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...
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...
