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Wondering How to Spend the Next Stimulus Check if it Comes?
This spring, as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened, Americans got a boost in their bank accounts in the form of government stimulus checks. Qualifying adults received up to $1,200, along with another $500 for each child 16 and under. The goal was to encourage spending and limit any financial stress that consumers were facing as furloughs […]
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10 Ways to Curb Scary Halloween Spending
Don’t spook your budget – curb Halloween spending with these tips. Don’t spend a fortune. From food to costumes to decorations, we have you covered.
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Money Lessons from Mom and Dad
Saving money for a rainy day? Clipping coupons? Chances are those are money lessons you learned from your parents. Do you have a budget? Most likely, you watched your mom and dad follow a budget while you were growing up. Donate money and other items to charity? You probably didn’t come up with those traits […]
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Free, But Not Really: Hidden Prison Costs Following Incarceration
After being asked to help someone “with their bills” who had been recently released from prison, I was shocked to find out exactly what bills they meant. I try to stay informed about issues related to financial literacy but I was woefully ignorant (and am still learning) about the real prison costs that follow incarceration. […]
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How to Get Financial Relief During COVID-19
A new report from TransUnion, the consumer credit reporting agency, underscores the enormous challenges facing American consumers as the pandemic continues. Many are looking for financial relief during COVID-19. In July when the survey was taken, 77% of respondents were concerned about being able to pay future bills and loans and forecasted an average budget […]
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Disaster Preparedness and Your Finances
September is National Preparedness Month, intended to promote family and community disaster preparedness planning. As summer winds down, we know to expect; wildfires in California; tornados and derechos in the Midwest; hurricanes on the Southern and Eastern shorelines. The news programs show survivors of these terrible events and our hearts break but we don’t think […]
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Making Money Real for Kids
Making money real for kids is an important undertaking. Every few months I have the pleasure of teaching children as a volunteer for Junior Achievement and the kids are delightful. They’re inquisitive, energetic, and little truth-tellers. One little boy kept hugging me and when I asked him why, he said it was because I was […]
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Why October is an Important Month for College Financial Aid
Most full-time students rely on some form of college financial aid to pay for their education. According to the College Board, about two-thirds cover at least part of the cost for college with grants and scholarships. Among those financial aid dollars, about 57 percent are in the form of grants and 34 percent were federal […]
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What Credit Reporting Agencies Know About You and Where They Get Their Information
Most people know about the big three credit reporting agencies; Equifax, Experion, and Trans Union. The information in your credit report is available to lenders, banks, and credit card companies who make decisions about lending based on the information contained in the report. But what do these credit reporting bureaus know about you and where […]