You can maximize your tax refund in several ways — from paying off high-interest debt to investing in a business or saving for retirement. One or more of these options could be the perfect fit for you. Pay Off High-Interest DebtHas a high-interest credit card balance been a thorn in your side? Resist temptation to

If you’ve taken saving for your future seriously, chances are you have a 401(k). In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, a 401(k) is a savings/investing plan from employers that gives you a tax break on any money you set aside for retirement. Good savers can accumulate a tidy sum in these types of accounts,

Your house and yard aren’t the only things that need a little extra attention this spring – so do your finances. Spring is the perfect time to take a step back and look at the bigger picture and tend to the financial areas that need help. We have eight tips to help you spring clean

An FHA loan is a mortgage that’s guaranteed by the government’s Federal Housing Administration. Because of this guarantee, FHA loans are more available to homebuyers who do not qualify for traditional mortgages.  Should I get an FHA loan?  FHA loans are great for anyone, but they’re especially good for those who:  • Are first-time homebuyers 

When preparing your taxes there are a lot of simple and easy errors you can avoid with a little double checking and extra diligence. Also, one of the biggest reasons a tax refund is delayed is because of an error. Check out this list of common errors and correct them before you file: Incorrect or

April is Financial Literacy Month. Financial Literacy Month became official in 2004 when the Senate passed Resolution 316 to officially recognize the month. While it’s not as fun as Halloween or your birthday, its goal of starting and keeping healthy financial habits is worth celebrating. Why We Need Financial Literacy Month  We know, it seems

No matter how financially savvy we think we are, there’s always room to learn more. That’s why the Federal Reserve bank of Chicago created Money Smart Week. Over 30 Chicago-area organizations joined together to create the Money Smart Advisory Council to work together to promote financial literacy. Money Smart Week launched in 2002 and includes

If you’re like millions of Americans, you wait till mid-April to file your income tax return. But are there any benefits to filing then? Or is it better to file early? We break it down for you. File Your Taxes Early Honestly, there are more pros than cons to filing your taxes before the April

To recognize National Credit Education Month, we thought we’d focus this week’s blog on credit. By now we all know that paying your bills late or not paying them at all can drastically affect your credit score. But there are many more factors that go into your score. First, let’s start off with the actual

Spring break. For teens and college kids, it’s almost a rite of passage. For families, it’s a much-needed vacation from the day-to-day grind. For both, it can take a big bite out of your savings. We think everyone deserves a spring break – so we put some tips together to help make it more affordable.