By: Chuck Bentley, Crown Financial Ministries Dear Chuck, I like nice, quality things. My husband prefers lower prices. My perspective is that buying quality is better in the long run. Is there a right or wrong way to look at it? We are stuck on which refrigerator to buy to replace the old one we have now. Needing A Compromise … Read More
Six Fun Ways to Save as a Family
By: America Saves Meeting financial goals as a family can be challenging. But inspiring your family to help and contribute to a financial goal doesn’t have to be a painful process, especially when the result is an exciting vacation, a car, or college savings. Here are some ideas on how to save as a family for all those items and … Read More
Saving as a Family
By: America Saves In most circumstances, we build our financial foundation from experiences that we go through as children and youth. Sometimes when children hear their parents or other adults in their lives talking about cutting spending or saving money, they assume that the family is going through a rough patch. As appropriate based on children’s ages, family conversations about … Read More
Ask Chuck: Avoiding The Paycheck-to-Paycheck Trap
By: Chuck Bentley, Crown Financial Ministries Dear Chuck, I read an article recently about how many Americans live paycheck to paycheck and question how many really have to live that way. I don’t want to be calloused, but doesn’t the Bible tell us not to live that way? Financially Secure Dear Financially Secure, Unfortunately, I am all too familiar with … Read More
6 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Finances
By: American Bankers Association (ABA) With the arrival of spring, consumers are encouraged to add a very important item to their spring cleaning to-do list: organizing their finances. As you kick off the spring season by cleaning, sorting, and tidying up around the house, don’t forget to rearrange your financial house. “Spring is the season of renewal, which means it’s … Read More
Ways to Improve Your Financial Capability Now
By: America Saves Are you ready for National Financial Capability Month? Here are three actions you can take now to make sure you are prepared for any financial disaster, big or small. 1. Have a Disaster Plan for Your Finances. Sure, you keep bottled water, canned goods, flashlights, and batteries close at hand, but you should also have a disaster … Read More
7 Better Ways To Use Your Tax Refund
Are you expecting a tax refund soon? If you’re like most Americans, you’re probably expecting somewhere around $3,000 to show up in your mailbox over the next months. Receiving a refund check has become a strangely normal piece of financial planning for Americans – we count on receiving that extra cash and plan to spend it. But your refund check … Read More
Cybercriminals File Fraudulent Tax Returns
It’s that time of year again – tax season. Hopefully, you’ll get a nice refund. As you work with your accountant or submit your return through do-it-yourself software, what happens if you learn that a return has already been filed under your name and your refund has been stolen? Tax-return fraud has become such a significant problem that the government … Read More
CFPB: Make a Plan to Save Some of Your Tax Refund
Making a plan to save at tax time The start of the New Year means its tax season again. As you gather your tax records and prepare to file, why not use this annual responsibility to take another step towards building financial security for yourself or your family? For many Americans, a tax refund is the largest check they will … Read More
Gift Giving on a Budget
By Connecticut Saves As the holiday season approaches, do you find yourself looking forward to the festivities, but concerned about the impact on your wallet? You are not alone. By doing some planning now, you can simplify your gift giving. Here are ten ways you can enjoy this special time of year and keep spending in check: Food. Consumable items … Read More