Articles By:

Lynnette Walczak

With input from Financial Advisors, (a Tax Accountant and an Investment Manager), I share helpful tips regarding money and finances -- including debt relief, insurance, budgeting, and investing for retirement. My goal is to help you save more, spend less, and invest for the future by sharing honest, tried & true budgeting tips and tools. When I'm not saving for the future and helping others save for theirs, you can find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

Thinking About Donating To Charity?… Don’t Almost Give

The following commercials were produced by the Ad Council. It's part of their 'Don't Almost Give' campaign. The story behind the ads is quite interesting, too.

WARNING: Here’s Why You Should Never Use A Debit Card To Pay At The Pump!

Debit card blocking is where gas stations, rental car agencies, hotels, and others 'put a hold on' a big chunk of your money if you use a debit card to pay for gas, reserve a rental car, hotel room, etc. In effect, they're 'freezing' your account, or billing your account for an amount that's very likely more than you intended to pay for that service. They say it's for their protection...

Top 4 Benefits Of Taking A Gap Year Before College – See How It Could Change Your Life

Taking a year off before college is becoming popular in the U.S. but parents don't always understand. Here are 4 ways students benefit by taking a gap year.

Reverse Mortgage In Retirement: Some Tips Before You Use A Reverse Mortgage To Supplement Your Retirement Income

See how to use SOME of the equity in your home to supplement your retirement income. How reverse mortgage works and gets repaid + How much home equity you'll retain.

Should You Buy Supplemental Health Insurance? Is Medical Gap Insurance Really Worth It?

Healthcare costs are going up. What if you can't afford the deductible or monthly premium? Medical gap insurance (or supplemental health insurance) helps with that!

MyRA Is A Simple (Free!) Way To Start A Retirement Account… And You’re Guaranteed Not To Lose Money!

Just getting started in the workforce? Don't make a lot of income? Opening a MyRA is a safe & smart way to start a retirement account on your own!

5 Reasons To Avoid A Payday Loan + 7 Less Expensive Ways To Get A Cash Advance

A payday loan is a short-term high-interest loan. Fees are high if you don't repay the loan on the day of your next paycheck.7 better ways to get cash fast.

Dealing With Debt Collectors? Know Your Rights! 3 Ways To Handle Stressful Situations With Collection Agents

Have debt collectors have been contacting you? Not sure what to do? These 3 tips will get you out of stressful situations when dealing with debt collectors.

Closing Credit Cards: How To Cancel A Credit Card Without Hurting Your Credit

If you're closing a credit card, make sure you follow these steps or your credit rating could be affected. Here's how to cancel a credit card properly.

7 Inspiring Personal Finance Books That You Won’t Find In The Personal Finance Section

These weren't written as personal finance books, but they contain a wealth of information & tips that are unique, motivational, and extremely helpful with personal finance matters.

Before Buying A New Car, Here Are Some Important Things To Consider…

We are buying a new car. I did some research first & I'm sharing the info here, with the hope that it may be helpful to others who are buying a new or used vehicle.

Which Tax Papers To Keep + Tips For Organizing 7 Years Of Support Documentation For Your Taxes

Each year around tax time, I go through our personal receipts, bank statements, household utilities & medical bills/receipts to stay organized. Time-saving tips I use

Unemployed? 5 Tips To Deal With Debt & Manage Your Finances

Being unemployed comes with a lot of uncertainties, but it doesn't mean you can’t keep a handle your finances during this time. 5 ways to stay on top of your finances when you're unemployed... with debt.

Debt Relief Scams: Warning Signs & What To Look For

Debt relief ads are everywhere. However, debt relief scams are everywhere too. Here's what you should look for in order to avoid falling prey to a scam.

Quiz: How To Tell If Your Auto Insurance Premiums Are Too High

See if you're paying too much for auto insurance and how to make your payments even lower! This quiz will help you lower your auto insurance premiums & save money.

Flexible Spending Account 101: Tax-Free Health Care

If you have consistent, predictable, medical expenses that are already a part of your monthly budget, you can save money by NOT paying tax those medical expenses. By taking advantage of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you get tax-free health care!

Check Out Our Fun Money Facebook & Twitter Pages!

Get fun frugal tips you can use every day! Lots of freebies, bargains & thrifty shopping tips. Plus, budgeting ideas to help reduce debt on our fun money Facebook and Twitter pages!

How To Get A Lower Credit Card Rate… Immediately!

Tired of paying high interest rates on your credit cards? Getting a lower credit card rate is not as hard as you might think. You just need to know what to say! Here are lots of great phone scripts that have been proven to get lower credit card rates.