Finances

Keep the paper and junk mail in check — start tracking your finances and paying your bills online instead. Opting to get your statements via email (for your bank and other utilities) can keep clutter and paper waste at bay. Plus, online monitoring services allow you to set budgets, get alerts when you've gone over your limit, and track where your spare cash is going so you can save a few bucks. Get your financial life organized with help from the free websites listed below!

• Mint — The leader of financial management sites, Mint charts every expense, transaction, and asset with easy-to-read charts, budget progress, and weekly financial summaries.
• LearnVest — Similar to Mint, LearnVest presents financial planning from a woman's point of view. Beyond budget and finance tracking, the site provides editorial content such as money tips and the option to connect with in-house financial experts.

See the rest of the list after the break.

Why on earth should you save for retirement? Read what OnSugar blog Beauty and the Budget has to say about saving for your golden years.

For a young woman in her mid twenties, saving for retirement can seem like a distant, abstract concept. Personally, I tend to save for short term rewards, like a summer vacation. But for those things that are far off — even further away than marriage and children — I avoid the subject and neglect the planning. When I look at other financial websites, my eyes usually fall upon some topic on retirement savings, but I never really look into it.

Somehow, the other day at work, I got to thinking about my retirement. I love working in fashion, but let's face it, this isn't the greatest industry if you want a high paying salary or benefits. Only those on the top of the fashion pyramid make lots of money. As for the rest of us, we just really have to love what we do. I used to think that every job came with some sort of retirement plan, and that you'd just automatically be taken care of by the last company you work for when you decide to retire. Unfortunately, that's not the way it works.

Read on for reasons to save for retirement.

When it comes to major investments, buying a home definitely tops the list. There are many ways you can get a jump on preparing for your first home purchase, including starting a savings plan. But there are plenty of other smart strategies you can also implement to make your dream home a reality. Check out these seven tips from MyBanktracker.com founder and personal finance expert Alex Matjanec for improving your finances and strategies when buying a first home.

1. A strong credit score can save you thousands "Did you know that applying for a home loan with weak credit can lead to higher interest fees, and smaller loans? Leverage properties such as Credit Karma or myFICO to know where you credit stands. If you plan to apply for a home loan with your spouse, make sure both of your credit scores are strong, as the lender is subject to use the lower credit score. As an example, having a credit score below 660 will cause you to pay much higher fees or require a larger down payment. According to FICO, a 100-point difference on your score could result in a $25,000 savings over a 30-year mortgage on a loan of $300,000 Start boosting your credit now by not applying for any additional credit. Try to break 740 for the best savings. When it comes time to apply for a loan, ensure you have very little debt with less then 1/3 of the credit is being used."
2. Know what you can afford "With banks now forcing down payments as much as 22 percent, with scheduled monthly payments on top of that, saving becomes even more essential. It is also important to not forget closing costs (average of $3,500) and standard upkeep costs of as much as three percent. Before you become super frugal, take the time to get a sense of what you can afford. That way you can calculate what you’ll need for a down payment and future payments. For monthly payments, a good strategy in setting expectations is being prepared to apply up to 31percent of your before tax income to your mortgage. To avoid a massive change to your lifestyle, begin saving as soon as you can."
3. Make a budget, open a savings account, and automate "Once you have determined how much you need to cover the initial and future cost, open a high interest savings account at a national or local bank. It is important that your budget is realistic and accurate. If you can, try for a higher the down payment, this will help you lock in a lower interest rate and monthly payment. Though savings account rates are much lower than they were three years ago, you should look at this account as a safe haven or unavailable cash for your house. This will mean avoid dipping into as an emergency fund. Set up automatic transfers of funds to your home savings account. This way your savings will grow without you noticing the contribution being moved each week."

Keep reading for more tips!

If you're juggling multiple credit cards, read these tips from OnSugar blog Beauty and the Budget.

If you have accumulated credit card debt on multiple cards, deciding which credit card to eliminate can be tricky. In fact, it doesn't even have to be credit card debt. Maybe you got suckered into getting seven magazine subscriptions for the price of one (ahem . . . ) or some other gimmick that is ultimately draining your bank account.

For me, it's two credit cards and magazine subscriptions. Yes, I live and breath fashion magazines and absolutely love getting every single copy in the mail. But honestly, I pay $33 a month for reduced price magazine subscriptions from a circulation company, and I just can't afford it. I also have two credit cards — one with an ashamingly high amount of debt and another with a lesser amount. These three bills are the most annoying debts I owe. Especially the credit card with the most amount of debt because I have nothing to show for what has accumulated, except a fashion study tour in Hawaii and a Guess bag. Otherwise, I have no idea where the rest of it went.

For Beauty and the Budget's tips to paying off credit cards, read on.

We've expressed time and time again that being honest with your partner is the key to financial and relationship success. It seems that most of you agree as well — 95 percent of you said that you are open with your honey about finances. Although you don't shy away from money topics with your partner, discussing these sensitive subjects can be difficult.

Arguments with your significant other will most likely pop up if you've been dating for a while, so I'm asking, what kind of money issues have you argued with your partner about?

Sisters are doing it for themselves — but aren’t super confident about it. According to a new study by Prudential, 95 percent of women are involved in financial decision-making in their households, and 25 percent of us are the primary decision-makers. But somehow, most women — 86 percent — feel like they don’t know how to choose financial products (like mutual funds, annuities, and stocks). Seems like a contradiction, no?

My guess is that the women polled know about as much about IRAs and bonds as anyone else (men included), but are more willing to admit that they’re sort of figuring it out as they go. Are these findings in line with your approach to finances? See a few more stats from the study and weigh in after the jump.

This question comes from Group Therapy in our TrèsSugar Community. Feel free to add your advice in the comments!

A few months back I befriended a guy who I was immediately attracted to. He is a doctoral student at the same university I just graduated from with my bachelor's degree. He is kind, loves animals, holds intelligent conversations with me, and is a musician, just to name some of his great traits. He is not my type in the sense of physical looks (he's shorter than me), but nevertheless I have still felt a connection with him. We have grown rather close and at a much faster pace than I allow most people into my life. I believe we both feel the same way about each other, but are hesitant to do anything due to our circumstances.

The problem is this: he is in wicked debt. I'm talking six figures. He is only 27, and I'm 22 so this is astonishing for me to comprehend. He was engaged about a year ago, and it was called off because his ex cheated on him. He bought the ring and also co-signed a loan for her to attend nursing school, which she dropped out of after they broke up and never repaid the loan. He acknowledges that he made a poor choice in co-signing that loan and not actively pursuing her for financial reimbursement, but he is so far into debt that I doubt it would matter at this point. He has creditors constantly calling and threatening him, but doesn't know what to do now. I don't know if it is wise to enter a relationship knowing that he is so far in debt. But, at the same moment, I think that it is too early to say whether or not it's that important to me. Also, what if he were "the one?" Would finances stop you from pursuing a great relationship?

So my question is do I begin a relationship knowing this might be an issue if our relationship lasts, but not worry about it till I reach that point? Or do I just put an end to my feelings before I get in too deep?

Thoughts?!?!

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it, anonymously, to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.