Fund your new ride at a great rate

So, someone wants to send you money? Maybe someone reached out to you via phone, text or email claiming that you won a prize, they’re going to wire you money or you are the beneficiary for your family members. Everyone wants “free” money, but often these messages or notifications are scams. Learn more about what you can do to protect yourself from these types of scams.

It’s generally recommended that you change your password once every three months or so, but it can be easy to forget or push it off. You may be wondering if it’s really such a big deal? Yes, it is because cybercrime is on the rise. In a 2018 survey of adults, almost 33% said they personally had experienced a hack of their social media and email accounts. This may be because up to 50% of them use the same password for multiple accounts. Read this article to help you secure your passwords and online accounts before you get hacked.

Learning to budget in high school can be an invaluable skill. It sets you on a path to financial success in adulthood. Research has shown that mandated financial literacy in public schools promotes improved credit behavior in young adults (Brown, Collins, Schmeiser, and Urban, 2014). Therefore, starting your financial journey in high school is a step in the right direction. One excellent way to practice is planning and implementing a back-to-school budget.

What is cash-out refinance? It is a mortgage option that lets homeowners replace their existing home loan with a new one and, in the process, convert a portion of their built-up home equity into cash. In other words, if you have substantial equity in your property, you can refinance it for a loan amount that exceeds what you currently owe. The difference between the new loan’s principal and your remaining mortgage balance is then disbursed to you as a lump sum of cash. A cash-out refinance can be a powerful way to consolidate debt, fund home renovations, or address pressing financial needs. Moreover, mortgage refinance rates are often lower than those of credit cards or unsecured loans. So, how does a cash-out refinance work? Read on for details and the pros and cons.

Credit cards offer convenience, security, and even rewards. However, using a credit card without proper planning can lead to high-interest debt and land you in financial hardship. Therefore, it’s important to understand how to use a credit card responsibly. Setting a clear budget, paying off balances in full, monitoring credit scores, and avoiding common pitfalls are essential credit card management techniques. With discipline, you can enjoy the benefits of credit while maintaining control over your finances.

Millions of seniors are scammed out of their money every year in the United States. Elderly individuals tend to be more susceptible to financial scams. They also tend to have more assets, including owning a home, financial savings and good credit after a lifetime of work. Older Americans suffering from medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s or dementia may also get confused when managing their money. Others may have trouble using the latest technology, including mobile banking apps, email or the internet. Use this guide to protect your aging relatives from scams targeting seniors.

Your 401(k) is your retirement nest egg. You’ll need that money later in life once you have stopped working. If you need extra cash for an emergency or have trouble making ends meet, you may be tempted to tap into your 401(k) before retiring. After all, it’s your money. But withdrawing from your account before you retire may leave you with less money for your golden years. Keep these tips in mind when tapping into your 401(k).

Saving money can feel like a challenge. Even thinking about saving – when you’re trying to pay off existing debt – can be stressful. But, it doesn’t have to be. You can start to save more by using these strategies.

Paying different credit card bills, a personal loan, and a 30-year mortgage every month can feel like managing a dozen spinning plates at once. Refinancing your home loan to combine higher-rate balances into a single, lower-rate mortgage — known as a debt consolidation refinance — transforms that juggling act into one predictable payment. How do you refinance your mortgage for debt consolidation? We break down how a mortgage debt consolidation refinance works, when the math favors you, and how to weigh the risks and rewards.

Are you exploring ways to grow your savings? A certificate of deposit (CD) is a tried-and-true option that provides security and steady returns. However, not all CDs are created equal. While both banks and credit unions offer CDs, the latter brings unique advantages, making a credit union certificate of deposit an attractive choice. So, what is a certificate of deposit? Here’s what you need to know to make an informed decision.

U.S. homeowners have accumulated significant home equity in recent years, with $11.5 trillion in taxable equity as of June 2024 (ICE Mortgage Monitor, 2024). This surge presents an opportunity to create liquidity by tapping into their home equity via a cash-out refinance.