Financial Fundamentals Blog

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...

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...

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...

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...

Faced with high credit card balances, costly interest charges and ever-increasing minimum payments? You’re not alone. According to one survey conducted in September 2021, 54% of Americans reported carrying a balance on their credit card — and if you’re not careful with this financial tool, it can quickly become a costly...

Three tips to battle inflation

It’s easy to over spend during the holidays. The tantalizing sales and elaborate window sales make it easy to get caught up in holiday shopping. And while it may not seem important in the moment, over spending can have many implications on your finances. Instead of spending the new year trying to correct the damage, learn to...

The holidays are right around the corner, and while its’s a joyous time filled with family and friends, the holidays can also be expensive. Gifts, traveling and entertaining can certainly take a toll on your wallet.

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...

You moved into a house that was perfect, but as your family has grown and your tastes have changed, so has your idea of the perfect home. You want to accomplish those projects you’ve had in mind for a while, but how can you achieve your home improvement goals?

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.

January is right around the corner, and the New Year is the perfect time to focus on your goals. Make 2020 the year you address your financial goals. Regardless if you want to save more, improve your credit score or pay down debt, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you start the New Year with a clean financial slate.