Smart Money Management

The holiday season is right around the corner, and all those added expenses could significantly impact your finances. From gift-giving to lavish homemade meals and traveling to see loved ones, the costs can put a dent in your bank account or force you to take on more debt, but there are ways to enjoy the holidays without spending a fortune. Use these holiday spending tips to get through the season unscathed.

If you’re looking to save money, you may be interested in what’s known as the zero-based budget (ZBB), or zero-sum budget. This means allocating all of your monthly income to various expenses, including basic needs like food and rent, as well as savings and paying off existing debt. Allocating 100% of your monthly income doesn’t mean spending all your money every month, nor does it mean you have to put it all in savings either. It just means you have a plan for every cent you make. Learn more about this method of budgeting and how it can help you improve your finances.

It’s no secret that compound interest can be a huge asset when it comes to your finances. But it can also be a recipe for disaster if you’re having trouble making monthly payments on your mortgage, student loans, or credit card bills.

Inflation can have a serious effect on your finances. When prices start to rise, consumers lose their purchasing power, which means your money won’t go as far as it used to. You may not be able to control inflation, but you can change the way you manage your finances during these uncertain times. Learn more about the effects of inflation and the impact it can have on your savings and income.

Inflation can seriously affect your finances. Rising prices can reduce purchasing power, so you might need to stretch your funds farther than you used to. Economic forces like inflation are out of your control, but what you can control is how you manage your finances in times of flux and stress.

Living paycheck to paycheck isn’t easy. It means using up all your paycheck until the next one arrives. This leaves little to no room for surprise expenses, such as accidents, medical emergencies and other surprise fees that can put your bank account in the red. It also makes it harder to save for long-term goals, such as retirement, buying your first house or paying off your credit card or student loan debt. Use these personal finance tips to break out of the cycle so you can start saving more money each month.

Around this time every year, countless people spend time pondering and planning goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. Whether your new year’s resolutions are big or small, improving your personal finances can probably help you reach them. A foundational piece to improving your finances is learning how to save more and spend less. Read this article to learn about some of our Community Education Team’s favorite money tips to try in the new year.

With a record number of job openings all over the country, it’s a great time to look for a new job. But transitioning careers can leave you without income for several months or more, depending on how long you are out of work. If you are thinking of changing jobs, learn how to manage your finances during this period of transition.

Philanthropy and charitable giving, once thought to be reserved for the wealthy and the elite, has become a common theme across much of today’s society. Charitable organizations fill a vital niche in our communities. They serve the public and support initiatives that may not be covered by the public or private sector and help create thriving societies and economies. Charitable giving can be both personally and financially rewarding, which is why it’s important to know what your options are so your gift has the biggest impact.

Americans are more in debt than ever. The pandemic may be to blame for part of the increase, but studies have also shown that Americans are less financially literate than they used to be. If you’re struggling with debt, or you just want to live within your means, the first step is to create a budget.

The start of a new year is traditionally a time for reflection. Many of us think about what we would like to change about our lives during this time of year, which can often mean changing the way we spend and earn money. Many of us make New Year's resolutions but face difficulty keeping up with our goals by the time February rolls around. That’s why it’s important to set attainable goals so you don’t feel like you’re running up a never-ending hill. Use these financial New Year’s resolutions to set yourself up for success in 2023 and beyond.