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Sometimes life sends you signals your finances aren’t quite where they should be, such as an overdraft fee on an account or a denied credit card application. Here are several common financial red flags you should address — plus easy ways to eliminate them.
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If the amount of your debt is overwhelming, there are tools and motivational ideas you can use to reduce it and even eliminate it. Here are some steps to take to start you on the path to being debt free.
Keeping your home cool this summer doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some steps you can take — for minimal effort and cost — to reduce your energy bills while also helping to save the planet.
Staying healthy is our number one priority, but it’s important to be extra mindful of your financial health — even if your income hasn’t been impacted by COVID-19. Here are some ways to keep your finances in good shape during these unprecedented times.
The first steps to take toward homeownership are paying down debt, determining how much money you need, and saving for a down payment. Working toward these goals will help you prepare for purchasing your first home.
Stimulus checks from the U.S. government have started to be deposited to provide economic relief during the coronavirus pandemic. Eligible taxpayers can expect to automatically receive their one-time payment of up to $1,200, depending on adjusted gross income.
Teaching children about money early in life can help them learn healthy financial habits that will last a lifetime. Research shows that children who learn how money works, make better financial decisions — whether it's budgeting to buy a toy they want or applying for student loans.
MSUFCU’s mission of building dreams together goes far beyond just helping members achieve their financial goals. It also includes supporting small businesses in communities where its employees and members live and work. This helps keep local economies strong, good jobs close to home, and strengthens communities.
Becoming a parent is one of the most joyful and exciting times of your life, but it can also be financially overwhelming. You must prepare for everything from buying diapers, to paying for doctor visits and daycare, all while trying to achieve your financial goals and sticking to a budget. Here are a few tips to help build a baby budget into your financial plans.
Create an Emergency Fund
Consider all of your financial needs when trying to prioritize your expenses. It’s important to have an emergency fund with at least three to six months’ worth of expenses. Once you reach this goal, contribute a set amount each month to continue growing your account. Having this fund established will help bring you peace of mind.
Keep Saving for Retirement
Even though you have additional expenses with a new baby, you should continue to contribute to your retirement savings. According to Investopedia, it's a good idea set aside at least 15% of your income or contribute to a 401(k) if your workplace offers one to help set yourself up financially for retirement.
Reduce Debt
Costs for child care will add up quickly. Work to pay down and pay off credit cards, car loans, student loans or any other debts you may have. These debts will prevent you from focusing on your financial priorities. Paying these down quickly will help you get on the right track and give you more money each month to put toward your savings.
Update Your Budget
When your baby arrives, your household income may be affected. One or both parents may take unpaid maternity leave, or one might stop working. Cutting your expenses or practicing living on less will put more money in your pocket for costs that come with a new child. Getting used to a smaller budget can help you save for daycare and other immediate expenses.
Shop Smart
Most expenses for a new born baby won’t last forever, but new expenses may arise as your child gets older. To help reduce these costs try these options:
• Buy secondhand and shop Mom2Mom sales
• Shop around for different child care providers
• Look for discounts on items such as diapers, formula, and strollers.
Planning goes a long way, even though unforeseen circumstances may arise and you may not be able to contribute to all of your financial priorities every month. Having a baby is a wonderful gift, but there are costs involved. Creating a plan beforehand will help you reach your financial goals and make the transition a little easier.
Do it yourself (DIY) gifts are great ways to personalize and save a little money when you are making your list this holiday season. Here are some ideas for simple DIY gifts.
Thanksgiving is a day of gratitude and celebrating with family and friends. It also marks the traditional start of the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. Many people take advantage of deals offered during this holiday weekend, but are Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals really worth it?
Halloween is an exciting time of year for many families. Whether it’s trick or treating, Halloween parties, or finding the perfect costume, there’s plenty of things to plan for. Did you know consumers spend an average of $86 on Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation? Here are some tips for enjoying Halloween on a budget.
Unexpected expenses, such as car repair or replacing a broken appliance, can be a hardship for many families without adequate savings. In a 2017 Federal Reserve study, four in 10 adults stated they would have difficulty covering a $400 unexpected expense. While financial setbacks can happen to anyone, having an emergency fund can help ensure they don’t become burdens.
After back-to-school shopping, you may feel your living space is a little more crowded. This is a great time to identify unnecessary items and decide if you should sell, donate, or toss them. Here are seven tips on how best to declutter your life of items you no longer need or use.
Did you know the second-biggest shopping season of the year is back-to-school shopping? In fact, according to the 2018 National Retail Federation survey, the average household spends more than $500 in school supplies each fall. So, it’s never too early to be on the lookout for deals. Here are some tips to help you save regardless of when you decide to start!
It’s never too early to start teaching kids about money. Good financial management skills learned at an early age can have a lasting impact on the rest of a child’s life. Educating your children about financial wellness will help them build healthy spending habits for the future.
Summer activities can be costly, and the last thing you want to do is spend your vacation funds on electricity bills. Don’t let the summer heat put a strain on your wallet. With these tips, you’ll be able to save money on utility costs while helping to conserve energy, and still get to enjoy your summer plans!
A budget can help you achieve your financial goals by showing you exactly where your money goes each month, and the great news is it’s never too late to start! Spenders and savers alike can benefit from creating a budget!
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Graduation is a major turning point in your life. The relationships you build, the skills you acquire, and how much you learn from the mistakes you make will help form the kind of professional you will be and the professional options available to you.
Passing financial knowledge will teach others important lessons in responsibility and how to make sound financial decisions. Here are some ways to start.
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Looking for a last minute tax deduction? Consider an IRA contribution. With only 53% of working-age families participating in retirement plans, according to a 2013 report from the Economic Policy Institute, it’s important to save as much as you can. Take advantage of your tax deductions by contributing to an IRA — boosting your retirement savings.
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and love is in the air. At Oakland University Credit Union (OU Credit Union), we love helping our members. For the past 81 years, we have provided financial opportunities to help them make their dreams come true. Here are just some of the ways we show love to our members.
Did you make building your savings a 2019 New Year’s resolution? Making a savings goal is not only one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, it’s an important key to financial success. If you’re looking to get more out of your savings goals, laddering Certificates is a great way to effectively reach your goals.
Make 2019 your year to get ahead in your savings goals. Follow these tips to set yourself up for success in the coming year by starting a savings plan and reducing costs to save even more.
I always thought meal prepping was a good idea to save money and eat healthier, but I also believed it was time-consuming and I never really got into the habit. After many nights of coming home from work hungry and ready to eat dinner, but too tired to make it, I found that meal planning can actually save you time and money, and you can more easily make sure you are eating well-balanced meals.
As we enter the season of heart-shaped chocolates and Mylar balloons, an unavoidable anxiety sinks in the stomachs of those who realize their relationships are coming to an end. With sweaty palms and shaky hands, I whisper, “I love you, I’m just not in love with you,” as I click the Cancel Subscription button. Yes, the time has come. I’m breaking up with my subscriptions. Ending a subscription service isn’t easy. Nevertheless, these services can often chip away at budgets and detract from long-term savings goals. To take a step toward a more positive financial future, consider following this three-step breakup process.
New year. New resolutions. Or maybe your resolution is the same one you made last year. Either way, if you’re looking to boost your savings this year, you’ve come to the right place. In 2016 and 2017, we kicked off the 52-Week Savings Challenge, in which you increased your savings by $1 each week, growing your savings by $1,378 at the end of the year. Based on previous experience, this challenge becomes quite tricky in the second half of the year when your weekly contributions increase to $30, $40, and $50 or more a week!
It doesn’t matter how you save. It matters that you’re saving. Take a look at these savings ideas to help reach your 2018 goals.
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Are your utility bills climbing with all of this summer heat? Are you spending too much on summertime adventures and activities? Check out these six ways to help you easily save money and still have fun this summer!
Well, we’re almost done with the year, which means the 52-Week Savings Challenge is coming to a close. How did it go for you? For me, overall, it went well, but I did need to reassess my money management style as the weekly savings amount grew. But, I’m still on track for success (so far).
Did you know September 29 is National Coffee Day? Millions of Americans drink coffee every day, in fact, more than 80% of American adults drink coffee! No wonder there is a holiday to celebrate the beverage many pour into their cups first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, many times before the coffee is being poured into your cup, your money is draining out of your wallet. If you can’t go without a daily cup of Joe, consider finding ways to cut down on your coffee expenditures.
Happy first day of autumn! After summer vacations have ended, back-to-school shopping is done, and student loan payments begin to arrive, this season is a great time to start freeing yourself from the financial burden you may be feeling from large credit card or loan balances.
Paying off loans is not always easy, but there are little things you can do to pay off your debt without making huge financial sacrifices. Here are some tips to help you find financial freedom this fall.
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As August quickly approaches, we try to prepare ourselves for the last days of summer. Before the summer fades, weekends become filled with football, and Halloween decorations begin lining store aisles, here are 20 things you can still do to make the most of the warm, sunny days, as well as the rainy ones.
July 1 marks the mid-point of the year. Can you believe it? We’re halfway through 2016!
Spring is my favorite time to clean out my home! I’m not alone: spring cleaning is extremely popular, especially after Michigan winters. The stores are filled with fun new organizational items and every magazine and website is telling you their perfect way to spring clean your life. Before you go out and spend a lot of money on new containers and cleaning products, consider these ways spring cleaning can actually save (or make) you money.
Are you prepared for a financial emergency? A recent survey showed that 40% of respondents has an unexpected expense in 2015. If you own a car or house or have children or pets, you know you can’t plan for every expense. Keep reading for tips on building your own emergency fund.
College is getting more and more expensive every year. If you have children and want to help pay for college, the best thing to do is start as soon as possible. But what is the best way to save? Let’s take a look at a few different plans you can choose.
Do you think about your retirement on a daily basis? I know I don't. Retirement seems so far away for me. It’s easy to just contribute to a 401(k) at work and forget about it, but there are other options to explore. Let’s talk about one of those options today: an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
January is a great time to start building new habits to make 2016 the best year yet. A lot of people make New Year’s resolutions about money. Today and next Thursday I’ll be talking about the two most common money resolutions: saving money and reducing debt.
Saving just a little bit every week can make a huge difference! Take the 52-Week Savings Challenge in 2016 and see your small savings add up to over $1,300 in a year.
It’s almost time to ring in the new year! 2015 has gone by so fast, and I know there were a few expenses that caught me off guard this year. I’m ready to start fresh in 2016 armed with a savings plan so I am ready for anything. Here’s how I’m preparing.
With the holidays right around the corner, it feels like I have already blown my December budget. When I spend more in one area, I look for ways to save in others. One of the ways I try to cut down on costs in the winter is by cutting costs on my heat and electric bill. Below are some cool tips to keep your home warm for less!
If you're exchanging gifts this season, it’s never too early to start planning your shopping list. I know some people who plan their gifts so far in advance that they are done shopping in July! I’m not that organized, so I usually start planning right around Halloween. If I don’t plan out my gifts, I end up spending way too much money on just a few things. This year, I’m using these 5 tips (and this downloadable budget planner (PDF 454 KB) ) to stretch my budget.