There are always fluctuations that occur with your financial situation. Being prepared for the ups and downs that happen is one of the key components to smart financial planning. What type of savings account should you create? What savings account options are available? How much money should you set aside in savings? With the future always being an “unknown” it is best to create an emergency fund that you can live on for at least 3-6 months. Here are some tips to follow as you create an emergency fund:

• List all of your expenses
• List the income amount you need to live comfortably
• List your debt to income ratio

Where Do You Sit?

Taking stock of your… » Read more

A budget can sometimes seem like a New Year’s resolution that you keep trying to be successful at, but keep striking out within a few weeks.  Budgets require diligence, a knowledge of the money that is coming in and going out, and an easy way to track the spending.  The diligent and knowledge may be harder to tackle, but the tracking should be the easiest part.

Being Diligent

When you finally decide you are going to live within a budget, be sure to stick to that decision.  Make sure as you are dividing up your money into different categories that you leave a section… » Read more

To put it simply, banks are a business.  People are quick to talk about how different business rip them off, but have you ever wondered if your bank is ripping you off?  Banks make most of their money through the interest rates off of loans, but they also make money through fees.  Even the best banks, including the best online banks charge you some fees, but do you know what those fees are, or are you unaware of how you are helping keep banks in business?

Typical Fees

As with other businesses, there are fees we as customers just can’t avoid.  If you buy food at a grocery store, you will be charged sales tax.  If you take more than one bag on an airplane, you pay a fee.  And… » Read more