We’re all familiar with the concept of a credit score and what it intends to project about your ability to make payments toward your debts a

The costs associated with traveling can be intimidating and perceived as downright unattainable if you have bills, student loan debt and are trying to "adult" by actually saving money. With the poor state of our generation’s finances, one would think none of us has “extra money” to spend on traveling. Yet, our eyes continue to glaze over at our phones swiping up to endless photos of our peers in exotic destinations. It’s clear… Almost everyone is taking trips left and right!

Ben Carter, host of Manage Your Damn Money, talks with Millennials in Washington D.C. about college expenses, money in relationships and financial goals. #moneypros #wealth #saving #buyingstuff

This past weekend I went to Las Vegas for my bachelor party. Monday morning I blew dried blood from my nose. The upper, neck area of my spine hurts. It’s sore and tender to the touch. I think this means I had a good time. The flagship event for the weekend was our attendance to a Las Vegas pool party. My friends love me so much, they felt it was worth paying an absurd amount of money to secure a “cabana” space for the duration of the party along with bottle service, private s

Written by Ben Carter Many who've come across Manage Your Damn Money or enjoy what we do might not realize a very important aspect of our efforts. Manage Your Damn Money is an official, registered Limited Liability Company (LLC) of Washington, DC. This means we file taxes and complicated documents with various government entities to keep our records current and in good standing. It's an expensive proposition. There are yearly fees attached to keeping your LLC on the books and

Written by Ben Carter Growing up in different regions of the country can expose you to things that you come think of as "normal". Born and raised in Pasadena, California, there are a number of things I struggled with when I first came to live on the East Coast. For starters, there is no In & Out Burger, Jack in the Box or Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles restaurants. I don't think Jack In the Box makes it any further west than Texas. Then there is the fact that I can never rememb

Written by Ben Carter In talking about and promoting Manage Your Damn Money, LLC, we sometimes come across critiques of our show and company name. People wonder if using profanity in the title of our show and company is wise or is even offensive. The jury is still out on whether we are smart for the name or great fools, but it's comforting to know we have been joined by GQ.com in producing shows that cover money which also happen to have profane language in the title. If you

The President of the United States has smoked it and admitted inhaling was indeed the point. Two states have legalized it for recreational use and more are considering putting it on their state ballots. It seems America is fast becoming "okay" with marijuana, also known by its nickanmes of pot, weed and Mary Jane. With all the discussion about the legalization of marijuana in America, it's important to consider the personal finance implications of its happening. Where there i

It's wedding season. Also known as one of the most expensive seasons for parents planning to hand over their daughters or sons to a person who will then assume responsiblity for them. Before those parents can rejoice for having successfully passed the buck, there's usually the small... or large detail of holding a wedding, and hopefully paying for it. Money.com writer Kerri Anne Renzulli decided to offer a helping hand in compiling several things families and couples can do t

Written by Ben Carter On June 16, the Washington Post published a story by Robert Samuels called “Millennials consider leaving Washington as the city becomes more costly”. A friend of mine texted myself and our group of friends the story, which profiles a 30-plus-year-old couple expecting their first child and the struggles they face as the costs of living in Washington, DC rise. The piece uses the couple as well as stats about the flow of millennials in and out of the city t

Written by J.R. Weiland Part of taking control of your financial life and working hard to become financially independent includes thinking for the long-term instead of short-term. Everyone wants a nice lifestyle – I mean really, who wakes up every day and says to themselves, “Gee, I wish I were poor…”? The problem most people have is that they don’t think about the LONG-TERM. One way to change your mindset is to write down your long-term goals and create a plan to get you the

Written by Ben Carter When I was fresh out of graduate school, armed with a master’s degree, I expected I should have a job inside of my field relatively soon. My parents and community elders always expressed the value of higher education and so it went without saying that the promise of a solid job straight out of school seemed sure enough. The economic downturn of 2008 (also known as the Great Recession) had other plans. If you remember, the Great Recession had people with

Written by Ben Carter My very first car was not a black, Range Rover Evoque with premium wheels and black leather seats. In some of my dreams (with other adult content sprinkled in) it is my first car... But not in real life. My first car was a 1998 Toyota Camry. It was maroon colored with a V6 engine and a drivers seat that leaned as if an extremely heavy man had spent six years pushing all his weight on one side of the seat each time he got out of the car. Other than that,

Written by J.R. Weiland As much as I like to exude my inner confidence and independence as a woman, when it comes to my man, I melt like butta! And speaking of butter… boy, does that man love to eat… By day, I’m a pretty headstrong financial professional, but after work and to my husband, I’m simply his loving wife. Over the years I’ve learned the one thing he appreciates most is a home-cooked meal. However, I also realize that when I spoil him with the extras – like alcohol,

Written by Ben Carter It was made clear today, the much rumored concert series with music power couple Beyonce Knowles Carter and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter have announced their “On the Run Tour”. The concert series, scheduled to begin in late June, has 16 dates announced. Concerts will be held in venues all across the country; everywhere from my hometown of Pasadena, California in the Rose Bowl to Rogers Centre in Ontario, Canada. Tickets do not appear to be on sale (as of 11:35 a

Written by Ben Carter There are many things in this world that are simply irresistible. New car smell, a great new outfit, Kate Upton, moisturized lips in the winter and the music of Sade. This is a short list of things many could agree are difficult things to deny yourself when given the chance to indulge. But none of these reach the pure level of ecstasy that arise in me than when I face the prospect of asking for guacamole in my Chipotle burrito bowl. Chipotle is already a

George Washington Professor Vanessa Perry joins MYDM to discuss the impact of financial decision-making on young people. #saving #buyingstuff