Personal Finance

Some of you might know that I’m currently in Europe working, and travelling with Eurail. Travelling is such a big passion of mine, and I know that not everyone else is lucky enough to be able to do that.

In the spirit of sharing, I wanted to let you all know about this fantastic dream job that just came up!

I can’t say enough good things about the travelling Eurail. It’s convenient and stress free. And let’s not start with how amazing it would be to travel across Italy. I’m currently in Naples (look for that post later on this week!), eating gelato, and pizza, and looking out into the ocean.

So, if you’re in up for a two week dream job adventure to travel through Italy, here is everything that you need to know!

For the end of May/beginning of June, Eurail.com is looking for two travel professionals to venture on a two week Eurail trip through Italy.
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I love tax time. I know I say this all the time, but tax season is one of my favorites. And finding great tax tips of freelances is one of my favorite things to do. Not only because I truly enjoy getting my financial house in order, but because it’s a great way to see how I manage my income easily.

While most employed people think doing their taxes is pretty simple and straightforward, entrepreneurs and freelancers see things quite differently. We’re thinking about taxes all year round.

That’s just how things when you work for yourself. So whether you’re a consultant or web designer like I am, or a freelancer, knowing how to get ready for tax season gives you a leg up on your business.

Having worked for myself for the last few years, I have gathered 6 great tax tips for entrepreneurs and freelancers that will make every tax season to come quick and painless (if you do the work year round!).

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Few buzzwords and phrases related to building wealth have gained as much traction as “passive income.” A passive income refers to any earnings derived from any enterprise that the individual isn’t actively involved in, and they go a long way to making sure you’ve got a bit extra in your checking account to retire on when the time comes.

There’s a perception that passive income streams are something of a get rich quick scheme, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It actually takes quite a bit of time, planning and money to create such a thing. If you think you’ve got what it takes, here are a few ways you can do it too.

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This is the fifth installment in our series about credit unions by contributing writer, Melissa. Over the past few We’ve taken a closer look at all the services that credit unions provide and whether or not they are the right fit for you.

You can read the first installments here:

• What is a Credit Union? Uncovering the Financial Institution Alternative.
• The Banking Basics of a Credit Union
• Get the Credit You Deserve for Your Education- Credit Union Student Lending
• Credit Unions and Cars- The Simple Purchase

In the last two years, I have been riding the fantasy of buying my first home! Like many young professionals, I have spent years saving every dollar I possibly can and have grown tired of paying rent. The idea of paying rent when I could be paying into my own mortgage pains me, so off to the financial institutions I went to hear about my options.

As someone who is learning and exploring more into credit unions and how they work, I decided to visit both my bank and the credit union that I recently joined to see how each institution plays (what I like to call) the “mortgage game.”

My first stop was my long-time bank branch. As I entered the branch that I have been banking with since I was a teenager, I was hopeful that they would have some great options for me. After the quick pre-approval process for my future mortgage, my financial advisor jumped right into my options.

My options were plentiful through the bank. However, I found the time spent educating and explaining my options thoroughly was lacking. As much as I love efficiency at my bank, this is one important factor that has always been an issue – rushing through the process without a detailed explanation to the client.

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Saying goodbye to a child leaving for college is never easy. Even though you knew the time was coming, it can be bittersweet. You’ve taught them right from wrong, good from bad, and how to be responsible, but now it’s time for them to fly using their own wings. So just how much should you help out?

College is certainly expensive, even when parents have planned for it. With tuition, books, and living expenses skyrocketing, you need to ensure your child has the necessary dorm room supplies and bedding from sites like Residence Hall Linens. After all the essentials are sorted out, additional finances need to be addressed. So the question is, should parents give college students an allowance? While there is no one ‘right’ answer for all families, there are some pros and cons that can be taken into consideration.

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