How to Celebrate Memorial Day on a Budget

Celebrating Memorial Day can cost a pretty penny, but there’s no need to spend lavishly to have an epic holiday weekend. Here’s how to celebrate Memorial Day on a budget. 1. Hit the beach Get out to the shore at the first opportunity! The beach can provide hours of relaxation and fun for the entire…

Seven Reasons to Switch to eStatements

Are you constantly dealing with a barrage of junk mail that clogs up your mailbox? Drowning in papers needing sifted through? Are you always afraid to throw out any paper from your financial institution, fearful that you’ll be throwing sensitive material into the trash and making it an easy steal for would-be scammers? If this…

Beware of Debt Relief Scams

High debt can be a beast, taking huge bites out of a household or personal budget and destroying any chance of financial wellness. To make matters worse, being in high debt can mean being stuck in a desperate cycle that never ends, as payback is often accompanied by high interest rates that make it nearly…

Should I Offer Financial Support to my Adult Child?

Q: My adult child is going through some financial difficulties. I’d love to help them out of this tight spot, but I’m wondering if this is a wise choice. Should I offer financial support to my adult child? A: In recent years, newly minted adults have become more dependent on their parents. According to a report by Merrill,…

How to Save on Wedding Costs

Did you know that the cost of the average wedding in the U.S. is $28,000*? That’s an awful lot of money to spend on one event, especially when you consider that just 12% of couples have wedding savings when they get engaged, according to a study by Behind the Wedding Budget. This means that for…

Paying down credit card debt after the holidays

The holidays are officially over, but the debt remains. Overspending happens every year during this time, and once the holiday glow is over, the bills start taking over. According to Magnify Money’s annual post-holiday survey, 31 percent of consumers took on debt to cover their holiday expenses last year. Of those who did, they spent…

What are the Tax Benefits of Owning a Home

Q: I’m in the market for my first home, and I’m trying to get a complete picture of how owning a home will affect my finances. What are the tax benefits of owning a home?   A: Owning a home can provide you with significant tax benefits. It’s important to learn how home ownership can impact your taxes…

3 Tips for Better Financial Health

In order to help reach your financial and credit goals, it’s good to have a plan in place. The plan itself doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require that you treat this journey as a marathon rather than a sprint. Here are three simple things you can do to help get you started.…

Can Missing Rent Impact Your Credit Score?

You might be one of the many Americans who are worried about making rent or possibly under the threat of being evicted. You also may be wondering how this process can impact your credit scores. While an eviction itself won’t end up on your credit report, not paying your rent on time can negatively impact your…

Know Yourself, Know Your Money

Title: Know Yourself, Know Your Money: Discover WHY you handle money the way you do, and WHAT to do about it! Author: Rachel Cruze Hardcover: 272 pages Publisher: Ramsey Press Publishing date: Jan. 5, 2021 Who is this book for?  Anyone who’s ever wondered why they make the money choices they do and how they can change them for the…