Ashley
Personal Finance Writer and Content Creator
I am a personal finance writer and content creator. In addition to contributing to Wealth Meta, I write for solo entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies. When I'm not calculating my net worth or reading the latest personal finance book, you can find me shark diving in South Africa.
Blog Posts by Ashley:
- March 19, 2021
- by Ashley
Experian Boost Could Improve Your Credit
Is there any way to quickly improve your credit score? Experian, a credit reporting bureau, offers its free service, Experian Boost, as a possible answer.
- March 8, 2021
- by Ashley
How to Budget for a High-Ticket Item
Dreaming about a luxury purchase is one thing. Going through with the purchase is another. If you’ve found yourself seriously tempted by an item or experience, there may be a reason for it.
- February 26, 2021
- by Ashley
How to Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report
If you notice a blemish on your credit report that doesn’t belong to you, you might be wondering how to dispute the error on your credit report. Fortunately, there are several institutions in place designed …
- February 3, 2021
- by Ashley
To Snowball or Avalanche Your Debt?
Paying off debt can seem like a momentous task. If you have several loans or credit lines, it can be tough to know where to start and which loans to prioritize. There are several philosophies …
- December 16, 2020
- by Ashley
7 Hidden Benefits of a Good Credit Score
If you have a credit card or other debt, and make regular on-time payments, you probably have a good credit score. Having a good or excellent credit score is important for several reasons.
- November 23, 2020
- by Ashley
8 Financial Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to do something you love while helping others. Although you do not get paid for volunteering, that does not mean that you can’t benefit from it.
- November 8, 2020
- by Ashley
Advanced Financial Terms
Here are a few advanced financial terms that you should know along your way to mastering your money.
- October 12, 2020
- by Ashley
How to Capitalize on a 0% APR Credit Card
There is a simple “trick” to saving over $600. It only takes about an hour of work. All you need is a decent credit score and some high interest debt you want to eliminate. On …
- September 19, 2020
- by Ashley
What to Do When You’re Upside Down on Your Mortgage
If you’re underwater on your mortgage you owe more than the home is worth. You probably have more choices than you realize. Read on for our breakdown. Some strategies require no work, others are fairly …
- September 7, 2020
- by Ashley
How to Plan a Great Honeymoon on a Budget
Vacations can be very expensive, so planning your honeymoon can feel like a large additional expense. Read on to discover 16 tips on how to have a great getaway on a budget.
- August 28, 2020
- by Ashley
Is Your Home an Investment
Before you decide to purchase a home, you should take the time to understand if your home is an investment. Your home is probably the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make, but not necessarily the …
- August 21, 2020
- by Ashley
10 Budget Tricks to Boost Your Monthly Savings
Here are a few budgeting hacks you can use to boost your emergency savings in no time.
- August 4, 2020
- by Ashley
16 Basic Financial Terms for Managing Money
Getting good at managing your finances and budget requires knowing a few key concepts. We set up the following list of introductory money related concepts to help you get started on your financial journey.
- July 6, 2020
- by Ashley
Average Net Worth by Age - Are You on Track?
Outlined below is the average net worth broken down by age bracket. Where does your net worth fall when compared to your peers?
- June 14, 2020
- by Ashley
5 Money Moves You Should Make in Your 30s
After spending your 20s getting acclimated to adulthood, you may be ready to take the next steps toward financial security. Read on to discover the five money moves that you should make in your 30s.
- May 11, 2020
- by Ashley
What Getting A Puppy Really Costs
Pets are great but how do they impact your budget? There are both up front costs and ongoing costs involved with owning a pet. Here is how my new "best friend" factors into my budget.
- March 7, 2020
- by Ashley
7 Money Questions To Ask Your Aging Parents
Starting a conversation with your parents about their finances can be daunting. However, most adult children get involved with their parents’ financial situation at some point. It’s helpful to understand their situation and goals so …
- February 7, 2020
- by Ashley
Why I’m Not in a Hurry to Pay off My Student Loans
Being aggressive towards debt has a time and place. With high interest debt, yes, annihilate it. With low interest debt, such as student loans, read on to discover the trade offs.
- January 14, 2020
- by Ashley
Being a Plumber vs. Being a Software Developer - Net Worth Simulations
Here’s what you can learn about plumbers vs software developers / software engineers (and other career paths) by running some comparisons on the Wealth Meta Income and Spending Simulator.
- December 29, 2019
- by Ashley
6 Ways to Exponentially Grow Your Net Worth
Building your net worth is the key to financial success. There are several simple methods anyone can use to improve their net worth. By boosting your income and assets while reducing your liabilities, you can …
- December 18, 2019
- by Ashley
When Does Downsizing Your Home Make Sense?
If you are looking to free up money in your budget and get out of debt, you may want to consider downsizing your home. Downsizing can be a great way to reduce or eliminate your …
- November 22, 2019
- by Ashley
Are You Making These 8 Costly 401k Mistakes?
In order to enjoy a comfortable retirement, it’s vital you save as much as possible. If you want to maximize your retirement reserves, here are the most common 401(k) mistakes to avoid.
- November 14, 2019
- by Ashley
7 Ways to Live a Prosperous Life in Retirement for Free
Focusing on money alone is not enough to enjoy a life of prosperity in your golden years. Here are some other things you can do that are 100% free.
- November 4, 2019
- by Ashley
How to Organize and Secure Your Financial Documents
Organizing your finances is a great way to help you save time and money as well as offer peace of mind. Here are five steps to get you started, including ways to keep your financial …
- October 17, 2019
- by Ashley
Being a Doctor vs. Being a Software Developer - Net Worth Simulations
Here’s what you can learn about doctors, software developers / software engineers (and other career paths) by running some comparisons on the Wealth Meta Income and Spending Simulator.
- September 30, 2019
- by Ashley
7 Things You Can Do Today to Boost Your Financial Well-Being
Getting a handle on your finances may seem like a monumental task. However, when you’re able to make daily progress, you build your financial confidence in no time. If you want to better manage your …
- August 7, 2019
- by Ashley
A Reverse Bucket List for Financial Freedom
When it comes to financial goals, avoiding certain things can be just as important as taking action on others. Here are some things NOT to do when it comes to financial freedom.
- July 5, 2019
- by Ashley
Why Home Ownership Is No Longer the American Dream
One of the components of the American Dream has always been owning a home. Yet, over the years, the American Dream has transformed and home ownership rates are well below their 2004 high.
- May 18, 2019
- by Ashley
5 Ways Your Social Circle May Be Costing You a Secure Financial Future
It may be hard to notice at first, but your friends may be costing you a secure financial future. In order to avoid the potential negative influence of our friends, here are 5 trends you …
- May 7, 2019
- by Ashley
Negotiation Tactics That Can Boost Your Financial Security
Do you lack negotiation skills and assertiveness? If so then car dealerships, employers and loan sharks want to work with you! You are leaving money on the table and lining their pockets by not sharpening …
- April 23, 2019
- by Ashley
Six Financial Moves You Need to Make Once You Tie the Knot
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes talking about your finances? That’s right. Now that you’re married, finances will play a major role in your daily lives. Here are 6 financial moves you need …
- January 31, 2019
- by Ashley
Here's the Real Retirement Killer: Inflation
Consumers spend their lifetime working toward that magic number that will allow them to retire. Unfortunately, many pre-retirees leave out an important detail that could cost them a large portion of their retirement savings.
- October 29, 2018
- by Ashley
10 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Budget
Budgeting can be a bit of a challenge. It’s on ongoing effort to manage your money on a monthly basis. If you find you are struggling with yours, here are a few ways to instantly …
- October 2, 2018
- by Ashley
How to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits in Less Than 140 Characters
The answer in 140 characters: Work 35+ years, earn the maximum, wait as long as possible to retire, minimize income in retirement, avoid state taxes, stay alive.