We all know about phishing and most of us have heard of smishing (SMS text) or perhaps vishing (voice). Enter quishing (QR codes), the newest malicious kid on the block. Due to their rising popularity as a method to share information during the pandemic, QR codes are...
read moreAccording to a recent report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), social media has become a prime venue for many scammers. The report says last year, “more than 95,000 people reported about $770 million in losses to fraud initiated on social media platforms.” That...
read moreWhen you drop a quarter into a slot machine, you know your chances of winning are pretty slim. However, risking a quarter—or perhaps much more than a quarter—may be worth it to you if the potential payoff is great enough. Insurance is very similar. You pay premiums...
read moreIn a housing market where inventory is snatched up quicker than you can say “Let’s make an offer,” finding the home of your dreams can take time. Perhaps the thought has crossed your mind to build a home instead of buying one. But is one option better than the other?...
read moreIn times of crisis, you do not want to be shaking pennies out of a piggy bank. Having a financial safety net in place can help ensure you are protected when a financial emergency arises. One way to accomplish this is by establishing a cash reserve—a pool of readily...
read moreHave you ever answered a call or received a message from an unknown number stating that you owe money to a company you don’t do business with or won a prize for a contest that you didn’t enter? Americans answer these messages or calls every day, which leads to...
read moreToday in our credit series, we’re focusing on building or rebuilding your credit. Pay on time. Whether building, maintaining, or rebuilding, payment history is the single biggest factor impacting credit scores according to myfico.com. Try not to use too much of your...
read moreIt is generally a good idea to review your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan at least once each year and when major life changes occur. If you have not given your plan a thorough review within the last 12 months, now may be a good time to do so. Have you...
read moreToday let’s focus on what exactly a credit score is and discuss ranges. First, let’s define “credit score”. It’s a number that tells lenders how likely a consumer is to repay borrowed money based on their credit history. The higher the number, the more likely...
read moreFebruary 2nd, or Groundhog Day, is not a random date. In fact, it is the cross-quarter day, which falls between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This means it is right between the seasons, and a good time to think about whether it is going to be a long...
read moreCool temperatures and short daylight hours can lead to depressed moods. Beat the winter blues while looking forward to spring with these 4 mood-boosting tips. Exercise. Improve your physique while boosting your mood through regular exercise. A walk, bike ride or...
read moreWhen you maintain a good financial reputation, you reduce the perceived risk associated with lending to you, which can help increase your chances of qualifying for a loan at a reasonable interest rate. It is not just lenders who reference your credit score to make a...
read more“New year, new you,” doesn’t just apply to your wellness goals. You can also work on your financial fitness. In our last video we talked about the factors used to determine your credit score. Today, we’re sharing tips for caring for your credit score. First, paying...
read moreWhether you are seeking to manage your own assets, control how your assets are distributed after your death, or plan for incapacity, trusts can help you accomplish your estate planning goals. Their power is in their versatility — many types of trusts exist, each...
read moreWe recently hosted a webinar designed to educate Realtors, real estate agents and brokers on various Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) programs that may benefit potential homebuyers. The programs provide government assistance to qualified buyers....
read moreA financial health check can help you determine how well your finances are doing or what you need to work on to reach your financial goals. It’s a good idea to check on your financial health regularly, just as you would go to the doctor for a checkup, even if nothing...
read moreWhen you consider a rocket launching into space, or an aircraft carrier traversing the oceans, you understand they are large vessels unable to change paths quickly. Their trajectory must be clear from the beginning to arrive at their planned destination on schedule....
read moreUnderstanding your credit can be difficult, so we’re starting a series to break it down for you. First up, we’ll look at the five main factors that affect your credit score. Payment history affects your score the most, taking into account on-time payments,...
read moreWouldn’t it be nice if your business had the ability to take payments on the go? Would sending invoices through email or text message help your business? Mobile payment processing makes taking payments on the go easy and is a great option for small businesses....
read moreFraudsters’ ability to take advantage of new technology, impersonate trusted vendors and exploit your business is more impressive than ever, resulting in billions of dollars lost from businesses in all 50 states and more than 170 countries since 2013, according to the...
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