Identity theft, as well as other types of fraud, are far too common. In fact, more than 230,000 reports of identity theft were received by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone. But as with any type of fraud, you can protect yourself by understanding hacker’s methods and the ways in which you can protect yourself and your personal data.
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If you’ve ever applied for a loan or a credit card, chances are you have had your credit score looked at. Lenders assess your credit score as a measure of the kind of borrower you are—how likely you are to pay them back, keep up with monthly payments, etc. But what exactly is a credit score, and what factors impact whether you have a good or a poor score?
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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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Whether it’s going to the gym, eating healthier, or trying to read more, we all try to set some kind of New Year’s resolution each year. But this year, why not consider something different? Instead of the typical resolution, try and plan out your financial budget for 2025.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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