How to create and follow a budget

How to create and follow a budget

It can be overwhelming to manage all your expenses and income without a dedicated plan. Creating and following a budget allows you to spend money with confidence without losing track of your financial goals. Follow these steps to develop and maintain a budget that aligns with your lifestyle and financial plans.

Smart uses for your tax refund

Last year, the average federal tax refund was over $3,000. While this season’s typical refund is expected to be smaller, many Americans can still expect a nice chunk of change back from the IRS. If you can resist the urge to splurge with your refund, here are five ideas on how to put it to ...

Why you should check your credit reports regularly

As many as 1 in 3 Americans don’t check their credit reports. Are you one of them? You’re entitled by law to check your reports for free once per year, and as of this writing, free weekly credit reports are available through December 2022. If you’re not already checking your credit reports, here’s what you ...

How to build and use an emergency fund

In weather and in life, rainy days are inevitable. From natural disasters and economic hardship to car repairs and medical bills, the unexpected happens, and it can be expensive. Insurance coverage, support networks and government aid are important safety nets, but they aren’t always enough. That’s why experts recommend maintaining an emergency fund to prepare ...

Important money lessons to teach your children

Money management is an important skill for children to learn, but it’s a lesson that many parents fail to provide. To be fair, talking about money is often difficult. The topic can be personal, technical and moral. Some parents are not confident enough in their own knowledge to pass it on, and others are so ...

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