Summer is usually time when families plan their annual vacations. When the kids are home from school, parents can take a week or two off from work and enjoy the summer weather as a family. But vacations can be expensive. Not everyone is in a position financially to take a trip with the whole family,…
read moreGetting your first credit card is a big milestone for many students and young adults. These symbols of independence are indications that you are financially prepared to accept financial responsibility and begin your credit journey. Before you jump straight in, there are several facts about owning a credit card that you should be familiar with…
read moreBuying your first home can be an overwhelming process. If you’re not prepared, or if you jump in without taking advantage of all of the expert assistance available to you, you could fall into all sorts of traps. We’re here to offer these 10 first time home buyer mistakes to avoid: Shopping For A Home…
read moreIf you’re planning an Independence Day celebration, it will probably involve grilling outdoors while you share the day with friends and family. That can get expensive, though. Once you’ve invited a few more people over, your spending is going to ramp up as you buy more meat for the grill, beverages, and all the accessories…
read moreHomeowners insurance, or hazard insurance, is a type of property insurance that pays for losses related to your home. A homeowner’s insurance policy can include losses to your home, additional living expenses, loss of personal belongings, and liability insurance for accidents that may happen. There are many things that could go wrong for homeowners that…
read moreJune is National Homeownership Month; it began in the 1920’s as a “Real Estate Week”, and expanded in 2002 to a national, month-long event. This is a time to celebrate and promote homeownership, and to educate and encourage Americans to take advantage of the many benefits that homeownership brings. Homeownership Month is a great time…
read moreFathers are an important influence on their children. The lessons they offer can shape their children’s lives in both positive and negative ways. Father’s Day presents a time for dads everywhere to reflect on the lessons they’ve given to their kids. Typically, these lessons involve good manners, work ethic, self-discipline and the like. But money…
read moreWhen helping people to manage their credit, we often want people to know what their credit score is, and what their credit limit is, so they can gauge how well they’re doing as they work to improve their personal finances. It’s important to start by understanding the meaning of a credit score vs. credit limits….
read moreDown payment assistance is available for people who want to become homeowners but need a little extra help. In the NFCC’s latest financial literacy survey, they found that one in two Americans who have tried to purchase a home have faced barriers. One of the top barriers people always cite is lack of funding for…
read moreThese days, an increasing number of college graduates move back home after they’re done with school. Parents of recent graduates might not have anticipated they’d have roommates again so soon but with the crushing weight of student loans, most grads aren’t in a financial position to strike out on their own. Beyond living with their…
read moreHere’s a warning a lot of people wish they’d heard earlier: You can lose your home loan pre-qualification and even your loan approval midway through the loan process. Not only that, but you can lose your approval right up until the last minute – when you’ve got your household boxed up and you’re ready to…
read moreThe National Foundation for Credit Counseling (“NFCC”) previously surveyed peoples’ opinions of their mother’s personal finance skills in a Financial Literacy Survey (“FLS”). An overwhelming majority, 65 percent, saw their mother as either someone who is intimidated by money, views managing money as a necessary evil, or has never managed money. What mothers may not…
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