Spending

As homeownership costs rise, how are you planning for housing? Housing is typically a large, fixed expense for most people. Recently, homebuyers in 2024 faced higher mortgage payments than in previous years, with a median mortgage payment of...

The dream of retiring may start early in your career, but are you taking active steps to support a comfortable retirement in the future? According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average social security benefit amount for retired workers as of...

Do you take the time to find the best prices? Comparing prices when shopping can help save money. Making the effort to use coupons, take advantage of sales and in-season products, and comparing brands/options can benefit your budget. Understand how to compare using unit prices and decide if bulk...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...