lower their grocery bills and beat inflation. The costs can be especially high during holidays, like Thanksgiving, which is why getting a free turkey can help. The following list has something for just about everyone. Table of Contents Stores Giving Away Free Turkeys 1. Walmart and Ibotta 2. Foodtown 3. Weis Market Free Turkeys or Thanksgiving Meals for Low-Income Families 4. United Way 211 5. Local Food Pantries 6. Local Charities 7. Religious Organizations Near You 8. Meals on Wheels 9. Local Shelters 10. Local Masons, Lions, or Similar Organizations How Can I Help this Thanksgiving?  Volunteer at a Food Pantry or Shelter Give Money Be the Feet On the Ground Free Turkey for Thanksgiving: Summary Stores Giving Away Free Turkey...

No one wants to see their investments take a dip, let alone a plummet. That’s what makes the dreaded bear market so troubling. In these markets, securities typically fall at least 20% in value and widespread pessimism abounds.  But for the savvy investor, bear markets are nothing to be afraid of. In fact, they may even be great opportunities to make some profit — if they use the right strategies.  Here are 10 clever bear market investing strategies that may help investors come out ahead in the end. 1. Wait It Out When stocks begin to plummet during a bear market, it can be tempting to try and cut losses by selling.  Some say that a great t investing strategy for long-term investors is to buy and hold, even during economic downturns.  In fact, recent research from Crestmont Research shows that S&P 500 returns over any 20-year period from 1919 to 2019 were positive. This means that anyone who invested in an S&P 500 index fund at any point between 1900 a...

One of the most popular methods for investing in the stock market is through the S&P 500 Index. Investment advisors frequently recommend it as the primary choice for the stock portion of a typical investor’s portfolio.  But how does the S&P 500 work, and what’s the best way to buy the index? To help you incorporate the S&P 500 into your portfolio, we’re providing this S&P 500 investing guide. But before we describe how, let’s first dive into exactly what the S&P 500 is so you’ll have a better idea of why it’s such a well-recommended investment. Table of Contents What Is the S&P 500? What Companies are Included in the S&P 500? The S&P 500 vs. Dow Jones Industrial Average and NASDAQ Dow Jones industrial average (DJIA) NASDAQ How to Invest In the S&P 500 Open a Brokerage Account Choose an Index Fund Have a Long-Term Mindset Pros and Cons of Investing in the S&P 500 Should You Invest in the S&P 500? What Is the S&...

Netflix offers and payment plans are country-specific. The payment methods for these subscriptions and plans are also country-specific. Therefore, users may face issues making a Netflix payment for various reasons including using the wrong payment method and subscription plans. Let us discuss what Netflix payment plans and possible reasons for a declined payment for your account are. Netflix Payment Plans – An Overview Netflix payment plans vary by country. The US viewers can subscribe to three payment plans including the Basic, Standard, and Premium plans for $9.99, $15.49, and $19.99 respectively. Each payment plan offers access to 1,2, and 4 screens respectively. If you’re trying to use the same account for more than this screen limit, Netflix will deny access. The monthly payment cycle renews on the date you subscribed to a plan for the first time. You can upgrade to the next payment plan or purchase add-ons depending on your needs at any time. Netflix accounts and screen ti...

My mother died Monday night. She was 74. Earlier this week, I began writing a memorial for her. I know I haven't talked much about Mom here at Get Rich Slowly, but she probably played the biggest role in molding me into the person I am today. After writing 2500 words, I realized I have a lot to process. And maybe Get Rich Slowly isn't the place to publish a tribute to her. I don't know. In any event, I'm taking some time off. For the next few weeks, I'll be dealing with the logistics of Mom's memorial service and her estate. And while I'm taking time away from Get Rich Slowly to handle these things, it feels like a good opportunity to tackle a few big projects I've been putting off — including the “de-design” of this blog. My plan is to take a three-month sabbatical. I may indeed publish a bit here and there — and I'll regularly update the “Spare Change” section on the front page and send the GRS Insider email newsletter — but my intention righ...

The U.S. Postal Service sells Forever stamps to snail mailing patrons. But how exactly do Forever stamps work, and how much are they worth in 2022? In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about Forever stamps and explain how you can use them to your advantage. Table of Contents What Is a Forever Stamp? Is There a Price Listed on a Forever Stamp? How Much Are Forever Stamps Worth in 2022?  A History of the Forever Stamp Should I Buy Forever Stamps?  How Many Forever Stamps Should I Buy?  Will the Price of a Forever Stamp Increase?  Final Thoughts on Forever Stamps What Is a Forever Stamp? A Forever stamp is a first-class postage stamp you can purchase and use forever.  As you know, sending items in the mail costs money, and the prices vary based on what you are mailing. Typically, the weight of the envelope or box you are mailing is a factor in determining what your postage cost will be.  You can use a first-class po...

There are a lot of tax benefits when you own your home. Some people overstate how valuable they are, as if the tax benefits alone justify homeownership (they doesn’t), but they exist. And to take full advantage, you need good records. The biggest benefit is the home appreciation exclusion of $250,000 ($500,000 if you are married filing jointly). If your home appreciates and you sell it, you can exclude that amount from your taxes – you don’t owe capital gains on it. Good records are important because some home-related expenses are classified as improvements and increase the cost basis of your home. Others are considered “maintenance,” which do not increase the cost basis of your home. This means that some of your expenses have the benefit of reducing your future tax burden when you sell your home, so it would benefit you to keep a good record! How does this work? Table of Contents How does the Home Appreciation Exclusion Work? How to Calculate Tax Basis on a Home What is an ...

This is the year — you just know it. You finally gave that side gig you’ve been dreaming about a real shot and it’s starting to pay off in more ways than you thought. What started out as just a hobby for baking quickly turned into opening your very own brick-and-mortar bakery on the corner. Now, you’re left wondering if it’s time to take the next step and make your side hustle your full-time job , but you want to make sure it’s the right financial decision.  In this post, we’ll teach you how to measure the efficiency and profitability of your company by using the gross profit formula, to help you understand if you’re making the right decision. By subtracting the cost of goods sold (COGS) from your revenue, you can find the gross profit, and make data-driven decisions about where to invest and where to save.  Calculating profit margins allows you to clearly see if your side job is ready to turn into a full-time business.   How to Calculate Gross Profit Gross prof...

If you think that creating an estate plan is only for the sick or elderly, think again. It’s an unfortunate truth that death can happen to anybody at any age, and you wouldn’t want to leave your family to pick up the pieces of a disorderly estate after you die while they sort out their grief. Instead, take a weight off their shoulders and create order in your absence. Every time you stop and think about what will happen to your possessions after you die, you’re in the beginning stages of estate planning. But now may be a good time to take those plans a few steps further with our guide to estate plans and how you can create one — no matter your age.  By taking charge of your finances and learning about estate planning, you can feel confident that you took a necessary step in protecting your family and your assets.  What Is Estate Planning? Estate planning is the act of hiring an estate planning attorney — or fiduciary — to help you prepare the transfer of your assets, poss...