Financial Fundamentals Blog

No matter who you are or how much you earn, money management is a necessary skill that involves creating a budget, tracking spending and saving money for financial well-being.

Opening a checking account is a pretty easy process, right? You walk into a bank or credit union and simply apply for the checking account you want.

No matter how big or small your financial goals are, a financial plan can help you make those goals a reality. Think of financial planning as a roadmap to help you achieve your goals. It’s an ongoing process that can help you feel more confident about your finances and navigate any bumps in the road, such as inflation or a...

School is back in session, and with it comes a myriad of costs. If you’re heading off to college for your first or last semester, don’t be afraid to look for ways to save. One way to cut costs is to eliminate visiting your college bookstore for textbooks. Don’t be afraid to look for deals or to get creative! Here are some tips to help.

Knowing the signs of elder financial abuse can help protect yourself or your loved ones. Seniors are increasingly becoming targets for financial abuse. People over the age of 50 control over 70 percent of the nation’s wealth, and fraudsters are using new tactics to take advantage of the growing number of older Americans. Senior abuse is estimated to have cost victims at least $2.9 billion in the last year alone.

Everyone learns about money differently. Some people take classes, others rely on advice from family and friends and even more people learn from personal experiences. But following poor advice can end up costing you money and have negative implications on your credit score. Before you follow a misconception about money, check our list of debunked money myths.

Tax season can be overwhelming, especially if you choose to prepare your own taxes. Rushing to get your taxes filed before the April 15, 2020 deadline can increase your chance of an error, which can delay your refund, trigger an audit or cause you to pay more. Most of the mistakes that taxpayers make on their tax returns are fairly simple ones. We’ve compiled a list of the more common mistakes taxpayers make when filing taxes and some tips on how to avoid them.

Most consumers view a vehicle purchase as a mix of meeting transportation needs while indulging in certain conveniences and fun features of whatever vehicle they purchase. Even though a car purchase is typically a necessity, it’s hard not to have your purchase influenced by your emotional impulses.

What if ditching the snooze button in the morning could save you money? While getting up early can be difficult, it turns out there may be a correlation between success, money and your alarm clock.

They might sound cute and clever, but phishing, vishing and smishing are anything but that. Let’s take a look at these common attempts to steal your personal information and how you can protect yourself.

If it’s time to take your savings plan up a notch, a money market account can get you closer to your goals by making your money work a little harder for you.

Divorce is a tough process — both emotionally and financially. Financial planning for a divorce is essential early in the process because separating two people’s money and accounts can be difficult and messy. Additionally, you’ll want to have a plan in place to make sure you’re prepared for the future.