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8 Ways to Prepare Your Finances for a Recession

By: American Heritage 01.07.21 3 minute read Investing & Retirement Savings & Budgeting

You’ve worked hard to earn your money, so naturally you want to grow your earnings and protect them when you can—particularly from bad economic news like a recession. Recessions are a normal part of the economic cycle. They happen when we experience two or more consecutive quarters of reduced overall economic activity. That reduction leads to job losses, home foreclosures, and a lot of uncertainty that can hit close to home, just like what happened during the Great Recession of only a decade ago.

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a publication about a HELOC sits among pens, a calculator, eyeglasses, a notebook, and cash

What is a Home Equity Line of Credit?

By: American Heritage 01.07.21 3 minute read Home Equity

Meet Ashley. Ashley is a 20-something year old homeowner who is interested in a home renovation project, and also has some debt that she may need to consolidate at some point in the future. She’s owned her home for a few years and has built up a nice bit of equity. Based on Ashley’s situation, she has a few financial options that she can explore. Two options at the top of the list? A home equity loan and a home equity line of credit, also known as HELOC. If you can relate to Ashley, continue reading below to see if one of these options is right for you.

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Creating your financial goals in the new year

Get Your Money in Shape With These New Year’s Resolutions

By: American Heritage 12.31.20 3 minute read Savings & Budgeting

As we begin a new year, many of us will take some time for self-reflection and to form one or two New Year’s resolutions. In many cases, these will involve financial goals. Unfortunately, whether your resolution involves eating healthier or saving more money, it can be tough to keep it going past January. Often, that’s because well-intentioned goals aren’t followed up with a clear, realistic plan. We want to help. Here are nine personal finance moves that could have a big impact on your financial wellness in the coming year – and suggestions to help keep your financial resolutions on track throughout the year.

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Close up of a check with the word stimulus stamped on it

What the Second Stimulus Package Means for Americans

By: American Heritage 12.22.20 2 minute read Policy & Economy Coronavirus Pandemic

For nearly ten months, Americans have been feeling the effects of a lockdown designed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, the livelihoods of many were impacted by these lockdowns as small businesses, hospitality, live entertainment, and other industries closed their doors. Payment Protection Program Loans and unemployment benefits helped shoulder some of the burden, but many Americans were and are still struggling.

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7 ways to give back during the holiday season

7 Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

By: American Heritage 12.10.20 3 minute read Holiday

The spirit of giving is always alive and well during the holidays, and we know that’s especially true this year. As so many people grapple with the hardships of COVID-19, many of us are looking for ways to lend a helping hand. But with new safety concerns, it can be a challenge to find ways to help others while safeguarding our own health. That’s why we’re sharing this list of seven ways you can make a difference in your community right now, without putting yourself at risk.

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A woman shops on her tablet using her credit card

Creating Happy Holidays on a Budget

By: American Heritage 11.27.20 3 minute read Holiday Savings & Budgeting

There are lots of reasons to love the holidays: the lights, the gifts, the time with family. But here’s something you probably don’t love: a big credit card bill or low checking account balance to start the new year. By some estimates, the average American spends around $1,000 on holiday expenses. However, with a little planning and smart purchases, it’s possible to enjoy lots of holiday fun without spending lots of money.

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Close up of a woman preparing rice with vegetables for Thanksgiving dinner in the kitchen

6 Tips to Help You Spend Less on Groceries

By: American Heritage 11.12.20 3 minute read Savings & Budgeting

Whether you’re planning for an average weeknight dinner or a Thanksgiving feast, it can be hard to get your grocery bills to align with your monthly budget. The good news is that there are many great strategies for saving money on groceries that work for Thanksgiving and all year long. Here are some of our favorite tips.

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what happens to an account after a loved one passes

What Happens to an Account when a Loved One Passes?

By: American Heritage 11.05.20 4 minute read Security

Beyond the emotional toll of the loss of a loved one is a list of responsibilities. While paperwork and documentation may be the last thing on your mind, it is important to settle certain matters quickly, such as managing the deceased’s bank accounts. At American Heritage, we strive to treat this sensitive topic with the respect it deserves by making the process smooth and uncomplicated. For the purposes of this article, the information provided will be written with American Heritage accounts in mind.

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man escaping 8 financial terrors

How to Escape 8 Financial Terrors

By: American Heritage 10.29.20 3 minute read Savings & Budgeting Credit

Every horror movie has a moment where one of the soon-to-be victims does something foolish like saying the killer’s name in the mirror three times, going upstairs to investigate, or saying the infamous phrase, “I’ll be right back.” As audience members, we groan at these mistakes and shake our heads as each character meets a grisly fate. But when it comes to managing finances, too many of us make terrifying mistakes that can cost us money, hurt our credit and impact our financial future. In order to survive, we offer this brief list of financial terrors. Avoid them, and you may get out alive.

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man on phone trying to detect a phishing scam

Can You Spot a Phishing Email? We'll Show You How

By: American Heritage 10.15.20 3 minute read Security

We depend on email every day. We use email to contact our coworkers, connect with friends and family, and communicate with businesses we trust. Unfortunately, online scammers know this, and they’ve developed increasingly sophisticated schemes to trick us via email into providing sensitive information – then using this information to steal money or commit identity theft. One of their most common ploys is known as a phishing email. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it’s a good time to learn how this common scam works. When you know what phishing emails look like, you’ll be more likely to avoid failing for one – and can prevent the stress and financial harm that these scams cause.

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