Introduction
A positive mindset about money is essential to establish true financial happiness. How one thinks about money directly impacts everything from their money habits, to how much money they have to spend. There are many strategies to have in the tool belt to help instill a healthy money mentality, which in turn will help establish adequate money habits.
 
Create a Positive Money Mindset
First things first, no one is perfect when it comes to their personal finances. It is normal to miss a bill here or there, or maybe even miss a credit card payment. Those “mistakes” may feel like the end of the world at that moment, but it is important to not beat yourself up about it. Handling your finances with patience, and most importantly grace, can help set your bank account up for success. Money is always about mindset, and a strong mental foundation can help you change how you think about money. Instead of thinking, “I don’t make enough money” practice saying phrases like "I can adjust my spending to make the most of my income”. Most importantly, look at financial challenges as opportunities instead of roadblocks. An example of this would be finding a side hustle to generate more income, instead of wishing you made more money at your full time job.
 
Establish Healthy Habits
A budget mindset will allow you to have more positive thoughts about money. You have to remember that you are in control of the budget you make yourself, and the budget by no means controls you. Think about how a budget will allow you to have more structure and ultimately cash flow to offer more flexibility. Experts recommend you follow the 50/30/20 rule which is a monthly budgeting method that recommends you split your post-tax income into three categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings.
 
Another healthy habit would be taking the steps necessary to ensure you have a good credit score. This can be accomplished through limiting how often you apply for new accounts, making payments on time, and staying well below your credit limit. The credit score is a huge determining factor in whether you’ll be able to make large investments in the future or save for long-term goals. For instance, if you want to become a homeowner, you’ll need to know the appropriate credit score needed to buy a house and make sure you’re in good financial standing. Your credit score can directly impact whether you are approved for a loan and what your interest rate will be. Be careful when dealing with your credit, as the smallest mistakes can sometimes make an impact on your overall credit score. Also, get into the habit of keeping a close eye on all of your bank accounts. Make sure to thoroughly review every purchase, and check to make sure no unusual charges are present.
 
Expect The Unexpected
Life is unpredictable so having an extra cushion of money set aside will make everything easier and less stressful. This is why experts recommend that you set up an emergency fund. This fund should be about three to six months worth of expenses to account for the unexpected. This could be anything from a sudden car accident, medical expenses you didn’t account for, a natural disaster, etc. To have an emergency fund in place is a great asset, and offers some peace in mind in case something sudden springs up.
 
Conclusion
Financial “mistakes” are normal and necessary. These struggles allow you to learn how to establish good money habits. If you demonstrate good judgment while making financial decisions, it will pay off in the long run. Positive money habits can completely transform the money in your bank account, and be the reason that your life is more fruitful.
 
 
 

Court Appointed Special Advocates will be trained to teach financial literacy skills.
 
PRINCETON:  DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation, with support from PNC Bank, will launch the Opportunity Youth Initiative, a financial education program targeting youth preparing to exit foster care.
 
Many youths are guided through the foster care system by dedicated volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASAs from Bergen, Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren counties in NJ will be trained by DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation. In addition to financial support, Yolanda Swiney, PNC’s Vice President, and Community Consultant for the Northeast Territory will join in presenting DoughMain’s FitKit™ Express Personal Finance workshops that focus on income and careers; pay, benefits, and deductions; taxes; budgeting; banks and banking; savings and investments; credit; and insurance. Initially, 20 CASAs will be trained on the curriculum, with a goal of expanding this pilot program to more CASAs in the coming years.
 
About 1,900 youth in NJ transition from foster care to independence each year. The roadblocks for these youth are many:  approximately 20% are immediately homeless, 60% of the females enter the sex industry, and only about half find employment opportunities that can support themselves by age 24. 

“We believe these workshops will help create better opportunities for financial success and limit financial struggles,” said Robert Church, Executive Director of DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation.
 
DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation aims to prepare today’s students for a lifetime of financial responsibility.  Learn more at www.dmfinancialliteracy.org.

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Introduction
Student life is tough, especially when you’re trying to balance school, friends, and a part-time job. But there are some great ways to save money without sacrificing your social life or your grades. In the past, it was hard for students to find affordable student loans and grants because they had limited access to computers and other technology. Nowadays though, there are plenty of online tools that make it easy for students to manage their finances in college without breaking their bank accounts.
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Textbooks 
Textbooks can be very expensive. Students spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on textbooks each semester, and according to College Board’s Trends in Student Aid report, the price of books and supplies has increased by more than 300% since 1986. With all the money that students already spend on tuition, it’s easy to see how they might feel like they don’t have enough left over for textbooks. Luckily there are a few ways students can get their hands on free textbooks—and save some cash along the way!
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-Browse online bookstore sites for used books.
-There are free open libraries that you can take advantage too.
-Use Google Books to find some free copies of textbooks.

Music & MoviesPandora
is a free music streaming service that allows you to create personalized radio stations based on your favorite artists, songs, and genres. If you have an Apple device like an iPhone or iPad, Pandora can be even more useful because it comes with a free app for iOS devices that allows users to make their own playlists from anywhere at any time. Pandora also offers an ad-free version for 99 cents per month if you're looking for something more specific than what the free version provides!

If it's movies that make your heart sing then MovieNite is the perfect place for you! This site offers access to thousands of films including many recent releases (and some not so recent) as well as classic old enough that they might show up in most people's grandparents' collections too! You'll even find animated features just waiting for young children's eyes - though there are no guarantees about what kind of scary stuff might happen when they watch them…

Office Software
Microsoft Office Online is a great resource for students to use for free. It's a free version of the Microsoft Office suite, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. If you're already familiar with what these programs are capable of doing then this will be an easy transition for you. Another program worth mentioning is Google Drive: it has similar capabilities as Microsoft Office Online but it also offers Gmail storage and other tools that make it easier to transfer files between devices or share them with multiple people at once.

If none of those options seem up-to-par then consider checking out either Zoho Docs or CloudOn. Both have features similar to Google Drive such as allowing users access anywhere anytime without having an internet connection available; however, unlike their competitors mentioned above both offer some advanced features like word count monitoring within each paragraph (Zoho). Additionally, these products offer additional advanced tools such as presentation creation capabilities along with complicated formulas available only in spreadsheet applications such as Excel (CloudOn).

Online Storage
Online storage is a type of cloud computing that allows you to store your data online, rather than on your computer’s hard drive.

• How does it work?

You can upload files from your local computer and sync them with other devices such as phones or tablets. Then, when you want to access the information, all you have to do is log in and download what you need.

• What are the benefits of online storage?

This service allows students who don’t have tons of space on their own computers to save important documents without worrying about running out of room on their devices or having to delete old files because they don’t have enough room for new ones. This means students can safely store all of their research projects at once without worrying about losing sight of any important facts they found while working on those projects! Plus it helps keep things organized so if anything gets lost or misplaced in between assignments then there is always another copy somewhere else (i.e., “in the cloud).

Tools for School Projects
If you're taking a class that involves the production of a documentary, video, or podcast, then it's more than likely that your professor will require you to use some sort of editing software. This can be expensive on its own, but thankfully there are plenty of free tools available for students.

In addition to the basic editing functions offered in most software packages like trimming and adding transitions between clips, some also offer useful time-saving features such as auto-ducking (which lowers the volume level when it detects speech) and auto-mixing (which combines two audio tracks). There are also tools to compress AVI, MOV, and MKV files.

Tools for Studying

• Online flashcards. Flashcards are a great way for students to memorize facts and definitions, but having physical cards takes up space. Instead, use an online site like Quizlet which allows users to make their own digital flashcards and access them from anywhere.
• Online tests. Taking practice tests is an excellent way for students to gauge how well they know course material before taking a test or quiz in class. There are many free websites that offer such resources, including Quia, Examity, and StudyBlue — just search "free online test prep" on Google! If you find yourself struggling with certain topics while studying or you're worried about making mistakes on the actual exam day itself (which could hurt your grade), then consider signing up for one of these sites so that they can help you get prepared beforehand!
• Online quizzes: Another great resource is Qzzr which offers thousands upon thousands of different types of questions designed specifically according to any topic imaginable." This tool allows students who've already taken notes during lectures their chance at reviewing what was learned previously by providing multiple choice answers along with audio recordings from professors themselves explaining each question thoroughly before proceeding forward into more difficult areas where further research might be needed."

Specialized Apps for Students to manage their finances
When it comes to managing your finances, there are many tools and apps available that can help you do so. From budgeting and planning to tracking your spending and saving, these tools will help you take control of your money.

• Spendee: With Spendee you can track your expenses, receive receipts from merchants through email or SMS, set budgets, and even get notifications when you exceed them. It also offers a free credit score service and a free personal finance management app for Android phones.
• Mint: Mint helps you manage all of your bank accounts in one place. You can check balances on all your accounts at once, track upcoming bills, see how much interest you're paying on loans and credit cards, set up budget alerts, and more.
• Wally: Wally is designed specifically for students who want to track their spending habits while they're away at school. It allows users to set up multiple accounts with different banks (which makes it easier to monitor individual accounts), checks account balances, set budgets for each account, track expenses over time — even create reports based on their spending habits!

Conclusion
The article above serves to be an online resource for students looking to save money while at school. I think readers will understand the value of this type of content and how beneficial it can be to students in their pursuit of higher education.

Just because you're no longer a student doesn' mean your car insurance rates have to go up. Here are seven tips to keep your car insurance rates low after college.

Shop around for insurance quotes
Once you have graduated from college, you will most likely be looking to save money in any way possible. One way to do this is to shop around for car insurance rates. Many people simply choose the first company they come across and never bother to see if there are better options available.

However, by taking the time to compare rates from different companies, you could potentially save a lot of money. You can easily find an online car insurance quote by searching for “car insurance rates” on your favorite search engine.

Once you have found a few websites that offer this service, simply enter your zip code and some basic information about yourself and your car. In just a few minutes, you will be able to see how the rates from different companies compare.

Then, you can choose the company that offers the best rate for your individual needs. By taking the time to shop around, you can ensure that you are getting the best possible deal on your car insurance.

You may still be eligible for a good student discount.
This discount is usually available to students who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Check with your insurer to see if you're still eligible for this discount after graduation.

Get married!
College graduates often face challenges when it comes to car insurance rates. One way to keep your rates low after college is to get married. Some insurers offer discounts for married couples, so this can be a significant savings.

In addition, married couples tend to have more stable lifestyles, which can be a factor in rates. If you're looking for ways to keep your car insurance rates low after college, getting married is one (maybe extreme) option to consider.

Consider raising your deductible
With a tight budget, it can be difficult to afford both the car and the insurance. If you're looking to keep your insurance rates low, consider raising your deductible. By doing so, you'll be paying less each month in premiums.

And if you haven't had any accidents or traffic violations, you'll likely have a lower rate when it comes time to renew your policy. Of course, there's always the risk that you'll have an accident and end up having to pay more out of pocket. But if you're a safe driver, raising your deductible is a great way to save on car insurance.

Bundle your auto insurance
After college, you're finally on your own. No more dorms, no more meal plans, and no more parents! One of the first things you'll need to do is get your own place and start paying your own bills. And that includes car insurance.

Your rates will probably be higher than they were when you were a student, but there are a few things you can do to keep them low. One option is to bundle your auto insurance with other types of insurance, such as renters or homeowner's insurance. By bundling all of your insurance into one policy, you may be able to get a discount.

Drive carefully!
After you've graduated college and are out on your own, one of the first things you'll need to do is get car insurance. And if you're looking to keep your rates low, there's one important rule to follow: drive carefully!

Your driving record is one of the biggest factors that insurers consider when setting rates. So if you want to avoid paying a lot for insurance, it's important to always follow the rules of the road and avoid accidents.

Of course, accidents can happen even to the best drivers. If you do find yourself in an accident, be sure to shop around for new insurance quotes before you renew your policy.

Take advantage of various discounts
If you're still carrying the minimum coverage that you were required to have as a student, you may be in for a rude awakening when you get your first post-graduation insurance bill. However, there are some things that you can do to keep your rates low.

One is to take advantage of discounts for things like having an alarm system installed in your vehicle or completing a defensive driving course. Another is to shop around and compare rates from different insurers. By taking the time to research your options, you can find an insurer that offers the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

Shop around!
Now that you have graduated college, it's time to start thinking about your next steps. One of those steps might be shopping for car insurance. You're probably used to your parents helping you out with that, but now it's time to take control and find the best rates for yourself.
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Start by getting quotes from a few different companies. Make sure to compare apples to apples, and don't forget to ask about discounts. You might be surprised at how much you can save just by doing a little research.

Once you've found the right policy, be sure to keep your driving record clean. This will help keep your rates low and ensure that you're getting the best possible value for your money.

Graduating from college is an exciting time full of new opportunities and experiences. And while your car insurance rates may go up slightly after graduation, there are still plenty of ways to keep them low. Just remember to shop around, drive carefully, and take advantage of discounts whenever possible. Congratulations on graduation—now go enjoy the open road!

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Inheritance tax and estate tax can be confusing topics, and to make things even harder, the rules vary from state to state. In order to try and help you to improve your financial knowledge on this subject, we have compiled this blog post. Whether you're in the middle of getting your affairs in order or are just wanting to be prepared for the future, let's take a look at what you need to know about inheritance tax below.

Estate tax vs inheritance tax
The estate tax is a federal tax that is applied to the transfer of the estate of a person who has died in the United States. This would apply if an estate was transferred via a will or according to state laws of intestacy if there was no will (and it was worth enough). It could include cash, retirement accounts, businesses, real estate, or any other type of asset. There are also state-level estate taxes that apply alongside this in some regions.

To make things even more confusing, certain states have inheritance taxes instead. In this case, the tax is payable by the person who inherits, rather than being applied as a levy, as is the case with the estate tax. This often means that inheritance tax is more confusing and challenging to work out as it has to be done by the individual.

It can be easy to get mixed up between the two types, but there are some key differences. Inheritance and estate tax are both levied on property passed down from one generation to the next. The main difference between the two is that inheritance tax is levied on the beneficiaries of the estate, while estate tax is levied on the value of the estate itself. Beneficiaries of an estate are typically family members, while the executor of an estate is responsible for paying estate tax.

Inheritance tax is usually lower than estate tax, but both can vary depending on the value of the property and the relationship between the deceased and the beneficiary. Understanding these key differences can help you to make informed decisions about how to best protect your assets.
​When is estate tax paid?
As of 2022, the limit for federal estate tax is $12.06 million for individuals and $24.12 million for married couples. If your estate is worth more than this, it will be taxed on the amount that passes this threshold.

This comes into force as soon as the person dies, so if you are planning your finances and want to ensure that your beneficiaries receive the maximum amount after you die, you may wish to start thinking about this early.

There are 11 states that currently only levy estate taxes. These are:

• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New York
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington DC

However, the thresholds for state-level estate taxes range massively, from $1 million in both Massachusetts and Oregon to $9.1 million in Connecticut, with varying rates.

When do inheritance taxes apply?
​On top of this, there are inheritance taxes to consider too, although luckily, Maryland is the only state that levies both an inheritance tax and a state-level estate tax. The other states with inheritance tax laws are:

• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania

We recommend looking up the rules in your state to ensure you fully understand which taxes will apply. Financial advisors can help you if you are planning your estate to benefit your family when you pass or if you are a beneficiary trying to navigate the will and estate during the already difficult period of losing a loved one.

​The word “unexpected” can strike fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned business owner. Small businesses in the United States and worldwide have faced the all too familiar theme of unexpected business costs and subsequent closures when they could not pivot quickly enough. If you are facing a sudden expense on your balance sheet this year, or want to avoid becoming a number in the failed business statistics for 2022, now is the time to review your options and take action!
 
Statistics of FailureRunning a business is already difficult, even in a relatively calm economy and during ‘normal’ circumstances. 20% of businesses started in 2016 failed within their first year, and that statistic only grew as each year passed reaching 49.7% after year five.
 
The number of touch points where your own business can fail has likely increased due to the onslaught of challenges that have come from COVID-19. With businesses forced to close their doors for extended periods, the way customers interacted with brands and services immediately shifted. While some businesses experienced a huge period of growth due to this shift, many saw irreparable losses and took hits they never saw coming.

COVID-19’s Stretch Into the PresentThe U.S. census bureau recently updated their data pulled from a survey of single business owners who employed 1-500 employees. Of those polled, over 21% said that the pandemic had a large negative effect on their business. A group of nearly 43% of individuals reported that they experienced moderately negative effects. Due to the far-reaching consequences of COVID-19, many businesses reported that their operating budgets either became woefully inadequate or altogether decimated for many who were already in precarious circumstances.

Define the “Unexpected”Even if you beat the odds stacked against you by the world we live in, there are still unexpected costs that can pop up. Whether preventable or not, it’s not uncommon to run into one or more of these problems at any point in the life of your business. We know you haven’t come this far from starting your own business to closing your doors because of an avoidable challenge. Here are some things to look out for when monitoring the success of your venture!

Emergency Funds Aren’t ThereUnexpected costs are inevitable in the course of running a business. Perhaps something breaks, or software updates or new hardware or equipment is required to keep up with the industry. Maybe a natural disaster damages your building or a cyber-attack takes out your customer data leaving you paralyzed until you can get someone in to help. While many things are covered by Small Business Insurance policies, the ability to bounce back is crucial to ensure that your business stays on its feet. If emergency funds aren’t on hand to cover a higher ticket cost, a large bill could come your way that might set your business back for weeks or even months if you’re not prepared.
 
Neglected Business PlansIn the excitement of starting a new business, it’s easy to look beyond the ‘boring’ details of business plans and move on to the fun of building and growing without looking back. But lofty financial projections paired with neglecting to reevaluate regularly can create the perfect storm for costs to sneak up without warning. It’s recommended that companies – especially younger ones – review their business plan annually to make sure they are on track and that their current numbers and objectives reflect the original goal. Taking the temperature of your business can mean the difference between reaction-based operations and feeling in control of your company’s growth trajectory. Putting the time into extra forethought can prevent unnecessary expenses before they have a chance to materialize.

Sudden Opportunities and GrowthA great entrepreneur is able to make quick decisions, adapt, overcome, and keep moving forward, helping entrepreneurs keep their businesses bulletproof from unexpected costs. Some of those costs could be from unavoidable, negative events, but often opportunities can suddenly come along that require action to enable the growth of your business. A sudden surge in business may require creating and hiring for new roles to handle an influx of customers. As a specific market becomes more competitive, it might be time to try new strategies in social media, content, outbound marketing or all of the above, and hire a growth hacking agency to get ahead of the curve. The sooner your business can act on opportunities, the sooner you can see gains in reputation and increased revenue!
 
Weigh Your OptionsNo matter what circumstance brings an extra expense your way, knowing where to look for solutions is paramount! The recent onslaught of financial challenges businesses faced recently has prompted a surge in fintech companies. These entities seek to provide much-needed financial services through technology, which means easier and faster access to funds. The type of funding you pursue may depend on the time, amount, and nature of the expense at hand. Here are a few options to look into!

Small Business LoanThe United States Small Business Association (SBA) defines small businesses as dependent on the industry they occupy. ‘Small’ could mean anywhere from 100 to 1500 employees, which means if you are one of the 32.5 million small businesses in the united states, a Small Business Loan could be an option for you! If you know the exact amount needed to cover a large expense, such as a large piece of replacement equipment or furniture for an office remodel, exploring a one-time Microloan loan might be a good call. Other options exist for larger amounts provided all other personal financial options have been used. It’s always best to do some research to see what loan would be best for your situation.

Line of CreditIf a business loan isn’t something you feel comfortable with, or are able to pursue, a faster, and more flexible option available is a business line of credit. This form of a business loan can often be applied for online via fintech entities with a quick turnaround time for approvals and access to funds. Additionally, the funds borrowed only have to be paid back as they are borrowed. Small business loans provide a set amount of money available, much like the limit on a credit card, and each time a pull on that available amount is taken out, repayment is based on the amount used. This is great for a business needing to cover payroll during a slow month, pay for unexpected damages quickly, or keep the cash flow going during slow seasonal businesses. These types of loans are great for larger purchases or expenses that cannot be charged with a credit card.
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Credit CardsFor smaller or younger businesses, loans may not be an option. Both business loans and line of credit loans may require the business to have a presence in their space for a certain amount of time, or bring in a set amount of profit annually. To cover routine purchases or smaller unexpected expenses, a business credit card could help build the credit for your company.
 
A credit card is great for unexpected opportunities as well. Perhaps there is a great conference happening across the country, and the only way you can attend is to purchase tickets and cover travel expenses with a credit card. Would you like to experiment with software or a new tool to help keep your business current? Pay for memberships and subscriptions without having to go through a loan application process.
 
Beat It Before You Meet ItIf you have scrambled to cover expenses in the past, no doubt you want to avoid the feeling of panic that quickly takes over after realizing you don’t have enough money! Planning as much as possible won’t cover every possibility that can come up – who would have thought a few years ago that we would be going through a global pandemic? But taking some steps to set up financial firewalls can keep fear of the future at bay.
 
Keep Your Budget RealisticOverspending on unnecessary extras or uneven distribution of your operating budget can mean little is left over to have in reserve for emergencies. List out expenses that could come about due to growth. Review past financials to find patterns when you may need to rely on having a line of credit funds handy. Are you constantly using a credit card to purchase everyday items? Maybe it’s time to reallocate funds where they can be better used.
 
Grow to Thrive, Not SurviveDuring periods of explosive growth or uncontrollable events, businesses often adopt reactive business strategies that help them keep up with demand. However, these strategies aren’t best for building the sustainable trust and brand awareness that helps keep your business thriving instead of on life-support. If reactive policies are left in place, profits and stability can cap out, preventing the changes and flexibility needed to pivot. Gather a growth team tasked with finding ways to grow flexibly, with more stability and profitability.
 
Don’t PanicFledgling businesses and those still attempting to recover from the pandemic may have exhausted cash reserves, but some research and evaluation of your needs both now and in anticipation of future needs will help your business thrive for years to come. If or when your business comes up against financial costs unexpectedly, remember that the options to find funding when you need it are out there!