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I grew up in a big city and have, until very recently, always lived in cities. I'd already been on the hunt for a location within commuting distance of the big city when the pandemic hit. House hunting in a new location in an increasingly hot market — as a result of the mass exodus from the big city — was like taking on another full-time job. My three-to-five-year plan now includes the lofty financial goal of buying a remote property with more land and freedom. I'm keeping in touch with my mortgage brokerLastly, I'm maintaining close ties with my phenomenal mortgage broker, the wise and wonderful Lisa Okun.

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I recently bought a used car, and I ended up getting gap coverage and an extended warranty. Gap insurance is crucialGap insurance is a type of car insurance that covers the difference between what you owe on your car loan or lease and the car's actual cash value in the event that your vehicle is totaled or stolen. So, for me, paying $1,060 extra for gap coverage and also checking to make sure my auto insurance coverage is sufficient is well worth it. If you're looking for the best car insurance, look no further. MaxCare provides coverage for unexpected vehicle repairs after the manufacturer's warranty has expired, protecting you from high out-of-pocket repair costs.

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We have also focused on using our favorite strategy to save on travel — using travel rewards credit card points to get some of it for free. While we mostly rely on airline miles to save money on travel, we also use flexible rewards points and hotel points for some aspects of our plans. My husband's birthday trip to MemphisI was able to book my husband a surprise weekend getaway for his 45th birthday this year using credit card rewards. Still, using rewards to take the sting out of what would otherwise be an expensive trip feels like a win when it makes sense. My whole travel plan also underscores something I have believed about the world of travel rewards for a long time.

Persons: Billy Strings, Rewards, Miles, Billy Organizations: Service, Delta Reserve American, Chase, Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Credit Locations: Memphis, Memphis , Tennessee, Delta, Caribbean, Indianapolis, Delta Comfort, FedExForum

I'm exploring how we could save money on these purchases by opening up a new credit card, so I asked certified financial planner Bobbi Rebell whether it's a better idea for us to open a store credit card or a rewards credit card. "Sometimes store credit cards come with 0% interest for a given period of time." The Pottery Barn credit card also works at all seven brands under the store's umbrella, including West Elm and Williams Sonoma. Rewards credit cards come with more flexibility and ongoing perksDespite the perks that store credit cards offer, Rebell says that other credit cards come with more flexibility, especially with how you can use your rewards. That's useful, especially if we need more than 12 months to pay off our credit card bills once a store credit card's 0% APR wears off.

Persons: —, we've, we're, Bobbi Rebell, Rebell, We've Organizations: Service, Business, Elm Locations: Williams Sonoma

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. So when your little sleuth asks, "Are we rich?" in particular, Lieber writes that the question can lead to discussions on possessions, wealth, and what it actually means to be "rich." One mom and sociology professor whose story is recounted in "The Opposite of Spoiled" took a straightforward approach when her third-grade son asked if his family was rich. She continued in a 2017 interview with Business Insider: "If they say, 'Are we rich?'

Persons: —, Ron Lieber's, Lieber, Beth Kobliner Organizations: Service, Business, New York Times, PTA

I grew up working class and learned good work ethic from my parents. The novelty of cap erasers and Airheads from the school store wore off fast, and money didn't have much luster. In our part of Wisconsin, with its German roots and farm families, work ethic is our moral code. What 'good work ethic' means for your financesBecause it's in my DNA, I can't help but see a strong work ethic as a virtue. What I wish I'd learned about money earlierI'll always be grateful for the work ethic I learned from my parents ... and I wish I'd gotten the nuances of money a bit earlier in life.

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As a frequent traveler, I get a lot of value out of reaching elite status with Delta. Maximizing my points and miles with my travel credit card means I can travel more. You can earn $1 MQD per $1 spent on Delta flights, but you can earn more with a Delta credit card. Rewards Credit Cards The best rewards credit cards can be a great way to earn cash back or travel rewards on your everyday purchases. Popular cards include the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.

Persons: —, we're, I've, Felipe Carrillo Organizations: Delta, Service, Diamond, Delta Medallion, American Express, Delta Sky Club, Delta Reserve, Chase, Bank of America, Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport Locations: Tulum, New Zealand, Delta, New York, Hawaii, Yucatan

Racking up a balance on your old credit cardA popular way to manage debt is to transfer the balance on an existing credit card to a balance transfer credit card with a low or 0% APR. Being unaware of the balance transfer feesMany people fail to consider the balance transfer fees when getting a balance transfer card. Balance Transfer Credit CardsThe best balance transfer credit cards can help you take control of your debt. Conversely, when you open a balance transfer credit card, your total credit limit will increase, lowering your credit utilization ratio. Neglecting to shop around for the best offerPeople with credit card debt will sometimes jump on the first credit card balance transfer offer they get.

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See how we rate personal loans to write unbiased product reviews. One way my husband did that was by consolidating his loans to get out of debt. Back then, I had a decent credit score and about $18,000 in student loans, and he had a poor credit score and about the same amount in consumer debt and car debt. Here's what we did to tackle Marshall's credit score and debt ratio before officially tying the knot in January 2021 and eventually buying a home. It turned out a few inaccuracies were holding back his credit score, and he was able to get them deleted with just a phone call.

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Getting stuck in New York"My heart stopped," says Jeremy, who messaged Faye Travel Insurance while on board. Their travel insurance company arranged a weddingBut their insurance company offered another solution. Get Travel Insurance Quotes Online Protect your trip with the best travel insurance. "This was an extraordinary situation that we addressed with extraordinary measures," says Faye Travel Insurance CEO Elad Schaffer. Jeremy has previously worked in the insurance industry, but this was the first time the couple purchased travel insurance.

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It's never too early to start thinking about saving for college, and a 529 plan can help with that. A 529 plan is great for saving on taxes, but its lack of flexibility makes it less valuable to me. She's had a 529 plan since she was only a few weeks old. Your contributions can grow tax-free in a 529 plan. This is a fantastic benefit that can give families the ability to diversify the taxability of accounts for a 529 plan beneficiary in the future.

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I had been saving to buy a house, but prices in Southern California have made that unlikely. I decided to stop focusing on trying to buy a house, which means I can put more toward retirement. I'm okay knowing I might be renting for life, as it means I can streamline my finances. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Retirement Planning The best robo advisors can help you start your retirement planning journey.

Persons: —, I've, I'm, homeownership, Roth, it's, There's Organizations: Service, realtors, SoFi Locations: Southern California, Los Angeles

Fortunately, we like to earn American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points. I also transferred Chase points to Hyatt and redeemed them for one night in a hotel in the city. Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use itCheck mark icon A check mark. $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Another Southwest flight home to Denver, also courtesy of credit card rewards, and our anniversary spectacular was complete.

Persons: —, Chase, Chase Travel ℠, Hilton, It's, we're Organizations: Service, Business, American, American Express, ANA Airlines of, Polish Airlines, Chase, Southwest Airlines, LaGuardia, Hyatt, Chase Travel, Sapphire, Chase Sapphire, TSA, FDIC, Hilton Lost Property, Hilton Honors Business, Hilton, Eurostar, ANA, Southwest Locations: London, Paris, Normandy, ANA Airlines of Japan, Newark, New York, JFK, Warsaw, Denver, Central Park, Paul's, New York City

My wife and I just got married, but we've been open about our finances our whole relationship. For some expenses like retirement planning, keeping our finances separate makes sense. That means we're able to work toward our financial goals of finding our forever home, paying off any student loan debt, and allocating funds for things we love, like vacations and dinners at our favorite restaurants. We're planning our retirements separatelyAlthough we are a couple, we keep some aspects of our finances separate. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors that serve your area in minutes.

Persons: we've, —, Roth, it's, we're, doesn't Organizations: Service, Urban Outfitters

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. This week, a reader's dad died and left all his money to one sibling. Dear For Love & Money,My dad died almost two years ago and left my younger brother and me here. I know my dad caused this situation, but my brother doesn't have to handle it like that. Maybe your dad felt bad for your brother because he always secretly felt you had more promise.

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I'm a high school teacher, and I see parents spend way too much on school supplies all the time. Many states have tax-free weekends, and many stores schedule school supply sales for those weekends. As a high school teacher, I often see families overspending and wasting money. Have your school supply list handy as soon as it's released, and pick up the items on sale when you find them. Check with your school for support programsIf money is tight (and even if it's not), check with your school and community to see if there are support programs for school supplies.

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See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews. I grew up in poverty, but as I started my financial journey, I benefited from cash-back credit cards. While travel rewards cards may offer better overall rewards, cash-back cards make small splurges easy. Many cash-back cards come with a sign-up bonus as well — often up to $200 extra. Business Insider's pick for the best cash-back credit card for everyday use is the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

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I'm a financial planner with several easy steps you can take now that will set you up for financial success. These funds should be placed in an easily accessible FDIC-insured high-yield savings account. Park your cash in a high-yield savings accountA common financial mistake people in their 20s make is letting their savings sit in a low-yield checking or savings account. Keep in mind that online banks offer most high-yield savings accounts, so you won't have access to a physical branch. Many online high-yield savings accounts, like Discover, allow you to manage multiple savings accounts under one login, making this strategy even more convenient.

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For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. With the right travel rewards credit card, you can earn points that can go towards your next big trip. If you pay off bills with a portion of your inheritance, use your travel card to do it and earn those sign-on bonuses. Then, once you've reached your destination, use your card for all your purchases and allow your travel now to pay for your travel later.

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We decided on a destination wedding, and my credit card helped make it affordable. We earned lots of points and miles, and it offered useful perks on our flight to Oahu. We decided to get married in OahuWhen our vision for the wedding started to crystallize, we decided on a destination wedding in Oahu. After looking at a few options, we decided to use our Alaska Airlines credit card. We also earned thousands of miles on wedding purchases like the hotel and transportation.

Persons: —, we're, we'd, Read Organizations: Service, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Airlines cardholders Locations: Oahu, Seattle, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Austin, Chicago, Manhattan

I want to retire early, so I asked a financial planner what mistakes I should watch out for. In an effort to get on track, I chatted with certified public accountant and certified financial planner Ryan Nelson about the most common mistakes people make when they attempt to retire early. He advised people to proactively calculate the cost of health insurance during early retirement before reaching Medicare age, which is currently 65. "Look into private marketplace options, whether individual health insurance plans, health sharing ministries, or short-term health insurance plans to see how much these could cost." Not maximizing health savings account contributionsFor those planning to retire early, Nelson also recommend that they maximize their health savings account contributions.

Persons: —, Ryan Nelson, Nelson, Roth, I've Organizations: Service, Roth IRA, IRA

Hopscotching around the East Coast on credit card rewardsMy oldest daughter shares my passion for all things related to aviation and space, and she would love to have a career in the aerospace industry. We easily earn these points from personal cards like our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and business cards like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Also, I hold a Southwest Airlines Companion Pass, which I earned from signing up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card. I use the World Of Hyatt credit card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card to earn points, but it's also a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. Continuing to the northeastWe arrived late at night and stayed at Hyatt Place by the Washington DC National Mall, again with World of Hyatt points.

Persons: —, It's, it's, Chase, Riddle, Johns Organizations: Service, Business, Embry, Riddle Aeronautical University, Southwest, Chase, Chase Sapphire, Southwest Airlines, Hyatt House, Orlando Airport, Hyatt, Hyatt Business, Card, Reagan National Airport, Washington DC National, U.S . Naval Academy, Naval Academy, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics, University of Delaware, Hyatt Place Locations: Denver, East, Daytona Beach , Florida, Daytona, Orlando, Florida, Washington, Annapolis , Maryland, Baltimore, Newark , Delaware, New York City, La Guardia

Business Insider's Pick for the Best travel credit card Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Apply now lock icon An icon in the shape of lock. Perks Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠.

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For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. AdvertisementDear For Love & Money,My mother-in-law has been living with us for the last year. Remember, even if your mother-in-law leaves your house, she will still be in your lives, hip-checking you out of every photo opportunity. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

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My client's pet insurance rose from $25 a month to $125 over a decade. That was the case for this client who asked us if they should keep their pet insurance policy. Get Pet Insurance Quotes Find affordable pet insurance policies with Petted. When it makes sense to drop pet insuranceOur client first got pet insurance coverage for their new puppy. For our client, they ultimately decided to keep their pet insurance coverage.

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