First Federal Bank Blog

Caroline Russell, Senior Marketing Manager at One Day in July, a financial advisory firm, has some important advice for ensuring your financial success. The first step is to understand your current situation. Open up all your accounts: credit cards, checking accounts, student loans, and streaming services. If you don't know what the issues are,...

Social Security has been in the news a lot this year. But it can be hard to understand exactly what is happening, especially when the changes come fast and furious. Whether you are already retired, approaching the golden years, or just starting to think about saving for that stage of your life, how could changes to Social Security impact you?

A Home Equity Line of Credit, or HELOC, can be a very helpful financial tool for homeowners. Many use the money to make improvements, and summer is a popular time to do so. But a HELOC is not the right solution for every situation. Knowing when to say, "Yes" and when to be clear about, "No" is essential. Financial experts have some advice about...

When we think of financial fraud, we tend to worry most about new and evolving threats in the digital age. It can be easy to forget the, “old school” ways thieves use to grab an easy buck. But we should never let our guard down. The fact is, while today’s scammer is usually very tech savvy, there are those on the lookout for other ways to separate...

We tend to think of financial planning as something only the wealthy need to think about. But there are many practical reasons for all of us to engage in a basic review of our financial life. It's helpful to develop the direction we want to take, as well as how we will get there.

According to a new NerdWallet survey, banking misconceptions abound. The survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted online by The Harris Poll, found some Americans believe common myths about bank security, interest rates and fees, and where money should be saved for financial goals. But understanding the basics of where you keep your money...

You probably hear a lot about the importance of having a good credit score. The higher the better is the general consensus. But is there a limit to the benefits? Does having a perfect credit score make a significant difference? And if not, what is more important?

With prices rising and concerns about the economy top of mind, there has been a rise in Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) plans. Consumers can use BNPL for just about anything. Shopping online and in-person, big and small purchases, even your groceries and your takeout.

Certified Financial Coach Amy Scott believes most budgeting advice is wrong because it is reactive. According to her, traditional budgeting sets you up to fail by focusing on where your money already went while not helping you feel in control of where your money is going next.

When it comes to the topic of budgeting, people tend to have negative perceptions. They think it is too hard, takes too much discipline, or is out of reach for their situation. The truth is, there are many flexible, simple ways you can set a budget that fits your life and helps you take control of your finances. That is, if you can get past these...