Melanie Lockert

If you're a senior whose finances are feeling the squeeze right now, you have a couple of equity-tapping options to consider. Getty Images
Homeowners have multiple avenues to look into if they want to tap their home equity. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is one such tool, and while this line of credit offers flexible financing, it does so at a lower interest rate relative to other borrowing options.
As the Federal Reserve tries to tackle ongoing inflation, it has kept the federal funds ...

As therapy becomes more mainstream, there is a specialty that’s hiding in the shadows — financial therapy. You might know that you can turn to traditional therapy if you’re facing challenges or you want to give your mental health a tune-up. But you might not realize you can work with a financial therapist, specifically focusing on your relationship with money.
If you’ve ever felt anxious about money, cried about money, lost your sleep over it or had blow-out fights with your partner about it,...

Investing in gold requires a strategic approach, particularly in today's unique economic climate. Getty Images
The price of gold has seen a notable increase in recent years as investors turn to the precious metal during a period of high volatility. With ongoing economic uncertainty, global and political instability, and lingering inflation, investors are flocking to this time-tested safe-haven asset. The price of gold per ounce now is hovering close to $3,300.
Gold investing can provide portf...

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz's finances made headlines after his financial disclosures showed he owns no stocks or bonds. His lack of investments caught a lot of people's attention and, on the surface, makes him more relatable to the average American. According to the Survey of Consumer Finances, as of 2022, only 21% of families directly held stocks and 1.1% held bonds.
While Walz's lack of investments and diversification potentially make him more relatable, he has something ...

If you or your child is applying to college, there’s one abbreviation you need to know: FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA can unlock various financial aid options to help cover the cost of college. In this guide, learn what FAFSA is, the role FAFSA plays in receiving financial support, and what you need to know before applying.
What is FAFSA?
The FAFSA assesses your eligibility for federal grants, student loans, and work-study. These funding options can make education co...

Gusto is a popular tech-forward payroll software solution. The company offers unlimited payroll runs in all of its plans and tax registration in all 50 states is available as an add-on feature. In addition, Gusto calculates and files payroll taxes to local, state and federal agencies, making it an attractive option for time-strapped businesses. It also offers employee benefits, custom reporting and tools to manage teams, even dispersed ones.
Though Gusto has a large feature set, there are oth...

Trigger warning: This piece contains mentions of suicide and suicidal thoughts.

I graduated from New York University in 2011 full of hope — and also with a good chunk of student loan debt. At the time, I owed $68,000 despite having made payments on my undergrad loans for the five years prior. A year later, that hope dissipated and I was in a full-fledged depressive episode. I ended up in Portland, Oregon, after my dreams of getting a full-time job in the arts in New York City didn’t pan out. ...

If you’ve looked at your 401(k) (or IRA, or any other investments) since Monday, you might feel really anxious—chances are, the money you've saved has taken a huge hit. Given all the turmoil in the stock market right now and people's general panic around coronavirus, the world is kind of a shitshow right now, and it’s impacting your money. If you’re just starting your career and, for the first time, have a full-time job with benefits like a 401(k), you might be freaking out about what to do t...

Try these helpful and creative ways to keep your mind and body strong, healthy and together even if it feels like the world is falling apart
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For several weeks after the pandemic began, a friend of mine heard a neighbor play the song “We Are The World” each night at 7pm during the applause for essential workers. The song and sound of thunderous clapping filled the Harlem neighborhood and provided a certain sense of comfort and connection, even if for only for a few minutes. But what about t...

Driving at night can reduce your visibility and put you at a higher risk of having an accident. One-quarter of driving happens at night, yet it leads to about half of all traffic fatalities, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. A key part of staying safe on the road while driving at night, or in situations with limited visibility, is using the appropriate headlights. Learn when you should use high beams versus low beams and specific headlight laws...

LinkedIn is the place to be seen if you want to catch the eye of recruiters, hiring managers, clients, or potential employers.
While some parts of your profile are essentially your digital resume, there is one area that requires some more effort—your summary.
This is also called the “About” section and is where people can get to know you.
The issue? You have to write about yourself. Cue feelings of dread. While you may want to put it off, this section captures the attention of others and can ...