Frequently Asked Questions: Our answers to your #1 Money Questions

The reality of estate planning is that when you own anything of value, you have an estate and it’s important to have a plan in place for it after you pass on.

Did you know that the average American family spends $460 more per month to maintain the same standard of living as they did before high inflation? This increase may be even higher in Utah, where inflation is well above the national average.

With inflation at an all-time high, we are all feeling the effects of rising prices all around us. Our extension finance experts have come together and compiled our top 5 tips and resources to help you combat the rising prices.

According to a survey by slickdeals.net the average U.S. consumer spends about $5,400 a year ($450/month) on unplanned purchases! Think about ways even a portion of that money can help you reach your financial goals.

Some households feel they don’t have the financial capability to pay for college expenses for their children. This may be especially true if there are multiple children in your family or if you live on a limited income.

If you are wondering how to determine appropriate amounts to budget for food, gas, bills, and savings, use these steps to guide you.

There are so many questions about life insurance. When do you need it? How much do you need? Where should you purchase it? Read here for answers.

There are several options to consider for short-term investing, but be sure to weigh the pros and cons for each option.

It takes time and effort to stick to financial goals, but the key is not to give up. Read our tips for staying motivated and on track with your financial goals and budget.

A strong foundation of communication can prevent the negative consequences of financial disagreements. How can newlyweds establish this strong foundation from the beginning?

Many people feel pressured to overspend during the holidays. Here are some key questions to ask yourself and some expert tips to implement.

When used responsibly, these rewards can be a great tool to reduce costs on some of your big-ticket items. For example, if you like to travel, using a credit card for your regular every day purchases can save you money on an airplane ticket later on.

Saving for retirement can feel a little less intimidating when you are informed and have clear savings goals. Understanding different types of retirement plans and how they best align best with your savings and retirement goals will set you up for having

It’s easy to justify holiday spending as being generous, but without planning a realistic budget, holiday spending can quickly make ringing in the New Year financially stressful. The key to reducing stress is planning ahead

Budgeting with a varying income is possible! Continue reading for some basics that can help make it a little more manageable.

If you have ever felt guilt around the way you spend or save money, you are not alone. There are definitely some things you can do to have a better relationship with money and to not let it have such a strong hold on your emotional well-being.

Many families in the United States find themselves in a position of transitioning from two incomes to one. Regardless of the reason behind a family going through this transition, there are a variety of effects it can have on the family that need to be con...

This question does not have a straightforward answer. Every debt situation is different, and your debt management strategy will depend on your financial goals. When exactly is debt consolidation a good idea? Here are some scenarios where debt consolidatio...

A lot of people have a hard time trying to pay off debt and save money at the same time and that is usually because they don’t have a strategy on how to do that. It’s challenging if you feel like you have to choose between saving money or focusing on payi...

Do you keep dreaming about that dream vacation? Do you wonder if it is attainable? Your dream vacation can happen with a little planning and taking a realistic look at your budget.

With the way that house prices are rising in Utah, you may have found yourself in a similar situation to me – wanting to have your own place but needing to save just a little while longer so you can confidently buy a home, without wrecking your monthly bu...

There are a lot of budgeting tools, tricks and apps out there to choose from that will help you manage your finances. Unfortunately, there’s not a one-size-fits-all answer for which process is best for everyone. You will need to decide which system for ma...

Are you among the growing group of Americans who are paying rent for their home, condo or apartment long-term? Perhaps this option works well for you or maybe you are open to home ownership but have lots of questions you need answered before making such a...

Money Accountability Pal (MAP) = A person you confide in regularly about progress towards a current money goal or when making major money decisions. Your MAP is somebody who will cheer you on and support you. Someone you could check in with regularly to

One of the most common mistakes homebuyers make is looking at a home they can’t afford. Here’s a few things to consider when evaluating your financial situation in preparation for probably the biggest purchase you’ll ever make in your life:

"Date Night" doesn't have to break the bank! Here's a list of meaningful and fun date ideas that you can do at home!

if you are like many people (myself included) the idea of budgeting seems overwhelming and makes you feel anxious. It can seem impossible to lay out a budget and stick to it. However, there are some things you can do to help you build budgeting skills. I’...

If you, or someone you know, may be considering building or improving their credit score, here are a few strategies that may help.

The first thing to keep in mind when answering this question is that price is not always directly related to quality. Just because an item has a higher price doesn’t always mean it will be higher quality.

Being generous and making plans to give financially during this time of year can add additional budget overwhelm. There are a couple of ways to manage being generous during the holidays without breaking your budget.

Entering the world of home ownership is likely one of the biggest investments you will ever make. To protect your investment, consider employing a couple of safeguards that will help you save money and retain the value of your home.

One principle of learning to save money is learning to reduce costs. An easy approach, often overlooked, is to find simple ways to save on the costs associated with owning a home. This can be done by conducting a home energy audit.

The months of October through January can feel like a never-ending season of festivities – all of which involve money. You know, the trip (or two) to the corn maze, the costumes, the pumpkins, the extra candy, the gifts, the donations, the trip, the extra...

A common conundrum when managing your personal finances is figuring out how to save money without feeling so strapped. If you have ever asked yourself this question then the following tips are for you: pay yourself first, automate your savings payment, a

It’s a good idea to review your insurance each year and make sure you have adequate coverage. November is a great time to do this because if you purchase your own Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance through federal and state marketplaces, open enro...

The simple answer to this question is when you are putting your budget together you write down all of your expenses that you don’t pay each month and the amount. Add all the amounts together and divide that number by 12. This will give you the amount you

Are you wondering how much you should be saving? Or how much should you be putting towards paying off debt? We have the answer to those questions!

If you are new to budgeting it can be difficult to figure out how much to plan on spending on food. Unlike other items in our budget, the grocery budget can fluctuate greatly from month to month.

Wondering whether it’s a good time to refinance your home mortgage? If you plan to stay in your current home for more than a few years, here are the top scenarios when the cost of refinancing may be in your favor.

Money affects every facet of our lives, particularly our relationship with our partner. Marriage.com lists financial stress as the No. 2 reason for divorce among couples.