Bank fees can be scary, but if you keep track of your spending, they lose their fear factor. There are several different types of bank fees you should look out for. ATM fees, overdraft fees, and fees on insufficient funds…. just to name a few. To avoid bank fees...
read moreYoung professionals are learning about the “real world” – which means it’s their first time budgeting! If you budget your money well, your early twenties can be less stressful. To make a budget, first start off with your after-tax income. Then divide it between three...
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With many major retailers announcing changes to their Black Friday operating hours, Cyber Monday online shopping sales are poised to be the highest since its formation 15 years ago. Stay healthy by shopping from home while getting top deals with these tips from...
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Some have dubbed 2020 the year of “black swans,” a reference to statistician and philosopher Nassim Nicolas Taleb’s theory about events that exist outside of mathematical models because they are so extreme. In his 2007 book, The Black Swan, Professor Taleb looked at...
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Fraud can be frightening. There are those who lurk in the shadows online who want nothing more than to take advantage of your account information and identity. To help you from getting tricked into fraud, here are some practical tips to help you stay a step ahead....
read moreMost of us look back on our college years with fond memories. Among the things we take with us are – our degree, a few favorite t-shirts, and student loans! If your plan is to pay off your loans early, here are some tips to help: Begin repayment during the six-month...
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Summer is over and the end of the year is quickly approaching. Fall is a great time for a cleanup, but that cleanup doesn’t just involve your yard. It’s also a great time to get your finances tidy before the busy holiday season starts and tax season is...
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Working less to accomplish more isn’t easy. It often requires thinking creatively to find more effective ways of doing things. Luckily, there is technology available at your fingertips to help you bank smarter, allowing you to get more out of your money, in less time....
read moreThere’s a long list of advice I wish I could give my younger self, especially when it comes to saving money. The first thing I would tell myself is that with my first job to put a minimum of 10-percent per paycheck into a savings account. The weeks will go by, and...
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Everyone needs a plan for retirement. The biggest opportunities and the best tax breaks come with employer-sponsored qualified retirement plans. Studies show that giving employees access to a qualified plan: Helps attract and retain skilled employees. Boosts employee...
read moreThe money you save for a “rainy day” can be “depleted” in only ONE of life’s storms. So, how do you recover? Deep breath… Assess your bills and income – and rework your budget to live very modestly for at least a year. Jumpstart your savings by moving in with family...
read moreIf you’ve always wanted to fix up your backyard and make it your own private oasis, now is the perfect time to get to work. Let’s say you want a pool, but don’t want to cough up the cash for it. Consider a stock tank pool! These are inexpensive DIY above-ground pools...
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Some say “money can’t buy happiness”, but are they right? A recent study in the scientific journal Emotion did link an increase in assets to increased happiness, but science doesn’t have a definitive answer for us yet. It might have more to do with how money is used...
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We don’t really talk about money, even though we think about it often. This is especially true when we experience financial difficulties, like a job loss or an unexpected expense. When things like this happen, money is top of mind, but we often keep the worry...
read moreOne of the most exciting parts about starting college is having your own space that you can furnish however you want! Dorm decorating can get expensive though, so it’s best to start off by taking inventory of the things you already have. Storage is of the utmost...
read moreA week-long vacation may not be an option this year, but you can still have fun in your hometown with a staycation! Make the most of your time off by doing something just for you, that brings a smile to your face. Treat yourself to a nice home-cooked dinner, maybe...
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With thousands of new scams every year, it’s hard to keep up with all of them while running a business. As fraudsters find new and inventive ways, fraud protection is becoming more important and necessary. By incorporating these five tips into your daily merchant...
read moreOne of the best financial habits we can practice is pinching pennies. Identifying opportunities to save doesn’t mean you have to go without – it simply means you’re strategic before making a purchase. There are numerous places to find discounts on anything you buy –...
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Mitigating risk in our lives and achieving the peace of mind needed for our day-to-day activities has become more difficult lately. The new risk of COVID-19 may have brought new focus to just how fragile we can be, but it is hardly the only risk we face. Some of the...
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The nation may be practicing social distancing, but scammers are not keeping their distance from the potential to take your money and obtain your personal information. It is important that you are aware of the possibility that fraud attempts may occur and also that...
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