Articles by Shirley Pulawski

Shirley is a staff writer for MyBankTracker who covers personal finance trends, money habits, mortgages and foreclosures. Education: B.S. in Environmental Science from SUNY Empire State College.

Should You Save for Retirement or for Your Kids' College? Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski Should You Save for Retirement or for Your Kids' College? Saving money is important, whether it's for retirement, college, emergencies, or... Money Mistakes You Can't Make in Your 40s Many of us thought tomorrow would never come, but here it is, and it's time to be responsible. You should avoid money mistakes in your 40s. Downsizing a Home: Is it Right for You? If you’re considering downsizing to a smaller home, the first steps you will want to take will be to determine what you have and assess your needs, both financially, and in relation to your lifestyle. How to Fix Bad Credit Score with Secured Credit Cards Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski How to Fix Bad Credit Score with Secured Credit Cards Having bad credit doesn't make it nearly as difficult to operate in a highly... Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Tips You Should Know Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Tips You Should Know Individual retirement accounts, or IRAs, are tax-deferred savings plans designed to be... 6 Wasteful Spending Habits That Prevent You from Saving More Each Month Saving more each month means assessing your wasteful spending habits. See if you can cut these expenses out so you can save more. 7 Reasons Why You Have a Love-Hate Relationship With Home Insurance What to know about home insurance and how to shop for homeowner's insurance, even if you already have coverage. Home Closing Process: What Really Happens and What You Need to Know Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski Home Closing Process: What Really Happens and What You Need to Know When I bought my house on foreclosure, I expected to live in it for quite some time,... Valuable Lessons Learned After Switching From Debit Card to Prepaid Card Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski Valuable Lessons Learned After Switching From Debit Card to Prepaid Card Shirley Pulawski is a freelance journalist who is documenting the process of going... 5 Lessons Learned About Renting to Friends and Living Above Them Being a landlord is an important responsibility. Learn about what it's like to rent an apartment to friends, and renting an apartment to others.