Before you make any big financial moves, wait! Did you know that there are many opportunities for financial help for veterans? Whether you're applying for a home loan or entering college, you might be surprised to learn just how many benefits you can explore as someone who has served our country. In this guide, we'll walk you through some of the most important benefits - and where you can go to research other financial opportunities for the future!

Researching Veteran Benefits

Did you know that nearly 60 percent of veterans don't know what benefits they have earned? While anyone can get quick financial help with resources like cash advances and loans, veterans are entitled to many unique benefits that are worth investigating. Luckily, it's easy to find the financial help that you deserve. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs provides a comprehensive list of veteran benefits, from loans to medical assistance, so you can find the information that you need quickly. This website is a great place to conduct research, while also learning everything you need to apply for each application. Not only can you find information for yourself, but the website also includes a section on how to help homeless veterans in need.

Taxes

Veterans may be eligible for a number of tax benefits that you might not expect, so a little research may pay off in a big way.

While managing finances as an individual can be challenging enough, adding another person into the mix can make things even more confusing. However, combining finances after marriage has plenty of advantages if you think strategically. Communication and planning are key measures to ensuring a solid financial future for both of you, and the first step is to do your research. Check out our guide below, and learn how to combine your finances in a way that works well for both of you.

Pros and Cons

Combining finances after marriage can be complicated. Instead of dealing with one set of investments and debts, now you have two sets to handle. This can be a good and bad thing. If one partner has a great deal of credit card debt, for example, the responsibility is now on both partners in the relationship. However, merging assets can also be a benefit. Maybe one partner is a perpetual saver and the other is a pro at managing credit. You can figure out ways to use each others' strengths in a way that lifts you both up.

When to Start Planning

If you're in the middle of planning your wedding, financial planning may not be on the forefront of your mind. But, many couples start the process long before the big day. It's important to sit down to talk about financial concerns - especially for engaged, married, and cohabiting couples. The more you know about your money situation, the better off you'll be.

Auto expenses make up a huge percent of your annual budget. In fact, some experts estimate that car costs take up 15 percent of the average American's yearly spending! That's why it's so crucial to learn the best practices for cutting car costs. Between maintenance fees and gas prices, you can really save a bundle if you know how to scrimp!

Efficient Driving

Do you know how to get the most out of every drop of that fuel tank? Improving your driving efficiency can have a big impact on your fuel economy over time. Try a few of these mileage-boosting tips:

• The lighter your car, the better your fuel economy. Streamline your vehicle by cleaning up the trunk and cabin.
• Change your oil regularly to ensure that your engine works at peak efficiency.
• Keep your tires inflated to the right pressure, so your car doesn't have to work as hard during the commute.
• Roll your windows up on the highway to cut down on drag, but feel free to roll down the window and turn off the air conditioner to save fuel in the city.

Insurance

When was the last time you shopped around for car insurance? You may find that your needs have changed over time. If you've downgraded your luxury vehicle to an older sedan, do you still need the most expensive collision insurance? Speak with your agent about your options. Also, many insurers offer discounts periodically. Don't miss out on a chance to save some cash!

Whether applying for a mortgage or securing that dream car, it's critical to know your credit score to stay on top of your finances. But when you get that consumer credit report in your hands, how do you decipher all of the charts and graphs in a way that you can actually use? In this guide, we'll explain how to read a credit report and how to interpret your results. This knowledge can help you correct any errors you encounter and build your credit for the future. Let's get started!

What is a Credit Report?

A credit report is a summary of your debt payment history over time, including everything from loans to credit card debt. This document is most commonly used by potential lenders as a way to assess your financial standing, so they can determine whether or not you are a strong candidate for assistance. When you apply for a credit card or a mortgage, your overall credit score can determine the success or failure of your application package. Your credit report can also influence your interest rate, as candidates with higher credit scores tend to get the better deals.

Why Should I Check my Credit Report?

Checking your credit report may seem intimidating, but it's actually a very important task. When you check your credit score annually, you can spot errors and dispute them before they affect your credit score. This includes issues ranging from fraudulent charges to identity theft. Plus, you can get a better sense of your finances in the present. If that credit card debt or loan is crashing your credit score, it's better to know as soon as possible. The faster you can resolve these issues, the better your financial future will be.

Are you opening your first bank account or changing banks because you’re moving or dissatisfied with your service? Do the different financial institutions and products seem confusing and overwhelming? We’ll break down how to choose a bank that will be best for your situation, so you can evaluate all your options and make the best choice for you. Have no fear, it’s not as hard as it looks!

Bank or Credit Union?

Commercial banks are for-profit institutions that offer services that will maximize profits for shareholders. Online banks are similar, but they have fewer physical locations, employees, and capital expenses, so they’re able to keep their costs and customer fees down. Credit unions are nonprofit organizations owned by their members, so they are sometimes able to offer cost advantages as a result.

Banking Products

Basic products include checking accounts and interest-bearing savings accounts. A checking account allows you to get cash, write checks, and pay with a debit card, and it can accept physical deposits and direct deposits. Savings accounts are designed for deposits, and are less accessible for withdrawing money. Key distinctions include:

Having a baby puts you on the hook for years of expenses, but the good news is that several new baby tax breaks are coming your way! Be sure to explore everything that’s available to you and take advantage of whatever you can. Here’s the lowdown:

Child Tax Credit

You’ll receive a $1,000 child tax credit the year your baby is born, and you’re eligible for this credit every year until the child turns 17. The credit is subject to income restrictions, and it starts phasing out at $72,250 for single and head of household filers and $110,000 for joint filers.

Child Care Credit

The IRS offers a child care credit to help offset the expenses, and it ranges from $600 to $1,050. In order to qualify, you must pay for child care in order to work and earn taxable income. If you’re paying for more than one child under 13, the credit doubles to between $1,200 and $2,100. What you’ll have to pay is based on your income and how much your child care costs, but you can claim up to $3,000 in child care expenses for one child and $6,000 for two or more.

Getting divorced is very expensive, and it has a ripple effect on your finances that can last a long, long time. The cost of divorce includes everything from the actual filing of paperwork and attorney fees to the way assets are divided. The more amicable you can keep the proceedings, the less it will cost you.

The Cheapest Option

If you represent yourself in your divorce, you’re responsible for filing all the legal forms and pay for only the filing fees and court costs. You can do this when the divorce is uncontested, and both spouses are willing to settle. This is called pro se litigation divorce, and as long as you and your spouse agree on the specifics ahead of time, it’s just a matter of the judge signing the documents. This method is the simplest and cheapest way to handle a divorce.

Use a Mediator

If you’re not comfortable representing yourself or have disagreements to iron out, mediation is a good option. As an objective third party, the mediator can help negotiate your issues and reach a settlement that’s agreeable to both of you. Mediation is not nearly as expensive as hiring attorneys, and it’s a good way for couples to iron out problems fairly and without a long, protracted court battle.

Credit terminology can seem confusing. Super-prime. Prime. What is prime credit anyway? As you might be able to guess by its name, prime credit is a good thing, and it’s a goal to shoot for when it comes to establishing and maintaining your credit score. Educate yourself on prime credit, so you’re ready to take advantage of the right borrowing opportunities.

Definition of Prime Credit

Simply put, prime credit means your credit score falls within a range that’s attractive to lenders and creditors. They want to lend to borrowers with prime credit because they can be reasonably sure you’re going to pay it back. While it’s not as high of a category as super prime, people with prime credit are low-risk. Each credit bureau has its own definition of prime credit, which can range from as low as 150 and as high as 950, and includes the very high-end super-prime category.

Prime Credit Ratings

• Equifax 280-850
• Experian 330-830
• TransUnion 150-950

Benefits of Having Prime Credit

Because of the reduced risk that comes from lending to people with better credit, credit card companies and other lenders offer some of their most competitive interest rates and terms when you have a prime credit rating. Now, borrowers with super-prime credit will still pay a lower interest rate because they’re an even lower risk, but a prime credit rating will allow you to access loans and lines of credit, even in a more competitive market.

Moving is the worst, right? And it’s not cheap, either. If you’re planning to move soon, check out these tips for how to lower moving costs. Moving is a hassle, but at least you can save some money in the process!

Get Organized

Start with a super-organized game plan. Assign tasks to dates and allow reasonable time to get stuff done. This makes moving less stressful and helps keep your expenses low. Plan ahead of time for cash flow, and find resources for getting cash if you need it.

Don’t Move When Everyone Else Does

Schedule a move date during a non-peak period if you can. Everyone moves on the first and last days of the month and in the summer. Weekends and holidays are popular, too, so try do move mid-week if possible. These strategies will help you avoid paying premium rates.

If you do freelance work, you already know that being self-employed gives you incredible flexibility and freedom, but you’ve got to operate like a well-oiled machine if you want to be successful. You’re running your own business, so use these cost-cutting tips to keep expenses low and your profits healthy.

Free is Key

The beauty of freelancing is that you don’t need an office. Working from home, the coffee shop, the park, or the library - they’re all options for you. Find free wi-fi and a good cell, and you’re all set. Every dollar that goes out is one less dollar that stays in your pocket as profit. This is the mindset you need to have all the time when you work for yourself.

Start Tracking

Unless you’re a freelance accountant, you probably try to spend as little time on financials as possible. But this is the lifeblood of your business, so you need a system that will help you track expenses, invoicing, and receivables. It’s easy to waste money, especially if it’s going out in small amounts. Get a grip on how much you really spend, and it’ll be easy to identify costs that aren’t worth it.