Blog
Welcome to our Blog Library! Explore expert blogs, articles, and guides covering investment strategies, retirement planning, budgeting, and more.
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What is my Credit Score?
We’ve all heard so much in recent years about “credit scores.” But, what are they and how are they used? Your credit score is a three-digit number generated by a mathematical algorithm using information in your credit report. It’s designed to predict risk,...
Seven Steps to a Successful Budget
Budgeting can be a simple and straightforward process. It can also be a rewarding experience for all family members. But, it takes interest and commitment. Here are seven steps to help you create a successful budget. Discuss Values – Determine what is most important...
Why a Credit Union is Better than a Bank
Banks are not the only financial institution around. If you use a bank simply because that’s what you’ve always done, you might be surprised to learn that when it comes to managing your finances, auto loans, mortgages, and planning for your retirement you could do...
Ten Rules for Successful Money Management
Always remember that the most important factor in using money wisely is not how much money you make, but how you use it! Here are 10 rules that can help you achieve financial success. 1. Arrange a family system for handling money and make certain that everyone in the...
How to Establish Credit
Many people want to know how they can establish or re-establish their credit history. This is an important issue because credit records are essential to obtain credit. The information in your credit report is used by potential creditors to determine if you are a good...
Why You Need to Join a Credit Union Today
Fed up with your bank? Tired of the fees? You’d put your money elsewhere if there were only some other place to put it? You’re in luck! There is such a place! It’s called a credit union. If you think there isn’t any difference between a bank and a credit union,...
Saving More Money, Now & Later
You could save today & tomorrow, often without that penny-pinching feeling. Provided by Jonathan P. Dekker Directly & indirectly, you might be able to save more per month than you think. Hidden paths to greater savings can be found at home and at work, and...
Do Your Homework before Heading to College
We all know how expensive college is. Are there ways to reduce the cost of a college education? There are many choices that impact college costs and when you do your research and communicate as a family, you will make wise and informed decisions. Explore the options...
Estimating Your Retirement Income Needs
You know how important it is to plan for your retirement, but where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you'll need to fund your retirement. That's not as easy as it sounds, because retirement planning is not an exact science....
Enjoy Your Summer Vacation — Without Maxing Out Your Credit Cards
School is out, and summer is upon us. It's time to let loose and have some fun. That sounds great in theory, but it can be horrible for our finances if we aren't careful — especially when it comes to taking summer vacations. For many people, travel is a...
Are You Financially Healthy?
Traditional financial literacy efforts haven’t been a rousing success. Research from Harvard Business School shows that even Americans who are taught personal finance in school don’t seem to save more or manage credit better than anyone else. That’s why many experts...
Allowances Don’t Teach Kids About Money — You Do
Many parents tell me they feel guilty about allowances. They aren’t consistent about when and how they give their kids money. They wonder if allowances should be tied to chores. Even how they dole out money can be a problem. Cash is easiest, but much of what kids want...