Creating a plan for managing finances is important at every stage of life. It is not always easy to implement and follow because unexpected expenses can crop up at any time, and job situations can change, especially when the economy takes a downturn. Financial guidance can assist you in changing your habits by offering various

Many people have set goals for their retirement. Others don’t even want to think about it. It is important to consider what sources of income and savings will be available when planning for retirement. Building a money reserve is one of the most important aspects of this planning process. Experts advise people to start as

Every year millions of people in the United States are affected by identity theft. Credit cards, social security numbers, and bank account numbers are the most commonly compromised forms of personal information. Thieves can change the billing address on a credit card account, make charges to it, and run up bills which they will not

If you fall into a typical income bracket, then most likely you have a limited amount of money to spend. Budgeting can be a challenge, and unanticipated expenses can regularly come up, tacking onto rent, car payments, and other financial obligations most people have. What you have left of your income for spending can be

Online banking has become very popular in the past few years, with customers enjoying the convenience and security of 24-hour access to their money from home. When it comes to communications with their Credit Union, however, many people still receive paper statements in their mailbox each month. Paper statements provide the comfort of familiarity, but

In these financial times, layoffs are a possibility nearly everyone thinks about. They hope it won’t happen to them. But what do you do if you are the one laid off? Smart financial planning from Day 1 will help ease the pain as you move from one job to another. Ideally, planning for a layoff

Everyone thinks of money differently. Perhaps your grandmother clipped coupons and watched every penny, while your neighbor never seems to think about tomorrow when he has money today, while “you” love to dream about your retirement to a tropical paradise someday. The way you think about money (the type of money personality you possess), becomes

Planning for retirement can seem like an overwhelming task. There are so many options to choose from, and the goal can seem very unclear, especially if you have many years of work ahead of you. In this economic climate, hoping for a simple pension plan from an employer is not the realistic retirement plan it

Credit is a part of everyday life, and it can be a great tool. Used wisely, good credit can help people score better deals on homes and cars and even land better jobs. The flip side of credit, however, is debt, and debt can be a huge burden. More American families are in greater debt

Does your credit card balance increase each month, even though you make payments? Are debt collectors calling you? Do you run out of money before your next paycheck? If your answers to these questions are “yes,” then you should consider finding a credit counselor to help you get your finances back on track. Just know