Crafting Financial Goals for the New Year & Beyond

New Year’s Day marks one of the most popular moments when it comes to setting goals. Resolutions allow you to start the year off with personal improvement on your mind, giving you something to strive for in the months ahead.  One of the most popular goals people set is improving their financial situation. The challenge with financial goals is that they are usually longer term, meaning it’s often difficult to stay motivated when the prize is so far away.   In this article, we’ll provide tips on how to break longer-term goals into bite-size pieces to significantly improve your odds of…

December 18, 2024Future Planning No Comments
Crafting Financial Goals for the New Year & Beyond

New Year’s Day marks one of the most popular moments when it comes to setting goals. Resolutions allow you to start the year off with personal improvement on your mind, giving you something to strive for in the months ahead.  One of the most popular goals people set is improving their financial situation. The challenge with financial goals is that they are usually longer term, meaning it’s often difficult to stay motivated when the prize is so far away.   In this article, we’ll provide tips on how to break longer-term goals into bite-size pieces to significantly improve your odds of…

Employment Scams: How to Identify Them & Stay Safe

As technology continues to grow and evolve, more and more of our lives move online. This trend also extends to our jobs, especially when it comes to searching for and applying for work. Unfortunately, this shift can lead to eager employment seekers unknowingly becoming targets of scams.   With the rise of online job searches and applications, there has also been a substantial increase in employment scams. Understanding how to spot these scams and knowing the steps you can take to prevent falling into fraudsters’ traps is essential.   Understanding Job Scams  A recent surge in employment scams has been circulating on…

December 2, 2024Security Center No Comments
Employment Scams: How to Identify Them & Stay Safe

As technology continues to grow and evolve, more and more of our lives move online. This trend also extends to our jobs, especially when it comes to searching for and applying for work. Unfortunately, this shift can lead to eager employment seekers unknowingly becoming targets of scams.   With the rise of online job searches and applications, there has also been a substantial increase in employment scams. Understanding how to spot these scams and knowing the steps you can take to prevent falling into fraudsters’ traps is essential.   Understanding Job Scams  A recent surge in employment scams has been circulating on…

Summertime Scams are Coming in Hot

Temperatures are rising, and summer fun is here. But that’s not the only thing heating up. Scammers know that vacation season places people in unfamiliar locations, has them looking for ways to save money, and more – providing ample opportunities to enrich themselves.  Amid the excitement of your summer plans, don’t forget to stay vigilant about protecting yourself and your finances. Whether you’re globetrotting this summer, coming home from college to work and relax, or planning an epic staycation, here’s a glimpse at some of the more common summertime scams – and ways to keep you and your money safe. …

July 1, 2024Security Center No Comments
Summertime Scams are Coming in Hot

Temperatures are rising, and summer fun is here. But that’s not the only thing heating up. Scammers know that vacation season places people in unfamiliar locations, has them looking for ways to save money, and more – providing ample opportunities to enrich themselves.  Amid the excitement of your summer plans, don’t forget to stay vigilant about protecting yourself and your finances. Whether you’re globetrotting this summer, coming home from college to work and relax, or planning an epic staycation, here’s a glimpse at some of the more common summertime scams – and ways to keep you and your money safe. …

Financial Tips to Prep for College

Going off to college is both exciting and intimidating. You’ll likely be on your own for the first time, facing new responsibilities and freedoms, meeting new people, and enjoying new experiences.   As you’re taking steps to prepare for college and making lists of everything you need to do to get ready, don’t forget to add a few money-saving checkboxes to your list. Here are some tips to help you cut down on costs and keep up with your finances while attending college.   Explore Available Student Discounts   Never overlook the money-saving potential of student discounts. Many local and chain businesses offer…

June 21, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Financial Tips to Prep for College

Going off to college is both exciting and intimidating. You’ll likely be on your own for the first time, facing new responsibilities and freedoms, meeting new people, and enjoying new experiences.   As you’re taking steps to prepare for college and making lists of everything you need to do to get ready, don’t forget to add a few money-saving checkboxes to your list. Here are some tips to help you cut down on costs and keep up with your finances while attending college.   Explore Available Student Discounts   Never overlook the money-saving potential of student discounts. Many local and chain businesses offer…

Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing: How to Protect Yourself

In today’s digital age, where everything from shopping to banking is done online, the threat of scams looms larger than ever. Imagine receiving an email, a text message, or even a phone call that seems legitimate, only to realize later that it was a trap set by cybercriminals. These tactics, known as phishing, smishing, and vishing, are more than just annoyances – they’re sophisticated schemes designed to steal your personal information and drain your financial accounts.   In this article, we’ll dive into the world of these deceptive practices, unravel their intricacies, and equip you with the knowledge you need to…

May 22, 2024Security Center No Comments
Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing: How to Protect Yourself

In today’s digital age, where everything from shopping to banking is done online, the threat of scams looms larger than ever. Imagine receiving an email, a text message, or even a phone call that seems legitimate, only to realize later that it was a trap set by cybercriminals. These tactics, known as phishing, smishing, and vishing, are more than just annoyances – they’re sophisticated schemes designed to steal your personal information and drain your financial accounts.   In this article, we’ll dive into the world of these deceptive practices, unravel their intricacies, and equip you with the knowledge you need to…

6 Essential Credit FAQs Answered

Building and maintaining an excellent credit score should be a top financial priority for every adult. Your credit score plays a significant role in how much interest you pay on loans, whether you’ll be approved for financing, and it can even impact whether you can rent an apartment or land specific jobs.  However, the world of credit reports and scores can be a bit confusing – and overwhelming. Not to worry. We’re here to help answer some of the more common questions about credit to ensure you’re on the right path to locking in an exceptional score.  #1: What Is…

May 22, 2024Borrowing Basics No Comments
6 Essential Credit FAQs Answered

Building and maintaining an excellent credit score should be a top financial priority for every adult. Your credit score plays a significant role in how much interest you pay on loans, whether you’ll be approved for financing, and it can even impact whether you can rent an apartment or land specific jobs.  However, the world of credit reports and scores can be a bit confusing – and overwhelming. Not to worry. We’re here to help answer some of the more common questions about credit to ensure you’re on the right path to locking in an exceptional score.  #1: What Is…

Empowering Your Teen with the Right Checking Account

Teenagers are at a critical stage of their lives where they are beginning to navigate the complexities of personal finance. Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and tools empowers them to make responsible decisions and build healthy financial habits.   One pivotal step in this journey is selecting the appropriate checking account for your teen. Teaching teens money management skills goes beyond the latest bells and whistles in the financial world. It starts with real-world, hands-on guidance from you with an account that won’t punish them for minor mistakes.   Key Features to Consider in a Teen Checking Account  When deciding which…

May 21, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Empowering Your Teen with the Right Checking Account

Teenagers are at a critical stage of their lives where they are beginning to navigate the complexities of personal finance. Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and tools empowers them to make responsible decisions and build healthy financial habits.   One pivotal step in this journey is selecting the appropriate checking account for your teen. Teaching teens money management skills goes beyond the latest bells and whistles in the financial world. It starts with real-world, hands-on guidance from you with an account that won’t punish them for minor mistakes.   Key Features to Consider in a Teen Checking Account  When deciding which…

Is an Auto Loan Preapproval Necessary?

There is no doubt it can be exciting when it is time to purchase a new car. Your car reflects you and your personality, so exploring different models and features is fun. With all the excitement in the air, it’s easy to be drawn to the dealership to see the vehicles up close and schedule a test drive. However, that’s one of the first and biggest mistakes when it comes to car-buying.   Dealerships will use every sales trick and tactic they know to close the deal right then – whether you are ready to buy or not. This scenario can…

May 21, 2024Borrowing Basics No Comments
Is an Auto Loan Preapproval Necessary?

There is no doubt it can be exciting when it is time to purchase a new car. Your car reflects you and your personality, so exploring different models and features is fun. With all the excitement in the air, it’s easy to be drawn to the dealership to see the vehicles up close and schedule a test drive. However, that’s one of the first and biggest mistakes when it comes to car-buying.   Dealerships will use every sales trick and tactic they know to close the deal right then – whether you are ready to buy or not. This scenario can…

Making the Most of Financial Windfalls

What would you do with an extra $1,000? What about $10,000? Or $100,000?   You’ve probably spent time daydreaming about what you would do if you suddenly received an unexpected financial windfall. Maybe it’s a significant work bonus, an inheritance, a lawsuit payout, or even a surprisingly large tax refund.   As you begin to envision what you could do with the extra money, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. Your heightened emotions can quickly get the best of you, leading to frivolous spending. However, managing financial windfalls like these wisely requires far more than impulsive decision-making. While it…

April 15, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Making the Most of Financial Windfalls

What would you do with an extra $1,000? What about $10,000? Or $100,000?   You’ve probably spent time daydreaming about what you would do if you suddenly received an unexpected financial windfall. Maybe it’s a significant work bonus, an inheritance, a lawsuit payout, or even a surprisingly large tax refund.   As you begin to envision what you could do with the extra money, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. Your heightened emotions can quickly get the best of you, leading to frivolous spending. However, managing financial windfalls like these wisely requires far more than impulsive decision-making. While it…