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Level-up your financial literacy by taking advantage of our free blog! Enjoy topics ranging from money lifestyle tips to fun local activities for the whole family. 

Is a Joint Account Right for Your Relationship?

By: American Heritage 10.08.20 3 minute read

If you’re newly married or in a serious relationship, the opportunity to build a life together can be exciting. But as your lives become intertwined, so do your responsibilities—particularly when it comes to your finances. For many couples, opening a joint checking account or a joint savings account is the first step. In fact, some studies have found that couples who pooled their money in shared accounts had happier long-term relationships.

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Make Deposits Anywhere With Mobile Check Deposit

By: American Heritage 09.10.20 3 minute read

In the last few years, mobile check deposit has become a must-have mobile banking tool for users of every age. It’s easy to see why: This powerful mobile banking feature lets you avoid extra trips to a branch or ATM by giving you the freedom to make deposits on your schedule, and you can make deposits anywhere you have an internet connection.

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Credit or Debit: Which Payment Option is Best for You?

By: American Heritage 08.25.20 3 minute read

Card usage has skyrocketed over the last few months, but each time you pay, you may ask: "Credit or debit?” Your answer is likely out of habit or based on whichever is currently top of wallet. While the two may seem identical when it comes to making a purchase, there is a very real difference and it’s a good idea to know which is best to use for various scenarios.

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Lower Your Cell Phone Bill With These 8 Tips

By: American Heritage 08.13.20 3 minute read

Right now, staying connected is more important than ever. But for many people with pricey cell phone plans, it’s also more expensive than ever. On average, Americans are paying more than $1,300 a year for their cell phone service, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While carriers all claim to offer the best cell phone deals, finding ways to lower your cell phone bill can be challenging. To help, here are eight proven tips to help you save on your cell phone.

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Fast-Track Your Career by Learning the Right Skills

By: American Heritage 07.30.20 3 minute read

Maybe you want your job to be more fulfilling. Maybe you want to make more money. Either way, taking steps to advance in your career – or start a new career – can be one of the best ways to improve your quality of life and financial security. But moving forward professionally requires having the right skills. Valuable professional skills can range from technical skills that require specialized training to less tangible (but equally important) assets like leadership and empathy. If you’re looking to acquire more of the skills you need to succeed, here’s where to begin.

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Big Purchases: When to Save & When to Borrow

By: American Heritage 07.23.20 3 minute read

When you’re looking at a big-ticket purchase, one question always comes up: Should you pay with your savings or finance it? Or, if it’s a new home or car, how much of the purchase price should you pay up front, and how much should you borrow? There is no simple answer. On the one hand, paying in cash can keep you out of debt. On the other hand, large cash purchases could wipe out much of your savings, while borrowing can help ensure you have more savings available for emergencies. There are many factors to consider. Ask yourself these eight questions to figure out whether you should pay cash or use financing for your next big purchase.

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5 Ways to Help a Friend Going Through Financial Hardship

By: American Heritage 07.09.20 3 minute read

A good friend is always there to help, in good times and bad. But if a close friend of yours is struggling with financial problems such as a job loss, overwhelming debt, or major expenses like medical bills, it can be hard to know how to help. Often, giving or lending money is not the best solution. While there may be situations when providing a small amount of cash is harmless, this isn’t always the case. A friendship can quickly get complicated once money is involved, especially if this leads to resentment over an unpaid debt or if this gets in the way of your own financial needs. Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways you can help. In honor of the International Day of Friendship, which is July 30, we’ll show you how to help a friend who’s struggling financially without having to spend your own money.

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How-To: Charitable Giving

By: American Heritage 06.22.20 3 minute read

It's never a bad time to get involved with a charitable cause. However, it’s also a good idea to think before you donate. While giving to global charities and community charities is a wonderful thing, it’s also a good idea to make sure that you’re giving in a way that provides maximum value for your giving dollar and allows you to take advantage of the tax value of donations.

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A Financial Checklist for Newlyweds

By: American Heritage 06.12.20 3 minute read

Getting ready to tie the knot? The opportunity to take on life as a team is exciting, but having your lives so closely intertwined also means big changes for your lifestyle. Especially when it comes to managing your finances. Unfortunately, money can be a tricky topic for couples. In fact, it’s the number one thing married couples fight about. But this doesn’t have to be the case. As you begin this next step in your relationship, one of the best moves you can make for your marriage is to sit down and talk about money. Then start taking the steps in this financial checklist for couples. Your relationship – and finances – will be all the better for it.

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