Author: Jennifer Calonia
Got the early holiday gift of student loan forgiveness? You could owe taxes on it
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) generally requires that you report a forgiven or canceled debt as income for tax purposes. But forgiven student loan debt is …
Yes, you can put off paying your student loans. (No, you shouldn’t & here’s why)
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan is a new income-driven repayment (IDR) option that offers the lowest monthly payments among all IDR plans to a wider group …
Important dates every student loan borrower needs to know
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
What’s Happening The Department of Education announced changes to its federal income-driven repayment plans. The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan was introduced, replacing the current Revised …
10 actually useful tips for planning a family vacation on a budget
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
Family vacations are the stuff memories are made of. Maybe it’s a week spent at a beach an hour from your home, a long weekend at …
11 things you can do now to save up for your dream home
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
The first step in saving for a home is to come up with a target savings amount. For most mortgages, you’ll need to come up with a …
Wedding season is coming: The best ways to save big for your big day
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
A wedding savings account is a savings account specifically earmarked for upcoming wedding expenses. It lets you easily track your savings progress and pays interest on …
A hassle-free guide to switching banks
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
Whether you’re tired of getting hit with fees or looking for a better return on your savings, you may be thinking about breaking up with your …
How hard is it to get an unsecured home improvement loan?
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
What Is an Unsecured Home Improvement Loan? A home improvement loan is one of the many personal loan types. Unlike a home equity loan or home equity …
I received student loan forgiveness in 2022. Will I owe taxes on it?
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
If you received student loan forgiveness in 2022, you won’t have to pay federal income tax on your forgiven debt, but your state might consider it …
I paid my cable bill late! Will it affect my credit score?
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
Borrowing money to pay for goods and services, with the expectation to repay it, is considered purchasing on credit, and responsibly repaying that debt helps build …
Can I build my credit with a debit card?
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
Unfortunately, building credit with debit card activity won’t kickstart your credit file. Having a solid credit history provides greater access to competitive financing offers. Additionally, your …
Will refinancing my student loans affect my credit score?
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
If you can secure better terms for your student loan through refinancing, you can save money over the life of your loan. But does refinancing …
What can happen if I can’t pay my student loans back?
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
What happens if you don’t pay student loans for an extended period of time is they ultimately go into default. A student loan default impacts …
Overwhelmed by student loans? Here are 21 money tips that can help
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
You already know that saving money is a responsible habit to practice, but the weight of student loan debt can make that challenging to do. According …
How Mobile Passport can save you time at the airport
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
It’s no secret that airports can be a chaotic and overwhelming experience for travelers. In its latest report, the U.S. Travel Association revealed that there were 79.6 million …
How to cope with financial stress (and feel better)
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
Stress comes up for a number of reasons, such as work, personal relationships, or your physical health. But according to the American Psychological Association’s latest “Stress in …
9 things to know before paying bills with a credit card
Written by: Jennifer Calonia
The convenience of a credit card isn’t limited to everyday shopping purchases at the store or online. Many of the same conveniences apply when you pay …
