Jackie Lam, Author at MintLife Blog

Saving

6 Ways to Bolster Your Emergency Fund by $500

November 27, 2018 December 4, 2018 / Jackie Lam

If you’re just scraping by financially, it doesn’t take a lot for a money crisis to go down. According to research by Elevate’s Center for the New Middle Class, among non-prime Americans (aka those who have below a 700 credit...

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Money Etiquette

Money Etiquette: Holiday Gift-Giving on a Budget

November 22, 2018 January 24, 2019 / Jackie Lam

When it comes to gift-giving over the holidays, my good friend Richard is a pro at the “shrug it off” approach. Last year he didn’t purchase gifts for anyone. And on Christmas morning, during his family’s standard “gather around the...

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Investing Advice

Should Freelancers Leverage an IRA?

November 15, 2018 October 26, 2018 / Jackie Lam

One of the precious, oh-so-sweet things you give up when you go freelance is an employer-sponsored 401(k)—along with any matching contributions. But on the flipside, freelancers have quite a few options when it comes to saving for a retirement nest...

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Early Career

What Every Freelancer Needs to Know About Planning Ahead

November 14, 2018 October 26, 2018 / Jackie Lam

No matter how on top of your money game you are as a freelancer, you’re bound to let a few things fall by the wayside. Between meeting project deadlines and hustling for new gigs, some of the “musts” on your...

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Financial Literacy

5 Top Habits to Help You Stress Less About Your Finances

November 5, 2018 November 1, 2018 / Jackie Lam

If your finances are a constant source of stress and anxiety, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, 40 percent of American adults say they would have a tough time covering an unexpected expense of $400 or more, according to the...

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Budgeting

How to Keep Your Budget in Check this Holiday Season

October 25, 2018 / Jackie Lam

Ah, the holidays. Amid the cheer, festive gatherings with loved ones, and stress from the inevitable craziness, if not careful, they could put a serious dent on your credit cards. While it’s certainly not news that the holidays happen every...

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Saving

How to Kickstart an Emergency Fund

October 17, 2018 December 14, 2018 / Jackie Lam

Besides having a spending plan and saving for retirement, one of the major tenets of financial wellness is to have a healthy emergency fund. But the reality is that when you’re juggling multiple financial priorities—or simply have a rough time...

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Life Insurance

Insurance Needs for Single People

October 11, 2018 October 9, 2018 / Jackie Lam

When you have a family, the types of insurance you need to protect your loved ones may be apparent. But what if you’re flying solo? Although you may not share the same concerns and obligations as married folks, single people...

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Life Insurance

Insurance When You’re a Freelancer

October 10, 2018 October 16, 2018 / Jackie Lam

When you’re a 9 to 5er, it’s easy to take your company’s benefits for granted. And now that you’re a freelancer, one of the things you need to tend to is creating your own benefits package. Plus, as an army...

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Budgeting

Budgeting Basics: How to Save on Inconsistent Income

August 29, 2018 January 16, 2019 / Jackie Lam

While the freelance life commonly touts flexibility and greater earning potential—cue the Instagram photos typing away on a laptop in an exotic locale—there are also financial downsides. A major one? Struggling with variable income. For freelancers, artists, and other members...

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