Seven tips to keep your heating bill down this winter

The crisp fall air feels like a balm after the summer heat. But as the days get shorter and temperatures plummet, that balm can quickly turn into a bite. Climate experts predict this winter will be colder than last year, which will drive many of us
Topics:
Budgeting & Saving

How to winterize your home

High winds, pelting rains, falling shingles — winters in the Pacific Northwest can be tough on your home. You never know when the next big storm might hit, leaving destruction in its wake. A roof failure during heavy rainfall can leave you vulnerable
Topics:
Owning a Home

Four reasons to make (and stick to) a holiday spending plan

While new tools like online shopping and digital payments have helped make shopping for the holidays more manageable, there’s one thing that hasn’t changed: It’s still easy to overspend. While you can’t put a price on memories, your holiday
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Budgeting & Saving

Three financial reasons to make an estate plan

Wealth—you can’t take it with you. But that doesn’t mean you don’t care what happens to it when you’re gone. You spent your lifetime building and protecting your assets and you want to make sure they’re not swallowed by court fees or passed down to
Topics:
Retirement Planning

Tips for buying a home in Bend, Oregon

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Bend, fall is a good time. The weather is mild, the summer crowds have thinned and there’s still time to snag a gem before the snow hits. Maybe it’s the crisp air or the prospect of skiing, but fall is also a
Topics:
Owning a Home

Set your teen ahead of the curve financially

As your teen prepares to launch into the world, you want to give them the best start you can. Teaching a teenager to manage money responsibly is one of the most important things a parent can do. Lessons in money management can last a lifetime. But
Topics:
Basic Finances

IRA vs. 401(k) – What’s the difference?

The world is changing and so are retirement plans. How do you figure out which option is right for you? Here’s what you need to know about 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts (IRAs) to find out what’s the best selection for you and your money
Topics:
Retirement Planning

Families helping families: How one HELOC touched many lives

Kindergarten teacher Sarah M. sees a lot of kids. Some can’t afford school supplies. Some are hungry. Some end up sitting in the school office for hours, wondering if they’ll get picked up. When Sarah spotted one of her former students waiting to be
Topics:
Owning a Home

How many accounts do you really need?

Sophia Bera used to have a savings account for each of her financial goals. Like a squirrel, she stashed a little bit of money into lots of different accounts. It was a lot to keep track of. When the finance columnist started consolidating her
Topics:
Basic Finances

Six habits for keeping your data safe on campus

Surviving college is all about developing the right habits. Good study habits help you get good grades. Good spending habits help you stretch your financial aid checks. Good hygiene habits help you get along with your roommate. But what about your
Topics:
Privacy & Security