Image by Alisa Anton These days, the idea of a “simple life” has become a kind of modern-day holy grail. A slower pace. A cozy home. Time to cook, read, garden, and log off. It’s all over Instagram and Pinterest—soft lighting, clean counters, linen clothes, and the promise that peace lies in less. For some, it’s a genuine dream. For others, it feels like a quiet, low-key pressure to downsize your ambition and trade hustle for hygge. So what happens if you don’t actually want a quiet life? What if your idea of fulfillment looks more like ambition, chaos, creativity,…

Making money online has never been more accessible, whether you’re looking for a flexible side hustle or a full-time income stream. In this guide, we’ll break down ten popular online income streams—each with practical tips on how to get started, attract clients or customers, and scale your efforts for long-term success. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to diversify your income, there’s something here for every skill level and interest.  Graphic Design Photo by Tranmautritam: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-imac-s-with-keyboard-and-phones-on-desk-326503/ If you have an eye for style and knowledge of web design or Photoshop, you may want to consider being a graphic designer.…

Image by Klara Kulikova It’s one of those questions that feels almost taboo to ask out loud: Do we actually owe our parents anything? For many people, the default response is yes. After all, they raised you, fed you, supported you, and in most cases, made countless sacrifices along the way. But when you really start to unpack it, the idea of owing your parents can get complicated, especially if your upbringing wasn’t exactly idyllic. In a society that places a high value on family loyalty and filial piety, questioning this unspoken social contract can feel wrong. Yet more and…

An index fund is a kind of passive investment that aims to mirror the performance of a specific index rather than trying to outperform it. Here we’ll look at what index mutual funds are, how they work, and all that you should know before investing in them. What are Index Funds? Every actively managed mutual fund like flexicap or ELSS has a benchmark or an index that it aims to outperform. In these options, fund managers try to beat the benchmark through their expert decision-making and research-driven stock selection. However, a classification of mutual funds called index funds takes a…

Image by Priscilla Du Preez Polyamory tends to spark strong reactions. For some, it’s seen as liberating—an honest approach to love that breaks free from outdated rules. For others, it raises eyebrows and invites assumptions, particularly one in particular: that polyamorous people are afraid of commitment. But here’s the twist. The more you listen to people in polyamorous relationships, the more you start to wonder if the exact opposite might be true. What if, rather than running from intimacy, they’re embracing a deeper form of it? What if polyamory doesn’t signal a fear of commitment, but an evolved way of…

Image by dole777 Gen Z may have grown up with smartphones in hand and social media as second nature, but that doesn’t mean they’re happy about it. In fact, a growing number of young people are openly expressing frustration, exhaustion, and even grief over the constant demand to be digitally present. Being “chronically online” isn’t just a meme anymore. It’s a cultural reality, and a draining one at that. It’s easy to assume that Gen Z thrives on all things digital. They’re fluent in trends, experts at aesthetics, and hyper-aware of what’s happening online. But that fluency doesn’t equal freedom.…

Image by Towfiqu Barbhuiya It’s one of the most common pieces of financial advice tossed around by well-meaning friends, influencers, and personal finance gurus: “Just budget better.” As if poverty is simply a matter of spreadsheet management. As if all it takes to escape low-income living is a few cutbacks, a color-coded Google Doc, and the willpower to skip the morning latte. But for millions of people, especially those living paycheck to paycheck, this kind of advice isn’t just tone-deaf. It’s insulting. Because the truth is, budgeting doesn’t fix poverty. It doesn’t address systemic barriers. It doesn’t raise wages, lower…

Taxpayers who live in federally declared disaster areas are sometimes given automatic extensions to file their taxes. This includes an extension to both file and pay. You typically do not get an extension to pay if you file for an extension on your own, so these automatic extensions can be very helpful.  Taxpayers in 12 states have been given extensions. Some of these extensions apply to all taxpayers in the state, while others apply only to those in certain counties.  Alabama Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/waterfall-near-green-trees-208690/ All taxpayers in Alabama have until May 1st to file their 2024 tax returns.  Ready…

Image by Avery Evans of Unsplash Credit cards can be powerful tools for building credit, earning rewards, and managing cash flow (when used wisely). However, not every card on the market is designed with the consumer in mind. In fact, some cards are structured in ways that can quietly drain your finances, charge excessive fees, or provide very little real benefit in return. With so many options available today, it’s easy to fall into the trap of choosing a card that looks flashy but ends up being a financial burden. From high interest rates to deceptive perks, here are five…

You Still Need a Will Dear Dave, I’m 26, so I haven’t had time to accumulate a lot of money yet through my career. I do have a good, full-time job, though, and have started saving money. Do I need a will or trust when I’m so young and have so little in terms of assets? Alisha  Dear Alisha, I love the fact that you’re already thinking about things like this. You’re a wise young lady. Considering that you’re young and just starting out, you don’t need anything complicated in place. Trusts tend to be geared toward people with complex…