No matter where you are in life, handling your personal finances can be a complicated and overwhelming task. One way to get the advice and assistance you need is to consult with a financial planner. These professionals are trained and certified to give you expert advice on how to make the most of your money. If you’re not sure whether seeking out...
When to Hire a Financial Planner
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
Using Automatic Bill Pay
Do you ever feel like you’re spending too much time paying bills, juggling account passwords, and keeping track of due dates? If so, you can reclaim some of that time by automating some of your predictable, recurring bill payments. Here’s a look at the benefits and drawbacks of using automatic bill pay:
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
What is a Bridge Loan?
A bridge loan is a short-term loan used to provide immediate cash flow when financing is impending but not available right away. Bridge loans are sometimes also known as swing loans, gap financing, or interim financing. Homeowners typically use these loans to cover the cost of new property before they can sell their current house.
Topics: Personal Banking, Homeowners
CD vs. Savings Account
Whether you’re putting aside funds for a rainy day, or a sunny summer vacation, saving money is an absolute must. When it comes to how you save, two of the most popular options are savings accounts and certificates of deposit. The best way to determine which choice is ideal for your situation is to understand the benefits of both.
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
Borrowing From Your 401(k)
If money is tight, you may have considered drawing from your 401(k) retirement savings plan. While it’s generally best to leave your investments intact, there are circumstances in which tapping into your account can be a safer move than obtaining other kinds of loans. Here’s a look at a few factors to consider before you commit to borrowing money:
Topics: Personal Banking, Retirement
The Basics of Securing Your Check Book
Even though financial transactions today are increasingly paperless, there are still advantages to using a check book. They can help you avoid processing fees, leave behind a useful paper trail for your spending, and give you a means of transferring funds should the internet be unavailable. But are check books safe? How do you secure your check...
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
Tips for Making Mobile Payments
Smartphones have revolutionized how you can perform financial transactions, making it easy for you to shop, pay bills, and send money to friends from wherever you are. You can perform these transactions in a variety of ways, such as paying via web browser or app, using near-field communications (NFC) technology to tap your phone at checkout, or...
Topics: Personal Banking
Refinancing A Loan
Refinancing a loan involves replacing an existing loan by paying off the debt with a new one. Ideally, the new loan has better terms or features to make the process worthwhile. This can help save you money in the long term or make your life easier in other ways.
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
The True Cost of Teen Drivers
That magical moment when your teenager reaches driving age can be both exciting and stressful. While you’re thrilled your child is now old enough to get behind the wheel, the reality of what that means will quickly begin to affect your wallet. Having a teen driver means extra expenditures, including higher insurance, dealing with potential...
Topics: Personal Banking, Family
The Advantages of Multiple Savings Accounts
When you want to securely store your money, you can choose to open one or more savings accounts at a financial institution. If you’re unsure how many accounts to open, it’s a good idea to consider the different reasons for having multiple savings accounts in mind before making a decision.
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education