Money and Life Changing Events

Nobody wants to think about the financial difficulties that can arise during life changing events. Even good changes like marriage, births and promotions can cause financial stress without the right preparation. Difficult changes such as divorce and death are even more complicated because they are wrought with emotion as well as financial issues that must be addressed. Hopefully, your life will only have the best kinds of life changing events! Just in case it holds some of both, look here to find the strategies you will need to handle whatever you face.

• Are You One Serious Illness Away from Bankruptcy?

  The path leading from mounting healthcare bills to personal bankruptcy is shorter than you think. Avoid it with these cost-saving and healthy-living tips.

• Life's "Little" Luxuries Add Up to Big Spending

  Little indulgences are often a part of life, even when you’re working your way out of debt. It’s when life’s “little” luxuries become the norm rather than the exception – or when those luxuries come with a hefty price tag – that spending can get out of control. So, how do you learn to enjoy some special treats from time to time without breaking the bank? Start by creating a budget and sticking to it.

• Four Ways to Plan for Unexpected Medical Expenses

  Many people fall into debt due to unplanned healthcare costs. Here are four ways to plan for unexpected medical expenses and protect your finances.

• Catch and Avoid Medical Billing Errors

  When you’re watching your wallet, every penny counts. You may have a system for saving a few extra dollars here and there – whether it’s clipping coupons, signing up for discounted deals in your area, or amending your budget from time to time. Another, somewhat surprising, way to save is to review your healthcare and medical bills for errors.

• Suddenly Struggling with Debt

  You’re responsible. You’ve always saved your money, paid your bills, held down a good job. You’ve made a budget and stuck to it—and if you splurged now and then, you were always able to pay it off. But suddenly, something changed.

• Could Congress Help Remove Settled Medical Debts From Your Credit Report?

  Learn the pros (and cons) of a proposal to sideline paid medical debts from consumers’ credit reports, making credit more accessible and less costly.

• How to Avoid Medical Debt

  “Accidents will occur in the best-regulated families,” said Charles Dickens. Same goes for disease, illness, childbirth, doctor visits—truth is, most of us will go to a hospital or doctor at some point, no matter how healthy we are. But while we can’t avoid needing health care, we can avoid getting into debt for it.

• What to Do After a Car Accident

  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5.5 million police-reported motor vehicle accidents in the United States in 2009, of which twenty-eight percent (1.52 million) resulted in an injury.

• Childcare Options That Suit Your Budget

  If you’re looking for childcare, you’re not alone: the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies estimates that 11 million children under five spend an average of 36 hours a week in some kind of childcare. It can be good for a child’s development to experience different caretakers and to interact with other children. It can also benefit parents, not only to participate in the workforce but to spend time away from their children.

• When Your Ex Won't Pay

  Whether it is spousal or child support, if you're not receiving the money you're legally supposed to receive, your ability to keep up with your own financial obligations could be in jeopardy. Here are some tips to make sure that doesn't happen.

• Loss of Income Due to Illness or Injury

  Like it or not, at some point in your life there is a possibility that you will be too ill or unable to work for an extended period of time. How will you pay your bills? What other income resources are available?

• Dealing with Divorce

  Divorce can be costly, but it doesn't have to lead to financial ruin. Keeping a level head can help you through this difficult time.

• Losing Your Job

  Losing a job can be scary, but there are safety nets to catch you. Try not to be caught unprepared; a little advance planning can go a long way.

• Elder Care

  Do you have an aging family member or friend? Do you need help in caring for this person? Do you know what alternatives are available?

• Birth of a Baby

  Congratulations! You're having a baby. Proper planning can help you cope with the financial responsibilities.

• Losing a Loved One

  Few times in our lives are more devastating than the death of a loved one. As you feel your own life pausing as your grieve your loss, these pointers will help take care of your finances and those of your loved one.

• Retirement

  It's time to retire and live off your hard-earned retirement funds. You're not on easy street yet; you still have lots of financial decisions to make.

• Getting Married

  So, you've set the wedding date, but have you planned for everything? What about your individual assets, checking accounts, debts, credit cards, 401(k)'s, and households?

• Financial Planning for Expectant Parents

  While 9 months can seem like an eternity for couples waiting for their baby to arrive, getting prepared both emotionally and financially may seem more like a race against the clock.

• How to Tell a Loved One You're In Debt

  Open dialogue is the key to a clean conscience - if you've strayed financially from a spouse or loved one.

• Handling Economic Curveballs at Different Life Stages

  If you have recently suffered an economic setback, you're not alone. With today's economy, people in all stages of life have to deal with financial turmoil. However, there are reasons to be optimistic. Here are some tips on how people in five different age groups can face economic curveballs and still come out on top.

• The Economic Forecast for 2011

  While nothing is certain when eyeing the future, it seems Americans will face 2011 arm-in-arm with many of their 2010 ailments.

• 10 Strategies for Today's Job Seekers

  With an endless sea of candidates looking for the next great job, check out this article for ten strategies that can dramatically improve your chances of landing a great job.

• Dos and Don'ts for Mature Job Seekers

  Check out this article for a list of dos and don'ts to help mature workers prove their value and land a job.

• Strategies for Young Job Seekers

  Check out these five tips to learn what young job seekers can do to better position themselves or success in today's job market.

• 7 Tips for Saving When Your Income is Not Steady

  In the last few years, thousands of people have joined the "gig economy". Instead of having a steady paycheck to manage, they receive income from projects and contracts that pay different amounts at different times of the year.

• You Just Lost Your Job...Now What?

  So you just lost your job. While this is definitely not how you imagined things playing out, look at this as an opportunity to find an even better job. The key to success, however, is to stay focused and diligent.

• How Bad Credit Can Affect Job Prospects

  Don't let a poor credit history cost you a new job. Instead, understand how bad credit can impact your employment opportunities, and learn when and how to address your situation with a potential employer to improve your chances of getting hired.

• Free Online and Local Resources to Help You Find a Job

  If you are looking for a job, it's important to have access to good resources to help you create a great resume and present yourself as a top candidate. It's also important to save as much money as possible during the job search. Fortunately, free assistance is available. Here's a list of seven no-charge online and local resources for job seekers.

• Coming Clean When Job Hunting

  When filling out a job application, individuals should tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

• Fireproof Your Job

  In an era where many companies are slashing jobs to save bottom-line dollars, it's critical to make yourself indispensible so you can keep the job you have.

• The Art of Networking

  If you are looking for a job, networking is a powerful skill to master. The art of making genuine connections with other people can help you discover new opportunities, share job leads, and learn crucial information for the employment hunt.

• Ways to Save on Moving Expenses

  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 17 percent of the U.S. population moves each year. That's a lot of moving. It's also a lot of money. Packing up your life and driving it somewhere else is pricey-and shelling out more cash than you have is the last thing you need to be worrying about during this stressful time.

• How to Transition to a New Career Field

  If you're currently between jobs, and the prospects within your chosen field look dim, consider making a career change. In a bad economy, one of the best ways to find work is to seek out a recession-proof industry. Landing a job in a new field is possible with the right amount of research, networking and skill. Here are some time-tested tips for job-seekers who want to make a career switch.

• Could Your Online Social Life Hurt Your Career? You Bet!

  Inappropriate postings on social networking sites could cost you your job, so think twice before uploading pictures from that crazy party last night or writing something negative about your boss. Instead, enlist these tips for keeping a clean profile online.

• Why Part-Time Employment Might Be a Good Option

  Part-time positions can offer good wages, opportunities for advancement, and even benefits. If you are considering part-time work, check out these five suggestions for success.

• After the Divorce: Fail to Plan and Your Ex's Financial Decisions Could Still Affect You

  This article provides tips on how to free yourself from your ex and any poor financial decisions he/she might make down the road.

Return to Index