Financial Fundamentals Blog

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

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.

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 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.

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.
 

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.

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.

We tend to think of physical or mental health when focusing on well-being. But your financial wellness is just as important to focus on. In many cases, struggling with financial instability or debt can impact your mental health.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your debt, you’re likely looking into the options available to you. One of the paths toward reducing your stress and financial burden is a debt management plan. However, choosing the right plan for you involves looking at several factors, including costs, impact on your credit score and the...

Saving money may not be very exciting, but like eating your fruits and vegetables, it’s a necessary part of life. There is a way you can make putting money into your savings a little more exciting: with an account that earns you money through interest.

COVID-19 has caused financial problems for millions of Americans, and while the local economy is starting to operate again, many people are still in a financial pinch. If you’ve started an emergency fund, you may have begun to dip into it. But before you drain that account, consider some alternatives. We’ve compiled a list to help you weigh your options before using/draining your emergency fund.