The weather has been showing some signs of warming up recently, so what other changes does the new season bring? When taking control of your finances, take time to check your progress regularly. Look through how your spending and saving has been going for the first quarter of the year to see if you...
Are you anticipating a tax refund this year? If you are expecting a refund, do you have a plan on how you will spend or save this money? An immediate response to receiving money may be thoughts of something you want to buy. Before making the decision to spend, dedicate some time to considering some...
Caring for pets goes beyond the initial purchase price. When making a spending plan, prioritizing needs first is a common practice. When a pet becomes part of your family, their needs can include pet food, vet bills, grooming services, and other additional costs depending on the pet. According to...
When it comes to self-care, what comes to mind? Taking time to focus on your own personal needs can be challenging to prioritize. Busy schedules and taking care of the needs of others can be consuming. The idea of self-care is to be intentional about focusing on your own needs. Personal finances...
Have you received a Wage and Tax Statement for 2024? When you earn money ($600 or more) from an employer, you should receive a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, that shows your taxable income and the taxes withheld from the previous year....
Tis the season for holiday spending. Retail sales typically increase during the fourth quarter of the year due to seasonal holiday shopping. If you expect to spend more during the holiday season, are you financially prepared? As holiday...
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...