Four reasons to make a holiday spending plan

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. Maybe it’s the stress of ticking off a long to-do list and
Topics:
Budgeting & Saving
Three reasons to make an estate plan

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
Home buying in Bend Oregon

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
Money managing tips for teens

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
Woman standing in thought with hand on chin, thinking, with “401(k)?” And “IRA?” spelt out in navy blue.

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
HELOC helping families

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
Three essential bank accounts for adults

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
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Basic Finances
Six habits to keep your data safe on campus

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
Four financial tips for college students

Four things you need before heading off to college

There are certain must-haves when you’re heading off to college. Most checklists for college students include things like dorm room necessities, study aids, books and similar supplies. But what about your finances? Going to college opens up a whole
Topics:
Basic Finances
Tools to avoid holiday overspending

Your No. 1 tool to avoid holiday overspending

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on a lot of us. In all the back-to-school flurry, it’s easy to forget that they’re right around the corner. Between the shopping, the decorating and more last-minute shopping, getting caught unprepared can lead
Topics:
Budgeting & Saving