YoBucko | Financial Education for the Next Generation

What Election Issues Matter to Generation Y

by Eric Bell

| Politics
May 16, 2012

Every morning I wake up, get coffee and sit down to browse the television to see what is happening in the world before my day starts. It is pathetic. Without fail, I am disappointed to find that the presidential candidates, pundits and press are focused on petty issues and partisan...
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Are You Getting Paid What You Deserve?

by Alan Silbert

| Jobs
May 15, 2012

A few weeks ago I was reading Parade Magazine’s article on “What People Earn” and was aghast to see that Snooki, from the hit reality show Jersey Shore, earns $1.6 million per year. I thought that something must be wrong in the universe to entitle Snooki to earnings that are...
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5 Savings Tips for New Employees

by Eric Bell

| Saving
May 14, 2012

You’re starting a new job. Perhaps it’s your first full-time job or maybe you’ve been working for a while. It may feel like there are many demands on your income: rent, credit card debt, student loans, or car payments. Although it’s important to save for these short-term goals, make sure...
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DC Leaders Step Up on Financial Literacy

by Eric Bell

| Financial Education
May 13, 2012

A few months ago, we published an article entitled The State of Financial Education in Washington, DC. In the article, we reviewed the lack of progress city leaders had made on the topic of financial literacy since former Mayor Adrian Fenty formed the DC Mayor’s Financial Literacy Council in 2008....
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12 Financial Tips for the Class of 2012

by Eric Bell

| Personal Finance
May 11, 2012

In the weeks ahead, millions of millennial will graduate college, move to new cities and start their first jobs. It’s an exciting and intimidating time in life. In the months following my college graduation, life hit me like a ton of bricks. To help alleviate the stress, here are some...
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Student Loan Entrance Counseling is a Joke

by Eric Bell

| Education
May 10, 2012

To humor myself, I just spent the last five minutes retaking the student loan entrance counseling quiz that I had to take prior to taking out approximately $120,000 in student loans. By my calculations, it is the most worthless, mind-numbing experience of my academic career and financial life. Anyone who...
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I’m about to graduate with no job. What do I do?

by Stephanie Halligan

| Jobs
May 9, 2012

You’ve ordered your cap and gown. The graduation ceremony is next weekend. Your parents are so damn proud of you, and they’re driving all the way out to your school for the big day. You feel like the past four years of hard work and all-nighters is about to pay...
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The Benefits of Employee Benefits

by Eric Bell

| Jobs
May 9, 2012

Before I decided to leave my former job to start YoBucko, I didn’t realize how valuable employee benefits were. Today, as I pay my own health insurance, parking, transportation, and am responsible for saving for my own retirement, I miss employee benefits dearly. If you are considering leaving your job...
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Financial Advice for Single Moms

by Eric Bell

| Budgeting, Personal Finance
May 8, 2012

I am a Mama’s boy. There, I said it. Since I can remember, my Mom has been there for my brother and me doing everything in her capacity to make our lives better. She is simply an amazing woman. But she is not alone. There are millions of moms out...
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5 Ways to Make More Money

by Eric Bell

| Jobs
May 8, 2012

Life isn’t all about money, but money sure does make it easier to get what you want out of life. If you want to save money, pay off debt or invest for the future, the first thing you have to do is make more money. While sounds simple, making money...
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Go Green: Opt-Out of Junk Mail

by Mary Bell

| Identity Theft
May 7, 2012

Are you the victim of never-ending mailing solicitations that go straight to the shredder? (Notice, I said shredder and not trash!) A lot of the junk mail you receive comes from credit bureaus since they are the ones who give other companies a glimpse of your credit history. Yes, that’s...
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5 Ways to Save Money On Your Cell Phone Bill

by Eric Bell

| Budgeting
May 2, 2012

You’ve probably seen at least one news story about a teen who has racked up an enormous cell phone bill. While your chances of racking up thousands of dollars in unanticipated charges are small, it happens to the best of us. Being aware of hidden charges and looking for ways...
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How to Improve your Credit Score

by Eric Bell

| Credit
April 26, 2012

Your credit report shows information about how you have used credit, such as how much credit you have, how much of your available credit you are using, whether you have made your payments on time, and whether anyone has sent a loan you owe to a debt collector. A credit...
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Why I Invest in ETFs

by Eric Bell

| Investing
April 24, 2012

There are a million different strategies for investing and making money through public markets, but there is one that I like and want to share with you: investing in ETFs. An exchange traded fund, or ETF, is a share of an investment fund that trades on a stock exchange, much...
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Portfolio Diversification Explained

by Eric Bell

| Investing
April 24, 2012

Have you ever heard the phrase “don’t put all your eggs in one basket?” This saying sums up a very complex financial concept called portfolio diversification. In this article, we’re going to help you understand why portfolio diversification matters and give you some pointers on how you can diversify your...
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How to Set Financial Goals

by Eric Bell

| Personal Finance
April 23, 2012

Goal setting is a critical aspect of money management. If you don’t know where you want to go, how can you get there? Whether you are trying to save for college, buy a home or repay student loans, it is important to write down your goals so you don’t forget...
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How Much Does Moving Cost?

by Eric Bell

| Housing
April 22, 2012

Budgeting for your next move? To help you figure out how much it will cost, we’ve done some research to help you understand some of the moving expenses you can expect. Who is Moving Your Stuff? The biggest factor determining your moving costs depends on who does the work. If...
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Ways to Save Money on Moving Costs

by Eric Bell

| Budgeting, Housing
April 21, 2012

A big move has the potential to cost thousands of dollars. From hiring movers to buying packing supplies the costs of a move add up quickly. Fortunately, if you are willing to do a lot of the work yourself, there are many simple ways to save money on moving costs....
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How to Save on Cable, Phone and Internet Bills

by Eric Bell

| Bills, Worksheets
April 17, 2012

If you are moving to a new city, buying a home or renting a new apartment, you’ll need to contact local cable company or internet service provider to set up cable, internet and phone plans. When there are a lot of competitors it can get quite confusing. From monthly recurring...
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Best Places to Look for Student Loans

by Eric Bell

| Education, Loans
April 17, 2012

Looking for ways to finance your education? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll show you the best places to look for student loans and help you navigate the myriad of financial aid options available to prospective students. Financial Aid Office at School The first place...
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