A financial emergency is any expense or loss of income you do not plan for, like a missed paycheck, a damaged roof, a flat tire, or a medical bill. According to FEMA, 6 out of 10 households...
The Consumer Expenditures 2023 report was recently released from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and gives some insight into how people are spending their money in U.S. households. Consumer spending is up 5.9% from 2022 to 2023....
As most schools are in session, many kids are back to learning in a formal classroom setting. While financial literacy may be a piece of the standard curriculum in schools, children may be learning more about money from home. Whether intentional or not, the way adults handle money around children...
Big purchases can be overwhelming! While having reliable transportation may be a necessity, find ways to benefit your financial well-being by learning how to make decisions that fit your values. While public transportation is typically the most economical choice, the options may be limited in many...
In the Midwest, the summer months can bring the heat. Many people look forward to this season for a variety of reasons like possible vacations or camping, baseball season (for local kids and professional teams), and fun summer activities like gardening, swimming, and biking. The part of the season...
Financial wellness goals often include feeling financially secure in the future. While this may look different for everyone, building financial reserves may be a challenge. The reported personal savings rate as a percentage of disposable income for...
Do you have multiple debts that need to be paid down? When it comes to paying off debt, do you have a strategy? Debt can be overwhelming and can easily get hard to manage. If you have loans you need to pay down, take some time to organize your debt and...
As a new season begins and the weather starts to change, many people like to have a fresh start to spring with a seasonal cleaning. Whether you set some financial resolutions for the year or not, you can always work on a fresh start to your finances....
Borrowing money can be a big decision. Some large purchases like buying a home, a vehicle, or continuing your education may not be possible without taking on debt. Other types of borrowing may be for smaller items, like the items you purchase using a credit card or borrowing money with buy now pay...
Have your groceries been eating up your budget lately? If you have noticed the increased cost of buying food, you are not alone. Some current financial wellness challenges are inflation outpacing income, the cost of expenses continuing to rise, and savings levels are lower recently. Food costs are...
