Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a family member or friend come to you about cosigning on a loan—chances are, it’s occurred at least once or twice in your lifetime. While you may be up for agreeing because they are close family or friends in need of help, it’s important to know what you are putting yourself on the hook for by cosigning on a loan. What Cosigning Entails Signing your name on the line for someone else is always a risky move, as it means that you will be responsible for the loan if your friend or family member falls through. Read on →

It’s not uncommon to hear rumblings of recession from time to time, especially as of late. With the Great Recession of 2007 still remaining a dark reminder of how bad things can get, it’s always best to learn from the situation and prepare yourself, your family and your finances for another recession. The Facts About Recessions First you should remember that recessions are a natural part of the economy, which resemble the tides with the ways it experiences highs and lows. Read on →

Unemployment is certainly something that no one hopes for and also an occurrence that is rarely planned for. Unfortunately, unemployment issues still exist, which means there are many Americans finding themselves in uncomfortable financial situations due to job loss. What You Need to Know About Unemployment In June of this year, there were some 5,975,000 unemployed persons in the United States. While this number is still drastically lower than the 15,352,000 Americans who were unemployed in October 2009, it also means that there are many families continuing to be impacted by the loss of a job. Read on →

Believe it or not, the back-to-school season is upon us! While always an exciting time, there can be many aspects that are stressful—this includes back-to-school shopping while on a budget. Have no fear, though, there are plenty of ways you can make back-to-school shopping fit in with your finances. Back-to-School Shopping Expenses Did you know that shoppers spend more on back-to-school shopping than consumers spend on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Valentine’s Day combined? Read on →

Learning how to manage money and finances successfully is a vital part of the growing up process. Parents can begin teaching their children valuable lessons about money from a young age, making sure the groundwork is laid for financial success down the road. Financial Lessons Kids Need to Learn There are many lessons for children to learn as they grow up, but some that can be overlooked occasionally are financial lessons. Read on →

We’ve all been there—you see a deal online or in print and become blinded by how fantastic it seems. Unfortunately, just because a deal seems like it will save you money doesn’t mean it actually will. While it may be tempting to “cash in” on some of the sales, specials and deals you come across, it’s important to know when and when not to partake. How Sales Cost You Money It’s simple: Sales can be a way of turning a “want” into a “need. Read on →

When managing your finances, the credit score can seem like a mysterious number. If you are working to improve your credit score, it is important to know what factors are weighed in so that you are able to focus your resources on the right things to improve it. Factors That Impact Your Credit Score When evaluating your credit score, it is important to be knowledgeable about what does and does not play a role. Read on →

The days are getting longer and the temperatures are rising, which can only mean one thing—summer is around the corner. We all like to have summer fun, but vacations and water parks can come with a price. Thankfully, we’ve found some summer-specific tips to help you save so you can have fun without worrying about your wallet. Hot Weather Money-Saving Tips Saving money is good during any season, but these summer-specific budgeting tips will help you enjoy this fun time of year even more: Read on →

Many people consider bankruptcy to be a dirty word, but we are here to help change that misconception. For those filing, bankruptcy can serve as a fresh start—a chance to right their financial circumstances and move on to a brighter future. What Is Bankruptcy? Plainly put, bankruptcy is a legal process in which people or other entities who cannot repay debts to creditors can seek relief from some or all of their debts. Read on →

College graduation season is here, and that means that young adults throughout the country are leaving behind the world of academia for the “real world.” For those who are joining the workforce, having a solid understanding of financial planning and money management is key. Financial Tips for the Real World The state of student loan debt in 2019 is rather gloomy, with an amount totaling $1.56 trillion. There are 44. Read on →