Finding Your Way Home

Figures from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) show that about 70 million people—more than a quarter of adults in the United States—either have a debt in collection or have been contacted about one.

Some of those people are wrongly contacted by debt collectors. Reasons include contacting the wrong person for the wrong amount, or for debt that can’t legally be enforced, according to the CFPB.

When it comes to saving money, every dollar counts. Whether you want to save up for a down payment or a vacation, or if you need to fatten your emergency fund, you can help meet your financial goal by evaluating your current expenses and finding simple ways to cut back. Of course, saving may also require you to make some sacrifices and prioritize your needs over wants.

To help get you started, consider these 10 cost-cutting tips from American Consumer Credit Counseling:

Being the parent of a pet is a lot like being the parent of a human—there are a lot of things to buy. But if you’re ever out of gift ideas for your pet-loving friend, a gift basket stocked with everything they could need is a great option! They and their pet are sure to thank you.

Without some basic life skills, life can be more expensive than it has to be.

While some life skills are taught by parents, and others are picked up through first-hand experience, there are plenty of worthwhile life skills that you can learn for free.

Here are a few life skills you can learn that don’t require a huge monetary investment:

The holidays are without question a very busy time for most of us. We’re running around trying to pick up last minute gifts, preparing big meals for family and friends, and breaking out the ladder to string up festive lights and decorations.

While all of these things can be enjoyable in their own way, they can also prove dangerous, as our minds are often wandering to remember if we actually remembered to turn the stove off or if we locked the house full of gifts.

Children learn by observing others around them, particularly their parents. Kids often imitate what they see adults do, whether it’s positive or negative. If you would like your children to be polite and respectful and to follow rules, demonstrate those behaviors in your own interactions with others.

Whether you and your significant other are currently engaged or just recently tied the knot, congratulations! Marriage is an exciting step for a couple.

Combining your lives also means combining your finances, so you’ll want to make sure you’re well prepared for the future together–especially since money can become a source of conflict for many married couples. Although most newlyweds focus on creating a joint savings account and budget, it’s also important to not overlook insurance.