Your credit score plays an important role in many aspects of your life, from the rate you get on a car loan to passing a background check for your dream job. In lots of little ways, having bad credit can keep you from achieving your short- and long-term plans. Luckily, improving your credit score isn't a mystery; it is a simple process that you just need to follow consistently. Step 1: Check your credit score You cannot begin to make changes to your credit score if you...

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At its core, banking is all about bank accounts providing cash, which financial institutions use to make loans. But since there’s much more to it than that, here’s a look at what goes into the calculation so you can shop for the best rates for you. Interest rates on loans How do banks and credit unions determine the interest rate you pay on your loan (Annual Percentage Rate). There are several factors. Your credit score: You might see an advertisement for a great rate...

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1. Americans are anchored by credit-card debt. Credit card debt is held by homeowners and renters, college graduates or Americans who entered the work force with a high school diploma of GED, so it is understandable that credit card debt spans across all demographics of the country. Almost half of Americans carry credit card debt to the tune of $807 billion, with the average interest rate hovering near 16%. 2. Yes, there is such a thing as good debt. Of course, not all loan debt is...

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You can buy groceries online, shop for clothes online, and use the internet to answer just about any question you have. Yet for many people it's hard to imagine being able to do something as essential as opening a checking account online. The good news is... Opening an account online is easy Online banking in general just keeps getting easier. Most banks and credit unions allow people to do most of what they need to online, securely. If you're looking to open a checking account online,...

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As you drive around town running errands — picking up a few must-haves for dinner at the grocery store, shuttling the kids to soccer practice, or dropping off a prescription at the pharmacy — you likely drive past a community bank or credit union in your neighborhood. In fact, you might pass several without even noticing. Small banks and credit unions have been in your neighborhood for as long as you've lived in your home (and in many cases decades and decades longer), and you...

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It’s often said, “you should make your money work for you, not the other way around.” But how do you do that, exactly? Perhaps you have stocks that automatically reinvest dividends or a 401(k) that grows through automatic deductions from your paycheck. Your salary is probably directly deposited into your checking account. Automation already plays an important role in how you manage your money. But are you maximizing its potential for helping you manage the complete...

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Financial goals have become more of a discussion lately. Millennials get a bad rap – they aren’t saving for retirement, they don’t want to buy a house, they can’t survive a $400 emergency. The majority of discussions show us that these issues – retirement, purchasing a home, saving for an emergency – are top of mind for many. When we look at what people are doing to combat the shackles of student loan debt or the lack of retirement savings, the conversation...

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For small business owners, any given day can include the smallest details from preparing bid proposals to changing printer ink cartridges. Not enough hours ever seem to be spent doing the work you truly enjoy, like engaging with your favorite customers and building your business into a successful way to support you and your family. You likely discovered pretty early on that running a home and running a business are entirely different creatures. While you may be outstanding at wrangling both on any...

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When you think about self-care, you probably imagine yourself applying a face mask, getting a massage, or curling up in sweatpants with a good book. And while all these things are important to incorporate in our busy routines, self-care isn’t just about the glamorous moments you make for yourself in real-time — it can, and should, also be about setting yourself up for financial success for years to come, too.  The great thing about self-care is that it looks different for everyone....

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During the holiday buying season, it’s important to shop smart. Whether you’re buying in bulk for holiday gatherings, prepping extended staycations, crossing items off your gift list, or planning in advance for those essential Black Friday pickups, now is the time to think twice about where you’re buying what. When planning out the holidays, a wise shopper considers several factors: customer service, price, and environment are the most important for many. And for...

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