Managing Money & Credit

You may already know that it’s important to use credit cards responsibly. You also may have heard stories from those who learned that a credit card can be a double-edged sword, a great way to establish and maintain good credit, but sometimes can land cardholders in a world of financial trouble if they aren’t properly…

Saving money can be a challenge, even more so for those whose wages and earnings have not kept pace with cost-of-living increases. In fact, a survey in early 2022 found that 56% of Americans would not be able to cover a $1,000 emergency with savings. Furthermore, saving is now at higher risk of losing purchasing…

Do you wonder where your money went every month? Are you having a hard time building your savings? If you answered yes to either of these questions, it’s time to make a change if you want to be financially successful. Follow these money management tips: Create a Budget & Savings Plan If you haven’t made…

According to data from Experian, the average American has just over $5,000 in credit card debt. With average credit card interest rates soaring to 20.16% in the third week of January, carrying a balance on your credit card can come with a hefty price tag. And since the Federal Reserve plans to raise interest rates…

Love is in the air—and so is spending! In 2022, partners and spouses planned to spend an average of $175.41 on their better half, which is just over $350 per couple. For many people, spending $350 on this holiday simply isn’t feasible (or desirable!). It’s understandable that you may want to sweep your sweetie off…

Preparing a year in advance of the next tax season can empower and enable you to best manage the process. If filing your taxes has had your head spinning and making you wish you had been more organized and educated ahead of time, you’re not alone. Read on for how to prepare for the 2023…

If you aren’t getting approved for credit cards or loans, or aren’t getting favorable rates for financing, you might need to make some improvements to your credit score. Doing so takes a little time, but we have some tips that can help you along the way. Pay Your Bills on Time The single biggest influence…

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