The Financially Free Blog
Message from the CEO - Proud of the Business We Built
Full disclosure, I hate themed marketing and email campaigns around celebrating diversity during a particular month. Why should we only celebrate Black people in February, women in March, Asian and Pacific Islanders in May and the Queer community in June?
4 Steps to Financially Prepare for Parenthood
Starting a family is a life-changing—and budget-altering—experience. The transition of welcoming a new family member into your home (and tending to their every need) will come with challenges. While parenthood overall is not something that you can entirely prepare yourself for, you can prepare yourself financially with these four steps.
4 Signs You're Financially Fit To Invest
Are you among the many who are under-investing? While cash provides security, it’s not ideal for high returns. With inflation eroding the value of cash over time, it’s essential to strike a balance between security and growth. In this guide, we’ll explore four key signs that you’re financially fit enough to take the leap into investing.
4 Mental Spending Loopholes That Are Keeping You Stuck
When it comes to making financial changes, you might be your own worst enemy. One of the ways you may be working against yourself is by exploiting mental loopholes: rather than sticking to what you said you would do, you find a reason or justification not to follow through. It’s not really your fault—your brain is trying to protect you from having to do extra work. Even so, if you want to make a change to how you spend money, you’ll need to learn how to spot and avoid these loopholes.
Why You Should Still Apply for Jobs That You Aren't Qualified For
As a Recruiter, the number one question people ask me is - “Do you think I qualify for this position?” I never give a concrete answer because I feel as if it is the candidate’s job to feel confident in what they are applying for. Here, at The Financial Gym, we hire people with an array of skills and backgrounds for positions that do not technically align with their resume. What are some reasons employers will still interview a candidate who does not have the technical skills for the current position?
What Does APR Mean for My Credit Cards?
Paying off debt is the most common financial goal of 2024. Getting out of debt is simple, but it’s not easy. To get out of debt (and stay out), it’s crucial to understand the details of your debt, especially the APR. Here are five common questions about APR.
3 Work-Sponsored Benefits To Check Before Starting a Family
Having a child is a deeply personal decision, but also a financially impactful one—studies estimate that the average middle-income family will spend $310,605 to raise a child to age 17. In the United States, where you work has a major impact on the cost of starting your family. Here are three employer-sponsored benefits you should review to help estimate how much it will cost you to have and care for a new baby.
How to Get Physically Fit (While Staying Financially Fit)
Do you want to work out without breaking the bank? The typical gym membership costs between $40-$70 per month but premium gyms and personal trainers can cost up to ten times that amount. Here are five ways to get physically fit without compromising on your financial fitness.
Is Moving to A Cheaper Place Worth It?
With rent prices up about 30% compared to pre-pandemic, moving to a place with cheaper rent sounds like a great way to save money. In some cases, a move can pay off, but moving is also expensive, and the costs associated with it (along with extra hidden monthly costs) mean you might be saving less than you thought—or it could even mean that you end up paying more! To figure out whether moving will actually put money back in your pocket, make sure you consider these expenses.
Is That a Side Hustle or a Business?
When deciding how to earn extra income there are many factors to consider, both financial and non-financial. Here are key factors to consider if you're thinking about entering the gig economy or launching a side hustle.
Message from the CEO - Lessons from the Launch
As many of you may know by now, earlier this year, Financial Gym launched its investment subsidiary as a response to high client demand; and I have personally spent hundreds of hours over the last three months speaking one-on-one with our clients (past, present and future) about their investment portfolios and strategies. As a result of these conversations, there are a few common takeaways I want to share with you.
How To Take Advantage of One Time Account Adjustments Toward Income-Driven Repayment Plans
The federal government is making a one-time account adjustment toward loan forgiveness for certain borrowers on income-driven repayment plans and PSLF. Read about the details and whether you need to take action to qualify.
Your Financial Blueprint: 4 Interactive Exercises to Decode Your Money Mindset
Today, we're diving into the fascinating realm of understanding your money mindset through hands-on, interactive exercises. Buckle up as we guide you through four engaging activities designed to decode your unique financial blueprint.
How to Combat Lifestyle Inflation
If you have ever dreamed about making more money, received a raise, and then had no idea where that extra money in your paycheck was going, you’ve fallen prey to lifestyle inflation. Here are four ways to combat lifestyle inflation and put your raise to work for you.
3 Myths About Your Credit Score
Credit scores may be the most well-known measure of financial wellness, but how they are calculated is less clear to many people. A survey from CompareCards by LendingTree found that 37% of consumers agreed with the statement that they had “no idea how [their] credit score is determined.” This lack of clarity allows misconceptions about credit scores to thrive and can keep people from taking the necessary steps to improve their scores.
5 Ways to Find Women-Owned Businesses
There are many ways to support the women around you to rise to their full potential, one of the easiest being to empower women with your wallet. The ranks of female entrepreneurs are swelling as women-owned businesses become more commonplace.
5 Ways to Make Filing Your Taxes Less Stressful
Not many people look forward to filing their taxes—it can be overwhelming, confusing, or just a pain in the rear. But there is no point delaying the inevitable so here are five tips for getting through tax season without succumbing to stress.
What You Need to Know About Applying for a Personal Loan
A personal loan can be a useful tool for paying off credit card debt once and for all. Rather than juggling multiple credit cards with variable interest rates, you can just make one fixed monthly payment. Here is what you should know about applying for a personal loan.
Message from the CEO - Exciting Next Chapter for Financial Gym
Three months ago, I shared that we would be launching an investment subdivision for Financial Gym after years of client requests to provide this service. If I’m being fully transparent, I honestly had no clue how this news would be received. I knew we had a number of clients asking for this service, but I didn’t know what would happen when I sent that email into the universe. What has transpired in the last three months is something beyond anything even I could have imagined.
How to Set & Communicate Your Financial Boundaries
As if your own relationship with money isn’t complicated enough, making decisions that involve money and other people adds a whole new dimension. That’s where financial boundaries come into play.