Life is an unpredictable adventure. Try as you might, you can never plan for unexpected events such as natural disasters, theft or death. The best way to prepare yourself and your loved ones for such emotionally unstable times is to have a well organized financial life. Use these tips to make sure that you have

Today, building and maintaining a good credit score is of vital importance. Businesses often take your credit rating into account when evaluating you for a loan, lease, and even employment; so it is useful to understand how credit works and what your credit rights are as a consumer. There are three major federal laws that

Ten Rules for Successful Money Management   Never forget that the most important factor in wise money management is not how much money you make, it’s how you use your money. Here are ten rules that can help almost anyone achieve financial success. 1. Arrange a money management system that works for your family. It

Identity theft, the illegal use of a target’s personal information, such as a social security or credit card number, to pose as that person for financial gain, is rapidly growing both in the United States and abroad. With 8.1 million victims and $37 billion dollars lost in 2010, identity theft is big business. According to

There are times when an individual or family needs a large amount of cash that can only be obtained through a loan. The money might be used to pay medical bills, purchase a car, consolidate debt or replace an appliance that is beyond repair. When the situation becomes urgent, a lower monthly payment may be

Credit Unions are structured differently than traditional banks, and they often play a more active role in the local community. Since every account holder in a Credit Union is also a member, the institution and its employees develop a genuine rapport with people in the surrounding area. This continuing involvement in the community is evident

Purchasing a used car is an excellent strategy for avoiding the substantial depreciation associated with buying a new vehicle. As the economy continues to recover and sales of new cars accelerate, dealers are eager to liquidate their growing inventory of trade-in models. This presents anyone in the market for a pre-owned vehicle with an opportunity

Credit Unions are financial institutions that offer a wide variety of banking products and services. Unlike traditional banks, Credit Unions are founded by groups of people that share common interests. Usually based around communities, associations, or employees of large corporations, Credit Unions are owned and operated by their members. This provides a level of service

For anyone struggling with substantial debt from credit cards and other unsecured loans, a consolidation loan from a local Credit Union can provide immediate financial relief. The debt consolidation process involves combining separate high interest loans into one single balance and monthly payment. Debt consolidation typically provides a lower interest rate than the combined rate

While the current economic environment remains challenging, Michigan Credit Unions continue to attract new members with personalized service and innovative banking products. Since Credit Union account holders are also members, employees recognize that every member is also an owner. As traditional banks raise fees, eliminate incentives, and tighten lending standards, Credit Unions are introducing innovative