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An Honest Gen Mobile Review: Excellent Service At Low Cost

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Like a lot of extreme savers, I am incredibly frugal. I find myself constantly looking for the best deals and ways to cut costs to keep more money in my pocket. And I am guessing since you are here on Savingadvice, you like to save money too.  Well, I have the newest gold mine for you. The company is called Gen Mobile and they’re offering super good quality phone service for as low as $9 per month.  If you are curious, check out the Gen Mobile review below.

Excellent Service, Strong Network Coverage
  • Customer Service
  • East of Use
  • Network Availability
  • Versatile Options
4.6

Customer Service 4.5.  Good customer service, but doesn’t have 24/7 availability.

Ease of Use: 5. Plans are very easy to set up. No issues with getting started.

Network Availability: 5.  Great job. Does well in even in rural isolated parts of the US.

Versatile Options: 4.  Strong options, but plans could be improved with an unlimited data option.

I personally haven’t had the best experience with small cell phone operators so I was definitely prepared for the worst yet pleasantly surprised with Gen Mobile.

That said, this post is a full-on scorecard for the service, from delivery all the way to usage capabilities. With that, here is a little bit of background on America’s phone plan costs.

America as a whole spends far too much on its monthly phone plans. For example, if we look at this data from CNBC, we see that American’s pay about $125 a month for their phone bill. Which is a lot!

chart
Source: Bill pay service Doxo.com, via CNBC.

 

I know people who won’t even spend $125 on a pair of sneakers they will wear for 12 months, let alone a monthly phone plan.

What is Gen Mobile?

Somewhat new to the market and making its debut in the summer of 2018, Gen Mobile was founded by Robert Yap – a veteran in the wireless phone industry.  The business is smaller, but family run. Gen Mobile is part of a class of telecommunications businesses called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).

MVNOs do not own their own wireless networks, but instead rent space from one of the major US carriers. There are about 139 MVNOs in the United States. The numbers of these kinds of businesses have grown since 2009 due to changes in FCC regulations. By and large MVNOs have better customer service and since they do not have infrastructure costs, they can offer lower prices to consumers. Gen Mobile is no exception. Their service piggybacks on Sprint’s network and their minimum plans cost $9 per month.

Here is Gen Mobile’s coverage map.  They have a presence in most of the United States.

Map

Gen Mobile offers several different kinds of plans. Its pricing starts as low as $9 and spans up to $25 a month. Any plan over $15 includes unlimited calling to 100 countries (a big plus for my global friends and any expats!). See the listing of all 100 countries below:

Gen Mobile 100 countries

Gen Mobile prides itself not only on its affordability but also on its high-quality customer service. It offers live chat, phone calls or email customer care from 8 AM to 6 PM PST.

Fun Facts

  • You can keep your number the same when switching from another provider to Gen Mobile
  • You can buy a preowned phone from Gen Mobile, which is another great cost savings feature
  • Each plan comes with a 7-day money-back guarantee, 4G LTE data, no annual contract, nationwide coverage, and unlimited global texting
  • Gen Mobile has a user-friendly app that helps you manage your account (track usage, make payments, etc.)
  • If you miss your monthly bill payment, Gen Mobile grants you a 15-day grace period where you are still allowed to text before shutting off your service.

Current Phone Selection: 

They’re offering most of the standard phones:

 

Phone list

Phone list

Phone Plans: 

As part of my Gen Mobile review, we look at the actual phone plans Gen Mobile offers. There are two versions you can sign up for. A one-month phone plan – think about this as a month-to-month plan. This may be good for those who don’t know what their future plans will look like.

There is also a three-month phone plan option. As you can see in the pictures below, these plans are a bit cheaper than just the one month plan.  They are generally less expensive than signing up for one month of service.

One Month Phone Plans:

Gen Mobile 1 month plans

Three Month Phone Plans: 

Gen Mobile 3 month plans

Positives and Negatives:

Gen Mobile’s positives greatly outweigh it’s negatives. Let’s lay out all the facts:

Positives:

  • Versatile: Different plans for different kinds of people. As you saw above, you have a one-month or three-month plan with no contracts to get you stuck in. All of the plans offer different calling minutes, data, and texting abilities.
  • Affordability: Far cheaper than the average phone plan. As discussed above, the average person spends about $125 on a phone plan per month. So even if you purchase the most expensive Gen Mobile plan at $25 a month, you are saving $100 a month, which is $1,200 a year!! Talk about cost savings.
  • Hotspot: Gen Mobile offers free tethering. This means you can enable your phone to be a hotspot. This is great for all my fellow travelers out there, trying to get your work done with inconsistent wifi.
  • Pre Owned phones: Say you no longer like the phone you have or you need a phone. Gen Mobile offers you the option of buying preowned phones, which are a fraction of the price of regular phones that most service providers offer.
  • Pair with phone number: No more “new phone, who dis?”. By allowing you to pair with your pre-existing number, your contacts will stay intact and you don’t have to worry about asking the question at the start of every new number conversation.
  • Customer service: Gen Mobile is dedicated to having great customer service. It offers three different ways to reach customers and is available for a large portion of the day.
  • 100 countries: This unlimited calling to 100 countries is a game-changer for expatriates. Seriously.  Many phone plans charge you over 50 cents a minute for international phone calls. This is definitely something to be taken advantage of.
  • No credit checks. If you are still trying to get your credit score back up to where it once was, or say you’ve never had a credit card before, then this service will not discriminate against you!

Negatives: 

  • Data: Truthfully, this is the only real negative I can find. Once you surpass your monthly data amount, that’s it. No more data for you. For heavy data users, this could be an issue. However, Gen Mobile offers plans with up to 3 GB of data, which is more than enough for me. I will be the first to admit I am definitely data-dependent, so if I can make 3GB work seamlessly then you probably can too.

Personal Experience: 

As part of this Gen Mobile review, I reviewed one of their phones. My Gen Mobile package arrived very quickly. Just a couple of days passed by between shipping it from them to my doorstep.

When it arrived, after I took the bubble wrapping off, the package looked something like this:

LG

Then, upon opening, I saw my phone and instructions – with specific phone plans and how to get started. It was super easy, by the way. All I had to do was charge the phone and then dial 611 (or you can dial in from a separate phone, if easier) and hook up my phone.

LGxGen

I really liked that it provided a little reminder, it is small enough to keep on your fridge so you can always look back at it if needed.

LGxGen2

So after setting up the phone, I was ready to put it to the test.  So, the the weekend I did this review I headed to the White Mountains in New Hampshire for the weekend.  The idea was to see how good their service is outside of a highly populated area – the mountains were perfect for this purpose.

I had service the whole time.  There were no problems with calling, texting or using social media. These were all hugely important to me as I run a part-time business through my phone so I had to make sure I was always available.

Gen Mobile really did pleasantly surprise me with how great the service was. I have tried other random MVNOs (not to be name) that were just bunk. They were nothing that they said they were – making you pay extra for every little thing.

In doing this Gen Mobile review I found them to be very transparent. They offer what they say. Yes, there are additional things you can purchase with your plan, but they are not mandatory. Only if you want extra specific items a la carte to make your plan more tailored to you.

Gen Mobile Review Wrap Up: Its Good, Get it.

For anyone in the market of a new phone service provider, I would definitely recommend Gen Mobile. Heck, even for those who don’t even need a new phone provider, I would still recommend it. Gen Mobile costs about one sixth the price of a regular phone plan, you get a tailored plan and excellent customer service.


LG Smartphone and Free Service

Have you ever used Gen Mobile? If so, what was your experience like? Let us know in the comments!

About the author: Gini Dimasi is a corporate finance analyst, blogger and graduate of Framingham University.   She’s a finance expert, bitcoin enthusiast, real estate investor and index fund aficionado.  She regularly blogs at Dual Income No Kids and The Wicked Wallet.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in this articles are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, savingadvice.com will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will add value. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Should You Be Using CLEO?

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should you be using cleo

Over 2.2 billion people log into Facebook each month and Facebook Messenger, based on the number of downloads, is the top mobile app in the world. On a monthly basis, about 1.3 billion users send a shocking 8 billion messages on Facebook Messenger, reaching out to family and friends as well as businesses and their chatbots. Cleo is one such bot, created by a UK-based company to assist you with money management. If you are wondering whether this chatbot can help you master your finances, here’s a look at what it does and why you may or may not want to use it.

What Cleo Is

Cleo is a chatbot that Facebook users can access through Messenger. Its creators wanted to design a mechanism that helps people understand their money, including how they spend and how to make better decisions. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assist users with budgeting, transaction tracking, and more. The AI skims through records, locates patterns, categorizes spending, and gives users insights into their habits and choices.

How Cleo Works

Anyone who wants to use Cleo first has to register. The AI needs read-only access to bank account data, so users have to connect any and all of the accounts they want to track.

Once the registration process is complete, Cleo scans the user’s transaction history. It looks for trends and examines purchase habits. The AI can also help the user budget and provide quick access to a wide variety of information, such as bank account balances, whether a transaction clears, and more.

In total, Cleo can answer over 10,000 different questions, and the AI becomes more capable as users continue to interact with it. It also has a bit of a personality. When users have a conversation with Cleo, Cleo’s responses might include emojis and gifs, which can make the process a bit more fun and quirky.

While many of the users favor the Facebook Messenger approach, you can also get information from Cleo using other methods. Cleo has its own app, allowing you to bypass routing your conversations through another system. There is also a web-based dashboard and a text messaging option. Additionally, you can connect to Cleo through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

What You Can Ask

You can theoretically ask Cleo nearly anything, but it’s answering capabilities are mainly focused on your financial situation and available data. As a result, you’ll want to limit your questions to options like, but not limited to:

  • What’s my current balance?
  • How much did I spend at [retailer] this week?
  • How does my budget look?
  • What bills are coming up this month?

When you ask a question, Cleo provides a fairly detailed response. Plus, it’s incredibly quick, particularly in comparison to sorting through transactions on your own to monitor your spending or see if you’re budget is on target.

Data Security

One thing that would be on any potential new user’s mind is security. After all, connecting bank accounts to Cleo requires entering login credentials, and that would (and should) make anyone at least a bit cautious.

Cleo touts that it is both safe and secure, using bank-level (256-bit) encryption and security practices to safeguard data. Your bank login credentials aren’t stored on Cleo’s servers, and the AI has read-only access, so it can’t facilitate transactions.

The company behind Cleo relies on Plaid – a fintech software solution used by companies like Venmo, Acorns, Coinbase, American Express, and more – to establish the connection between user accounts and the app.

According to Plaid, 10 of millions of North Americans have connected an account to an app using their system. Plaid is a leader in this space. So, if you’ve ever connected a bank account to a third-party app, there’s a decent chance that Plaid made that possible.

However, it’s important to note that neither Cleo nor Plaid is particularly straightforward about security measures. Partially, this is to limit the kind of details that would be available to cybercriminals. If either company was thorough on their website about security mechanisms, hackers would have a clear picture of what they would encounter. Ultimately, that could make the system easier to breach, since the security in place would be explicitly known.

Cleo’s Privacy Policies

When using Cleo, users give the AI access to their transaction records and, in an era where data is a hot commodity for businesses, it’s normal to worry about how the company plans to use that information.

When it comes to what Cleo does with user data, the company states it does not sell, distribute, or lease it to third-parties. Information is shared only when it is necessary while providing its services. Additionally, if you choose to close your account, any and all personal information is deleted. However, anonymous data will remain in accordance with Cleo’s policies.

Overall, Cleo’s privacy policy is very clear and fairly robust. It doesn’t reflect anything one wouldn’t expect, though, if you have concerns, it’s wise to review it yourself to determine your comfort with it.

How Cleo Makes Money

Cleo uses a few approaches to make money. First, there is an optional subscription plan, so some users send Cleo money for additional features. Also, Cleo may recommend financial service alternatives and might receive compensation by acting as an affiliate.

There are other programs available through Cleo that could similarly provide the company with an income. For example, the Cleo Rewards program offers shoppers cashback, and Cleo might receive compensation from companies it lists.

It seems that Cleo’s approach to making money isn’t unlike many other personal finance apps that aim to help users improve credit scores, budget better, or otherwise improve their situation. However, the company isn’t thorough about its income-earning options, so there could be other methods in use.

Meet Cleo Merchants That Offer Cash Back

The following merchants offer cash back when you use Cleo

Hotels.com
Expedia
Groupon
ASOS
Amazon
Uber
Uber eats
Top Ten Banks You Can Link With Cleo
Chase
Wells Fargo
Bank of America
Navy Federal Credit Union
PNC
Capitol One
Chime Bank
USAA
US Bank
RBC
Royal Bank

Should You Use Cleo?

The lack of additional security details may give some users pause. With Plaid’s widespread use by financial giants, that should at least be a degree of reassurance. Additionally, Cleo’s privacy policy seems reasonable, and the company confirms it uses 256-bit encryption, which is a banking-level standard. However, giving over details when you create any new account introduces more risk, so keep that in mind.

Beyond that, Cleo doesn’t technically offer anything new in regards to most of its functionality. You can achieve similar results with other personal finance apps and software, including options like Mint. The difference is mainly in how you get the details you want. Cleo supports a conversational approach that streamlines that part of the experience. Since Cleo has over 2 million users and has held over 161 million conversations, it’s clear that many people appreciate that feature.

Cleo Could Be A Good Choice

If you want to learn details about your financial situation by engaging with a chatbot, then Cleo could be a good choice. It doesn’t appear to be any riskier than other personal finance apps that connect to your bank account. However, if talking with a bot isn’t something you want to do, and you use other personal finance software to bring your account data together, then you might not have a need for Cleo. In that case, sticking with what you have usually makes more sense.

 

Have you tried Cleo? If not, would you consider it, or does the idea make you too nervous? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

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5 Financial Tips to Guide You From College to The Real World

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girl in cap and gown with back turned

Nearly 4 million students are expected to earn a college degree during the 2019-2020 academic year. On average, those college graduates will likely earn just over $50,000 annually after they graduate, and that’s usually substantially more than they bring in as income while still a student. As a result, shifting from college to the real world can be a bit of a shock and surprisingly tricky. If you want to make sure you handle the adjustment properly, here are five financial tips that can help you now.

1. Figure Out a Budget (and Live Below Your Means)

Whenever your income or expenses change dramatically, it’s wise to update your budget. Or, if you were a student without a formal budget, now is the perfect time to create your first one.

For many students, their first real-world salary feels larger than it is. Plus, there is a tendency to splurge or live far beyond one means, both of which can lead to financial hardship down the line.

If you want to make sure that lifestyle inflation doesn’t harm your finances, budgeting is a must. Review all of your expenses (including student loan payments that might be on the horizon) and account for them. Additionally, dedicate some money toward an emergency fund, saving for any upcoming large purchases, and retirement. Consider living as frugally as possible and sending more money than the minimum payment toward your student loans, allowing you to rid yourself of the debt faster.

By making smart choices today, you can make sure that you are saving for the future. Plus, by living within your means, you can avoid other forms of debt.

2. Get Control of Your Credit

The average graduate with a Bachelor’s degree has $29,200 in student loan debt. Plus, 36 percent of college student have at least $1,000 in credit card debt, too.

If you leave college and start living outside of your means, it’s easy for debt to get out of control. When this happens, your credit score can fall, making it hard to obtain credit in the future, leaving you with higher interest rates, and more.

Monitoring and improving your credit score now is a smart choice. That way, if you absolutely need to finance something (like a home), your score is in good shape.

Make sure you review each of your credit reports every year. At AnnualCreditReport.com, a government-supported site, you can do so for free, allowing you to spot errors or issues.

Always make your debt payments on time, as this can help your score. Additionally, avoid using credit for unnecessary expenses, opening new cards you don’t need, or maxing your cards, as those all have the potential to lead to trouble or lower scores.

3. Build an Emergency Fund

At some point, everyone faces a financial emergency. Whether it’s an unexpected car repair, medical bill, or other expense, having cash set aside gives you a safety net. Plus, if you can get three to six months of expenses stashed away, you can protect yourself against sudden job loss as well.

Start by getting at least $1,000 in an emergency fund. That way, you have a basic cushion against financial surprises. Once in place, only tap that account if you are genuinely experiencing a hardship, and replenish it as quickly as possible. Then, just keep stashing money away, allowing you to build it up over time.

4. Save for Retirement Now

As a recent college graduate, compound interest is your best friend. Since you have a substantial amount of time before you reach retirement age, even smaller contributions today can lead to big gains, all thanks to the build-up of interest or earnings over the years.

Whether you use a plan through an employer or open your own IRA, start saving for retirement now. Even if your initial contributions are small, they’ll add up and grow, making it easier to stash enough away to retire comfortably when the day arrives.

5. Leave (a Little) Room in Your Budget for Fun

If all of your money goes toward not-so-fun things, it’s easy to burn out. By dedicating some of your income towards entertainment or exciting purchases (like new furniture or a vacation), you have things to look forward to that you’ll enjoy.

While you don’t want fun to be a huge part of your budget, it should be in there. After you handle your expenses and savings goals, see how much is left and set aside a part of it for your enjoyment. That way, you can get the occasional reward for your hard work, and that will help keep you motivated.

Following these 5 financial tips can ensure a smooth transition from college to reality.

 

Do you have any financial tips that can help students transition from college to the real world? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

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Financial Advice I’d Give My Younger Self

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If I can go back in time, I would do so many things differently with my money. I’ve learned so much through experience and research. Below, I detail the financial advice I’d give my younger self.

Invest Early

Start investing as soon as possible in various approaches. Deposit the maximum amount in an individual retirement account (IRA) and a 401k annually. If the employer offers to match your contributions, then take advantage. Open a brokerage account and invest in exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, and mutual funds. These funds make it easy to invest in multiple stocks without fees for each. They often provide dividends which can be an additional income stream. The earlier you start, the longer your investments have to grow and compound.

Avoid Debt

Debt seems like an inevitable part of life, but it is unnecessary and completely avoidable. Instead of taking out student loans, apply for more scholarships and grants. Apply before and during the school year for all available funding. Before making any purchases, plan and save up for as long as needed to avoid charging the purchase. This discipline applies to a house, a car, electronics, or any other wanted item. There is no need to take out a loan or use a credit card for anything you want. It will take time and patience but will keep you debt-free.

Stick to Your Financial Goals

Set financial goals and priorities, then determine which expenditures are hindering your success. Don’t let your costs increase as your salary increases. Keeping your costs low will provide additional funding for savings and investments. Keep track of income and expenses over time. Find ways to decrease the charges when they start to creep up. Shop around for insurance, services, and groceries. If you want to travel more, then spend less elsewhere.

Allow yourself to enjoy life while being mindful of spending and splurging. It is okay to spend money because that’s why it exists. However, ensure you have added to priorities first. Saving and investments should come before eating out, shopping, and expensive travel. Find deals for dining such as restaurant week. Use bargain sites for experiences and excursions. Maximize the use of coupons, rewards, and sales to reduce spending.

Shop Smart

Try to avoid expensive purchases while in desperation. For example, don’t wait to buy a car until you need one right that second. You will be more prone to make a bad deal or pay more than you want. Everything is negotiable or found elsewhere. Don’t take an uncomfortable offer for a house, appliance, cellular phone, television, or other major purchase. Salespeople can be aggressive, but the ball is in your court. Research what you want and what you’re willing to spend. Once you have set your budget, stick to it. Don’t be afraid to walk away.

Establish Good Habits Early

Finally, more money won’t make you better at managing it. Learn to budget and save at all income levels. Building good habits earlier will save thousands of dollars later. Once you find a system that works for you, stick with it, and update as necessary.

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Meal Planning for Family on a Budget

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If you want to save money on food, meal planning can make a world of difference. Not only does this allow you to estimate your costs, ensuring you remain within budget, but it can also help you avoid extraneous spending. By having a list, you know exactly what you need. Plus, you’ll always have an answer to the “what’s for dinner” questions. Here’s a look at meal planning for a family on a budget.

Take Stock of What You Have

Before you do any planning, it’s a good idea to check what you already have. Go through your cabinet, fridge, and freezer to see if you have items that could work in an upcoming meal. Also, look for various cooking staple ingredients, like salt, flour, oil, and butter. This lets you know if you have the basics on-hand or if you need to add them to a shopping list.

Look at Sale Flyers

When you need to keep your food costs low, sale flyers can help. Look for great deals on various staples that you know you’ll eat and make a note of the price. Focus on flexible foods, like chicken breasts, rice, beans, or anything that you eat regularly and can prepare in a variety of ways. You can also look for matching coupons online or in newspapers if you want to bring the costs down further.

Find Out What’s in Season

Produce that is in season is always cheaper than options that aren’t. By focusing on in-season fruits and vegetables, you’ll save more. Plus, since these options are readily available, it isn’t uncommon for them to go on sale.

Consider Meatless Meals

If you want to keep your costs down even more, consider going meatless one to three times a week. Legumes, eggs, and other sources of protein can be very satisfying and are typically cheaper than chicken, beef, or pork.

Embrace the Power of Leftovers

Stretching your food budget can be easier if you come up with a plan for leftovers. For example, if you cook a whole chicken, plan to use remaining meat for sandwiches the next day. You can also use the bones to make stock, allowing you to create a flavorful chicken broth or soup.

You can also intentionally make more than you need for a dinner, allowing the leftovers to be lunch the following day. Not only does this help you cut down on the amount of time you spend cooking, but it can also be very economical.

Make a Menu

Now that you know what you have and what’s on sale, you can create a menu based on that. Decide what recipes work best with the items, then fill out a menu for the week (or month).

As you plan, estimate your total costs. That way, you can make sure your menu works with your budget and won’t encounter any surprises at the checkout.

 

Do you have any tips that can help with meal planning for a family on a budget? Share them in the comments below.

 

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Is Your Wedding Budget Ready? Not Till It Includes These 7 Post-Wedding Costs!

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So you’ve put in all the hours of planning and work, and your wedding budget is finally complete. Major expenses are accounted for, and you’ve made room for smaller ones as well. All done, at last.

Are you sure about that? Isn’t there something you’ve overlooked?

Don’t go rushing to double-check your budget, though. Just consider whether you’ve listed all your post-wedding expenses. If not, it’s back to the drawing board!

Post-Wedding Expenses to List in Your Budget

If you don’t plan ahead for potential expenses that show up after your wedding, these could play havoc with your finances. You would either have to dip into your savings or take a marriage loan to help pay them off.

Here are 7 post-wedding costs that may not have made their way into your wedding budget:

  1. Unplanned Guests – It happens at every wedding. Someone shows up who didn’t RSVP, or brings along a plus one with no warning. Venues and caterers will charge you for extra guests, and you need to give them welcome gifts or wedding favors as well.
  2. Hidden Expenses – If wedding celebrations go on longer than planned, you will face overtime charges from vendors. Put these in your budget, along with tips, service charges, sales tax and fees. Whatever you don’t spend can be used for wedding loan repayments or a special treat!
  3. Honeymoon Extras – You may have accounted for the cost of tickets, stay and meals for your honeymoon, but what about things like shopping and sightseeing? These little extras can put a dent in your pocket, especially if you’re traveling to an international destination.
  4. Thank You Cards – These may not seem like they will have a big impact on your wallet. But, total up the cost of printing and posting thank you cards to everyone who attended your wedding, and gifts for those who helped out. It adds up to quite a lot.
  5. Setting Up Home – If you’re moving to a different city after your marriage, you will need to buy all the essentials to make your house a home. Even if you’re not changing cities, you still have to stock up on everything that you and your partner will need!
  6. After-Parties – When you return from your honeymoon, friends and family will want to meet you right away. You may be hosting parties for well-wishers for a while after your wedding, which means the additional expense of food, drinks and favors.
  7. Wedding Albums – Between your photographer and guests, you will have thousands of photos and videos of your wedding. Include the cost of having shortlisted photos and videos professionally edited, as well as printing, albums, etc. in your budget.

Wedding expenses don’t end on the day of your wedding. A personal loan for marriage can act as an emergency fund to help you deal with last-minute expenses and post-wedding costs, without the stress!

 

Author bio

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shiv Nanda is a financial analyst who currently lives in Bangalore (refusing to acknowledge the name change) and works with MoneyTap. Shiv is a true finance geek, and his friends love that. They always rely on him for advice on their investment choices, budgeting skills, personal financial matters and when they want to get a loan. He has made it his life’s mission to help and educate people on various financial topics, so email him your questions at shiv@moneytap.com.