Finance

Personal Coverage Review as a Financial Checkpoint

couple looking at a list

If there’s one thing that’s true about life, it’s that time moves us forward. Our personal lives change, our financial lives change, even the world around us changes. So it begs the question, is your life insurance keeping up?

Get Your Wealth on the Right Track

person sitting on couch counting money

You eat right, you exercise and take up hobbies or activities that promote a balanced lifestyle. But, what about your financial wellbeing? Your financial fitness is just as important and shouldn’t be overlooked.  Here are four easy ways that can help put you on the track towards financial success.

How Being Financially Intentional Gave Us Liberty

sunset women open arms

In case you haven’t noticed, there is no shortage of information as to what to do with your money these days.  But how do you decide what is best for you? It starts with being highly intentional about your approach to your finances and the importance of having your intentions clearly defined to get you where you want to be. 

Building Your Financial Foundation

dollar bill

No matter where you are in your life, it’s never too late to start educating yourself about the basics of your money. By having a solid foundation, you’ll find you’re ready to take on the more complex money topics.

How to Teach Your Kids Good Money Habits

Mother explaining credit card use with daughter

Are you looking for ways to get your children ahead in life with their finances? Do you want to ensure that they know how to handle money before they get their hands on some? If so, then it all boils down to teaching them good money habits. Read more for a guide that you can use when teaching your children how to manage money, as well as many other helpful tips.

Buying Your First Home: What You Need to Know and Have

hands open holding illustration of house

You've been thinking about it for years, and now, the moment you've been waiting for has finally arrived. You're ready to buy your first home. However, this can be overwhelming and maybe you’re not sure where to start. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about making the process of buying your first home an easier one. 

Financial Planning As Your Kids Get Older

child receiving allowance

Do you have children in their middle school, teen, or college years? Are you wondering about things to consider when planning finances? As your kids get older, their needs will change and so will yours.  Here's what you need to know about how to plan ahead as your kids get older.

Here Are the Top 5 Financial Safety Nets

fan of money

Financial safety nets will catch you when you fall, and support your family in the case of an emergency. Wondering how to be more financially secure? Wondering what five safety nets you need to have in place as soon as possible? Keep reading to find out how to protect your family's future.

How Much Does Being a Parent Cost in 2021?

mom working with baby on lap

If you're wondering how much does it cost to have a child? Here's your answer. Let's take a look at a breakdown of costs to see where you're spending your money. 

Can Your College Student Manage Their Own Money?

college kid holding books looking at phone

Whether they were taught the value of money at a young age or not, this is still an opportunity for them to learn about money. For example, when they’re away at school, where should they spend? Where is their opportunity to save? What are some of the new big expenses they will now incur? These are all important and make for perfect teachable moments.

Questions That Come With a Financial Windfall

excited person

While finding that you have come into money may sound fantastic at first, there are many unexpected things you should be aware of. With the complicated money restraints that come along with experiencing windfalls, we’ve broken down some of the biggest questions and created a list of what you should ask your expert.

Expecting the Financially Unexpected

woman holding piggy bank

While it might seem like receiving a windfall is everyone’s dream come true, if not handled properly, it can turn into a nightmare. As we explore the various ways windfalls occur and what you need to do if this happens to you, we will also learn about how to handle the range of conflicting emotions you might feel.

Saying No to One Thing is Saying Yes to Another

close up of shoes of person walking

Getting extra money is something most of us dream about -- and it can happen at any time. Whether it's a court judgment, inheritance, or even a lottery win, extra money is always welcome but it can also arrive with some heavy baggage. What, if any, of this money could you afford to give away? Before you decide if you can part with any of your windfall cash, look at your financial situation.

These Money Choices Will Put the Win in Windfall

person holding hundred dollar bills

While unexpectedly coming into a large sum of money may feel like a far-off idea for most of us, it happens more often than you might think. And if you should ever be so lucky as to wake up one day to some surprise cash in your bank account, here are some of the best ways you can make that newfound money work for you.

5 Salary Negotiation Tips You Need to Know

man woman shaking hands

Whether you are trying to get a raise or you are switching companies and need the advice to land a high initial salary, we've got you covered. These 5 negotiation tips will help you start the conversation and negotiate your way to the paycheck you deserve.

Need to Make Quick Cash? Sell Things You No Longer Need

Guy cleaning closet

Cleaning out those closets and storage spaces can feel satisfying, but don't just toss out the things you no longer need. That clutter can be your answer to how to make some quick cash.

3 Ways to Prepare Our Girls for Their Financial Futures

girl smelling wild flowers

Many of the lessons we’ve learned about money come from our childhood and what we observed through our parents.  What we learned dramatically affects how we view money today.  Learn how we can teach our girls to have the financial confidence they need to get through life.

4 Ways Women Can Own Their Financial Journey

woman managing money

In today’s world, many women are holding the power positions in their family. More and more women are working full-time and making more money than their male counterparts. With women controlling as much wealth as they are, it’s important to have a clear understanding of how to manage it. Empower yourself with these quick tips.

Roses Are Red, Don’t Let Your Finances Make You Blue

couple

Rich or poor, talking about money is never easy. Challenge yourself to be open and transparent with your partner and see how this conversation can take you to a new place in your relationship.

Valentine's Day: You Need Much More Than Chocolate

chocolate and rasberries

Love takes effort and while a box of chocolate may seem sweet (pun intended), love isn’t so simple. Love requires communication, sharing responsibilities, care, and some sacrifice. Talking finances is crucial when it comes to maintaining a healthy relationship.

‘Tis the Season to be Financially Smart

Christmas package

Holidays are about the holly and the jolly, but with presents to buy, food to make and cookies to bake, the cost of all that cheer adds up.  And overspending in December often leads to a much less joyful January. To help you avoid debt duress, we compiled a list of thrifty tips to keep you smiling during the holidays and reduce your stress in the New Year. 

A Guide to Giving While Still Taking Care of Yourself

heart shaped candy canes

Many people view the holiday season as a time for giving. But, as with anything related to finances, holiday giving is best if it's part of a budget. Here are some tips for staying financially healthy this holiday season.

What to Know Before Making Donations to a Charity

donation jars

Making a donation to a charity is a great thing, but there are some considerations you should make before you do. In this article, we will cover what you need to know before you make your first donation to a charity. So here are a few tips so you can donate to a charity the proper way.

4 Easy Ways to Add Charity Into Your Financial Plan

be kind sign

 You may feel motivated to do good, especially around the holidays, but creating a plan for charitable giving isn’t always so simple.  If philanthropy is one of your goals, these tips can help you shape a giving strategy that you can feel good about.

How to Choose the Best Holiday Deals

credit card and computer

Patience is the key to making smarter purchases during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.  The tips will give you some structure for your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping. Make the most of them to avoid overspending on things you don’t need.

Baby on the Way? Here's How to Prepare

preparing for baby

Having a baby on the way is one of the most exciting times in your life, and there is nothing better than getting to the end of your journey to hold your sweet newborn in your arms. But before you get to the end of the rainbow; there is some planning you need to do ahead of your child's birth. Here are some tips to help get your finances in order because once baby is here, you're going to want to only focus on making wonderful memories.

Holiday Savings Guide: How to Prepare for the Season

preparing and saving for holidays

While the holidays are an exciting time to celebrate with loved ones, they can also be financially stressful. If you're wondering how to save money for the holidays, while still enjoying the spirit of the season, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to learn about helpful holiday savings tips to help you prepare for the most wonderful time of year and keep you off the financial naughty list. 

3 Financial Situations You Need to Have a Backup Plan For

financial back up plans

Getting caught in some difficult financial situations can be very frightening. Are you prepared to deal with the unknown? Do you have a plan for if the unexpected happens? What if any of these three things happen to you?

6 Ways to Spruce up Your Outdoor Space on a Budget

backyard makeover budget

A tight budget is no excuse not to give your backyard the upgrade it deserves. After all, there are plenty of ways to spruce up your yard without splashing the cash.  From clever paint tricks to seating suggestions, keep reading to learn about the best backyard makeover tips for transforming your outdoor space on a budget. 

7 Amazing Tips on How to Save Money Fast

save more save fast

Does it ever seem like money is just flying out of your bank account at times?  Saving money can seem almost impossible, especially during challenging times.  So here are some simple tips that can help you save money and save it fast.

Top "Stay-Cation" Ideas for People on a Budget

stay at home vacation

Not everyone can afford elaborate getaways. Staycations, or vacation at home, can be as fun and full-filling as trips around the world. You can take your staycation in so many different directions. Here are some of the best staycation ideas you can try out when you're stuck at home.

Finding a Better Back Up Plan: Crowdfunding is No Plan B

crowdfunding is no plan b

If you are on social media, then I am sure you have seen a GoFundMe post or two or three in your newsfeed. Why? Most likely because they did not have the right protection in place to handle such devastating loss. There are a lot of misconceptions about life insurance, so here are some important facts you need to know so that you understand the importance of having this financial protection in place.

New Opportunities: 8 Managing Money Tips After Graduation

money tips for grads

Don't follow the path of financial insecurity. Instead, take a look at our top eight managing money tips to see how you can get started on the right path after graduating college.

You've Just Won the Lottery, Now What?

inheritance or lottery windfall

Many people handle large windfalls in irresponsible ways and they end up where they started while hanging onto the guilt of wasting so much money. We're here to give you a few suggestions on how to handle falling into large sums of money. 

What to Do With Your Tax Refund--Or Not!

what to do with tax refund

When it comes to tax time, you may be wondering what to do with your tax refund so that it will be put to good use instead of spending it on shopping, eating out, and things you don’t need. From growing your savings to paying down debt, we’ve rounded up some of the best uses for your tax refund dollars.

Americans Reveal Their Financial Priorities

Financial priorities

Buying a home, supporting family and saving for retirement have long been the mainstays of Americans’ financial priorities. But have these priorities changed over time? We surveyed 2,000 people to find out.

7 Financial Planning Items to Add to Your Travel Checklist

travel tips

Out of all of the important considerations, the costs and finances related to your trip should be looked at closely and planned out in meticulous detail. Unfortunately, many people forget about some of the most important financial aspects of traveling abroad when planning their trip.

The Top Tips for Refinancing Your Home

smarter mortgages

If you're searching for smarter mortgages and want to ensure you get great refinancing rates, you need to make sure that you think carefully every step of the way. 

5 Common Expenses Life Insurance is Cheaper Than

The Top Things Life Insurance is Cheaper Than

Are you thinking about getting life insurance but worried it’s too expensive? Most Americans overestimate the cost of insurance. Here are some examples of things that are more expensive than life insurance.

The Top Tips for Combining Finances

The Top Tips for Combining Finances as Newlyweds

Getting married is a major milestone and an exciting time filled with new experiences. It’s also a big lifestyle adjustment for the newlyweds.  Read on to learn how newly married couples can successfully combine their finances.

Are You Satisfied With Your Current Investments?

Are You Satisfied With Your Current Investments?

Are you concerned about safety of your funds? Would you like to earn more and pay less in taxes? Learn more about how you can.