5 Quick Steps to Start Building Your Emergency Fund Now
Did you know that 4 in 10 Americans would not be able to cover $400 of unexpected expenses using their own resources if they needed to? Thirteen percent of Americans could not even pay their current month’s bills if they had an unforeseen $400 expense1. So how do you build up enough of a buffer? […]
50/30/20 Budget Calculator
This calculator can help you with a simple approach to your monthly personal and household budgeting by giving you a baseline of how much you should spend on needs (50%), wants (30%), and savings for future expenses (20%) based on your current income. These percentages are adjustable and can help you determine how to budget […]
Powercash Budget Calculator
Looking for ways to accelerate paying off your debt? This calculator can help you identify where you can cut back on some expenses so you can apply that to your current debt and pay it off even faster. Powered By Knowing your credit score alongside managing your cash can give you peace of mind. Sign […]
Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Add up your monthly payments, including auto loans, student loans, credit cards, and more, and compare that to your monthly income. This helps calculate your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio to help you make informed future credit decisions. Powered By Knowing your credit score alongside managing your cash can give you peace of mind. Sign up for […]
Credit Card Interest Calculator
Wondering how much interest your credit cards charge you each month? This calculator helps break down your interest payments to help you develop the debt payoff plan that works best for you. Powered By Knowing your credit score alongside managing your cash can give you peace of mind. Sign up for a free Credit Sesame […]
Ways to Help Cut Expenses and Save Money
Summary Cut non-essential items and discretionary spending. Look for discounts and free trials. Explain your situation to landlords and creditors. Need to cut expenses and save money, but not sure where should you start? Here are some quick tips: Write down all of your essential and non-essential expenses and determine a new budget: It helps […]
Resources for Food Banks and Groceries
Summary We’ve compiled a list of the top resources to help you find local food banks, discounted groceries, and meal services in your area. Click the links below to see what services are available near you. As unemployment continues to rise in the U.S., we’ve heard from many of our customers about a concern with […]
Insurance Companies Offering Relief
Summary Many health insurance and auto insurance companies are providing some type of financial relief due to COVID-19. Check to see what your insurance companies are offering. Reductions may be retroactive to March. Some insurance companies, specifically health insurance and auto insurance companies, are providing some type of financial relief, such as reducing premiums, due […]
What the CARES Act says about 401(k)s
Summary Due to the coronavirus, you can withdraw up to $100,000 from your 401(k) without a penalty. You can also borrow up to $100,000 and pay yourself back with interest. Withdrawing or borrowing from your 401(k) should still be a last resort. You have probably heard many times, “do not touch your 401(k).” While it […]
Recent Questions From Our Live Twitter Q&A
We recently held our first live Q&A on Twitter to answer your questions about navigating finances during this challenging time. We received a lot of great questions about everything from the stimulus checks to refinancing mortgages, so we wanted to share a summary here for those that have similar inquiries. We are planning to host […]
Tips for Protecting Your Credit Score During a Time of Uncertainty
Summary If you are seeking payment deferments, make sure you get agreements in writing from your lenders. Protecting your credit score and credit report is your responsibility. Monitor your credit report on a regular basis to make sure there are no errors. Monitor all three reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. If you are concerned […]
New Credit Sesame Data Shows Impact of Economy Amid COVID-19
Summary Study found that 71% of customers changed major life plans due to COVID-19 87% of customers changed spending habits One in five lost their job in the past 30 days A new Credit Sesame survey of more than 1,000 Credit Sesame customers in early April 2020 found that the coronavirus has forced 71% […]
Are You a Small Business Owner Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Summary Keeping employees on payroll can potentially lead to a forgiven loan. Recommendations for small business owners to help stay financially afloat during this time. Our partner, Fundera can provide guidance on how to navigate the impact of COVID-19 on your business as well as access to SBA Paycheck Protection Program funding and various other […]
Protecting Your Credit and Your Identity During COVID-19
Summary Phishing is becoming more sophisticated and more frequent. Watch out for red flags, such as being asked for your personal details over the phone. Proactive steps to protect your identity include shredding documents with personal information and creating strong and different passwords for each account. While phishing scams (when hackers pose as a trusted […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Budgeting During a Crisis
Summary No one knows how long this pandemic will last, so it is important to plan for the long term with regard to your finances. Overview of steps to stay afloat during times of financial uncertainty. While there is a lot of uncertainty right now regarding how long this pandemic will last and the long-term […]
