Popular Scams to Avoid: Phishing, Vishing, and Smishing
Fraud Prevention ArticlesLearn how you can protect your personal and financial information from these common scams.
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Understanding the True Costs of a Lower Monthly Car Payment
Auto Financing ArticlesWhen 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?
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How Grocery Stores Influence You to Buy More
Budgeting ArticlesYou 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?
A Savings Method You May Not Have Thought Of: CD Laddering
Saving Money ArticlesWhen it comes to saving, most of us are familiar with a traditional savings account, but what about CDs?
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Coming in 2024: New 529 Plan-to-Roth IRA Rollover Option
Financial Planning ArticlesThe 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…
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How the NCUA Keeps Your Money Safe
Banking ArticlesOne of the most important resources available to you throughout your financial freedom journey can also give you the most peace of mind: NCUA insurance.
8 Do’s and Don’ts of Mobile Payment Apps
Banking ArticlesWhether 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.
Why Celebrating Your Financial Wins is Important
Saving Money ArticlesCelebrating your progress toward your goals can empower you along your journey to Financial Freedom.
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5 Times Not to Use Your Emergency Fund
Saving Money ArticlesCreating an emergency fund with at least $1,000 is the first and most important step on your journey to Financial Freedom.
How Are 401(k) Plan Participants Investing Their Money?
Financial Planning ArticlesSince the late 1990s, plans have evolved substantially, and most participants can now choose from a diverse variety of investments.
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Building Financial Resilience
Financial Planning ArticlesInflation, roller-coaster markets, global events, and life circumstances can test anyone's fortitude
What is a Home Loan? Mortgages Explained
Mortgage ArticlesFor 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,…
Kicking Credit Card Debt to the Curb
Credit ArticlesPaying 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…
Keys to Planning for Retirement
Saving for Retirement ArticlesLearn the top 3 things financial experts want you to know about saving and planning for retirement, no matter your age or income.
Talking with Your Teen About Buying Their First Car
Kids and Money ArticlesIf 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…
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How to Make a Vacation Budget
Budgeting ArticlesTaking 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 Tell the Difference Between Your Wants and Needs
Budgeting ArticlesOne of the most important aspects of creating a budget is separating wants from needs. Before assigning dollar amounts to any categories, it’s important…
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Five Steps to Take Before Making Large Purchase
Saving Money ArticlesFollow 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…
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International Investing: Opportunity Overseas?
Financial Planning ArticlesFor 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.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of an IRA Rollover
Ready To RetireDiscover what the top five reasons for rolling over an IRA.
Considerations When Making Gifts to Children
Financial Planning ArticlesThere are a variety of ways to make transfers to children that are not treated as taxable gifts.
What is a 401(k) and Why is it Important?
Saving for Retirement ArticlesA 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…
Four Points to Consider When Setting a Retirement Income Goal
Ready To RetireNo 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…
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Quiz: Can You Answer These Social Security Benefit Questions?
Ready To RetireHow much do you know about Social Security benefits? Take this quiz to learn more.
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On the Road to Retirement, Beware of These Five Risks
Ready To RetireOn 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…
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If I'm covered by Medicare, should I have additional health insurance?
Ready To RetireIt's often wise to purchase health insurance to supplement your medicare coverage, because Medicare generally won't cover all of your medical expenses
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What's the real return on your investments?
Investing ArticlesAs an investor it's important to consider the effects of taxes and inflation
5 Tips to Save Time and Money While Moving
Saving Money ArticlesMoving is a chapter in your life that opens doors to exciting adventures like discovering local restaurants and exploring the city’s hidden gems, but…
What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Leave Your Job?
Saving for Retirement ArticlesThere 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…
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Investing in Bonds
Financial Planning ArticlesBonds may not be as glamorous as stocks or commodities, but they are a significant component of most investment portfolios.
How to Determine Your Retirement Income
Saving for Retirement ArticlesThere’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 Take on a No-Spend Challenge
Budgeting ArticlesThe 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.
Should I Take the Zero-Percent Financing?
Auto Financing ArticlesWhen 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…
5 Successful Tips to Saving Money While in College
Saving for College ArticlesSave 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…
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Your 4-Step Guide to a Financial Checkup
Budgeting ArticlesIt’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…
Crushing Debt with the Debt Snowball Method
Debt ArticlesReady to start destroying your debt? Let’s take a look at how the debt snowball method can help you get closer to financial freedom.
4 Tips to Stay Financially Focused and Achieve Your Goals
Saving Money ArticlesThe journey to financial freedom doesn’t always include large leaps into saving more, eliminating debt, building wealth, and living generously. The journey…
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How Much Should I Have in My Emergency Fund?
Life Event ArticlesFrom 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 to Maintain Focus and Achieve Your Financial Goals
Budgeting ArticlesFollow these guidelines on setting and achieving financial goals.
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How to Avoid Santa Shock
Credit ArticlesFeeling 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 Create a Budget in Six Steps
Budgeting ArticlesA well-designed budget will allow you to sleep better at night knowing you can comfortably cover all your expenses while saving for the future.
4 Options You Have With an Old 401(k)
Saving for Retirement ArticlesStarting 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…
College students should know these 4 facts about compound interest
Life Event ArticlesAlbert 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…
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7 To-Dos for Starting a Financially Fit New Year
Saving Money ArticlesInstead 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…
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6 Strategies for Graduating with Less Debt
Kids and Money ArticlesMake your way toward graduating with less debt with these six strategies you can use to keep it from spiraling out of control.
Three Ways to Make Your Teen Smarter About Money
Kids and Money ArticlesDespite its importance, money management skills aren’t taught in-depth at many schools, so their best resource is you — their parents. Here are three…
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Reign in Impulse Buying with These 10 Tips
Saving Money ArticlesAre 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…
How to Help Aging Relatives Manage their Finances
Life Event ArticlesAs your parents or other relatives age, complex tasks like managing finances can become more difficult to tackle on their own.
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Make the Most of Your Tax Refund
Budgeting ArticlesGot a tax refund from the IRS? Here’s how you can make this year’s return work for you in the long-term.
Taking Control of Family Finances Together
Life Event ArticlesThinking of the future together? Simplify family finances by knowing where to start saving money and how to reach your savings goals.
Joint Savings Accounts for Couples
Saving Money ArticlesReady 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.
The Business Plan
Starting a Business ArticlesA business plan is the management and financial blueprint of your company.
Consumer Privacy
Consumer Protection ArticlesIdentity theft is a serious problem in the United States. Consumers have gotten lazy when it comes to protecting their personal information. There are…