Author: Laura Adams, MBA
Laura Adams, MBA
Laura Adams was named one of Empower's "Top 50 Women in Personal Finance" in 2018. She's one of the nation’s leading personal finance and small business authorities who works as an on-camera spokesperson, voice-over talent, and multimedia creator. She’s written multiple books, and the latest title, Money-Smart Solopreneur: A Personal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers, was an Amazon #1 New Release. As an award-winning author and host of the top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, millions of readers, listeners, and loyal fans benefit from her practical advice. Laura is a trusted source of practical financial advice for the national media, including TV, radio, digital, and print outlets. She’s been featured on most major network news outlets, Bloomberg, NPR, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Money, Time, Kiplinger’s, USA Today, US News, Forbes, Fortune, Consumer Reports, MSN, and many more. Her mission is to empower consumers to live healthy and prosperous lives by making the most of what they have, planning for the future, and making smart money decisions every day. Laura received an MBA from the University of Florida. She lives in Vero Beach, Florida, with her husband. Visit LauraDAdams.com to learn more.
Many people think that all debt is bad and should be avoided or paid down as quickly as possible. However, you should break down debt into two types: good and bad. It’s essential to understand their differences so you stay away from bad debt as much as possible and leverage good debt when it can help you. This post will cover the differences between good and bad debt and some practical examples. Plus, I’ll review seven simple steps for paying off your debt as quickly as possible. Understanding these concepts will help you save money, build your net worth, and…
You’ve probably been hearing a lot about bitcoin and cryptocurrency in the news these days. On October 20, 2021, bitcoin shot up to $66,975 and then yesterday evening on November 8 it reached a new all-time high over $68,000! If you’ve been wondering what all the hype is about or if it’s time to dip your toes in the cryptocurrency waters, I’ll cover key concepts you should know. To discuss cryptocurrency investing, I interviewed Fred Schebesta, founder of Finder.com and author of Go Live!: 10 Principles to Launch a Global Empire. Fred’s been investing in bitcoin and alt-coins since 2017…
How you manage money as a couple depends on factors such as your commitment level, financial history, and goals. While managing money together as a couple is a good idea, don’t do it unless you’re committed to stay together in the future, as unraveling financial lives can be complicated. Understand the risks of cosigning debt and buying property together. And always turn to a financial professional when needed. Being a new couple includes many “firsts,” including managing money together or even buying a home. From deciding whether to open a joint bank account or knowing if you should cosign a…
It’s never too early to start teaching kids about money. And what better way to help them hone their financial skills and experiences than by helping them open and manage a bank account? But if the thought of giving your child free reign over a bank account concerns you, don’t worry. One of the benefits of modern banking for kids is that parents can choose the level of control they have over how their kids use (or don’t use) the account. This post will cover three types of kids banking accounts, including their innovative features, pros, and cons, so you…
Kaitlyn O. says, “I’m a big fan of the Money Girl podcast and have been listening for years! A while ago, I racked up substantial credit card debt. So, I opened a balance transfer credit card and worked hard to pay it all off within the 0% APR period, which worked out great. However, now I’m stuck with a super basic credit card that doesn’t offer any rewards. While I don’t want to waste time with this card, I’m also really nervous about closing it and messing up my credit score. I’m thinking about closing it and requesting a credit…
Achieving your financial goals is all about getting one step closer to the life you daydream about, where you feel happy, secure, and on top of the world. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to set and achieve your unique financial goals. You’ll learn clever ways to achieve them that feel fun and motivating, not restrictive or boring. 7 steps to achieve your financial goals faster Write down your financial goals. Create SMART goals. Track your cash flow. Allow flexibility in your spending. Increase your disposable income. Reward yourself at significant milestones. Find an accountability partner. Here’s what…
One of my favorite tax-advantaged accounts is a health savings account or HSA. Not only does it allow you to pay for a wide variety of healthcare expenses with pre-tax dollars, but you can spend it any way you want after your 65th birthday. It’s a clever, legal way to pay less tax, save more, and invest for the future. All that said, having an HSA comes with strict rules you must follow or pay a hefty penalty. This post will cover tips to use an HSA wisely, seven significant benefits they offer, and updates on new (and often surprising)…
If you’re like most people, you know investing money is a smart idea. But if you haven’t gotten started because you think investing is too complicated or risky, it’s time to learn how to invest without taking too much risk. This episode will cover why it’s essential to start investing as soon as possible and the different types of investments to choose from. You’ll learn how to create the best investment strategy based on your financial situation, age, and risk tolerance. Let’s get into the details of how to be a successful investor. Tip #1: Saving and investing are not…
To celebrate my 13th anniversary writing and hosting the Money Girl podcast, I’ve compiled a list of 13 things that are critical for financial growth. Creating your own definition of success and being proactive about reaching it is a surefire way to accomplish more with your money. Here’s more detail about each of these money tips: Tip #1: Protect your ability to earn an income Protecting your income or creating additional sources of income is probably the best thing you can do for more financial success. Not only does an extra income stream help you pay the bills and eliminate debt faster,…
The COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis have triggered extreme stock market volatility. This week, Wall Street also saw the stock price for GameStop, a video game retailer, skyrocket far above what many people think it’s worth. Seeing huge daily spikes and drops in stocks and the overall market may leave you wondering what to do with your investments or whether you should be investing in the first place. You’ll learn how to achieve long-term financial goals, such as retirement or paying for a child’s college, even if you don’t have much money to invest. Fortunately, the answer to wise investing…