Financial Fundamentals Blog

As a part of the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in March, eligible families began to receive Advance Child Tax Credit payments on July 15.

When you find yourself swamped with debt and facing large monthly payments across multiple accounts, debt consolidation can become an attractive option to create short-term financial relief while also making a long-term plan for debt repayment. Depending on how you approach debt consolidation, though, this financial relief can...

Your credit score is a precious asset to your financial outlook. A great credit score will open doors to low interest rates and pain-free credit approvals that strengthen your financial stability and your purchasing power. A bad credit score is a roadblock to all of those conveniences and can end up costing you money or even...

You might not think about credit scores much in your day-to-day life — and if you’re just getting started managing your own money, you might have no idea what your credit score even is. But while this number might reside beyond your line of sight, it can have huge implications for your short-term finances, and it could affect...

When it’s time to buy a new vehicle, auto loans are a popular, low-cost financing option that increases your spending power without gouging your bank account with high interest rates. Despite the convenience and affordability of auto financing, consumers should still approach financing carefully and make sure that their auto...

Your first home is one of the biggest and most significant purchases you will ever make in your life. That first down payment is also one of the largest amounts of money you will ever have to save to afford a major purchase. Saving for your first home by setting aside the money for this down payment can require years of...

It’s never too early to start saving for retirement. It’s also never too late—even if you have your sights set on retiring in the near future. No matter where you’re at in your career or how long you have until you retire, a commitment to saving now will pay dividends later in life. As you start saving for retirement, make sure...

*This is the final installment in a three-part blog series focusing on digital wallets.

Everyone is feeling a pinch from the coronavirus pandemic. Many of our local businesses, which are incredibly vital and unique to our individual communities, have fallen on difficult times. As we strive for some normalcy in our daily lives, we can make an effort to find small ways to help support local businesses.

Are you struggling with debt and considering debt consolidation? Before you take out a consolidation loan, make sure it’s the right choice for you.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many credit card issuers are offering temporary credit card relief. But know that accepting assistance from credit issuers comes with some caveats. Here’s what you need to know if you take your credit card company up on a relief offer.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act signed into law March 27 introduced several new measures to help individuals and businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. For most student loan borrowers, the CARES Act automatically suspended certain federal student loan payments and reduced interest to 0% through Sept. 30, 2020. Because the pandemic has affected everyone differently, student loan borrowers have several options to consider when paying their federal student loans.