Managing Finances if You Have an Irregular Income

You may have faced weeks and months when it was difficult to make ends meet. With a little planning and some discipline, you can take the guesswork out of paying bills on time and saving for the future.

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Direct Deposit, a Smart and Easy Way to Protect Your Paycheck

Direct deposit—or the electronic transfer of your paycheck from your employer directly into your personal checking or savings account—is a smart idea for several reasons.

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Working an Emergency Fund into Your Budget

When planning your monthly budget, it may seem difficult just to make ends meet, let alone save for emergencies. But life is full of unexpected surprises that can leave you stranded financially.

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Setting Smart Financial Goals

When taking control of your finances, it’s helpful to set financial goals to keep you on track and build your confidence. Goals that are S.M.A.R.T.—specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely—lead to greater success.

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The Difference Between Your Credit Score and Your Credit Report

Part of being financially savvy is knowing the difference between a credit report and your credit score. They are related, but it can be easy to confuse the two, their purpose and their effects on your financial health and goals.

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Creating (and Sticking to) a Budget for Financial Health

A budget is a smart and easy step toward financial health regardless of where you work or what you earn. Here's how to do it.

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Conquer the Budget Beast with Planning and Rewards

It may seem overwhelming, but with a bit of planning, you can achieve your financial goals. The first step in having extra money to put toward your goals is taking control of what you spend on a daily basis.

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How to Budget While Looking for a Job

In today’s challenging job market, looking for work can take a hit on more than your morale. Keeping up with your bills and basic living expenses without a steady stream of income can lead you to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to make ends meet. Fortunately, whether you’ve lost your job or are having a hard time getting your foot in door for the first time, there are steps you can take to manage your finances without incurring large amounts of debt and stress.

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Manage Your Bills by Claiming Public Benefits

According to the Urban Institute, 25 percent of American households do not claim benefits for which they are eligible. In tough economic times, many of us can greatly benefit from public benefits. Whether you are looking to pay your medical bills, increase take-home pay, afford reliable transportation, or earn education credentials, public benefits can help you cover the basic needs for you and your family.

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Smart Money-Saving Tips for College Graduates

For recent college graduates, May can be a time of both excitement and dread. Enthusiasm over building a new career can be tempered by the reality of paying off student loans and handling the never-ending bills. Creating a financial plan can help new graduates manage the stress associated with managing money. Whether you've recently received your diploma or know someone who has, there are many resources available to help individuals start the new chapter of their lives on the right financial foot.

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Money-Saving Tips for a Rainy Day

Saving for a rainy day is conventional wisdom that is too often ignored. In these times of uncertainty, having funds to tide a family over during a period of joblessness is more important than ever. With the right strategies, you can begin to put money aside before the storm clouds start to appear.

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Tax Time Tips to File Your Return and Get the Greatest Refund

It’s that time of year again – March is upon us and the IRS April 18 deadline to file your tax return is only five weeks away. It's time to gather up all your documents, complete your paperwork and make the most of your tax refund this year. Goodwill offers some timely tips to make the filing process easier and ensure you get all the money back you deserve this tax season.

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