Money

Healthy Spending Habits to Avoid Holiday Stress

By Sage Johnson | Personal Finances

Woman doing Christmas shopping

Whether you feel obligated to buy for every distant family member, or you can’t resist the pull of once-a-year-only sales, overspending is not uncommon during the holidays. The sights, smells, and overall jolliness come together in a chorus of, “Tis the season to splurge!” According to results from a 2017 poll by American Consumer Credit Counseling, 63 percent of people reported feeling “a lot” or “some” financial strain over holiday shopping.

This year, follow these tips to help curb the urge to overspend and instead enjoy the season without the stress. 

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10 Restaurant Apps to Download for Free Food

By Sage Johnson | Personal Finances

Iphone with doughnuts and computer

With all of the ways our mobile devices have made life easier, perhaps the best is the endless options of apps. Whether you’re hailing rides, sharing photos, playing games, managing your money, tracking miles, or managing your RAC account, there’s an app for that.

Although useful (like finding your car in the parking lot) and fun (scoring a personal best in Candy Crush), most apps don’t provide anything you can actually hold in your hands — until now. From ice cream and hamburgers to slushies and smoothies, the following apps (available for iOS and Android) prove there is such a thing as a free lunch.

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Energy-Saving Tips to Help the Environment — and Your Wallet

By Sage Johnson | Lifestyle

Green piggy bank

Each year, Earth Day reminds us of ways we can be better stewards of the planet we call home. The day, which always falls on April 22, is one of active participation — millions of people gather to march for awareness, plant trees, clean up roads, and more. And while these activities are important, daily, ongoing efforts are what have the biggest impact.

One of the easiest things you can do is decrease your energy consumption. Our homes and residential buildings account for 21 percent of total U.S. energy use. By using less energy, you can reduce power plant emissions, conserve the earth’s natural resources, and protect ecosystems.

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6 Reasons to Download the New RAC App

By Laurie Wegman | How RAC Works

The new mobile app from RAC puts the power to own in the palm of your hand. With a simple download, you can manage your account, control your payments, stay informed about RAC sales, and more. Here are six reasons why you should download the RAC app today.Read Story

20 New Ways to Save Money This Year

By Sage Johnson | Personal Finances

Mom and girl with a piggy bank

How much money do you have in savings? Most of us would sleep better knowing we had some surplus we could rely on in case of an emergency — like a sick pet or a flat tire.

Most experts recommend having the equivalent of your salary saved by age 30, and 10 times your final salary in savings in order to retire by age 67. But finding extra cash to stash can be a challenge. Here are 20 ways to save money that you probably haven’t tried.

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Score Big: Why Having Good Credit Matters

By Laurie Wegman | Personal Finances

Woman checking off her credit score

If you own a credit card, chances are the interest rate attached to it is in the double digits. And if you have a balance, then you’re paying much more than the actual cost of the items. Over time, the balance grows, and if you miss payments or get behind, the impact can be harmful to your purchasing power.

Here are some of the most common ways your credit score affects your financial health, plus easy tips for improving that number.

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