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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. 

Six Tips for Buying Your First Car

By: John Lutz 01.09.25 5 minute read

Once you earn your driver’s license, chances are you’ll have your eyes set on purchasing your first car. But there’s a lot more to this than just knowing your dream car’s make and model. You’ll need to know your budget, explore insurance options, and decide whether to buy a new or used car.

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Holiday Shopping & Budgeting Tips

By: John Lutz 11.21.24 6 minute read

 

While deemed by many “the most wonderful time of the year,” the holidays can also undoubtedly be stressful. From preparing your home for visiting relatives to booking travel, there are so many components that go into making the holidays extra special. Holiday shopping is no exception to this, with never-ending gift lists and Black Friday deals all around.

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Preapproval: An Important Step in the Loan Process

By: John Lutz 10.24.24 4 minute read

 

There are several steps before you purchase a home or buy your next vehicle. One of the first steps in these processes is to be preapproved for a loan. While a preapproval may seem unnecessary at first, the truth is that it’s a critical step in the loan process which can help make your end goal of buying a home or finding your next car easier.

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Certificates of Deposit: Knowing the Basics

By: John Lutz 10.17.24 3 minute read

 

Whether it’s saving for a child’s college fund or putting money away to purchase a vacation home, savings are a critical element of achieving your financial goals. But outside of savings accounts, what are some other ways you can manage your savings? Certificates, also commonly referred to as certificates of deposit or CDs, are a great way to store your savings to accomplish your savings goals.

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What Type of Checking Account is Right for You?

By: John Lutz 09.19.24 4 minute read

Everyone manages their money differently, and as such, there are different types of checking accounts to meet your own lifestyle and preferences. While each comes with their own unique benefits, it’s crucial that you identify what kind of checking account is right for you and one which aligns with your habits and regular spending.

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How to Budget for Success at College

By: John Lutz 09.12.24 4 minute read

 

Whether it’s your freshman or senior year of college, you’re hopefully beginning to feel settled and prepared to tackle the fall semester. Amidst a stack of textbooks and endless trips to the library, managing your finances and a budget might be the last thing on your mind during the academic year. However, it is possible to balance your financial health with your academic and social life during college.

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How to Make Your Back-to-School Shopping Rewarding

By: John Lutz 08.22.24 3 minute read

It’s time once again for pencils to be sharpened, lunches to be packed, and backpacks to be zipped. Whether you’re a parent or not, your last few weeks have likely been surrounded by back-to-school advertisements or thoughts. And while it’s undoubtedly exciting for the kids to return for another school year, it’s a process that can become rather costly.

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