Can you believe this subject is coming up already? Back-to-school savings! It’s crazy how fast the summer comes and goes. But, the time is drawing near for school to begin, which means back-to-school shopping is getting close! Are you ready to start saving? Shop for Savings School supply lists will soon be making their way into your hands. When this happens for the upcoming school year, make sure you _stick _to the list. Read on →

Nowadays, there are a number of different payment methods to choose from when you a want to purchase something – a credit card, a check, or cash, etc. However, even with all of those options, do you know the one you really should be using? The CheckCard (also known as the “debit card”). Pay With a Debit Card So, why choose a debit card over the other methods of payment? Well, convenience for one! Read on →

We are our own biggest obstacle when it comes to how we handle our money. It is not how much we make – which we would like to blame it on – but how we spend and invest the money we make. As a result, we need to get out of our own way when it comes to achieving the financial success we yearn for in life. Therefore, we need to remove the bad money habits we have in our daily routine, and start focusing on making better spending choices. Read on →

School is finally out for summer! Yay! And while you may be thinking this summer consists of sleeping in, staying up late, spending time with friends, hanging out by the pool, etc., you may want to consider one thing that you can do this summer that can help you financially in the future – a job! Summer Time = Money Time Finding a job over the summer doesn’t mean you are giving up your summer break. Read on →

It has been a long four years, but the day has finally come: graduation day! Finally, you will be out in the workforce, making money, and living your own life! But before you start running out shopping for a new car, a new home, a new wardrobe, it is time to start thinking as an adult—which means getting smart about spending your money. Start Saving Now For some, the first paycheck you obtain from your first job will be the largest amount of money you’ve ever received. Read on →

It is the season that almost feels like Christmas: tax season! Some of us count down the months until it arrives again, waiting patiently for the refund deposit to arrive back into our checking accounts. We may even start thinking of things we want to spend it on, such as a vacation, new car, etc. However, there might be a better investment out there when it comes to how you should spend your tax refund this year. Read on →

We have all been there. Made that extra purchase we didn’t necessarily need to make. Maybe we received extra on a paycheck and went crazy at the shopping mall one weekend. Perhaps you went a little overboard on your child’s first birthday party—did you really need to buy ALL those toys when you know the only thing they want to play with is the box? No matter what the reason, we have all been guilty of spending more than we should in a given month … week … or possibly even day! Read on →

It is one of the worst feelings in the world. You gather your things to check out, and when you reach the cashier to pay for the items, you are told your card is declined. You know there should be money in your account because you were just paid a couple of days ago. The cashier tries again, and still, your card is declined. How can that be? Chances are, your identity has been stolen. Read on →

By now, you have made it through one and a half semesters in your first year of college. So, how are those finances looking? Have you made some financial blunders? Did you charge five dollars on a credit card because you already ran out of money due to the new outlet stores that opened in town? While you might have thought all the learning would take place in the classroom, you are probably seeing that the important financial lessons are occurring outside the schoolroom. Read on →

How many times have you gone through something in life, and said, “Man, I wish someone would have taught me that when I was younger. Then, I might not have had to go through this now and would be better off.” Chances are, you’ve said it at least a handful of times. And the situation that seems to gather this response the most: finances! Fortunately, you can break the cycle by giving your children the lessons now that you had to learn the hard way, with these tips! Read on →