Financial and Lifestyle Resources for Vermont

I’m a big fan of the envelope method of budgeting, and I’ve written about it in the past. Essentially, whenever money comes into our household, it immediately gets divided up into specific “envelopes” that denote what it’s for. We call this giving every dollar a job, and it makes managing expenses and saving extremely efficient. Once you’ve become good at it, a lot of the usual stress that comes with trying to stick with a budget goes away. Part of the reason I think this philosophy works so well for my family is that it lifts the mental load of spending and worrying that you can’t afford something. Rather than guessing how much you can spend on a given category, you just check its designated “envelope.” If there is enough money in there to buy what you need, you’re good to go! It might sound like a minor difference, but in practice, it revolutionizes budgeting. This method is amazing for nearly every type of spending, save one: groceries!

We have explained how spoofing can be used to deceive a fraud victim.  Now let’s look at a few other common methods fraudsters use in conjunction with spoofing to gather information and carry out their scams: phishing, vishing, and smishing.

You’re thinking about starting a side hustle. It’s a topic that comes up in conversation more and more. And while you may be in a standard 9:00 to 5:00 position rather than working the gig economy, you are still looking for something more. You have a hobby, and you’re looking to finance your interest by making a profit from an activity you enjoy. You could be looking to supplement your income. Finding a skill to turn into a side business could help you reach your financial goals You may want to start your own business and a side hustle could help you test the waters before making a plunge into the entrepreneurial world. No matter what you’re looking to make your side hustle, you’re about to start a business. You can no longer take a passive stance once you have the expectation of profiting from your side hustle. And since this is your side job (with an emphasis on side), making money is easier said than done while also managing your full-time job.

February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on the contributions and accomplishments made by African Americans in the U.S., while also recognizing that there is still work to be done to achieve racial equity. In Vermont, shopping local and supporting small business is a way of life. We like to know that our dollars are staying in our communities, and one fantastic way to put our dollars to work this month (and year-round!) is to celebrate and uplift the accomplishments of our Black neighbors.   The U.S. Census estimates that just 1.4% of Vermont residents identify as Black or African American, a statistic which I found to be reflected in my search to highlight businesses from around the state. Finding Black-owned establishments in Chittenden County was noticeably easier than in other counties, and many of the towns represented here are online shops, rather than traditional brick-and-mortar storefronts. This makes it even more important for all of us to do our part to support and boost the visibility of Black businesses across Vermont.     To get you started, here are 15 businesses you should check out!

Debt can be a complicated or sensitive topic, but it’s important to discuss because it’s crucial to our personal finances. Your credit score is impacted by the amount of debt you have, whether you are paying off your debt on time, your credit card balance(s), and more. Debt can also have you spending significant sums on interest alone.  According to financial data from Zillow, Forbes, and TransUnion, the average American will pay just under $900 a year in interest on their credit card debt.  However, not all debt is bad. Sometimes debt can help to improve your credit score, make a sound investment in your future, and more. Understanding the difference between good debt and bad debt can help you determine what debts to pay off first or avoid going into certain types of debt.

Is your credit score preventing you from qualifying for the best loan rates or from being approved for a loan? Do you feel like you don't even know where to begin to get your credit back on track? Have you been ignoring the problem because facing it head on simply feels too daunting? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you and millions of other Americans are in the same boat. Fret not! Getting your credit back on track doesn't have to be as formidable of a challenge as you may have thought!

Whether you’re traditionally a new car buyer or looking for a used car that will last longer, there are affordable and reliable options out there for you. This is your starter guide for shopping for a pre-owned vehicle—what to look for, what questions to ask, where to buy from, and more.

The good and bad news about heating your home in Vermont is that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Every home is different, after all—with existing heating system, floor plan, and heat-loss issues. The reason this is good news is that you can create a system that works for your unique home and budget. It may take some research, but you’ve come to the right place. In order to simplify your search for the perfect system for your home, we have compiled this list of the five efficient home heating options and the types of homes they are best suited to.