If you feel like you’re drowning in debt, then debt settlement may seem like an appealing option. Debt settlement involves working with your creditors to settle your debt for less than you owe. Creditors are often willing to settle because debt collection agencies will purchase the debt for less than the balance anyway. And if you declare bankruptcy, they might not get anything. But what’s in it for you? And what are the drawbacks? How Debt Settlement Can Help Debt settlement relieves you of your debt without having to declare bankruptcy.  It’s a one-and-done deal and you have a clean…

According to a new report by a leading wedding magazine, The Knot, the average American wedding cost has eclipsed $35,000. That’s more than half of the yearly median income! Most of that spending isn’t on lavish luxuries for bride and groom – it comes from the guest list. Couples are inviting more people and doing more for them, trying to create an unforgettable experience for their loved ones. If you’ve got an event planned for the coming year, read on. Your bill doesn’t need to be that extreme. Here are five ways to save on the cost of your big…

Mobile banking can make life easier with convenient features like mobile check deposit. You can take your digital banking to the next level by downloading personal finance apps. Gone are the days of time-consuming planning and paper cluttering your desk! Level Money This app connects with your bank account and provides a suggested daily, weekly and monthly spending limit. The app bases its suggestion off of your income and recurring bills, and will incorporate a savings plan as well. LearnVest This app can act as your virtual checkbook. You can link all your accounts together to track spending and input…

Savings accounts are one of those things you can easily forget you have. Sure, you might deposit some birthday money in there once a year, or maybe even some of your tax refund, but for the most part it just sits there. It’s also easy to get caught up in other savings vessels: your 401(k), IRAs, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), etc. While these are all important components of your overall financial plan, that doesn’t mean your savings account should collect dust. Easily Accessible Funds when You Need Them When you’re looking to save, you’re typically looking to invest your money…