You don’t have to sacrifice nutrition or flavor to save money on food. Use these tips to help plan and prepare low-cost, healthy meals and snacks. PREPARE Plan your weekly meals ahead of time, including lunches. Take advantage of store specials. Check store flyers or mobile apps as you plan your menu for the week. You can “clip” digital coupons in the apps. Create a shopping list based on your menu plan, and stick to it. Take advantage of your…
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If you are planning a wedding this year, it could be challenging. With high demand coming from a global pandemic, brides have limited options for everything from wedding dates to food to venues; it’s a true “wedding boom,” according to Brides.com. After more than a year of postponed and called-off weddings, the industry has seen an influx of weddings coming back as the world opens up again. As a result, the demand for every aspect of the industry is higher…
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While getting financials in order at the beginning of every year is a ritual for most, it doesn’t hurt to keep things fresh with some out-of-the-box resolutions. The average American calls their resolutions quits by the time February rolls around (or never follows through with them in the first place), according to the New York Post. So, a new perspective might just be the ticket to sticking to the financial plans you intend to make. An article published by Wallet…
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With the holidays approaching, it’s important to make a holiday budget and stick to it, or the post-holiday season could become a financial struggle. Making a list of everything needed, tracking holiday spending, and using cash instead of credit cards are all good ways to stay on top of holiday expenses before they get out of hand. Read on to learn how to create and stick to a feasible budget with these tips from The Balance: Make a list Always…
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The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) provides needed assistance to businesses, expansions to unemployment insurance, and direct relief checks to many Americans. If you qualify for a stimulus check, you may be wondering what to do with the money—or what the wisest thing to do might be. Here are a few things to consider. Fill in Financial Gaps Many Americans have found themselves struggling financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Those who have had their hours cut…
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With so many options, purchasing a new car can feel a bit overwhelming. What kind of car do you want or need? Which cars work with your budget? How can you find the best deals? Follow the tips below from Kelley Blue Book for an ultra-smooth car-buying process and reach out to your local credit union for additional assistance: Know your shopping style – When you shop for a car, do you focus on value, method, or safety? Evaluate what’s…
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Are You Spending Too Much on Groceries? How many times have you checked out at the grocery and were surprised by the total? It’s easy to let our grocery bill get too big if we’re not careful. Yes, food prices have gone up for certain items lately, and we’re making more meals at home now than eating at restaurants, but there are ways to keep that expense under control. Figure out how much you can reasonably spend on food. Financial…
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The typical family spends an average of $2,200 per year on utilities, according to the Energy Department. Tweaking your usage can lower your spending by as much as 25%. Check out this infographic for 10 easy ways to save on your utility bills.
Research shows that most Americans don’t have enough savings to cover an unexpected emergency. There’s no time like the present to start putting money aside for financial security in the future. Here are a few tips to help you get started. 7 Tips to Start Saving Today If you’re a beginner, start small. Even if you start by saving a small amount, focus on the fact that you’re saving something. Celebrate the $5 you stash away each week: It will…
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There are a number of financial management tools and resources available to help make the goal of improving finances an achievable undertaking, whether viewed as a New Year’s resolution or a consistent, long-term objective. If you’ve resolved to improve your finances in the new year, consider these money management and resolution tips from U.S. News & World Report. 10 Tips to Improve Your Finances in the New Year Identify your financial goals – Whether you’re planning to buy a home,…
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