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5 Long-Term Financial Goals and How to Achieve Them

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Pay off major debts Expected time: 5+ years Account types: Credit card debt, mortgage, student loans, car loans Getting out of debt is essential to the success of your other long-term financial goals. Opening a college savings fund for your child when they’re young can help you save for their future college expenses.

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7 Short-Term Financial Goals and How to Achieve Them

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Then, go over your existing income and expenses. If not, you’ll need to adjust your budget by reducing expenses or increasing your income, so you have excess money each month to set aside. For example, start by saving enough in your emergency fund to cover one month’s living expenses, then work your way up to six months over time.

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Business Travel Is Back: How to Maximize Your Miles

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As Neff has learned, one key to doing that is having a good rewards credit card—and taking advantage of everything it has to offer. The right credit card for your business travel needs will depend on several factors, including the size and maturity of your business, your expense levels and your credit profile.

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A Millennial’s Guide to Finances: 5 Things to Start Before You Turn 30

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List out your purchases in an Excel spreadsheet at the end of each month and place each transaction into a bucket. Be more descriptive than simply “transportation” because a Lyft to the bar on Friday night should not be marked as a vital expense. Credit Karma is a great free resource to track the progress of your credit score.

Finance 279
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Everything You Need to Know About Emergency Funds

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If you’ve ever had to pull out a credit card to deal with a dentist or emergency vet bill, you likely know the pain of wondering how you’ll pay for an unexpected expense. An emergency fund is a safety net of money for unexpected expenses. Having an emergency fund can significantly reduce your money worries.

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How to Set and Achieve Financial Goals

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Saving three months of living expenses in an emergency fund, upgrading to a new computer or planning a vacation are common short-term goals. Medium-term: These goals will take longer to reach than short-term goals but are still generally achievable in the next one to five years, such as paying off credit card debt or saving for a new car.

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5 Money Mistakes That Could Be Ruining Your Credit

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Here are five common money mistakes that could be unintentionally sabotaging your credit score. Mistake #1: Closing credit card accounts. Of course, you should reduce your debt load, beginning with your credit card debt. It’s expensive and most Americans struggle to keep it under control.