News - Page 13

Good credit is important, but how do you get a good score when you’re starting from scratch? It’s not as complicated as it seems.

Let’s take a look at how to build credit and how long it might take to establish a solid score.

Buying a home is exciting, but you must make sure you have all your ducks in a row before undertaking such a big financial move. The more you plan, the better off you’ll be. Here are some steps to take that will prepare your finances for a mortgage.

When creating a budget, it’s critical to think of needs vs wants. Needs are things that are necessary for survival — think food and shelter. Wants are things you decide to buy, but don’t actually need — think subscription services and new clothes. Here’s a helpful guide for understanding the difference between needs and wants.

Unless you prepaid for a summer trip months ago, or unloaded your pent-up points from a credit card that earns travel rewards, chances are you may be rethinking at least some aspects of your vacation plans right about now.

The holidays are almost here, so you’re likely already mapping out travel plans. In doing so, you’re also probably sweating how to afford everything you want to do. Here are some ways to save on holiday travel.

One of the easiest mistakes to make with money is overspending. It happens to all of us occasionally. Yet if overspending becomes a habit, that’s when you know you have a real problem on your hands. What can help is a two-pronged effort: Understanding why you overspend and then making practical changes to stop the behavior.

If you’ve recently been married or are moving in with a serious partner, it might be time to merge your finances. While it’s no easy task, there are some ways to make the process easier. Let’s review some ideas below.

Winter is here. That means it’s time to prepare your home so that energy costs don’t bust your budget. Remember: The holidays are right around the corner — would you rather spend money on gifts or heating bills? Here are some ways to affordably winterize your home.

Personality tests, quick surveys, and other types of online quizzes ask seemingly harmless questions, but the more information you share, the more you risk it being misused. Scammers could do a lot of damage with just a few answers that give away your personal information. Click to learn more! 

As 2023 winds down, lots of us are making resolutions for a fresh start in the New Year — maybe to exercise regularly, get our finances in order, or spend more time with friends. But your list isn’t complete until you add “update my security software” and “protect my personal information” to the mix. Here are some steps you can take to help protect yourself and your information.