Preparing your taxes is easier when you have everything you need at your fingertips or accessible on your computer. Searching for receipts, records, or required documents will quickly erode your resolve and temperament when you’re trying to work through your taxes. Here are a few tips to help you organize your tax documents so you can make the...
Student loans can be a heavy financial burden. However, there are a few simple tips to help you chip away at your debt faster. Here’s a look at a few strategies to help you set yourself on a quicker path toward financial freedom:Go above the minimum paymentMaking a bigger monthly payment may require sacrificing some of your disposable income, but...
Topics: Financial Education
All investing exposes you to a certain level of risk. Committing all your money to a narrow range of stocks, bonds, or other assets is especially perilous, exposing your portfolio to the market’s volatility and making it less resilient — and potentially hampering growth as well. However, diversification is a good way to keep one poor-performing...
Topics: Financial Education
Shopping for a car at a dealership can be an overwhelming experience. Even if you do a ton of research before you shop and have an idea of what vehicle you want, you still need to ask questions at the dealership. Here are a few essential queries to ask before you purchase a car:Check on maintenance plansNew cars should be trouble free for some...
Topics: Financial Education
An individual retirement account (IRA) can be a powerful tool for investing and saving your money — especially when you manage it wisely. If you’re looking for ways to make the most of your IRA, start by reviewing these commonly asked questions.What investments can I make with an IRA?You can choose from a wide range of IRA investment options to...
Topics: Retirement, Financial Education
Your tax return contains a plethora of private, personal, and important data. In the wrong hands, your details can be used as a tool in identity theft, fraud, and other nefarious activities that can hurt you, your reputation, and your financial standing. Be sure to protect your information when you file your tax return with these security tips:...
Topics: Financial Education
Whether you have your eye on a new or used car, its price is probably much higher than it would have been a half-decade ago. Vehicle prices have soared in recent years and don’t appear to be settling back down anytime soon. This is making it harder for shoppers on low or even moderate incomes to afford the transportation they need.What can you do...
Topics: Financial Education
Payment apps like Google Pay, Cash App, and Zelle have become the preferred method of sending and receiving money for many people. Yet, you may be hesitant to jump on the bandwagon due to concerns about the security of using a payment app — and you’re not alone.Many people who are accustomed to using cash, credit cards, and checks are skeptical...
Topics: Financial Education
Few decisions are as significant as buying a home. It’s a milestone that many aspire to achieve, but the path to homeownership can be paved with financial challenges, particularly for those still grappling with student loans. Here are the factors you should consider when deciding to buy a home while managing student debt:Pros of buying a home...
Topics: Financial Education, Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity
Carrying a card for everyday purchases can make life much more convenient, but the question you have to ask before opening your wallet is which card you should use. Credit cards and debit cards will both allow you to pay for the things you need, but each offers unique functions that separate one from the other. What is a debit card? ...
Topics: Financial Education