The price of Christmas cheer
And more of the week's best financial advice
Here are three of the week's top pieces of financial advice, gathered from around the web:
The price of Christmas cheer
It's outdoor holiday lighting time again, and "homeowners now have options besides climbing a ladder in the cold to hang decorations," said Ann Carrns at The New York Times. Hiring professionals to put up your sparkling outdoor display has become more popular with those "willing to pay to avoid the headache of untangling strings of lights and running extension cords." Basic décor, like lights along your single family home's roof and door can cost about $500. The average is $1,650, though more elaborate displays can cost much more. Many installers will also remove the lights and store them for you. Staying safe is another reason to hire professionals — in 2016 there were 14,700 holiday decorating–related injuries, most from falls. To save money, join with neighbors to negotiate a group rate.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Three expense-tracking apps
"Need an assist to track your spending?" asked Kevin Dupzyk at Popular Mechanics. If so, it's time to try a budgeting app. For "fully appraising your financial health," there's Mint, a free app that lets you sync and monitor your checking, savings, credit cards, investment accounts, and even assets such as car and home values. You Need a Budget, an app that costs $6.99 a month, is very focused on your budgeting strategy. It "helps you give every dollar you earn a 'job,' even if the job is 'be used to go to the movies.'" If you're looking for a very easy-to-use choice, there's Wally, which doesn't sync with bank accounts, but lets you pair expenses with notes and scanned receipts.
An online bank with a social mission
There's a new online banking platform that will let you use part of your fees to improve the world, said Eillie Anzilotti at Fast Company. Good Money will offer financial perks similar to other online banks, such as no ATM or overdraft fees. "But 50 percent of the profits it makes it funnels toward the planet through impact investments and charitable donations." While there are many ways to pull your money out of a bank that you don't like, there are few methods to influence a bank to actually do good. "Good Money wants to fill that void." Clients will get a small ownership stake — the founder says that may eventually go as high as 70 percent — and will get to vote "on where Good Money will invest its profits," with a choice of sustainable investments such as clean energy or reforestation efforts.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The great departure: Texas OB-GYNs are leaving the state
Under the radar The state is suffering an exodus of health care professionals, creating more maternity care deserts
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: December 5, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: December 5, 2024
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The pros and cons of noncompete agreements
The Explainer The FTC wants to ban companies from binding their employees with noncompete agreements. Who would this benefit, and who would it hurt?
By Peter Weber Published
-
What experts are saying about the economy's surprise contraction
The Explainer The sharpest opinions on the debate from around the web
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
The death of cities was greatly exaggerated
The Explainer Why the pandemic predictions about urban flight were wrong
By David Faris Published
-
The housing crisis is here
The Explainer As the pandemic takes its toll, renters face eviction even as buyers are bidding higher
By The Week Staff Published
-
How to be an ally to marginalized coworkers
The Explainer Show up for your colleagues by showing that you see them and their struggles
By Tonya Russell Published
-
What the stock market knows
The Explainer Publicly traded companies are going to wallop small businesses
By Noah Millman Published
-
Can the government save small businesses?
The Explainer Many are fighting for a fair share of the coronavirus rescue package
By The Week Staff Published
-
How the oil crash could turn into a much bigger economic shock
The Explainer This could be a huge problem for the entire economy
By Jeff Spross Published