Money

Your credit score is made up of three numbers, serving as an indicator of your financial history, wellness, and responsibility. These three little numbers can spell the difference between approval and rejection for a mortgage, a job, a rental unit and so much more.

We have outlined how your credit score is calculated, why it matters and steps you can take to improve your score.

Who needs a budget anyway?

If you’re always wondering how you’re going to pay the next bill, feel guilty when you indulge in overpriced treats, and you can’t seem to find money to put into savings, then you probably need a budget.

If you feel like the middle-class squeeze is getting tighter each year, you’re not alone. The numbers don’t lie: Life really is a lot more expensive than it used to be.

Let’s take a look at what life costs like now compared to 20, 50 and 80 years ago.

Here’s all you need to know about striking a balance when borrowing for your business:

When trying to trim a monthly budget, most people don’t consider their fixed expenses. These recurring costs, which include mortgage payments, insurance premiums and subscription payments, are easy to budget and plan for since they generally remain constant throughout the year. While people tend to think there’s no way to lower fixed expenses, with a bit of effort and research, most of these costs can be reduced.

Here are five ways to trim your fixed expenses.

As part of the changes you’re gearing up for in the months after you graduate, you’re poised to enter the working world as a long-term employee, perhaps for the first time in your life. As you prepare for this transition, you might have dollar signs dancing in your head while you dream of what you’re going to do with your first paycheck.

Before you start planning a one-in-each-color shopping spree at the mall or a weekend in Vegas, check out our list of responsible things to do with your first paycheck.

Consumer debt in the United States is more than $3.4 trillion, with credit card debt alone at a staggering $16,048 average per household.

If you want to buckle down the spending belt, experts agree on tried and true measures for viewing the light at the end of debt’s tunnel.

College is not just about partying and breaking all the rules your parents subjected you to while you were growing up … It’s also about, you know, preparing for your future and all that.

Once you leave college and enter the “real world,” you are going to quickly realize there is something really important you need to develop: good credit.

If your business has reached a point where it needs an infusion of funds in order to grow, you may be in the market for a business loan. A business loan can help a struggling small business establish itself better, or help a thriving company expand its line of products, open an additional location, move to a larger site, hire new team members, or purchase expensive equipment.

Here’s all you need to know about applying for a business loan:

We all grow up hearing the same financial advice: Spend less, save more, and invest early. While most of these words of wisdom ring true, there are lots of widespread money management tips that are actually false.

Outlined here are 7 money myths that might be causing you more financial stress than benefit.

From shoplifting to stampedes, nothing rings in the holidays more fondly than a couple of parents doing battle in the aisles over the last bargain Barbie on the shelf.

Craziness aside, though, Black Friday is the high holiday for serial shoppers. Social distancing and mask wearing are not going to keep them away from the thrill of the deal. But shopping this year does pose a few questions. Here are some answers.

Keep your holiday dollars in check and you may have some holiday spirit left over, even after the last elf is packed away and the January bills start rolling in.

Understanding how a credit card works can help the cardholder use it responsibly.

Here’s all you need to know about responsible credit card usage.

Leaving college often means the start of a new job, student loan debt to pay off, new living arrangements to pay for and other new expenses to cover. All of this means your finances will likely need an overhaul. It’s time to create your post-college budget.

What makes us overspend? Let’s take a look at five common reasons and how we can overcome them.

The most obvious things in life are often overlooked, and your checking account is just one of them. Most people hardly give a thought to this important account and how to best manage it effectively. We’re here to change that.

Here’s all you need to know about checking accounts:

Who wouldn’t love some extra pocket money? Some freelance jobs don’t require any experience and can be done by practically anyone. Plus, some of them might pay you for tasks you’re already doing! These eight easy side hustles can help you pad your purse.

You’ve already gone for a follow-up interview and the position is as good as yours. The only obstacle to cross before joining the ranks of the officially employed is salary negotiation.

Here are some tips to help you negotiate like a pro:

You need to build up your savings, but it always seems to get bumped down your to-do list.

Here are some simple steps to start saving today.

If you’re like many of us, you’ve been trying to stick to a budget for a while, but by the time each month is over, you’ve busted your budget – again.

Because of this recurring pattern, you’re probably wondering if there’s a better way. Fortunately, the answer is yes!

Online shopping was already big before the pandemic, but now it's gone nuts. We're buying everything online now, but there are tricks to help you save big bucks!

Here are some tips for saving money when shopping online:

Debt consolidation is the process of moving several (possibly) high-interest debts into a new loan or line of credit. Debt consolidation can help you pay off your debt quicker, with less money going toward overall interest payments.

Here’s what you need to know about debt consolidation:

One excellent option we offer our members to help their savings grow is our share certificates. Sometimes known as savings certificates, and referred to by banks as CDs, these unique accounts blend higher growth potential of a stock investment with the security of a typical savings account.

Let’s take a closer look at this savings product and why it might be the perfect choice for you.

Investing your funds is a great way to grow your money and secure your financial future; however, choosing a first investment can be tricky.

Here’s all you need to know about the most common beginner investments and how to choose the path that best suits your needs:

The paystub will summarize all the information from your paycheck and provide a total for net pay.

Before reviewing the actual numbers, let’s take a moment to explore the way a paystub is structured.

Being financially fit is crucial for a well-balanced, stress-free life. Here’s why (and how):

Debt consolidation isn't a solution for everyone.

Let’s take a look at the questions you might ask yourself before you take on a debt consolidation loan.

Taking on debt can be an inevitable step for many businesses. A loan or a line of credit can provide a struggling business with the cash it needs to expand or fund a new venture.

When is it a good idea to take on business debt?

Businesses can benefit from taking out loans or opening new lines of credit under these circumstances:

Let’s take a closer look at the difference between these two terms and how each one impacts your loan.

Let’s take a look at seven red flags that might mean you’re living beyond your means and the steps you can take to get back on track.

We’ll walk you through a W-4 form and show you how to fill it out in five easy steps. 

It’s important to note that only Step 1 and Step 5 are mandatory; the rest are optional.

Triumph over your loans by using one or more of these tricks to make them shorter and pay less interest.

You deserve to keep more of your money!

If you’re like most people, you likely start each year with a list of resolutions to help you improve various aspects of your life. The list may include resolutions to help you become more physically fit, further your career growth and improve your personal relationships. Another category of resolutions you may make centers on those that affect your finances.

The holidays may be over, but scammers never take a break. The weeks after the holiday season generally bring an increase in scams that can be difficult to spot. Watch out for these four common post-holiday scams.

As the outside temperature falls, we raise the temperature inside, and with it, heating costs go up, too. While peaceful white snowfall may be picturesque, the winter utility bills are not quite as pretty.

It’s tax season, so it’s time to get your paperwork in order and hire a tax preparer. Unfortunately, though, there are thousands of scammers looking to steal your information and your tax refund by posing as authentic tax preparers. It’s important to learn how to recognize the signs of a fraudulent tax preparer so you don’t fall victim to a tax filing scam.

There’s nothing quite like watching sports live. The energy, the cheers, the game! But tickets to live sporting events can be pricey, and scammers know this well. Here’s what you need to know about sports ticket scams and how to avoid them.

Asking for the occasional raise should be part of any career path, but it can sometimes be difficult to know when and how to ask for an increase in salary. Follow these tips to make negotiating your next raise easy.

Keeping your finances intact throughout the summer is well within reach if you’re ready to plan ahead and make responsible choices.

Survey scams are almost as old as the internet. The alert consumer can spot a survey scam easily, but fraudsters are unfortunately becoming more sophisticated at luring innocent victims into their schemes. 

If you drive a car and own a phone, you’ve likely been targeted by this scam once or twice – or maybe even a thousand times. It’s the scam that tips the scale on robocalls and takes them from “mild inconvenience” to “royal pain in the neck.” But auto warranty scams are more than just a hopeless nuisance – they can spell financial disaster to the unwary consumer.

The holidays are over, and if you’ve gone over budget with your spending, it’s time to deal with the aftermath. Instead of living in a financial deficit, take steps to repair your budget as soon as the last guest leaves. 

Congrats – you’ve won an all-expense paid vacation to the Bahamas! It’s a dream come true! Or is it? Unfortunately, if you receive notification that you’ve landed a free luxury vacation, you’ve likely been targeted by a scam. Here’s what you need to know about free vacation scams and how to protect yourself from falling victim.

Despite its bad rap, not all debt is bad debt. Some debts are actually beneficial for the debtor and can be considered “good debt.” Let’s take a look at the factors defining good debt, the various types of good debt and how to keep this debt from going bad.

Building good financial habits during college can set the stage for a secure and successful financial future. Let’s take a look at some tips that can help you navigate your finances successfully throughout your years in college.

Halloween is great fun for kids and kids-at-heart. But, if you’re the one left paying for all those costumes, decor, and candy, you may find the only scare you’re getting from Halloween this year is fear of the credit card bill’s arrival. Don't let the costs spook you out; we’ve got seven great hacks for saving this Halloween.

Talking finances with your partner may not be your idea of a shared romantic moment but communicating openly about how you manage your money is a crucial part of having an honest and trusting relationship. 

Life is full of surprises, and some of them can be expensive. Whether it’s a medical emergency, job loss, car repairs or any other unforeseen event, having a financial safety net can provide a sense of security and stability.

Preparing for retirement is a major life event that requires decades of planning. Retiring alone can be even more daunting because you’ll need to take specific steps to ensure you’re ready to leave the workforce and live out your years on your own.