Financial Fundamentals Blog

4 Most Common Types of Identity Theft and How to Protect Against Them

  • 7 17 Staff
Identity theft is the use of another person’s personal information, such as their name, address and Social Security Number (SSN) for personal gain. Identity theft can create many problems for those affected, including a decline in credit scores and finances. Those affected by identity theft may feel anxiety about their future...

First-Time Homeowners: This Is How to Prepare to Buy a House

  • 7 17 Staff
Are you considering purchasing your own home? Owning your own home is an exciting prospect. You’ve probably started thinking about how many rooms you want, the size of your kitchen, and if a garage is an important must-have or not. Before getting started on planning what features you want your home to have and what you want it...

5 Tips on How to Improve Your Credit Score

  • 7 17 Staff
Your credit score is one of your most important financial assets. It can affect a lot of your financial decisions such as purchasing a car or house, applying for a student loan or credit card, and even renting an apartment.

Inflation Periods in the US: How to Make Smart Economic Decisions With Inflation on the Rise

  • 7 17 Staff
Many people are currently feeling the effects of inflation, from grocery prices to the cost of gasoline, utilities and housing. Inflation is the rise in prices over a certain period of time. Prices for goods, utilities and housing have steadily risen in recent months, with the U.S. inflation rate reaching 9.1% in June. Many...

Save on Back-to-School Shopping with these Tips

  • Francesca Sacco
August is here, which means the start of school is right around the corner! Start planning your back-to-school shopping now to avoid unnecessary stress and spending.

Get back to the financial basics this National Financial Literacy Month

  • Francesca Sacco
April is National Financial Literacy Month, so it’s the perfect time to reflect on your personal finances! Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting and investing. It is the foundation of your relationship with money, and...

The Dangers of Impulse Spending: 5 Tips To Help You Save More Money

  • Francesca Sacco
Americans make up to 156 impulsive purchases per year, according to one report — and that’s only the impulse buys they’re aware of. Many retailers and other businesses are reliant on impulse purchases to push their sales and revenues even higher. This is why businesses and their advertisers are eager to leverage the feeling of...

Myths Busted: 6 Misconceptions About Debt Consolidation

  • Francesca Sacco
For consumers with existing debt that is too high for them to pay down, debt consolidation can become an attractive option for managing this debt and creating a path to becoming debt-free. Before you start the debt consolidation process, though — or dismiss it as a poor option to address your specific debt challenges — it’s...

How Federal Interest Rate Decisions Affect Your Finances

  • Francesca Sacco
The Federal Reserve and its federal interest rate have made a lot of headlines in recent weeks and months as the agency moves forward with plans to institute multiple rate hikes in 2022. While these interest rate decisions receive a lot of attention in the media and can even cause volatility in the stock market, many consumers...

Expense Tracking Template: Use This To Track Your Monthly Budget

  • Francesca Sacco
When it comes to managing your money and improving your awareness of your own spending habits, an expense tracking solution can be exactly the tool you need to take the next steps in improving your financial wellness. Expense tracking often goes hand-in-hand with creating a personal budget because both processes are meant to...

Important changes to know about the 2022 tax season

  • Francesca Sacco
The 2022 tax season is underway, and although this year’s deadline – April 18 – is still a while off, you don’t want to delay. If you haven’t yet filed, there are a few topics you’ll want to familiarize yourself.

Common College Expenses to Budget for

  • Francesca Sacco
If you or a loved one is getting ready to head off to college in the near future, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about related expenses. While tuition is to be expected, there are quite a few other common expenses related to attending college that often go overlooked. Making an effort to plan ahead will put you in a...