Early Morning Money — Wake Up Your Finances

Expert Hacks to Travel With Only a Carry-On

Traveling with luggage is a hassle. From waiting at the baggage carousel to the added fees the airlines charge to check a bag, it’s stressful and can get quite expensive. The secret to worry-free flying is to travel with only a carry-on suitcase. But is it possible to fit everything you need using only a carry-on? Is Traveling with a Checked Bag Really that Bad? If you’ve never had a bad experience traveling with...

How to Achieve Financial Independence and Retire Early

Guest Contributor

The traditional retirement age in America is 65. But a large number of Americans are unable to announce their retirement at the right age. They are spending their golden years on the job. People in our nation have to delay their retirement due to the lack of savings and debt. Many older Americans are struggling with credit card debt, and mortgage and student loan debt. Thus, they can’t say goodbye to the 9-5 work...

Can Social Media Help Me Get the Job? Top 7 Tips for Job Seekers

Amy Beardsley

Think you know everything there is to know about finding a job? You’ve got the perfect resume, nailed your LinkedIn profile, and practiced the best answers to the toughest interview questions. But if you still haven’t landed the job, have you tried finding a job using social media? Why You Need to Use Social Media when Job-Searching A recent study has found that, while 92 percent of companies are using social media to help...

How Can I Make Money as a Freelance Writer

Amy Beardsley

Dreaming of trading in your 8-5 job to work from home? Or maybe you’re looking to increase your income to get out of debt faster or to take that big vacation you’ve been thinking of. Whatever your reason, starting a freelance writing career is a great way to earn money on the side or as a full-time career. If you like to write — and are good at it — you can make money...

The Key to Finding Travel Deals for your Next Family Vacation

Guest Contributor

Family vacations are one of the most rewarding and adventuresome ways a family can spend their time together. However, planning a family vacation can be stressful, especially when trying to find a deal. There are no shortage of travel destinations, but not all places are created equal and costs can vary by thousands of dollars. How can you save your family money this year when planning a vacation? Be Flexible. The reality of budget...

Cheap Gifts for Teachers (that they won’t re-gift!)

Amy Beardsley

The two most stressful times of your child’s school year are the beginning and the end. At the start of the school year, there are open houses, new class schedules and getting back into the normal routine after a long, lazy summer. As for the end of the school year, there’s the issue of finding the perfect gift for your child’s teacher. Best Cheap Gifts for Teachers This is something I struggle with every...

Top 6 Must-Have Skills to Master Life as a Working Mom

Amy Beardsley

As a working mom, life is full of challenges. If I’m being honest, there are some days I’m not even sure I’ll make it to bedtime! Between packing lunches, juggling daycare, sick kids and household chores, making time to progress in your career can seem a laughable pursuit. I’m here to tell you there is hope. It is possible to manage a successful career while being a “Super Mom.” With these 6 skills, you...

Five Tips for Saving Money in Your Everyday Life

Guest Contributor

Greetings, money savers! If you read my blog A Theory of Change, you know saving money is one of my favorite things. So today I’ll share five easy tips for saving money, so you can set aside a little of your hard-earned cash going forward. Stop paying too much for banking Do you know how much you’re spending on bank fees? If not, you’re not alone. A lot of people don’t pay attention to...

Get Hired! Easy Ways to Bring Your Resume from Dull to Dazzling

Guest Contributor

Increase your chance of landing the job with these resume best practices Whether your job hunting or not, it’s always a good idea to update your resume and keep it in tip-top shape. You never know when a great opportunity presents itself and you want to be ready to grab hold of it! Having an updated eye-catching resume to showcase your talents and skills will help you to earn more money over the long...

Get Hired! 6 Best Tips to Create a Killer LinkedIn Page

Amy Beardsley

Using LinkedIn to Land Your Dream Job Job hunting sucks. It’s a huge drain on your mojo and makes you second guess any confidence you once thought you had. Whether you’re unemployed, a soon-to-be college grad, or stuck in a position that doesn’t suit you, you’re going to have to face the harsh reality: you have to start your job search. And if you didn’t update your LinkedIn profile recently (or if you —...