TessMore Finance Blog

I ‘m passionate about golf. I play several times a week and I’ve even started a golf Youtube channel and blog, called PT Golfs (of course). But I feel guilty about spending so much time and money on a leisure activity. Because I’m spending so much time on it, I’d like it to make a little money from it. Can you actually make extra money in the golf industry? When I ask that question to you, what comes to mind? The PGA Tour? One might assume that’s the only way you can make money in this industry, but they’re overlooking a lot of smaller ways you can get paid. Some you could do full-time. Most you can do part-time to make a little extra cash. Here’s a deeper look into how you can make money in the golf world: 1. Build, Franchise, or Invest in a “New Golf” Business Golf is in the beginning phases of a massive disruption. The game is getting younger, faster, and more accessible to the general public. It started with businesses like Top Golf . And now we’re seeing reiventions of ...

Margaret Roberts, who runs an association management company in Alexandria, Virginia, vividly recalls the day she answered a phone call from a landlord in New York who had received a deposit for an apartment lease. The check was drawn on the account of one of her nonprofit association clients, and it just didn’t look right to the landlord. He wondered if it was valid. Antennae twitching, Roberts logged into the client’s online banking account and quickly confirmed that the landlord’s hunch was correct. The check was bogus. The fallout cascaded rapidly from that point: While Roberts was investigating and alerting the bank, another caller phoned to thank the association for an award payment he had received. There was no award. In the end, she discovered there wasn’t one fraudulent check, but several, totaling more than $15,000. It turned out that scammers had pulled wire transfer information from the client’s conference website and created fake checks. “Our client got their money bac...

Here’s the exact system I use to spend only 90 minutes a month managing my money. If you haven’t already set up your Conscious Spending Plan , I recommend doing that first. CATEGORIES OF SPENDING Use these as guidelines for your spending and tweak as necessary. Fixed Costs : Rent, Utilities, Debt, etc.  50/60% of take-home pay Investments:  401(k), Roth, IRA, etc.  10% Savings Goals: Vacations, gifts, house down payment, cash for unexpected expenses, etc 5-10% Guilt-free spending money : Dining out, drinking, movies, clothes, shoes, etc. 20-35% Now let’s take your Conscious Spending Plan and make it automatic. To do this, I use a concept called the Next $100. This means, simply, where will the next $100 you make go? Will it all go to your investment account? Will you allocate 10 percent to your savings account? Most people just shrug and don’t take any time to think about how their money will be allocated—which means it gets thoughtlessly spen...

Wouldn’t it be nice if you never had to mow your own lawn? Or shovel snow from your driveway? How about having a swimming pool you didn’t need to maintain?  Living in a homeowners association (HOA) can sometimes provide these benefits and more. However, you will usually need to pay an HOA fee. With that said, what are HOA fees exactly, and what do they cover? Here’s what you need to know.  What Is a Homeowners Association (HOA)? A homeowners association (HOA) is an organization that makes and enforces rules within a residential community. These communities can be subdivisions, condominium buildings, or other planned communities.  While HOA governing boards are run by a select group of volunteers, HOA memberships are mandatory for all residents living within the community. This means when someone moves in, they automatically become a member of the HOA and must pay HOA dues — meaning monthly, quarterly, or annual fees. Prospective homeowners should keep these fees in m...

If you’re a fan of envelope budgeting , the right budgeting app can make it easier to track your spending in today’s digital world. And for years, Mvelopes has been one of the more popular envelope budgeting apps. Sadly, Mvelopes is closing down permanently on December 29, 2022 , after 21 years of service. While existing users are being given the option to transfer to Dave Ramsey’s EveryDollar at a discounted rate, you may be interested in exploring other budgeting apps that are like Mvelopes. To help you in your search, I’ve compiled the following Mvelopes alternatives, including EveryDollar and how it stacks up. Table of Contents Best Mvelopes Alternatives You Need a Budget (YNAB) Tiller Money EveryDollar Goodbudget Mint PocketGuard Printable Budget Worksheets FAQs Final Thoughts Best Mvelopes Alternatives Here are seven premium and free budget apps that make it easy to practice the enveloping system while incorporating other effective budgeting strategies. ...

When it comes to banks, something is comforting about being able to walk into a physical branch and talk to a human being. Online banks may offer higher interest rates, but there’s no one to go to. Community banks and credit unions may offer more perks, but they don’t have the national footprint. You can’t walk into a branch if you’re not near home. National banks may not get as much love as others on the internet but they still play a crucial role. If you’re wondering about which national bank to go with, we will share with you the best national banks in the United States so you can find the best one for you. Table of Contents How We Established Our List Chase Bank – Best For New Customers Discover Bank – Best for Cash Back Bank of America – Best For College Students CIT Bank – Best for Good Rates Ally Bank – Best Online Bank Truist Bank – Best for Basic Accounts Barclays – Best For Savings Citi® – Best For Large Balance Transfers PNC Bank – Best Checking/Savings Packa...