Make the most of your money
Preparing For a Baby Tips for families who have an little one on the way! Are you adding a child to your family? Congratulations! Whether you’re a parent, guardian, grandparent, or another expecting relative, parenthood is a fulfilling experience that requires careful planning and consideration. As with any major life change, if you have a better grasp of the financial …
What is a HELOC? What is a HELOC and how does it work? A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a line of credit that allows you to tap into your home’s equity or the difference between what your home is valued at and how much you owe on it. How it Works Like a credit card, a HELOC is a …
5 Steps to Prepare for a Big PurchaseWhat does it take to decide on a big purchase? A financial journey typically includes several twists and turns – such as understanding how to manage spending, build savings, and control debt. There might be “speed bumps” in the form of unexpected changes in income. Along the way, you might also navigate milestone …
Vacation Planning and Budgeting Planning a trip this year? Here’s what to know about traveling in 2021 and how much you should spend. Where Can You Go? As of April 2, 2021, the CDC has stated: “People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States.” While extra safety protocols are still being practiced in many …
Talking To Your Partner About Money Do you know how to have productive conversations around your finances? When it comes to talking with a spouse or partner about money, many people shy away. It can be scary—but it doesn’t have to be. Positive and frequent communication is key. Talk Often A great way to reduce the stress of talking about …
The Cost of College Life Going to college incurs a lot of expenses that aren’t listed on a tuition or room & board bill. Are you planning for all the day-to-day costs of college life? One of the many mysteries of college, especially freshman year, is what being there is actually going to cost. Sure, you know there’s tuition. But …
Planning a WillWhere there’s a will, there’s a way to make your wishes known. A will is a legal document that transfers your property after you die, and names the people who will settle your estate (all the money and property owned by you, especially at death), care for any minor children you may have, and administer any trusts the …
Financial Wellness AssessmentKnowing your strengths and weaknesses is the first step toward building financial wellness. The Financial Wellness Assessment lets you take a step back, analyze your spending, budgeting, and saving habits so you can reflect on how you’re currently managing personal finances. This assessment addresses your individual financial decisions and goals before giving you recommendations on where you can …
3 Tried and True Facts About Personal FinancesNo matter your age or stage in life, it pays to know the facts about personal finances. When you understand the basics, you can set yourself up for success and build a healthy financial future. Here are three facts to know about personal finance to get on the right track: Fact #1 — …
Online Banks vs. Credit UnionsOnline banks operate without branches. But what else may they be lacking? 2020 was a year when everyone was required to stay “safer at home”, and the use of online-only banks increased faster than it would have without a pandemic. So, you may have been hearing about online banks more often and wondering what online banks …
