Financial Fundamentals Blog

Save money with your WOW checking account

  • 7 17 Staff
Looking for small ways to make a big impact on your budget? Maybe it’s time to rethink your checking account and the benefits that could come with a new one.

Features to consider when opening a new checking account

  • 7 17 Staff
Opening a new checking account is usually easy. However, choosing the right financial institution and product for you is another story.

401k vs IRA: What's The Difference?

  • 7 17 Staff
It’s never too early to start thinking about your retirement options and how to save as much as you can for retirement. You have several choices for retirement savings, including a 401(k) and an individual retirement account (IRA).

Am I Saving Enough For Retirement?

  • 7 17 Staff
We all have retirement dreams—catching up on the to-be-read list, traveling with family, or doing projects around the house. No matter what your retirement dreams are, one thing is certain: You need to make sure you’re saving enough now so you don’t have to worry about money later. But the big question is: Are you doing enough saving for retirement?

How to Save Money on Back-to-School Shopping

  • Beth Ann Tabak
We’ve arrived at that magical time of year where parents scour sale ads and coupon apps for hot deals while children try to squeeze every last minute out of summer break. Yes, it’s back-to-school shopping season.

A Basic Guide to Automating Your Finances

  • Beth Ann Tabak
Using digital banking options and automating your financial life can save you time, money, and the general stress of worrying about whether your banking is handled from day to day. Here are a few tips to how you can save yourself some headaches by putting your finances on autopilot.

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 Avoid Vacation Debt When Planning Your Upcoming Trip

  • Francesca Sacco
Summer is officially here, which means families across the United States are preparing to go on vacation. While vacations are great way to spend quality time with loved ones and to unwind, the credit card bills that accumulate afterwards can sour memories of the trip.

Take the time to plan a vacation that will leave you with good memories instead of debt. Here are some tips to keep in mind while planning.
 

Types of IRAs: Which One Is Best For You

  • 7 17 Staff
We all have ideas of what we want our retirement to look like. We have the ideal picture of where we want to be, what we want to do, and what we want to see. But you need to make sure you’re prepared for those things.

IRA Options: How to Determine Which IRA is Right for You

  • Francesca Sacco
Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are a financial vehicle designed to help American workers save for their retirement. While these accounts are just one type of investment and savings solution that can be used to achieve retirement goals, they’re an important fixture for many consumers. IRAs come in a few different shapes...

What Is the Difference Between a Credit Union and Bank?

  • Francesca Sacco
If you’ve never been a member of a credit union before, you might have questions about how these financial institutions differ from traditional banks and whether or not they offer the same services as for-profit banks.

How Much Do I Need to Save To Retire? (+ Calculator)

  • Francesca Sacco
For many individuals and households, the ultimate financial goal is saving for retirement and achieving financial security by building net worth throughout your working years.