Financial Fundamentals Blog

What to Know Before Buying Your First Car

  • 7 17 Staff
    Buying your first car. It can be an exciting time and one of stress too. On one hand, you're considering what features you want, what color you prefer, and of course, which locations you’re driving to once you have it. 

7 Ways to Prepare for Retirement

  • 7 17 Staff
It’s never too early to start preparing for retirement. In fact, the earlier you start saving and investing, the more money you’ll have saved when you retire! 

Debt Consolidation: Learn How To Do It The Right Way With Our Calculator

  • 7 17 Staff
Having debt isn’t always a bad thing. Mortgages and car loans are valuable tools to help you afford larger purchases. However, there’s a certain point where the debt can get out of hand and jeopardize your financial wellness. But there are steps you can take to address your debts and rebuild your finances.    Debt consolidation...

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...

Tax benefits of owning a home

  • Francesca Sacco
Are you a new homeowner or considering buying your first home? As the 2022 tax deadline – April 18 – approaches, it’s important to know what tax benefits you can take advantage of on your returns so you can maximize your savings.  

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...

4 Common Retirement Investments and the Differences Between Them

  • Francesca Sacco
  You’ve heard many times about the importance of saving for retirement. But when it comes to actually taking steps toward retirement planning, you’ll need to find a place to put your money and let it grow over time.   In other words, retirement saving should actually be investing — not just putting away money, but taking those...

What Are My Options for Paying Off Student Debt?

  • Francesca Sacco
  If you’re one of the more than 43 million U.S. adults with federal student loan debt, you’re probably eager to get those loans paid off and take a giant leap closer to financial freedom.   But for many buyers, the process of paying down those loans takes years and years. As your life changes over time, your ability — or...

Caring for Your Parents: How to Pay for Senior Living

  • Francesca Sacco
  When we’re children, we depend on our parents to provide everything we need — from food and shelter to emotional support. Then, as we grow up and our parents age, the tables start to turn. The parents we used to depend on start to grow old and require new kinds of care to maintain their health and quality of life.   If you’re...

Choosing a Life Insurance Policy: Five Factors to Consider

  • Francesca Sacco
  Few people would list life insurance policy shopping as one of their favorite activities. But while this process may be boring and even a bit morbid, it could be a financial game-changer if you or someone in your family passes away.   Choosing life insurance isn’t always a straightforward process. Policies can come in several...

6 College Saving Plans for Future Ohio Grads

  • Francesca Sacco
  The rising cost of college is a perennial concern for high school grads and their families. For Ohio residents looking to attend The Ohio State University, tuition and other costs have risen to more than $27,000 per year — or well over $100,000 for a four-year degree.   The costs at local private schools or many public and...

Mortgage Options: What to Consider Before Applying

  • Francesca Sacco
Ready to hit the housing market and find your new home? The formal process starts with applying for a mortgage, getting prequalified, locking in a rate and hitting the market in search of a home that fits within your budget.   Before you fill out that application, though, you’ll want to take care of some important housekeeping...