Sonya Stinson
Bankrate.com
New Orleans, LA, United States
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Past articles by Sonya:
How To Get Out Of Debt: 7 Tips
If you’re tired of being hounded by creditors, here’s a plan to help you break free. → Read More
4 Good Reasons To Take Out a 401k Loan
Sometimes it makes sense to tap your retirement account. Understand the trade-offs. → Read More
Can Social Security Be Garnished?
Most creditors can’t touch your monthly benefit. But a few do, including the IRS. → Read More
Factoring In Retirement Leisure Activities
stevecoleimages/Vetta/Getty Images Figuring out how much retirement income you'll need means taking a host of factors into account. Less money for gasoline, more for medicine. More spending to outfit your home for aging in place, less to outfit your closet with business suits. But beyond tallying up your budget for basic needs like housing, utilities, clothing and health care, consider what… → Read More
Shop For Personal Loan Dont Ding Credit Score – B
personal loans Shop for a personal loan but don't ding your credit score By Sonya Stinson • Bankrate.com Hero Images/Getty Images Don't approach applying for a personal loan the way you might tackle a job hunt or college search, sending out as many applications as possible just to make sure you're accepted somewhere. To avoid any potential negative impacts on your credit score when multiple… → Read More
9 Financial Planning Rules for Women
For both men and women, the financial planning process begins at the same point. Karin Risi, head of Vanguard Advice Services group, begins her consultation with any new client by discussing such topics as financial goals, a diversified investment portfolio and the importance of low fees. "Those are pretty gender-neutral," Risi says. But while the basics of good financial planning are the same… → Read More
4 Good Reasons To Take Out a 401k Loan
Borrowing from your 401(k) is such a risky and costly choice that it shouldn't even be on the table unless it's your last resort. "Many people don't have enough saved for retirement in the first place, and when they take their 401(k) out of the equation and borrow the money -- typically up to 50% of their balance -- then that money is no longer working for their retirement needs," says financial… → Read More
How Local Libraries Help You Save Money
Rent out lawn equipment So now you have libraries in places like Gross Pointe, Michigan, Berkeley, California and Arlington, Virginia, which offer an assortment of tools and lawn equipment for patrons to borrow. New York, Chicago and Seattle are among the cities that rent out mobile hot spot devices at their public libraries. The Sacramento library offers access to 3-D printers. In Ann Arbor,… → Read More
Surmounting Roadblocks To Financial Goals, Prosperity
iStock.com/Simon Dannhauer The road to big financial goals such as buying a home, sending your kids to college, getting rid of debt and saving for retirement is almost never straight and smooth. Life always seems to put potholes in the way that can thwart the achievement of those goals or make you miss them altogether if you're not careful. Sometimes roadblocks are thrown in your path by… → Read More
Startup Costs, Business Plan For Starting A Business
small business Starting a business? Here's how to put together a business plan and figure startup costs By Sonya Stinson • Bankrate.com Whether you're totally bootstrapping your new venture or seeking a business loan or investment funding, starting a business requires that you include a reasonable projection of your startup costs. Potential investors will scrutinize those cost figures carefully,… → Read More
5 Grocery Shopping Tips To Remember When You Check Out
Food is expensive enough without getting jammed for pricing errors. Remember these 5 grocery shopping tips next time youre in the checkout line. → Read More
Frugal Foodie: You Dont Have To Be Rich To Live High
Frugal foodie is not an oxymoron. Live high but spend less while you enjoy delectable cuisine. → Read More
A Glamping Vacation: No Sleeping Bag, No Problem
Love the outdoors but want your creature comforts, too? Try glamping at one of these sites. → Read More
How Much For This Retirement Hot Spot?
Ever wondered what it costs to live by a beach or a golf course? Heres what to expect. → Read More
Wedding Ideas On A Budget: Vow To Keep Costs Low
You dont have to spend a fortune to have a great wedding. Consider these wedding ideas on a budget. → Read More
How To Retire At 50 In 3 Steps
Want to know how to retire by 50? Ramp up your savings by using this three-step game plan. → Read More
Get Out Of Debt: The 7-Step Debt-Elimination Program
If youre tired of being a slave to creditors, heres a plan to help you break free and get out of debt. → Read More
Do This Before You Apply For Student Loans
Before you apply for student loans, check the pay youll be making after you graduate. This will help you avoid having your student loan obligations disrupt your future plans to buy a home or save for retirement. → Read More
Can Social Security Be Garnished?
If you wonder, can Social Security be garnished, the answer is that most creditors dont have free rein to garnish your monthly check. But a few do, including the IRS. → Read More