Financial Fundamentals Blog

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

  • 7 17 Staff
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, emphasizing the need to stay ahead of cyberthreats in an increasingly connected world. With the cost of data breaches rising, protecting your personal information is more critical than ever.

Your Top Tips for Holiday Scam Prevention (Do This to Stay Safe!)

  • 7 17 Staff
As the holiday season approaches, we’re getting ready for a surge in delicious treats, time spent with family and friends and occasions where we may have to loosen our belts to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. While the holidays bring about so much joy, it also brings an increase in holiday scams.

Strategies for Building a Solid Credit History

  • 7 17 Staff
Credit scores are tricky. They’re essential for getting a credit card, loan or even an apartment, but if you don’t have a credit history, it can be hard to get any of these things. But how can you have a credit history when no one wants to give you credit in the first place? Let’s take a look at how to build up your credit so...

Personalized Budgeting Strategies for Every Financial Situation

  • 7 17 Staff
If you want to get your spending under control, it can help to have structure by following a plan. There are plenty of different budgeting plans out there, allowing you to choose what works best for you and your situation instead of following a one-size-fits-all approach.

Fall Budgeting Tips for the Last-Minute Shopper

  • 7 17 Staff
Need a few tips to get that last-minute shopping done at a reasonable price? You've come to the right place.

Clever Budgeting Strategies To Stretch Your Dollars Further

  • 7 17 Staff
It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of budgeting. There are a lot of parts to it, and things can come up that require you to use the money for something else you didn’t foresee.

How to Survive the Holidays: A Quick Guide to a Stress-Free Season

  • 7 17 Staff
We’re so close to Thanksgiving, which means that the Holiday season is upon us. For a lot of us, the most wonderful time of the year can feel overwhelming as the shopping, parties, baking, decorating, and general spending can take on a life of their own. With some help from KOFE (Knowledge of Financial Education), here are a few tips to put yourself back in charge during the Holidays to make sure that you start the New Year on the right financial foot.

National Preparedness Month: Are You Ready for an Emergency?

  • 7 17 Staff
National Preparedness Month is four weeks designed to ready you for an emergency. And, it seems that both local and national weather is cooperating to remind you of what’s at stake if you don’t have a plan in place. Advanced planning can save you valuable time and money. From the financial to the practical, here are a few ways to make sure you are ready in an emergency.

How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

  • 7 17 Staff
In September of 2017, it was reported that Equifax, one of the nation’s three largest credit bureaus, had experienced a severe security breach. The personal data of nearly 150 million Americans was made vulnerable, exposed to hackers and scammers to use as they please.

While the initial sting of the breach has passed, its danger has not. We must all continue to protect our valuable personal information. Here’s how you can secure your personal data.

 

Avoiding Financial Pitfalls: Tips for Recent College Graduates

  • 7 17 Staff
Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off. Diploma in hand, you’re ready to tackle the next phrase of your life.

But the joy of graduating from college can quickly fade once graduates begin to grasp their new-found responsibilities, especially when it comes to their financial future. Navigating rent, a car payment, insurance, cable and groceries can be overwhelming. Throw student loan payments and other financial burdens into the mix, and it can be downright frightening.

The worst thing recent grads can do is to start using credit cards to help them maintain their lifestyle. The average college grad owes $4,100 on credit cards at the time of graduation. Not including student loans. Roughly 69% of graduates took out student loans and owe an average of $29,800 in federal and private debt.
 

Essential Holiday Money-Saving Tips for a Budget-Friendly Season

  • 7 17 Staff
The music has a jingle to it, the gift guides are out and the lights are twinkling, which can only mean one thing: the holidays are upon us. Here are a few tips on how to save money and avoid overspending this season.

Holiday Savings Guide: How to Shop Smart and Cut Costs

  • 7 17 Staff
The holidays are in full swing, and shopping days are running out. I know what you’re thinking: It’s too late to score deals and save money. Don’t worry; there are still steps you can take to cut costs even if your shopping has only just begun. Let’s review some of those steps as well as explore year-round measures that can help put you at the top of your financial game next year.