Get a fresh financial start for the new year

Get a fresh financial start for the new year

With the new year comes a chance to make a fresh start – financially as well as personally. Financial health is on a lot of people’s minds this year, prompting nearly one in three Americans to set a money-related resolution for 2019, according to one
Topics:
Basic Finances
Computer screen with 1040 form and plant on desk

What’s new with your taxes this year?

Tax season is upon us. As we begin packing up holiday decorations, it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on the latest changes to tax provisions and inflation adjustments.
Topics:
Basic Finances
Budgeting & Saving
Retirement Planning
Owning a Home
Managing Debt & Credit
Credit Unions vs. Banks
Starting Out Financially
Houses in Clackamas

Thinking about buying a home in Clackamas? You’re not alone

When you’re shopping for a home in a booming area like Clackamas County, choosing the right lender makes a difference. As prices in the Rose City continue to rise, more buyers are seeking homes in outlying communities such as Canby, Happy Valley and
Topics:
Owning a Home
Your holiday survival guide

Your holiday survival guide

The countdown has begun. Days are getting shorter, to-do lists are getting longer, and lifelong memories are waiting to be made. In December, Americans will: Buy more than 27 million (real) Christmas trees. Eat more than 22 million turkeys. Mail more
Topics:
Basic Finances
Woman making holiday cards

Buying a gift card? Watch out for this scam

More than half of Americans plan to buy gift cards for someone on their list, making them this year’s most popular holiday gift . And what’s not to love? They’re so versatile you can’t really go wrong, whether you’re buying for a choosy teenager, the
Topics:
Privacy & Security
Woman sits on steps with her phone.

Compound interest: The gift that keeps on giving

What is compounding interest? An intro to interest is the money your financial institution pays you to store your money in a savings or retirement account. There are two types: simple and compound.
Topics:
Budgeting & Saving
Four things to do on holiday break

Four things to do on holiday break

After all the late-night study sessions and long exams, a relaxing holiday break is just what the campus doctor ordered. Time to rest, recharge and raise a glass of eggnog — you’re one term closer to graduation. But with a whole holiday break’s worth
Topics:
Basic Finances
Game of find the ball with cups

How to trick yourself into saving money

Saving money is a bit like bluffing in poker. Whether the cards you’re dealt are high or low doesn’t matter nearly as much as your ability to fool your opponents. It’s all about the mental game — and when it comes to saving, the only opponent you
Topics:
Budgeting & Saving
Seven tips to keep your heating bill down this winter

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

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