Skip to main content

fairwinds.org | Financial freedom happens here.

Popular Scams to Avoid: Phishing, Vishing, and Smishing

Popular Scams to Avoid: Phishing, Vishing, and Smishing

Fraud Prevention Articles

Learn how you can protect your personal and financial information from these common scams.

Popular Scams to Avoid: Phishing, Vishing, and Smishing -- Read More

Understanding the True Costs of a Lower Monthly Car Payment

Understanding the True Costs of a Lower Monthly Car Payment

Auto Financing Articles

When you’re shopping for a new car, a lower monthly payment sounds like a no-brainer, but will you pay more in the long run?

Understanding the True Costs of a Lower Monthly Car Payment -- Read More

How Grocery Stores Influence You to Buy More

How Grocery Stores Influence You to Buy More

Budgeting Articles

You walk into a grocery store with a small list of things to buy, and you walk out with a full cart! How did that happen?

How Grocery Stores Influence You to Buy More -- Read More

A Savings Method You May Not Have Thought Of: CD Laddering

A Savings Method You May Not Have Thought Of: CD Laddering

Saving Money Articles

When it comes to saving, most of us are familiar with a traditional savings account, but what about CDs?

A Savings Method You May Not Have Thought Of: CD Laddering -- Read More

Coming in 2024: New 529 Plan-to-Roth IRA Rollover Option

Coming in 2024: New 529 Plan-to-Roth IRA Rollover Option

Financial Planning Articles

The first provision allows for tax- and penalty-free rollovers from a 529 plan to a Roth IRA. The second provision allows student loan payments made by…

Coming in 2024: New 529 Plan-to-Roth IRA Rollover Option -- Read More

How the NCUA Keeps Your Money Safe

How the NCUA Keeps Your Money Safe

Banking Articles

One of the most important resources available to you throughout your financial freedom journey can also give you the most peace of mind: NCUA insurance.

How the NCUA Keeps Your Money Safe -- Read More

8 Do’s and Don’ts of Mobile Payment Apps

8 Do’s and Don’ts of Mobile Payment Apps

Banking Articles

Whether you use a mobile payment app every day or are just getting started, learn eight easy do’s and don’ts to help you pay it safe.

8 Do’s and Don’ts of Mobile Payment Apps -- Read More

Why Celebrating Your Financial Wins is Important

Why Celebrating Your Financial Wins is Important

Saving Money Articles

Celebrating your progress toward your goals can empower you along your journey to Financial Freedom.

Why Celebrating Your Financial Wins is Important -- Read More

5 Times Not to Use Your Emergency Fund

5 Times Not to Use Your Emergency Fund

Saving Money Articles

Creating an emergency fund with at least $1,000 is the first and most important step on your journey to Financial Freedom.

5 Times Not to Use Your Emergency Fund -- Read More

How Are 401(k) Plan Participants Investing Their Money?

How Are 401(k) Plan Participants Investing Their Money?

Financial Planning Articles

Since the late 1990s, plans have evolved substantially, and most participants can now choose from a diverse variety of investments.

How Are 401(k) Plan Participants Investing Their Money? -- Read More

Building Financial Resilience

Building Financial Resilience

Financial Planning Articles

Inflation, roller-coaster markets, global events, and life circumstances can test anyone's fortitude

Building Financial Resilience -- Read More

What is a Home Loan? Mortgages Explained

What is a Home Loan? Mortgages Explained

Mortgage Articles

For most financial freedom seekers, buying a house is one of the largest financial purchases on their journey. Before you pick paint colors, shop for furniture,…

What is a Home Loan? Mortgages Explained -- Read More

Kicking Credit Card Debt to the Curb

Kicking Credit Card Debt to the Curb

Credit Articles

Paying off your credit card balances as quickly as possible can help you save hundreds – even thousands of dollars in interest. Here are some tips to…

Kicking Credit Card Debt to the Curb -- Read More

Keys to Planning for Retirement

Keys to Planning for Retirement

Saving for Retirement Articles

Learn the top 3 things financial experts want you to know about saving and planning for retirement, no matter your age or income.

Keys to Planning for Retirement -- Read More

Talking with Your Teen About Buying Their First Car

Talking with Your Teen About Buying Their First Car

Kids and Money Articles

If your teen is asking for a car, this is your opportunity to talk with them about finances and accountability. If you’re wondering where to start, here…

Talking with Your Teen About Buying Their First Car -- Read More

How to Make a Vacation Budget

How to Make a Vacation Budget

Budgeting Articles

Taking a vacation can help you to unwind and refresh, but be sure your budget in place to give you peace of mind during your vacation and when you return.

How to Make a Vacation Budget -- Read More

How to Tell the Difference Between Your Wants and Needs

How to Tell the Difference Between Your Wants and Needs

Budgeting Articles

One of the most important aspects of creating a budget is separating wants from needs. Before assigning dollar amounts to any categories, it’s important…

How to Tell the Difference Between Your Wants and Needs -- Read More

Five Steps to Take Before Making Large Purchase

Five Steps to Take Before Making Large Purchase

Saving Money Articles

Follow these five steps to know how long you should wait before making a big purchase and how to save the most money while fitting the purchase in your…

Five Steps to Take Before Making Large Purchase -- Read More

International Investing: Opportunity Overseas?

International Investing: Opportunity Overseas?

Financial Planning Articles

For the past decade, U.S. stocks have outperformed foreign stocks by a wide margin, due in large part to the stronger U.S. recovery after the Great Recession.

International Investing: Opportunity Overseas? -- Read More

Weighing the Pros and Cons of an IRA Rollover

Weighing the Pros and Cons of an IRA Rollover

Ready To Retire

Discover what the top five reasons for rolling over an IRA.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of an IRA Rollover -- Read More

Considerations When Making Gifts to Children

Considerations When Making Gifts to Children

Financial Planning Articles

There are a variety of ways to make transfers to children that are not treated as taxable gifts.

Considerations When Making Gifts to Children -- Read More

What is a 401(k) and Why is it Important?

What is a 401(k) and Why is it Important?

Saving for Retirement Articles

A 401(k) is one of the most powerful ways to maximize your income and keep your money growing. By taking advantage of this benefit, you’re making an…

What is a 401(k) and Why is it Important? -- Read More

Four Points to Consider When Setting a Retirement Income Goal

Four Points to Consider When Setting a Retirement Income Goal

Ready To Retire

No matter what your age or stage of life, targeting a goal for monthly retirement income can seem like a daunting task. Following are four considerations…

Four Points to Consider When Setting a Retirement Income Goal -- Read More

Quiz: Can You Answer These Social Security Benefit Questions?

Quiz: Can You Answer These Social Security Benefit Questions?

Ready To Retire

How much do you know about Social Security benefits? Take this quiz to learn more.

Quiz: Can You Answer These Social Security Benefit Questions? -- Read More

On the Road to Retirement, Beware of These Five Risks

On the Road to Retirement, Beware of These Five Risks

Ready To Retire

On your journey to retirement, you'll likely face many risks that have the potential to throw you off course. Following are five common challenges retirement…

On the Road to Retirement, Beware of These Five Risks -- Read More

If I'm covered by Medicare, should I have additional health insurance?

If I'm covered by Medicare, should I have additional health insurance?

Ready To Retire

It's often wise to purchase health insurance to supplement your medicare coverage, because Medicare generally won't cover all of your medical expenses

If I'm covered by Medicare, should I have additional health insurance? -- Read More

What's the real return on your investments?

What's the real return on your investments?

Investing Articles

As an investor it's important to consider the effects of taxes and inflation

What's the real return on your investments? -- Read More

5 Tips to Save Time and Money While Moving

5 Tips to Save Time and Money While Moving

Saving Money Articles

Moving is a chapter in your life that opens doors to exciting adventures like discovering local restaurants and exploring the city’s hidden gems, but…

5 Tips to Save Time and Money While Moving -- Read More

What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Leave Your Job?

What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Leave Your Job?

Saving for Retirement Articles

There are several options you can take with your old 401(k) to make the most of what you’ve saved for retirement so far. Here’s five tips to help you…

What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Leave Your Job? -- Read More

Investing in Bonds

Investing in Bonds

Financial Planning Articles

Bonds may not be as glamorous as stocks or commodities, but they are a significant component of most investment portfolios.

Investing in Bonds -- Read More

How to Determine Your Retirement Income

How to Determine Your Retirement Income

Saving for Retirement Articles

There’s no time like the present to start planning for retirement. One of the first steps to retirement planning is estimating how much income you’ll…

How to Determine Your Retirement Income -- Read More

How to Take on a No-Spend Challenge

How to Take on a No-Spend Challenge

Budgeting Articles

The most successful financial freedom journeys are the ones built on taking a hard look at the numbers and being honest about spending and saving habits.

How to Take on a No-Spend Challenge -- Read More

Should I Take the Zero-Percent Financing?

Should I Take the Zero-Percent Financing?

Auto Financing Articles

When it comes to zero-percent financing, is zero really your hero? While you may be eager to accept this popular offer from dealers, there are many factors…

Should I Take the Zero-Percent Financing? -- Read More

5 Successful Tips to Saving Money While in College

5 Successful Tips to Saving Money While in College

Saving for College Articles

Save more is the first stage to financial freedom, and while you’ll want to make the most of your college experience, make sure saving – regardless…

5 Successful Tips to Saving Money While in College -- Read More

Your 4-Step Guide to a Financial Checkup

Your 4-Step Guide to a Financial Checkup

Budgeting Articles

It’s never too early or late to start your journey to financial freedom. The key to making your journey a successful one? Regular money check-ups! Just…

Your 4-Step Guide to a Financial Checkup -- Read More

Crushing Debt with the Debt Snowball Method

Crushing Debt with the Debt Snowball Method

Debt Articles

Ready to start destroying your debt? Let’s take a look at how the debt snowball method can help you get closer to financial freedom.

Crushing Debt with the Debt Snowball Method -- Read More

4 Tips to Stay Financially Focused and Achieve Your Goals

4 Tips to Stay Financially Focused and Achieve Your Goals

Saving Money Articles

The journey to financial freedom doesn’t always include large leaps into saving more, eliminating debt, building wealth, and living generously. The journey…

4 Tips to Stay Financially Focused and Achieve Your Goals -- Read More

How Much Should I Have in My Emergency Fund?

How Much Should I Have in My Emergency Fund?

Life Event Articles

From knowing how much to save in your emergency fund to learning when it’s appropriate to use it, here are some helpful tips to setting yourself up to…

How Much Should I Have in My Emergency Fund? -- Read More

How to Maintain Focus and Achieve Your Financial Goals

How to Maintain Focus and Achieve Your Financial Goals

Budgeting Articles

Follow these guidelines on setting and achieving financial goals.

How to Maintain Focus and Achieve Your Financial Goals -- Read More

How to Avoid Santa Shock

How to Avoid Santa Shock

Credit Articles

Feeling Santa Shock from the credit card bills starting to come in? If you’re looking back at the holidays with dread because you spent too much, you’re…

How to Avoid Santa Shock -- Read More

How to Create a Budget in Six Steps

How to Create a Budget in Six Steps

Budgeting Articles

A well-designed budget will allow you to sleep better at night knowing you can comfortably cover all your expenses while saving for the future.

How to Create a Budget in Six Steps -- Read More

4 Options You Have With an Old 401(k)

4 Options You Have With an Old 401(k)

Saving for Retirement Articles

Starting a new job? Don't forget about your old 401(k)! We break down the options like rolling it into a retirement account, transferring to your new employer's…

4 Options You Have With an Old 401(k) -- Read More

College students should know these 4 facts about compound interest

College students should know these 4 facts about compound interest

Life Event Articles

Albert Einstein once said, “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn’t, pays it.” To be…

College students should know these 4 facts about compound interest -- Read More

7 To-Dos for Starting a Financially Fit New Year

7 To-Dos for Starting a Financially Fit New Year

Saving Money Articles

Instead of settling into your couch for a post-holiday television binge, use this time to complete these financial to-dos before month’s end to make…

7 To-Dos for Starting a Financially Fit New Year -- Read More

6 Strategies for Graduating with Less Debt

6 Strategies for Graduating with Less Debt

Kids and Money Articles

Make your way toward graduating with less debt with these six strategies you can use to keep it from spiraling out of control.

6 Strategies for Graduating with Less Debt -- Read More

Three Ways to Make Your Teen Smarter About Money

Three Ways to Make Your Teen Smarter About Money

Kids and Money Articles

Despite its importance, money management skills aren’t taught in-depth at many schools, so their best resource is you — their parents. Here are three…

Three Ways to Make Your Teen Smarter About Money -- Read More

Reign in Impulse Buying with These 10 Tips

Reign in Impulse Buying with These 10 Tips

Saving Money Articles

Are impulse purchases devouring your paychecks? Employ these 10 tips to build a buffer between you and buying all the things you think you want, whether…

Reign in Impulse Buying with These 10 Tips -- Read More

How to Help Aging Relatives Manage their Finances

How to Help Aging Relatives Manage their Finances

Life Event Articles

As your parents or other relatives age, complex tasks like managing finances can become more difficult to tackle on their own.

How to Help Aging Relatives Manage their Finances -- Read More

Make the Most of Your Tax Refund

Make the Most of Your Tax Refund

Budgeting Articles

Got a tax refund from the IRS? Here’s how you can make this year’s return work for you in the long-term.

Make the Most of Your Tax Refund -- Read More

Taking Control of Family Finances Together

Taking Control of Family Finances Together

Life Event Articles

Thinking of the future together? Simplify family finances by knowing where to start saving money and how to reach your savings goals.

Taking Control of Family Finances Together -- Read More

Joint Savings Accounts for Couples

Joint Savings Accounts for Couples

Saving Money Articles

Ready to join finances with your spouse? Learn why a joint savings account might be the best first step to take on your journey towards financial freedom.

Joint Savings Accounts for Couples -- Read More

The Business Plan

The Business Plan

Starting a Business Articles

A business plan is the management and financial blueprint of your company.

The Business Plan -- Read More

Consumer Privacy

Consumer Privacy

Consumer Protection Articles

Identity theft is a serious problem in the United States. Consumers have gotten lazy when it comes to protecting their personal information. There are…

Consumer Privacy -- Read More