On the surface, a credit union appears similar to a traditional local bank. However, as you dig deeper, you’ll find that there are many features and benefits provided by a credit union that a bank simply couldn’t match. Above all else, credit unions are designed to help its members succeed financially. This should give you peace of mind, as you never have to concern yourself with your financial institution taking advantage of you. In regards to...
While there is nothing more exciting than shopping for a home, your good time can turn sour if you’re unable to secure a mortgage for your purchase. If your mortgage application is denied, there are a few key steps you must take: • Find out why: This is your top priority, as you can’t make things right until you find out what went wrong. The lender is supposed to provide the reason or reasons for your...
Does your car need new tires? How about a brake job? Is the check engine light on? From regular maintenance to emergency service, there are times when you require the assistance of a mechanic. Unfortunately, this is an expense you don’t typically want to take on. Rather than call your local dealer’s service department, you may be able to save money by visiting an independent mechanic. Here are three reasons why: • You can negotiate: Good...
Are you strongly considering quitting your job to start a business? Are you both excited and concerned about making the move? Are you unsure if now is the best time to take the leap? There are many questions you must answer before quitting your job to start a business. By addressing these early on, you’ll better understand your situation and what you’re getting into. While there are countless questions to address, here are five of the...
Your health is more important than anything else, so if your doctor suggests you take a prescription medication it’s probably a good idea to follow their instruction. However, you may have concerns about the cost of the medication, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Fortunately, there are several ways to save money on prescription medication, with these four strategies among the best: • Compare local pharmacies: While your current pharmacy may have the lowest price,...
Imagine this: you receive your credit card statement expecting more of the same, but are surprised when you come across a fee. There are many types of credit card fees, including but not limited to: annual fee, late fee, and foreign transaction fee. While these are all legitimate fees that you agreed to upon signing up for the credit card, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay them. Before you do anything, contact customer service...
It’s new, it’s shiny, and it has that new car smell. What more could you want? As tempting as it may be to purchase a new car, don’t go down this path until you’re 100 percent sure that it’s the right financial move. When shopping for a new car, it’s easy to pay attention to nothing more than the sticker price and the deal you negotiate. However, there are many other costs associated with this purchase,...
Before you decide to refinance your car loan, it’s important to determine if you’ll benefit as a result. If everything checks out in your favor, it’s time to contact three to five lenders to learn more about your options and the best way to proceed. If you’re on the fence, here are several benefits of refinancing: • Lower interest rate: This is one of the top reasons to refinance, as a lower rate saves you money...
Are you interested in taking on a home renovation project? From a new kitchen to finishing your basement, there’s no limit to what you can do with your home. However, there may be something holding you back: money. It’s easy to dream up the perfect home renovation project, but not quite as simple to turn it into reality. Fortunately, there are several ways to pay for a home renovation project, all of which you should consider....
As you review your budget, one category may stick out like a sore thumb: entertainment. While there’s nothing wrong with spending some money to have a good time, you don’t want to go over board. Doing so can wreak havoc on your finances, thus calling for a complete overhaul of your budget. So, this leads to an important question: how much should you spend on entertainment related expenses every month? There’s no right or wrong answer...
