Financial Fundamentals Blog

Understanding Deferred Interest: Avoiding Financial Pitfalls

  • 7 17 Staff
Using a credit card may sound like a smart way to finance a large purchase, but if you’re not careful, you may be falling into a debt trap. Most retailers offer store-branded, deferred interest credit cards to appeal to buyers, but few consumers are aware of the pitfalls of deferred interest.

8 Ways to Save on Home Energy Costs

  • Beth Ann Tabak
Winter weather has a way of sneaking up with its snow, ice and chilling winds. However unwelcome it might be, it does serve as a helpful reminder to check in on your home energy usage. Considering that the average American family spends more than $2,000 each year on utilities – with a good portion of that cost wasted energy – an energy audit can help you confirm that you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
 
Here are a few easy ways that you can make a difference in your energy costs.
 

How to Budget for a Wedding: A Simple Guide

  • Beth Ann Tabak
The holiday season is one of the most popular times of the year to get engaged. In fact, 40 percent of proposals happen between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. If you’re one of those lucky couples, you’re probably asking yourself, “how do we pay for all of this?” Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with a few tips on how to create a wedding budget that won’t break the bank.

Four Financial Tips for Surviving a Layoff

  • Beth Ann Tabak
How to keep it together during job loss

Four Financial Tips for New College Grads

  • Beth Ann Tabak
Handle your new financial reality like a pro

6 Tips for Managing Financial Anxiety

  • Beth Ann Tabak
Does your financial situation scare you? You’re not alone; a recent study found that 36 percent of working Americans are considered “financially fragile.” Read on for some tips to put you on stronger financial footing.

How to Pay for College: A 3-Step Guide

  • Beth Ann Tabak
It’s no secret that higher education comes with a hefty price tag. The College Board reported that the average annual cost of a public four-year college for in-state students is $9,410 while out-of-state students face $23,980. Those attending a private four-year college are looking at an average annual cost of $32,410. Just reading these numbers can be overwhelming, let alone figuring out how to pay for them.
 
The good news is that for many students college is not an out-of-pocket expense because of the many available avenues of financial aid. Here’s a few ways to figure out how to pay for college without going broke.  
 

How to Handle Financial Stress: 4 Expert Tips

  • 7 17 Staff
We all have stress in our lives, but sometimes nothing can match the stress we feel from our financial lives. Here are four helpful tips from KOFE (Knowledge of Financial Education) for handling financial stress.

Budgeting Made Easy: Tips for Financial Success

  • 7 17 Staff
Welcome to the New Year! With a new year comes new resolutions: For some it’s eating better, for others it’s getting fit, and for many it’s getting their finances in order. When it comes to getting your finances in check, it can be difficult to know where to start.

5 Common Money Mistakes and How to Fix Them

  • 7 17 Staff
Working to achieve your financial goals can be a delicate balancing act, and even when you make your best effort, mistakes can happen. Let’s face it – we’re only human. What you don’t want is to let a mistake go uncorrected because it can have serious repercussions down the road. Let’s review five common money mistakes and their fixes.

How to use your Economic Impact Payment Wisely

  • Francesca Sacco
The United States Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have begun to distribute economic impact payments to the majority of Americans in an effort to provide financial relief from the ongoing pandemic. Given the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, it’s best to make sure your using your payment wisely.

Start the New Year with a Clean Financial Slate

  • Francesca Sacco
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.