It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year; but for many, the holidays can be an expensive time. From gifts to decorations to wrapping paper to special events, it’s easy to overspend and possibly even go into debt paying for all the extras. In 2019, Forbes reported on a Gallop poll showing
It’s turkey season! Here’s how to celebrate Thanksgiving 2020 without compromising the health and safety of you and your guests. PLANNING A THANKSGIVING DINNERIf you’ll be hosting an in-person Thanksgiving dinner this year, take steps to ensure your day is as safe as possible. First, consider hosting it outside. Moving Thanksgiving dinner outdoors reduces spreading
How to safely celebrate Halloween is a question frightening Halloween-lovers all over the globe. But, with some precautions, Halloween can still be a frightfully fun day for the entire family. Here’s how: Should I take my family trick-or-treating this year? According to many medical health professionals, the answer depends on where you live. “In an area
Credit cards and debit cards offer incredible convenience; but, is it a smart idea to pay monthly bills with them? Choosing to pay a bill with a card can have a significant impact on your general financial wellness. It’s important to consider the many variables of this decision before going ahead with it. Let’s inspect
It’s no secret that the IRS excels at making things complicated. And when you’re busy learning the ropes of a new job, trying to fill out a 4-page W-4 form can be a huge hassle. It’s not a good idea to rush through it, though, because a small mistake now can mean withholding too much
This year, back-to-school season is all about getting ready for a school year that promises to be unlike any other. Here’s our guide to helping your child prepare for the new school year in these unconventional times. Talk to your child about what to expectThe more your child knows about the dynamics of the upcoming
Using credit cards responsibly is a great way to boost credit score and financial wellness. Unfortunately, though, credit-card issuers make it challenging to stay ahead of monthly payments and easy to fall into debt with credit-card purchases. No worries, though; DoverPhila Federal Credit Union is here to help! Here is what you need to know
Using emergency funds to survive prolonged unemployment, an unexpected large expense, or a medical emergency is the best way to make it through financial hardship. If your savings are depleted, though, it’s best to start rebuilding as soon as possible. Here’s how: SET A GOAL Before getting started on saving up money, establish a tangible
Most would agree – home ownership is part of the American Dream. According to Bankrate, a recent “Consumer Mortgage Understanding Study” conducted by Fannie Mae showed that 91% of more than 3,600 respondents prefer owning a home to renting, but are still largely unaware when it comes to home-buying basics. Securing a mortgage is often
Your credit score is an indicator of your financial wellness and responsibility. We have outlined how credit scores are calculated, why it matters, and steps to take to improve your score. How is my credit score calculated?The three major credit bureaus in the U.S. collect and share information on a person’s credit usage with potential
If you’re looking to fund a home improvement project, or the economic devastation of COVID-19 has left you in need of cash, consider tapping into your home’s equity with a home equity line of credit, or a HELOC. WHAT IS A HELOC?A HELOC is a revolving credit line allowing homeowners to borrow money against the
The COVID-19 crisis has caused income loss, uncertainties, and an increase in fraudulent attacks throughout Ohio and nationwide. Smart money management is more important than ever, but studies show that Americans are falling behind in financial literacy. While the U.S. is the world’s largest economy, Investment News reported it as ranking only 14th for financial
With shelter-in-place orders still in place, millions of cars are sitting motionless in garages and driveways across the country. While staying home is the best way to stay safe these days, it might not be the best thing for your car. David Bennett, manager for repair systems at AAA, says cars do not need any
As a financially responsible individual, you should be checking your credit on a regular basis. If all goes well, your credit card statements and report hold no surprises. Sometimes, though, you may find a mistake. When this happens, you’ll need to officially dispute the error to fix your score. Credit Report Mistakes Most credit report
It’s easy to go overboard for Christmas. Giving extravagant gifts to your family members seems like a great idea … until you’re facing a huge credit card bill in January. However, it happened, approach this problem rationally. Blaming yourself is pointless; the important thing now is to right yourself financially. Fortunately, you’re not facing this
‘Tis the season to be merry-except sometimes, it’s not. If you tend to feel stressed when the holidays roll around, here are eight tips to help turn that frown upside down. 1. Watch the buck Nothing kills the holiday cheer like a mountain of debt. Stick to a budget when doing your holiday shopping and
It’s the bargain-hunter’s favorite season-or is it? Before you brave the crowds Black Friday, take a few minutes to read through our list of what to buy and what to skip so you come home only with true bargains. Skip: Large Home AppliancesWhile you may find markdowns on large household appliances, like dishwashers and refrigerators,
Thanksgiving means giving thanks for all the good in our lives. It also means stuffed turkey and gravy, cranberry sauce, pie and mashed potatoes. It’s a time-honored tradition of spending time enjoying a delectable holiday meal while in the company of those we love. It can also mean spending an awful lot of money. Between
Q: I’m trying to increase my credit score ahead of applying for a large loan, so I’m considering signing up for Credit Karma to track my score. How accurate are the credit scores it shares? Is there anything I need to be aware of before signing up for this service? A: Credit Karma is a legitimate company;
Don’t blow big bucks on your Halloween décor when you can DIY for a fraction of the price! Check out our list of creative, fun and inexpensive projects to make your home the spookiest haunt on the block. 1. The mummified door.Turn your front door into a bona fide mummy with toilet paper and masking
