Scammers are becoming more sophisticated all the time, and debit card and credit card fraud are on the rise. You’ve probably heard about scammers using skimmers at ATMs or buying stolen card details on the dark web, but one of the fastest-growing threats is a scammer’s use of social engineering, which is where they try to trick you into divulging your sensitive information.
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You’ve finally finished scrubbing your home from top to bottom in honor of spring. And now, with every surface, closet and room sparkling clean, you’re starting to see all the areas that could use a facelift. Maybe you’re hankering after a complete kitchen makeover or dreaming of a fresh coat of paint for your bedrooms. Or maybe your window treatments are in desperate need of an overhaul and your light fixtures are awfully dated. If the only thing standing between you and your dream home is finding piles of cash for funding it, no worries! You don’t need to spend a fortune this spring to give your house a new look. Read on for our list of home improvement hacks and learn how to upgrade your home on a budget.
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There’s an old saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Turns out, it’s not just lunches
that aren’t free. Pretty much everything costs money, and it’s often more than you’d expect it to
be. You can easily plan and save for some expenses, but there will always be some hidden costs
that show up, seemingly out of nowhere. For these expenses, you may need to borrow money,
and a fabulous way to do that is with a personal loan. Here are five ways you might want to use
a personal loan.
Q: I’m planning to renovate my house, and I’m wondering about my financing options. What’s the best way to pay for a home improvement project?
A: Home renovations can breathe new life into your living space, enhance your property’s value and customize your home to satisfy your unique needs. Whether you’re upgrading the kitchen, adding a new room or tackling long-overdue repairs, funding the project can be the most significant consideration. Fortunately, there are financially responsible ways to pay for a home renovation.
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It’s tax refund season! How are you going to be spending the pile of cash Uncle Sam’s giving back?
Of course, you can use some of your tax refund to indulge responsibly. If you’ve been wanting to buy yourself a new something special for a while, or to spend on an experience you generally cannot afford, by all means, allow yourself to use some of your tax refund for your chosen treat. Indulging occasionally and mindfully can prevent feelings of deprivation and can actually help you manage your money better.
However, before you go out and blow your full refund on a sinfully expensive weekend, take a step back and try to determine the most financially responsible approach you can take with this money. Instead of spending all the funds on short-term indulgences, consider using some of them to improve your overall financial wellness. To help you get started, we’ve compiled this list of eight financially responsible ways to use your tax refund this year.
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Have you received a call claiming to be from a local utility company such as National Grid, Spectrum, or Liberty Utilities? Before you provide them with any information, be aware that the call might be a scam.
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In 2022, Phyllis Wiseberg, a 90-year-old widow lost $20,000 when cybercriminals withdrew the money from her account. Her story, shared by the National Council on Aging, is devastating, but unfortunately not uncommon. Financial exploitation is a reality many seniors face, especially in the age of online scams. Here are actions you can take to help financially safeguard your loved ones.
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We’re joining forces with our partner, trusted national nonprofit GreenPath Financial Wellness, to spotlight free resources designed to help you deepen your financial capability. “Financial Capability” has been defined by the U.S. Treasury as “the capacity, based on knowledge, skills, and access, to manage financial resources effectively.”
Building and maintaining financial capability is a distinct journey for each of us; a cycle of learning (and sometimes relearning what you thought you already knew) and a willingness to evaluate your money habits. It’s also about making informed decisions, being proactive with money management, and acknowledging your own progress along the way.
In that spirit, here are five articles, worksheets, tools, and online courses that can serve as a starting point for building your financial capability. While these resources are only available in English at this time, GreenPath provides free, one-on-one personalized financial counseling in hundreds of languages. If you have questions about any of these topics, reach out to speak with someone in the language you are most comfortable with.
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Did you know that the number of family caregivers supporting older adults increased by nearly one-third between 2011 and 2022? This trend means more individuals are juggling the responsibilities of caring for both aging parents and their own children. For dual caregivers, the financial strain is overwhelming: nearly 80% of family caregivers incur out-of-pocket costs averaging $7,200 annually.
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Getting fit doesn’t have to cost a lot of money at all. In fact, it doesn’t have to cost a thing! With the willingness to work hard and think outside the box, you can get in your daily workout for free. Here’s how.
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