It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Weather is cooler. The year is winding down. Kids are out of school. Getting together with family and friends. It is also one of the most expensive times of the year and that can cause stress. You have already paid for Thanksgiving and you may done some early shopping on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday.

Here a few ways to get financial relief during the holidays.

1. Sending Christmas cards can be expensive. The mail is slower then ever and cost more. Just printing cards is expensive. Go digital this year. Take your own photo (matching pajamas makes for family fun) and send a digital card.
2. Price match everything. Most retailers, especially the majors like Target, Walmart, Best Buy and many more, will match competitor’s pricing. Start online to make trips to the store more efficient.
3. Take advantage of free shipping.
4. Make a list of everyone you want to buy gifts for then make a budget.
5. Shop a little each week rather than sending a lot of your money out the door all at once.
6. When shopping online, look for pay overtime options. There are a lot of no fee options like Affirm and Klarna.

If you need a little extra cash to jump start, visit a friendly CashMax store near you. We love our clients and love meeting new customers.

1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
3. CashMax has 38 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

• 1414 E. Tyler Street, Athens, TX 75751
• 635 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, TX 76010
• 12209 Lake June Road, Balch Springs, TX 75180
• 4105 State Hwy 121, Bedford, TX 76021
• 2019 N. Center Street, Bonham, TX 75418
• 1420 S. Bridge Street, Brady, TX 76825
• 551 W. Commerce Street, Brownwood, TX 76801
• 750 Hurst Street, Center, TX 75935
• 1907 Ave. F NW, Childress, TX 79201
• 617 W. Henderson Street, Cleburne, TX 76033
• 2001 Texas Avenue, College Station, TX 77840
• 2127 East Highway 190, Copperas Cove, TX 76522
• 5200 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75209
• 1845 South FM 51, Decatur, TX 76234
• 411 W. University, Denton, TX 76201
• 615 E. Camp Wisdom Road, Duncanville, TX 75116
• 308 E. Ennis Ave., Ennis, TX 75119
• 5732 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107
• 2516 NE 28th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76106
• 1714 N. Culberson Street, Gainsville, TX 76240
• 3354 Broadway Blvd., Garland, TX 75043
• 2115 State Highway 16 South, Graham, TX 76450
• 928 N. Belt Line Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75050
• 1319 S. Jackson Street, Jacksonville, TX 75766
• 610 E. Lantrip Street, Kilgore, TX 75662
• 2501 South WS Young Drive, Killeen, TX 76541
• 207 A Hwy 183 North, Leander, TX 78641
• 1288 W. Main Street, Lewisville, TX 75067
• 508 E. Loop 281, Longview, TX 75605
• 300 S. Chestnut, Lufkin, TX 75901
• 1809 US Hwy 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654
• 2500 North Street, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
• 2102 Crockett Road, Palestine, TX 75801
• 147 N. Collegiate Drive, Paris, TX 75460
• 1827 Texoma Parkway, Sherman, TX 75090
• 406 S. Southwest Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75702
• 915 Hillcrest Drive, Vernon, TX 76384
• 3117 Kemp Blvd., Wichita Falls, TX 76308

November is the start of the end of the year. It is a time when we are reminded to slow down and say Thank You. It is a time to start planning for the holidays and looking forward to spending time with family and friends. It is also a time that can be financially stressful.

Stress can be eliminated when we plan ahead. Rushing around at the last minute can cause anxiety, fewer options, and paying more. Knowing what’s ahead and planning for it are important. Here are some important dates to be mindful of.

• Thanksgiving – November 25
• Black Friday – November 26
• Small Business Saturday – November 27
• Cyber Monday – November 29

Start buying items for your Thanksgiving Dinner ahead. Making small purchased each week will eliminate the stress of one big bill the week when you already have to manage a lot of moving parts.

When you have a little extra money, the goal is to keep it and have your money make more money. So, how can you do it, even with only a few extra dollars? You don’t have to be a real estate mogul or business tycoon to get your money earning money for you. You can invest like a pro today.

Here are 3 money moves you can make right now.

1. Swipe - Check your credit, debit and prepaid cards. Some offer great incentives and even cash back. You are making everyday purchases anyway, so why not get a little extra in return. The Aspiration Debit Card gives you up to 10% back every time you swipe. Some apps like Acrons, reward you for shopping at certain retailers. And the Stash card invests the cash you earn in stocks or invests you choose. You could be earning money without changing your spending habits.
2. Own Real Estate. Most of us want to have some type of passive income and we commonly see real estate as the best way to achieve this but we often see real estate investments as unattainable. Not anymore You can own a piece of property with as little as $500. Check out DiversyFund and they will invest in private real estate like apartment buildings and you don’t have to repaid a single clogged toilet.
3. Own Companies. You can own some of the best stocks for as little as $1. On top of own shares or partial shares of the companies you choose, some even pay dividends so you can earn more money. Apps like Stash are a great place to start. Building your financial future takes time but you have to start. Stash also offers bonuses when you sign up so you can invest even more.

Making small money moves like these can help you find financial freedom and build your emergency fund. Slow and steady wins the race.

More than half of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck according to a recent study regardless of income level. The definition of living paycheck-to-paycheck means that an individual would not be able to meet their financial obligations if they became unemployed. 25% of Americans don’t have an emergency fund at all. 40% of Americans don’t have $1,000 available for emergencies and 51% don’t have enough savings to cover expenses for more than a month.

These stats are really important. It shows how expensive everyday living expenses can be and how stressful it is to make ends meet week-to-week, paycheck-to-paycheck and month-to-month. Add unexpected bills, trips to the store, car or home repairs or a true emergency and it’s easy to fall behind.

Here are a few ways you can get started if you are starting from zero or don’t have an emergency fund.

It’s back-to-school season and we all know that back-to-school shopping can be expensive. Everything seems to be more expensive right now. So we’ve put together some money saving tips that can help you stretch your dollars and, hopefully, take some of the stress out of back-to-school for you and your kiddos.

1. Take inventory of what you already have at home. Go through your drawers, closets, last year’s backpacks, craft bins, garage, etc. You may have a lot of what you need already and it may be in great condition.
2. Don’t buy everything all at once. Spread out the expenses by starting early and making purchases as you go. Students really don’t need everything on the first day.
3. Buy in bulk with family, friends, neighbors and school mates. Buying in bulk can save a lot of money.
4. Seek out sales and compare prices on clothes, electronics, school supplies, sneakers, etc.
5. Wait and plan. Texas has tax free days. Labor is full of sales. Look online for deals. Write down everything you think you need and plan your budget so when the right deal happens, you are ready to buy.
6. Host a back-to-school swap. Form a group then meet up or post on social media what you have available. Trade or pay it forward within your community.
7. Look for back-to-school drives in your community. Many organizations host back-to-school drives where you can pick up school supply necessities for free.
8. Make it a family affair. Working together shows your kids that this moment is important.

If you need a little extra cash for your back-to-school shopping, visit a friendly CashMax store near you. We love our clients and love meeting new customers.

1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
3. CashMax has 38 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

• 1414 E. Tyler Street, Athens, TX 75751
• 635 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, TX 76010
• 12209 Lake June Road, Balch Springs, TX 75180
• 4105 State Hwy 121, Bedford, TX 76021
• 2019 N. Center Street, Bonham, TX 75418
• 1420 S. Bridge Street, Brady, TX 76825
• 551 W. Commerce Street, Brownwood, TX 76801
• 750 Hurst Street, Center, TX 75935
• 1907 Ave. F NW, Childress, TX 79201
• 617 W. Henderson Street, Cleburne, TX 76033
• 2001 Texas Avenue, College Station, TX 77840
• 2127 East Highway 190, Copperas Cove, TX 76522
• 5200 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75209
• 1845 South FM 51, Decatur, TX 76234
• 411 W. University, Denton, TX 76201
• 615 E. Camp Wisdom Road, Duncanville, TX 75116
• 308 E. Ennis Ave., Ennis, TX 75119
• 5732 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107
• 2516 NE 28th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76106
• 1714 N. Culberson Street, Gainsville, TX 76240
• 3354 Broadway Blvd., Garland, TX 75043
• 2115 State Highway 16 South, Graham, TX 76450
• 928 N. Belt Line Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75050
• 1319 S. Jackson Street, Jacksonville, TX 75766
• 610 E. Lantrip Street, Kilgore, TX 75662
• 2501 South WS Young Drive, Killeen, TX 76541
• 207 A Hwy 183 North, Leander, TX 78641
• 1288 W. Main Street, Lewisville, TX 75067
• 508 E. Loop 281, Longview, TX 75605
• 300 S. Chestnut, Lufkin, TX 75901
• 1809 US Hwy 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654
• 2500 North Street, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
• 2102 Crockett Road, Palestine, TX 75801
• 147 N. Collegiate Drive, Paris, TX 75460
• 1827 Texoma Parkway, Sherman, TX 75090
• 406 S. Southwest Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75702
• 915 Hillcrest Drive, Vernon, TX 76384
• 3117 Kemp Blvd., Wichita Falls, TX 76308

We’re headed into spring. Time for taxes, spring break and spring cleaning.

We’ve put together 10 ways to save money or be more efficient this spring:

1. Change your air filter
2. Your hot water heater is running all the time. Install a timer and set it to heat water when you need it most.
3. Get better gas mileage when you change the cabin filter in your car.
4. Clear out the attic, garage and closets. You could be sitting on piles of cash and didn’t even know it. Repurpose that old furniture and turn it into a few extra dollars.
5. It’s been a hard winter so replace weather stripping around doors and windows.
6. Check the air pressure on your car which can save money in the short-run with better gas mileage and in the long-run with longer tire life.
7. Add some insulation to keep improve the performance of your HVAC system.
8. Save a few bucks by growing your own vegetables. It can be healthier too.
9. Replace light bulbs with Energy Star-rated products and LED light bulbs.
10. If you need to purchase items for your home, check social marketplaces like Facebook, eBay, 5 Miles, and consignment stores.

If you need a little extra cash between paychecks or a bridge before you receive your tax return, visit a friendly CashMax store near you. We love our clients and love meeting new customers.

1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
3. CashMax has 38 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

• 1414 E. Tyler Street, Athens, TX 75751
• 635 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, TX 76010
• 12209 Lake June Road, Balch Springs, TX 75180
• 4105 State Hwy 121, Bedford, TX 76021
• 2019 N. Center Street, Bonham, TX 75418
• 1420 S. Bridge Street, Brady, TX 76825
• 551 W. Commerce Street, Brownwood, TX 76801
• 750 Hurst Street, Center, TX 75935
• 1907 Ave. F NW, Childress, TX 79201
• 617 W. Henderson Street, Cleburne, TX 76033
• 2001 Texas Avenue, College Station, TX 77840
• 2127 East Highway 190, Copperas Cove, TX 76522
• 5200 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75209
• 1845 South FM 51, Decatur, TX 76234
• 411 W. University, Denton, TX 76201
• 615 E. Camp Wisdom Road, Duncanville, TX 75116
• 308 E. Ennis Ave., Ennis, TX 75119
• 5732 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107
• 2516 NE 28th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76106
• 1714 N. Culberson Street, Gainsville, TX 76240
• 3354 Broadway Blvd., Garland, TX 75043
• 2115 State Highway 16 South, Graham, TX 76450
• 928 N. Belt Line Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75050
• 1319 S. Jackson Street, Jacksonville, TX 75766
• 610 E. Lantrip Street, Kilgore, TX 75662
• 2501 South WS Young Drive, Killeen, TX 76541
• 207 A Hwy 183 North, Leander, TX 78641
• 1288 W. Main Street, Lewisville, TX 75067
• 508 E. Loop 281, Longview, TX 75605
• 300 S. Chestnut, Lufkin, TX 75901
• 1809 US Hwy 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654
• 2500 North Street, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
• 2102 Crockett Road, Palestine, TX 75801
• 147 N. Collegiate Drive, Paris, TX 75460
• 1827 Texoma Parkway, Sherman, TX 75090
• 406 S. Southwest Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75702
• 915 Hillcrest Drive, Vernon, TX 76384
• 3117 Kemp Blvd., Wichita Falls, TX 76308

Dang, it’s cold. So, like the summer months when we’re cooling things down in our houses in Texas, we’ve been heating them like crazy this month. This means our utility bills will be higher this month. More electricity, more gas, more hot water equals more money.

We’ve found a great energy hack. It’s called Energy Ogre. Basically, for $10 a month, Energy Ogre searches for the best deals for you. Energy Ogre states they save members an average of 40% within their first year. Texans spend an average of $1,542 per year on their electric utility. Using Energy Ogre, could save over $600.

Why pay retail energy costs when you can buy it wholesale. Try this code when you sign up: https://eog.re/r/11SFG.

February is an important month. It’s Black History Month and the month of Love. It’s also the month when most New Year’s Resolution fail and when you should have all of your tax information.

Take a few moments to review your New Year’s Resolutions and recommit to achieving them. You are not behind so consider February a fresh start. Renew your motivation to exercise and eat healthy, spend time with family and friends, and, of course, stick to your financial plan.

February is also the month to get prepared for filing your taxes. Gather your tax documents from 2020. Most of us have received W2 or 1099 forms. Get ready to file so you can get your tax return as quickly as possible.

Creating a budget is not hard. It is stressful. Being disciplined with your budget is hard. It’s even harder when the numbers and your demands just don’t add up.

There is an easy method for building and staying on budget. Try this framework:

50 / 30 / 20 or Need / Want / Save

Time for a fresh start. Let’s put 2020 behind us and get motivated for 2021. A lot of people start the year by making New Year’s Resolutions. And most of these resolutions fail by Valentine’s Day. It takes approximately 66 days to change habits and make them automatic but most of the new habits we are trying to create have fail before we hit day 42.

How can we shift this?

The first step and most important factor is lifestyle. Most of our New Year’s Resolutions have to do with changing our habits – Fitness, Health, Finances, Organization, Learn. In order to achieve our goals for the new year, we have to change our lifestyle, which allows space for these new habits.