By now you’ve probably heard all about the popular 52-Week Money Challenge that has everyone motivated to stash their extra dough to reach their savings goal. From exotic vacations and high-tech electronics to new cars and much-needed home upgrades; this fun and financially savvy challenge makes a great New Year resolution or a fantastic money decision any time of the year.

The benefits of enrolling kids in sports have never been more important. The up-and-coming generation is inundated with touch-screen enticements that do not provide them with the character-building and physical fitness assets they need in life. While every parent wants the best for their children, the cost of youth sports continues to rise. Introducing youngsters to values such as cooperation, hard work, and self-discipline tasks parents with learning how to budget their way through the sometimes-expensive sports industry.

Back-to-school shopping is complete before the most common well-known discount days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But with parents spending around $848 per child and upwards of $1,200 for college students, finding ways to save this school year can help relieve some of the costly burden. Although strategic use of credit cards can help spread out the expense and maintain checking and savings account reserves, one should never shy away from money saving tips that can help loving parents negotiate back-to-school spending.

Winter and spring’s unpredictable weather coupled with hectic family school schedules cause home improvement projects to take a back seat. Now that summer’s reliable weather is within reach, it’s the perfect time to tackle some affordable home upgrades.

The average debt load for Americans, including mortgages, student debt, credit cards, and car loans, is $90,460. All of this debt contributes to a high level of stress for many families. 

Envisioning your future wedding can bring about feelings of excitement, joy, and love! Once the planning begins, it’s completely normal to experience different emotions as the reality of your future and the potential cost of your event set in.

Life happens, and along with it often comes debt…and you know what? That’s ok! Whether we have debt in the form of student loans, medical bills, an emergency of some sort that had to be financed, or too much spent on credit cards - we have all had our share of debt to repay.

High demand, supply chain hiccups, and a global semiconductor shortage caused the prices of automobiles to rise over the past year. Car buyers reportedly paid 12.2 percent more in 2022 than in 2021. That’s a significant increase and a good reason everyday people need to take advantage of money-saving opportunities. Memorial Day weekend remains an optimal time to buy a car, truck, or SUV, at a reduced cost. Take advantage of these tips to save money and walk away with a vehicle, and car loan, that works for you and your budget.

Although many Americans are searching for ways to save more money, less than half of Americans use budgeting as a way to save. Making a personal budget not only helps people save but can also help them achieve financial stability. Knowing how much money is needed to cover expenses can help prevent overspending. It can also identify places to reduce spending, allowing for more savings to take place.

Whether you're new to the world of finances and need to learn how to build credit without a credit history, or you’ve made some mistakes and are dealing with a low credit score, you may find yourself wondering how to increase your credit score. There are six steps you can take to learn how to build your credit and create a healthy financial foundation for yourself. By following these, you can enjoy the benefits of a credit-worthy score both now and in the future.