Take the heat off your summer budget

It’s been another summer of prolonged heat waves and uncomfortable temperatures. How are you holding up? If you’re like most people, this relentless heat can really sap your energy. It can also sap your budget. Hotter temperatures mean the AC has to
Topics:
Budgeting & Saving

The benefits of RV GAP

Your RV is your ticket to freedom. It’s the force that sets you loose upon the world, a home base that goes where you go. Until it isn’t. Let’s face it: Part of the magic of the road is that anything can happen, including accidents or theft. If
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Insurance & Protection

Is a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage right for you?

Buying a home comes with some big questions. How much can I qualify for? Will the seller accept my offer? What will the home inspection find? Can I lock in my interest rate before it goes up? That last question can have a big impact on your home’s
Topics:
Owning a Home

How an FHA loan can get you in the door of your new home

Does buying a home seem like a far-off dream to you? If so, you’re not alone. In Oregon, a shortage of homes for sale has caused prices to climb and fueled intense competition in many areas, dissuading would-be buyers from entering the market. But
Topics:
Owning a Home

Low-cost tips to protect your gadgets when you travel

These days, toting hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of electronics around the globe is the new norm. But traveling with expensive gear does come with risks, like thieves looking to profit from unsuspecting tourists.
Topics:
Privacy & Security

Here’s how to create a college fund for your child!

Paying for college is one of life’s biggest expenses. That’s just one of many reasons that starting to save for higher education sooner rather than later is so important. The College Board reports that an all-expenses budget for an in-state public
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Budgeting & Saving

Accelerate your savings with a CD

There are things you do because you’ll be glad you did later — like brushing your teeth or eating your broccoli. Saving money is one of them. Setting aside a nest egg protects you from financial distress in case something big happens, like a car
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Budgeting & Saving
Retirement Planning

How a 15-year mortgage can save you money

How much does your new home really cost? It’s a simple question, but the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. You can calculate the cost of your home in different ways. Most buyers focus on the sale price, which determines how much
Topics:
Owning a Home

Still looking for a home? Keep calm and carry on

Shopping for a home is a bit like rafting. Sometimes you’re speeding through exhilarating rapids and sometimes you’re drifting along in slow water. Sometimes you just have to dig in and paddle like you mean it. The average buyer spends more than four
Topics:
Owning a Home

How to check your housing market’s vitals

How do you know when it’s the right time to buy? It’s a question many homebuyers struggle with. You want conditions to be right. You want to get the best deal you can. Taking the pulse of your local housing market can help you decide when to make
Topics:
Owning a Home