The holidays are right around the corner, and you likely already started your holiday shopping. As much as you’d like to give your loved ones everything on their wish list, the cost of gifts, decorations, travel, and other holiday festivities can really add up. However, with a little bit of planning and responsible spending, you can celebrate the holiday season and keep your budget intact.
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Ghosts, goblins, witches, and vampires – everyone knows All Hallows’ Eve is full of creepy creatures. But the scariest of them all may be scammers who try to trick you into revealing your sensitive personal information. Millions of Americans have their identities stolen or compromised each year, and dealing with the aftermath of identity theft and fraud is no treat. In honor of both Halloween and Cybersecurity Awareness Month, check out these tips to stay safe online and protect yourself from cybercriminals.
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When you think of credit unions, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? Maybe it’s the great deal you got on your auto loan or the great rate you earn with your savings. Maybe you think of your credit union’s strong ties with its community. All these things are hallmarks of the credit union experience. But your local credit union is also part of something much bigger. It’s a worldwide movement. You might be familiar with some of the things that make credit unions unique. They’re democratically controlled, not-for-profit financial cooperatives that are owned by their members. Instead of being driven by profits, credit unions are built on the philosophy of “people helping people” and focused on supporting their members’ financial well-being. It’s an idea that goes way back. In feudal Japan, lending cooperatives helped members pool money to access interest-free short-term loans. By the late 1800s, the earliest examples of modern-day credit unions were springing up across Europe. In both cities and rural communities, these cooperatives helped everyday people participate in a banking system for the first time.
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You already have lots of reasons to love your home. Here’s one more: Your home is also one of your most powerful financial tools—because of your home equity.
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Money can’t buy happiness — is that even true? While most research confirms that the constant pursuit of riches leads to diminishing returns, achieving financial stability can definitely make life better. Probably the best-known study on this topic, conducted by Nobel laureates Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton, found that Americans’ emotional well-being rises with annual income up to about $75,000, at which point more cash doesn’t equal more laughter or less stress.
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If you did a double-take the last time you checked out at the store or paid at the pump, you’re not alone. Right now, inflation is in overdrive, and people are feeling the pinch in their wallets. Inflation may be out of your control, but you can act to take the sting out of rising prices. But first, let’s look at a few basics.
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It’s easy to take debit cards for granted. After all, they’ve been around since 1966—the same year the Beach Boys released Pet Sounds. And just like the classic album, debit cards have stood the test of time.
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You’re not a kid anymore, and you’ve got some exciting things to look forward to. If you aren’t heading to college, you may be starting at a trade school or joining the workforce. No matter what your next step is after high school, making smart financial decisions will help you start strong. Learning how to successfully manage your money now is an essential skill that will pay off for decades — literally! Here are nine crucial steps for financial success every young adult should master:
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Albert Einstein once said, “Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” More and more Americans are imagining new ways to earn extra income and achieve financial freedom. According to a recent survey, roughly one in four Americans (about 7%) are currently pursuing some type of employment or entrepreneurial venture in addition to their regular day jobs. While many are happy to keep their side hustles on the side, others are dreaming bigger. Are you curious about growing your part-time passion project into a full-fledged business? Read on for seven valuable tips.
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Along with buying a house, getting an education, and starting a family, choosing a vehicle is one of the biggest financial and lifestyle decisions you’ll make. And whether you’re a new driver or you have millions of miles behind you, you might be wondering if it’s better to buy or lease your next ride. First off, let’s take a look at some numbers. If you have a make and model in mind and know the purchase price and lease price, you can use our free online buy vs. lease calculator to estimate your monthly payment for each scenario. For now, here’s a simplified example:
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