Alerts and News - 2024 Archive

How to help kids with student loans.

October is the opening month for college-bound students to apply for federal loans. If you have a student headed to college, it’s important to talk to them about this major financial move. Here are some ways you can help your kid deal with and understand their loans.

What to do if you can’t hit the 401(k) contribution limit

A 401(k) is a great retirement savings tool. That’s in part due to the high contribution limits. The contribution limits typically increase every year, which means have the opportunity to put more money away if you’re able. If you can hit those limits, that’s great. But what if you can’t? Here are some ideas.

Pros and cons of gift cards

It’s a fact of life, some people can just be difficult to shop for during the holidays. For those loved ones, you might be thinking of just going the gift card route. Before you do, take a look at the pros and cons.

A new Gmail scam is on the rise.

The rise of artificial intelligence also means the rise of AI-based scams. The most recent example is one targeting Gmail users. Here’s what you need to know if you use the Google Mail system.

What to know about child identity theft.

Believe it or not, child identity theft is a big deal. According to a study, from 2021 to 2022, 900,000 children were the victims of identity fraud, with kids under seven the most likely targets. Let’s take a look at this issue and find ways to prevent it from ever happening.

How to prioritize an emergency fund or retirement savings.

Having a well-stocked emergency fund is important. But so is saving for retirement. So how do you know which one to focus on? Well, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you should know.

Reasons it may be a good time to refinance your mortgage.

Mortgage rates are finally going down. If you bought a home when rates were above six percent, now might be a good time to refinance your mortgage. Here are some things to consider.

The effects of inflation are felt each time you fill your car with gas, go out to eat, and pay your insurance premiums. With wage rates relatively flat, the only thing to do is cut back on other areas of your budget. One way to create some room in your budget is to reduce your grocery bill. There are several ways you can save on the food you bring home. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites.

Medicare is a great way to ensure you have health care when you’re older. That’s why it’s important to know as much about it as possible. Here are three key things to know about Medicare. 

Here’s the low-down on when you can expect your credit score to change.

Do one thing: Review your credit reports every few months. This is one way to ensure there are no errors in the reports that could drag your score down. You can check your report with SavvyMoney through online or mobile banking or at annualcreditreport.com.