TessMore Finance Blog

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of credit card rewards and credit card bonuses. Where else can you get hundreds of dollars to do exactly what you’ve been doing for ages? Just change the card you swipe, tap, or insert and now you get hundreds of dollars in points or cash. Easy. I still remember one of the first credit cards I got – it was a store credit card to Express. I haven’t been to a mall in ages and if you’re the same, you might not remember the men’s clothing store that was once part of Limited Brands. Like many store branded credit cards , they offered 10% off your purchase when you opened the card. As a silly college kid, 10% off my eighty-something dollar purchase seemed like a good deal! Silly me. Older Jim cringes at the though of an $8 bonus. And you should too. If you have a good credit score , you should be getting a bonus of at least $100 for each card. I’d take it a step further – you should get at least $200 for each card (with an exception if the spending r...

It’s fun to give gifts to those you love. But let’s face it, we all have those people in our lives that seem to have everything. So what do you get for someone who doesn’t seem to need anything? In this post, I’m sharing unique gift ideas that will be a hit for anyone on your list. Some items are fun and affordable, others are more expensive, so feel free to choose the gifts that fit your budget and that special person in your life. There’s something here for everyone, no matter what their age is or interests are. Table of Contents Unique Gift Ideas for Someone Who Has Everything 1. A Home Cleaning Service 2. Virtual Assistant Services 3. Babysitting Services 4. An Experience Gift 5. An Annual Parks Pass 6. A Gift Certificate for a Massage 7. A Weighted Blanket 8. An Acupressure Mat Set 9. A Pocket Blanket 10. A Dog Care Kit 11. Bath Salts 12. Memberships/Subscriptions 13. A Night Out 14. Photography Session 15. Meal Kit Delivery Service 16. Travel Accommodations...

There are many reasons to want to start your own business. Many workers don’t feel valued, and not just monetarily, by their employers. Then there’s the allure of freedom, freedom of time and money, no one to answer to. That’s attractive. But it’s more than the yearning for freedom or change that determines if you are ready to start your own business. The idea of freedom — freedom of time, freedom of money, freedom to create the way you want to create — can be a siren song. All this freedom and no boss to answer to, no one to answer to. But it’s not that simple. There are still people to answer to. It’s a shift to being responsible on a different level. Instead of being responsible to a boss, an entrepreneur is responsible to their customers. Alternatively of being responsible to show up on time, an entrepreneur is responsible for getting the work done on time. Instead of being responsible in exchange for a paycheck, an entrepreneur is responsible for everything. In exchange, the...

One of the most important things you can do for the ones you love is to create an estate plan . This process includes writing a will, which will help ensure you protect loved ones after you’re gone. Most people assume that writing a will is a costly ordeal that requires a lawyer, but you actually have a few options that could save you thousands of dollars in legal fees.  We’ll cover how much a will costs and give you some cost-effective solutions to help you choose an option. The complexity and size of your estate are going to be key in determining which option is best for you!   Do You Need a Living Trust or a Will? Including a living trust or will in your estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your finances and family are secure after your death.  According to the American Bar Association , if you die without a will, the state you reside in will have the power to distribute your assets according to that state’s laws. Creating a t...

College is an exciting time for students to live on their own, make new memories, and create lasting friendships. What’s not exciting is the debt you might inherit once you graduate. In the last decade, student loan debt increased by nearly 70 percent , with over 43 million students facing outstanding student loan debt.  What if there was a way you could get paid to go to college and avoid taking out any student loans ? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, we have twelve tactics for you to consider that just might help you go to college for free. Keep reading for our favorite tips or jump to a specific tactic below to learn more!  Submit a FAFSA Apply for Grants Research Various Scholarships Consider Community College Attend Tuition-Free College Check if You Qualify for Tax Breaks Become an RA Join the Military Get a Work-Study Job Seek Off-Campus Employment Serve in the AmeriCorps Ask If Your Employer Has Tuition Reimbursement 1. Submit a FAFSA Applying...