Tarra Jackson

[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
There are lots of ways to get rich. But most Americans can’t bank on getting a big inheritance or winning the Powerball.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. Some people become wealthy — and stay wealthy — thanks to a lifetime of smart choices (and a bit of luck, too). Here are some of the most common and effective habits of the rich.1. They save with purposeEveryone needs money in savings. But there’s more to it than just socking every spare dollar in a savings account.First, you’ll want to make sure you’re earning the highest interest rate you can get. Look up the APY on your savings account. Odds are it’s 1.00% or lower.Meanwhile, there are high-yield savings accounts paying 3.60% APY or more. Smart savers don’t settle for less than that.Our favorite high-yield savings accounts pay up to 4.40% APY. Check out our list of the best high-yield savings accounts to open a new account and start earning more interest today.Secondly, you should have a specific savings target. Your savings account should contain enough money to:Cover three to six months’ worth of expenses, so you won’t have to take on debt if you land in a financial emergency.Pay for any large purchases you’re planning to make within the next few years.Beyond that, most wealthy people don’t keep a ton of money in a savings account. That’s because…2. They invest as much as possible — and in savvy waysYou don’t need to game the stock market or get insider tips from your rich buddies to make money. In fact, that’s a great way to lose money.Most people — even professional investors — are terrible at predicting the market and picking stocks. That’s why a lot of wealthy people simply invest in a diversified portfolio on a regular basis.And there’s a simple and smart way to do it.Open an IRAOne way the rich stay rich is by minimizing their taxes. And an individual retirement account (IRA) is a huge tax-saver.When you buy investments through an IRA, they’re free from taxes on capital gains and dividends. These tax breaks could save you huge sums of money.Anyone who earns income can open an IRA, and it usually takes minutes. You’ll want to read up on the rules and restrictions first, though. Click here to learn more about IRAs and open an account today.Set up automatic investments in index fundsAn index fund mirrors the performance of a stock market index, like the S&P 500. When you buy shares of an S&P 500 index fund, you own a part of all 500 companies in the index. That means you’re instantly diversified.You can also purchase real estate funds, which allow you to invest in thousands of properties at once.Look for funds that are diversified and have low fees, and then you can set up automatic investments through your IRA. I recommend investing at least once per month. The more often you invest, the smoother your returns will be.3. They get professional helpA lot of wealthy people have financial advisors. But paying for professional advice is not just for the rich.Financial advisors aren’t cheap — many charge over $200 per hour. However, they can more than make up for their fees by creating personalized plans for all your financial goals. They can give you advice on retirement planning, investing, taxes, debt payoff, and much more.You don’t have to meet with an advisor every month. You may only want to consult with an advisor once every year or two. Look for a fee-only advisor who’s a fiduciary — that means they’re legally required to put your interests first. You may even be able to get a free consultation.Want to look into getting professional advice? A short questionnaire from our partner, SmartAsset, helps match you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors, each legally bound to work in your best interest.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

There are lots of ways to get rich. But most Americans can’t bank on getting a big inheritance or winning the Powerball.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Some people become wealthy — and stay wealthy — thanks to a lifetime of smart choices (and a bit of luck, too). Here are some of the most common and effective habits of the rich.

1. They save with purpose

Everyone needs money in savings. But there’s more to it than just socking every spare dollar in a savings account.

First, you’ll want to make sure you’re earning the highest interest rate you can get. Look up the APY on your savings account. Odds are it’s 1.00% or lower.

Meanwhile, there are high-yield savings accounts paying 3.60% APY or more. Smart savers don’t settle for less than that.

Our favorite high-yield savings accounts pay up to 4.40% APY. Check out our list of the best high-yield savings accounts to open a new account and start earning more interest today.

Secondly, you should have a specific savings target. Your savings account should contain enough money to:

• Cover three to six months’ worth of expenses, so you won’t have to take on debt if you land in a financial emergency.
• Pay for any large purchases you’re planning to make within the next few years.

Beyond that, most wealthy people don’t keep a ton of money in a savings account. That’s because…

2. They invest as much as possible — and in savvy ways

You don’t need to game the stock market or get insider tips from your rich buddies to make money. In fact, that’s a great way to lose money.

Most people — even professional investors — are terrible at predicting the market and picking stocks. That’s why a lot of wealthy people simply invest in a diversified portfolio on a regular basis.

And there’s a simple and smart way to do it.

Open an IRA

One way the rich stay rich is by minimizing their taxes. And an individual retirement account (IRA) is a huge tax-saver.

When you buy investments through an IRA, they’re free from taxes on capital gains and dividends. These tax breaks could save you huge sums of money.

Anyone who earns income can open an IRA, and it usually takes minutes. You’ll want to read up on the rules and restrictions first, though. Click here to learn more about IRAs and open an account today.

Set up automatic investments in index funds

An index fund mirrors the performance of a stock market index, like the S&P 500. When you buy shares of an S&P 500 index fund, you own a part of all 500 companies in the index. That means you’re instantly diversified.

You can also purchase real estate funds, which allow you to invest in thousands of properties at once.

Look for funds that are diversified and have low fees, and then you can set up automatic investments through your IRA. I recommend investing at least once per month. The more often you invest, the smoother your returns will be.

3. They get professional help

A lot of wealthy people have financial advisors. But paying for professional advice is not just for the rich.

Financial advisors aren’t cheap — many charge over $200 per hour. However, they can more than make up for their fees by creating personalized plans for all your financial goals. They can give you advice on retirement planning, investing, taxes, debt payoff, and much more.

You don’t have to meet with an advisor every month. You may only want to consult with an advisor once every year or two. Look for a fee-only advisor who’s a fiduciary — that means they’re legally required to put your interests first. You may even be able to get a free consultation.

Want to look into getting professional advice? A short questionnaire from our partner, SmartAsset, helps match you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors, each legally bound to work in your best interest.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”According to a recent LendingTree report, there are 109 different 0% intro APR balance transfer cards from 31 issuers available right now. It’s no wonder they are popular — balance transfer cards can give people a real shot at breaking free from high-interest debt.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. But while the offers are easy to find, using them properly is where most people trip up. Without a game plan, these cards just become a slick way to kick the can down the road.A 0% intro APR offer won’t fix bad financial habitsThe most common mistake people make with balance transfer cards is treating the card like a solution when it’s really just a tool.It’s like buying a super fancy oven — then expecting it to do all your cooking for you.Moving debt from one credit card to another doesn’t wipe it clean. It just buys you some breathing room (the 0% intro APR window) to pay the debt off faster.To get out of debt — and stay out — you need to make a plan to pay off the balance in full, and also adjust underlying spending habits.Paying off your debt within the 0% intro APR windowOnce a balance transfer goes through, the clock starts ticking. You’ve got a limited-time window to pay off that debt before the high interest kicks back in.So here’s a simple plan: Take your total balance and divide it by the number of 0% intro APR months.That number is your monthly payoff target.Example: If you transferred $6,000 to a card with an 18-month 0% intro APR, you’d want to target a minimum of $334 in monthly payments to have your debt repaid at the end of the 18-month period without paying any interest. If you can afford to pay $500 per month, you’ll have the debt paid off in just a year!Keep in mind: This doesn’t include any new purchases you make on the card. It’s smart to treat this card like a no-spend zone until your debt is gone.It’s also smart to choose a card that offers the longest 0% intro APR period possible. More time = lower monthly payment = better odds of wiping out your debt completely. Check out today’s best 0% intro APR balance transfer cards that give you up to 21 months to pay off your debt.Other common 0% intro APR gotchasEven if you have good intentions, it’s still easy to fall into common traps with balance transfer cards. Here are some other things to watch out for:Missing the transfer window. Most cards require you to transfer your balance within 60 or 90 days to qualify for the 0% intro rate.Paying late. A single late payment can void your 0% intro offer. Then you’re back at sky-high interest rates.Making too many new purchases on the card. If you continue your old spending habits, you could build a new debt pile after you’ve paid off your old one.Thinking it’s free. Most cards charge a transfer fee of 3% to 5%. Always do the math with a payoff calculator to make sure you’re coming out ahead.A 0% intro balance transfer card isn’t a silver bullet, but it can be the tool that gives you a fresh start.But you’ve gotta put in the hard work and stick to a payoff plan. No more kicking the can — it’s time to crush it. Find the right 0% intro APR card today and make this the start of your debt-free journey.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

According to a recent LendingTree report, there are 109 different 0% intro APR balance transfer cards from 31 issuers available right now. It’s no wonder they are popular — balance transfer cards can give people a real shot at breaking free from high-interest debt.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

But while the offers are easy to find, using them properly is where most people trip up. Without a game plan, these cards just become a slick way to kick the can down the road.

A 0% intro APR offer won’t fix bad financial habits

The most common mistake people make with balance transfer cards is treating the card like a solution when it’s really just a tool.

It’s like buying a super fancy oven — then expecting it to do all your cooking for you.

Moving debt from one credit card to another doesn’t wipe it clean. It just buys you some breathing room (the 0% intro APR window) to pay the debt off faster.

To get out of debt — and stay out — you need to make a plan to pay off the balance in full, and also adjust underlying spending habits.

Paying off your debt within the 0% intro APR window

Once a balance transfer goes through, the clock starts ticking. You’ve got a limited-time window to pay off that debt before the high interest kicks back in.

So here’s a simple plan: Take your total balance and divide it by the number of 0% intro APR months.

That number is your monthly payoff target.

Example: If you transferred $6,000 to a card with an 18-month 0% intro APR, you’d want to target a minimum of $334 in monthly payments to have your debt repaid at the end of the 18-month period without paying any interest. If you can afford to pay $500 per month, you’ll have the debt paid off in just a year!

Keep in mind: This doesn’t include any new purchases you make on the card. It’s smart to treat this card like a no-spend zone until your debt is gone.

It’s also smart to choose a card that offers the longest 0% intro APR period possible. More time = lower monthly payment = better odds of wiping out your debt completely. Check out today’s best 0% intro APR balance transfer cards that give you up to 21 months to pay off your debt.

Other common 0% intro APR gotchas

Even if you have good intentions, it’s still easy to fall into common traps with balance transfer cards. Here are some other things to watch out for:

1. Missing the transfer window. Most cards require you to transfer your balance within 60 or 90 days to qualify for the 0% intro rate.
2. Paying late. A single late payment can void your 0% intro offer. Then you’re back at sky-high interest rates.
3. Making too many new purchases on the card. If you continue your old spending habits, you could build a new debt pile after you’ve paid off your old one.
4. Thinking it’s free. Most cards charge a transfer fee of 3% to 5%. Always do the math with a payoff calculator to make sure you’re coming out ahead.

A 0% intro balance transfer card isn’t a silver bullet, but it can be the tool that gives you a fresh start.

But you’ve gotta put in the hard work and stick to a payoff plan. No more kicking the can — it’s time to crush it. Find the right 0% intro APR card today and make this the start of your debt-free journey.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More