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Categories for Tip of the Month

  • 7 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Save

    Posted Date April 1, 2025 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Of all the things you teach your kids when they’re young, saving money just might be one of the most important. Teaching them to delay gratification could help them avoid unnecessary spending and help them learn to value controlling their money. Here are some tips you can use to educate them about this crucial life skill. Discuss Wants Versus Needs Often, when your child says, “I need this” he really means “I want this.” Should you hear this, think of it as an opportunity to help him understand the difference between the two. You might explain that a need includes... View Article

  • 6 Tax Filing Tips & Important Info for 2025

    Posted Date March 1, 2025 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    As Benjamin Franklin said, there’s only two certainties in life: death and taxes. With the former, you don’t have much control over; however, the latter can be affected. That’s why we’re here to give you some tips and info about filing in our changing landscape. Remember Key Deadlines Whether it’s scheduling an alarm on your phone or penning it old school-style on a notepad, it’s critical to keep track of when your taxes are due. Of course, you’ll want to start early. When you do this, you have enough time to gather your info and forms, and make sure you... View Article

  • 5 Tips on How to Track Monthly Expenses

    Posted Date February 1, 2025 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Keeping tabs on what you spend isn’t hard. It just has to become a habit. But here’s the good news: Studies show that it only takes an average of 66 days to form a habit. A little over two months. With these easy ways to track your monthly expenses, you’ll be a regular money manager in no time. Add Up Your Monthly Income We’re talking about your regular paychecks – and extras from any side hustles. Have irregular income? No problem. Look at what you’ve made in the past few months and list the lowest amount as this month’s planned... View Article

  • 7 Ways to Start 2025 with Fresh Finances

    Posted Date January 1, 2025 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Here we are in yet another new year. The obligations and celebrations are over. Chances are, you’ve spent a fair amount over the holidays and might need a plan to help kickstart 2025 with some actionable financial goals. Here are a few ideas. Create a Budget This one never gets old. Why? It’s one of the keys to successful budgeting. You can set up a budget for the year that includes essentials, entertainment, and nice-to-haves, aka your Wish Farm. Then place it in your planner or app – there are many good ones out there. In fact, there’s a TikTok... View Article

  • 5 New Year’s Financial Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

    Posted Date December 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Yep, it’s the end of another year! Chances are, you didn’t keep every resolution you made last year, for example, those goals about working out. (No shame here; we all do this!) However, the good news is that your fiscal goals can be a bit easier to achieve. Here are a few financial resolutions that are no-brainers, simple, and, best of all, no sweat. Get a snapshot of your net worth. This is critical. Sit down and calculate this. When you know how much you have in terms of assets and liabilities, you can more easily determine where you need... View Article

  • 5 Tips to Keep End-of-Year Spending Under Control

    Posted Date November 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    It’s that time of year again. Halloween has just come and gone – and now we’re hurtling headlong into Thanksgiving and Christmas. For holiday shopping, it’s tempting to turn a blind eye and put everything on your credit cards. However, if you don’t want to have a financial hangover in January, February (and so on), you might want to take a look at these tips. Create a Budget and Stick To It The earlier you sit down and do this, the better. Decide on a financial cap per gift per person, then shop. Then, get creative. For instance, what if... View Article

  • 6 Things to Know to About Annuities

    Posted Date October 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Annuities are one of many products that folks have in their nest egg. But first, what exactly is an annuity? Simply put, it’s a contract with an insurance company that promises to pay the buyer a steady stream of income in the future. It can be either a fixed or variable income stream. The term “annuity” can also refer to a sum of money payable yearly or at other regular intervals. There are some things to know before you charge headlong into putting your assets into an annuity. So, here are a few watch outs to consider before you head in that... View Article

  • 7 Reasons You Need a Will

    Posted Date September 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Drafting a will is not something that people, for the most part, want to think about. But no one gets out of life alive. So if you want to have a say in what happens to your property and assets after you’re gone, a will is very smart idea. Here are a few specific reasons having a will makes good sense. Facilitates Probate First, a definition: Probate is the legal procedure your estate goes through after you pass. During this process, a court will start the process of distributing your estate to those you designate. When you have a will,... View Article

  • School Choices that Lead to Financial Independence

    Posted Date August 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    For many parents and kids, living independently after college or trade school has been a challenge – a big one, thanks to rising inflation, student debt, and high rent. However, whether your kids are headed for a university or a hands-on career, there is hope. Here’s a quick snapshot of what majors and skills can potentially yield the highest paychecks so that financial independence is achievable. Engineering and More According to Kiplinger, college-bound kids who have an aptitude for math and science make the most money right out of school. Not a surprise, given that technology changes at what feels... View Article

  • Summer Reading List for Personal Finances

    Posted Date July 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Since it’s summer and reading lists are at the top of your mind, now’s the perfect time to expand your knowledge of money management and wealth building. So, whether you’re a retiree, a beginning saver, or even a child, we’ve got a book for you. The Classics If you haven’t had a chance to dive into these titles, you might want to grab them, starting with The Millionaire Next Door. Authors Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko published this in 1996 and learned something critical: most millionaires were those who don’t blatantly flash their wealth but live below their... View Article

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