Saving money is important for a healthy financial future, but there are a lot of factors that go into putting money aside every month. How much should I (or can I) save? Do I need a separate savings account? What am I actually saving for? Here are a few reasons why an emergency fund is an important part of your financial situation—and the best way to go about beginning an emergency fund. Read on →

Are you in the midst of paying off a large sum of debt? Or have your debt payments eaten up a lot of your extra monthly income? Dealing with debt can be challenging. When you feel like you’re getting ahead, something comes up and halts your payment plan in its tracks. While paying off debt is important, so is building a solid financial foundation. This means emergency funds and savings accounts are crucial to your financial well-being. Read on →

Saving for retirement can often feel like an overwhelming task for many people. Financial experts recommend saving for retirement as soon as you receive your first paycheck. Putting money aside for your future should be a priority from the get-go, especially once you begin earning money. Not everyone is able to start a retirement fund at an early age, but there are many perks to doing so. There are financial calculators to help determine how much should be saved to retire comfortably, but any contribution is beneficial. Read on →

Teaching your children about finances may not come naturally, especially if your parents never had the “money talk” with you. Why is it important to instill good money habits in your children? It’s a topic that will be learned somewhere, and it’s better that beneficial habits are learned rather than habits that will put them in a financial hole. Here are a few tips for talking to your kids about money and instilling good financial habits right from the get-go: Read on →

When we think about our finances, we tend to think about the big picture. It is common to consider bigger monthly expenses such as a mortgage or rent payment, child care costs and utility bills. While those are important parts of a budget, smaller daily expenses can really add up in the long run. If you aren’t accounting for these purchases in your overall monthly financial plan, you may be losing money without realizing it: Read on →

It seems like the holiday season just wrapped up, and now it’s almost time to celebrate Valentine’s Day. While pink and red hearts line the store’s shelves, you may be wondering: What are our plans to celebrate the lovey-dovey holiday in a few short weeks? Valentine’s Day is notoriously expensive. The average person spends anywhere from $116 to $218 on things like flowers, chocolates and dinner. While it’s nice to treat yourself (and be treated), these expenses can add up quickly. Read on →

Can you believe we’re already halfway through January? The holidays came and went, and now it’s time to work on our new year’s resolutions and reach our goals in 2023. Making short-term and long-term goals can help you stay motivated and on track with your finances. Whether or not you’ve already made financial resolutions, here are a few tips to transform your finances once and for all this year: Read on →

In today’s economy, it seems like everyone has a side hustle, a part-time job or recently started a new business. Figuring out what side hustle works best for you can be a challenge. You have so many things to consider—the time commitment, startup costs and flexibility. Your criteria greatly depends on your current work and family situation and varies greatly from person-to-person. Why Do I Need Extra Income? Aside from the obvious answer of paying your monthly bills, an extra income could help you pay off debt, build your emergency fund or save for a big purchase. Read on →

Winter is here! The chilly weather, snowfall and lack of sun during this time of year may cause you to turn up your thermostat to keep your home toasty. We all love a warm, cozy day spent indoors, but hiking up your indoor heating may give you a fright when you see your utility bill. Instead of worrying about how you’re going to keep yourself warm this season, these tips can help you keep your family nice and warm all winter long. Read on →

When trying to get your finances in order, it is common to set financial goals. You want something to look forward to, and striving to achieve a goal is a great way to keep you on track. But if you’re always setting long-term financial goals, you may be setting yourself up for failure. Short-term goals have many benefits over long-term goals, especially when it comes to finances. Yes, long-term goals are important, so don’t forget to dream big and look at the big picture! Read on →