Managing Money & Credit

I recently had a conversation with a 25-year-old about the importance of building credit. He has a good job and is able to save an admirable amount of money each month. He has life goals, which include purchasing a home in the near future. But, he has never taken out a loan and doesn’t have…

If you’re just beginning to build credit (or are working on improving it), you may be closely monitoring your credit score. And if you don’t have much credit history to begin with, your score could be impacted by changes – big or small – in your credit reports. Learn more

A checking account provides a safe place to deposit funds and easily access the money you use for monthly expenses. Like many financial products in the marketplace, there are many options to choose from. To determine the right checking account to meet your needs, consider the following seven important factors. Learn more

At one point or another, many of us have had overdrawn accounts due to a slight oversight in our budgeting, delay in a check deposit, or just simply not having enough funds to cover expenses. Overdrawing your account can be embarrassing, but more importantly can impact your financial health if you don’t have the right safeguards in place. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent overdrawing your account from happening to you. Learn more

Debit cards versus credit cards: Two similar, yet very different payment methods. Proponents for each side offer their case. Debit card proponents have stated that credit cards lead to dangerous spending habits and mountains of debt. Credit card proponents tout that when used responsibly, credit cards can build positive credit history, provide attractive travel and cashback rewards, and offer other benefits over debit cards, such as better fraud protection and improved credit scores. So which side is correct? Learn more

After being restricted during lockdowns since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans are now ready to pack their bags and explore the world this summer. Learn more

We all love to travel. And with so many amazing sites and inspiring places to see throughout the world, we don’t blame you if you’re itching to hit the road or hop on a plane this summer. Learn more

Traveling abroad can be a fun adventure, but will certainly require some time and research to plan. From passports to travel insurance, the list of things you need to prepare ahead of time can be lengthy. Learn more

More so than ever, staycations (spending vacation time at home or close by) are a great, cost-effective option. When you consider the cost of airfare, a rental car, and a hotel, there’s no denying the fact that prices in these categories have risen dramatically in the last few years. Learn more