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Most debt is incurred with large purchases, like big televisions or expensive vacations, so if you just keep those big charges in check, you will be fine, right? Wrong. In fact, for many people, debt sneaks up after using credit cards for small purchases. The following are debt myths and facts that will help you get your finances under control.  Get the facts on these debit myths to take charg... Continue Reading »

There are things in life you know you need insurance for – your home, your car, and your health, for example. But there are probably other items where you’ve wondered, “Do I need insurance for that?” If you have homeowners insurance, many of your possessions are already covered to some extent, but even so, the short answer is that you probably do have valuables that need additional ... Continue Reading »

For many people, debt can inch upward slowly, especially if there are multiple types of accounts involved, like lines of credit, loans, and credit cards. For others, a major event – such as a health emergency or unexpected home repair – can throw a careful financial plan out of order. Whether you need help paying down a single item or many, getting a handle on your accounts is a great first... Continue Reading »

You might be thinking that we just got done with the holiday season, but the next one will be here before we know it! With rising costs it can cause havoc for your budget. In 2021, the National Research Federation said that Americans spent around $1000 just on holiday spending. That number is expected to increase by at least 20% in 2022, so you'll want to start saving for the holidays sooner rathe... Continue Reading »

Picking up and moving from one place to another is stressful no matter how far you are going, and it is a task that can drain your wallet if you’re not careful. Use these moving tips and tricks to make sure your move is as effortless (and inexpensive!) as possible.  A little preparation and a lot of effort can decrease your moving costs substantially. Start by getting ready for your move as ... Continue Reading »

It is never too early to teach your kids the value of a dollar. As a parent, you have a lot to share with your children about earning, saving, spending, and managing money responsibly. Personal Finance classes have been becoming more common in schools, with 25 states offering them, but there can still be a lack of formal education, so you play a critical role in the financial literacy for your kid... Continue Reading »

With interest rates at an all-time low, now is a good time to buy a house, or get a preapproval to speed up the home buying process and be ready for how fast the market is. Depending on where you are in your home buying and home ownership journey, you may have some questions about the mortgage preapproval process. This post will tackle your 7 biggest preapproval questions!  1. Why is it helpfu... Continue Reading »

If you are chipping away at a mountain of credit card debt, you might feel like it is a never-ending task. Part of the reason it can be hard to gain ground is high interest rates that continually add to your bottom line. If you are looking at a pile of debt with a sky-high rate, a balance transfer might be a good option for you.  While transferring credit card balances will not magically make ... Continue Reading »

With the Olympics starting, we can’t help but think about the similarities between preparing for a big sporting event and preparing for financial success. Athletes don’t achieve Olympic-level skills overnight, and neither do savers. It’s never too early to teach kids the value of money by including them in the process of setting and achieving your family’s financial goals. Here’s how to ... Continue Reading »

There is no denying that the lightning-fast development of the Internet and huge jumps in technology in the past two and a half decades have transformed how we handle day-to-day transactions, from banking and paying bills to shopping and booking trips. But with the good comes the bad: According to Javelin Strategy & Research’s 2021 Identity Fraud Report, there was one incident of identity fraud ... Continue Reading »