Building wealth is a lot like building a strong marriage. Both require determination, passion and the ability to communicate effectively. Determination Marriage is not a spectator sport. Neither is building wealth. You must be determined to be in the game and make certain you’re not taking your current status for granted. Don’t take your eye off of the prize. Action: … Read More

By: CFPB It’s common for couples to share their financial lives but not the responsibility for managing household finances. It might be time-consuming for both of you to review your bills, as well as spending and savings plans each month. But if responsibilities unexpectedly shift due to a sudden illness or loss of a spouse, getting up to speed quickly … Read More

By: Chuck Bentley, Crown Financial Ministries Saving is biblical; God wants us to be savers! He wants us to have the resources we need to take care of our families and others. He also wants us to be in a position to serve Him so that He will be made known and honored. Saving does not represent a lack of … Read More

By: Chuck Bentley, Crown Financial Ministries Dear Chuck, I need help prioritizing how to use my tax refund. We are expecting to receive about $3,100 from our refund and want to use it wisely since we have a little over $23,000 of debt and are in desperate need of new tires for my car ($450). In what order should we … Read More

By: Liane Weissenberger, CFPB Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to get your home and your finances in order. Here are a few ways to get started spring cleaning your finances: 1. Request a free credit report You can request a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and … Read More

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone steals your Social Security number (SSN) to file a tax return and claim a fraudulent refund. You may be unaware that this has happened until you file your return and discover that a return already has been filed using your SSN, or the IRS may send you a letter saying they have identified a … Read More

Q.  My husband and I are anticipating an increase in our paychecks because of the tax cut. We are trying to decide on the best use of this extra money. Improving our financial health is one of our New Year’s resolution. We would also like to invest in some fun and relaxation for the whole family. Any suggestions on where … Read More

By Bonnie Spain, American Center for Credit Education Q. My husband and I are determined to reach our New Year’s Resolution to reduce our spending and improve our finances this year. We talked about what we can do for Valentine’s Day and do not want to use our credit cards. Any suggestions on ways to curb our expenses and not incur … Read More

By Chuck Bentley Most of the financial principles I live by I learned because I was doing it all wrong. For the majority of my young adult life, and well into my marriage, I was focused on all the wrong things. Being a success in the eyes of the world was the most important thing to me. I had grown … Read More

By Kristin Dohn The holidays can put a financial burden even on the savviest of shoppers and savers. But like most things, taking time to plan can help you avoid the stress that comes with overspending. Before you hit the mall or shop for holiday deals, keep reading to learn how to make a holiday spending plan that works for you. … Read More