riley completed Archives - Page 11 of 14

Old-School vs. Gen Z—These are the Things Boomers Had Much Easier

August 28, 2025 by James Clendenin

Explore how Baby Boomers faced specific life challenges more easily than Generation Z in multiple key areas.

Comparing the life challenges encountered by Baby Boomers and Generation Z reveals notable differences shaped by technology, economy, and society. While each generation faces unique obstacles, some experiences were simpler for Boomers due to their historical context. Understanding these contrasts helps to move beyond stereotypes and appreciate the complexities behind each generation’s journey. Recognizing that ease or difficulty depends on economic conditions, social dynamics, and technological access encourages empathy and more accurate conversations about life challenges across generations.

Block These Callers: Scammers Always Say These 13 Common Things When You Answer

August 25, 2025 by Riley Clendenin

Scammers follow a script, and knowing the lines helps you spot the trap.

Phone scams thrive on pressure, fear, and manipulation. The callers often sound confident, professional, and even kind, but behind the act is a set of predictable phrases designed to make you panic or hand over personal information. These lines aren’t random—they’re crafted to push you into quick decisions.

Recognizing them is the first step to staying safe. Here are thirteen common things scammers almost always say when you pick up the phone.

Steps to Get Ready for Buying Your First Home When Interest Rates Drop

August 20, 2025 by Riley Clendenin

Timing the market is less important than preparing for it.

Falling interest rates may tempt you into the housing market, but buying a home takes more than spotting the right rate. Preparation ensures you’re not scrambling when conditions finally align. Knowing what to do before you start searching makes the process smoother and far less stressful.

A smart approach helps you move quickly when opportunities arise. Here are the key steps to take now if you’re hoping to buy your first home when rates dip.

12 Must-Know Questions To Ask Before Choosing a Financial Advisor

August 20, 2025 by Riley Clendenin

Picking the right advisor starts with asking the right things.

Choosing a financial advisor is more than just finding someone who sounds trustworthy. The relationship involves money, goals, and long-term plans that shape your future. Asking the right questions helps you uncover how they work, who they serve best, and if their style matches yours.

The answers reveal far more than credentials alone. They show you how transparent, flexible, and supportive the advisor will be when handling your financial decisions.

10 Viral TikTok Money Hacks: We Rate Them

August 20, 2025 by Riley Clendenin

Some hacks help your wallet, others drain it.

TikTok has turned personal finance into bite-sized videos that spread like wildfire. The problem is, not all advice works equally well in real life. Some “hacks” genuinely help you save money or build better habits, while others oversimplify and can even cost you more.

Separating gimmicks from useful strategies takes a closer look. Here’s our breakdown of ten viral money hacks making the rounds on TikTok—and whether they’re worth your time.

12 Gen Z Money Milestones That Count As Adulthood Even If You Never Buy A House

August 20, 2025 by Riley Clendenin

Gen Z is rewriting adulthood by measuring success through financial independence instead of outdated milestones.

For older generations, buying a house was the ultimate marker of adulthood. But for Gen Z, rising housing costs and shifting priorities have pushed them to celebrate different money wins that actually reflect stability and growth. These new milestones feel more realistic and empowering, and they reflect how this generation defines maturity on its own terms.

It’s not about following tradition—it’s about creating financial freedom that makes sense today.

Soloprenuer Paradise: Why Starting Your Own Business Works Better in America

August 20, 2025 by Riley Clendenin

Why america is still the best playground for solopreneurs.

Starting a business in America has a certain energy to it that feels impossible to ignore. You see people carving their own paths in neighborhoods, online spaces, and even tiny garage offices that eventually turn into national brands. The culture practically dares you to try something bold.

For solopreneurs, it isn’t just about money—it’s about freedom. The ability to experiment, fail, start again, and eventually thrive is built into the system here.

9 Better Places to Park Cash as High Saving Rates Fall

August 13, 2025 by Riley Clendenin

The party for high-yield savings is winding down; here’s where to go next.

For the past couple of years, savers have enjoyed a rare and welcome phenomenon: a savings account that actually paid a respectable return. The era of the 5% high-yield savings account felt like a brief, golden age, a moment when simply parking your cash in the right place generated easy, risk-free income. But the financial tides are turning.

As the Federal Reserve signals a shift in its interest rate policy, the party is starting to wind down, and those juicy savings rates are beginning to fall. Now is the time for savers to think strategically about where to move next, to lock in the gains of this period and find new ways to make their money work for them in a changing environment.