Archives

Secret Sister: An Illegal Pyramid Scheme

Dec 8, 2020

It’s baaaack! The “Secret Sister” holiday gift scam has reared its crooked head again, just in time for the holidays. While the festive season brings lots of joy and cheer, it also brings out the grinches who are looking to steal not only your holiday bliss, but also your identity and peace of mind. How…

The Beginner’s Guide to Filling Out a W-4

Aug 14, 2020

It’s no secret that the IRS excels at making things complicated. And when you’re busy learning the ropes of a new job, trying to fill out a 4-page W-4 form can be a huge hassle. It’s not a good idea to rush through it, though, because a small mistake now can mean withholding too much…

Your Complete Guide to Using Your Credit Cards

Aug 14, 2020

Q: I’d love to improve my credit score, but I can’t get ahead of my monthly payments. I also find that my spending gets out of control when I’m paying with plastic. How do I use my credit cards responsibly? A: Using your credit cards responsibly is a great way to boost your credit score and your…

How Can I Protect Myself from Payment App Scams?

Aug 14, 2020

Q: I love the convenience of payment apps, like Cash App and Venmo, but I’ve heard there’s been an increase in scams being pulled off within these apps. How can I continue to use my payment apps without compromising my safety? A: Payment apps offer users the ability to effortlessly send payments to friends, making it easy…

Snowball Method vs. Avalanche Method: What’s the Best Way to Tackle Debt?

Jul 14, 2020

Debt is the ultimate killjoy. It can destroy a budget, make long-term financial planning impossible, and shadow every purchase you make with guilt. No one wants to live with that debt burden. But how do you kiss your debt goodbye? Crawling out from under this mountain won’t be easy, but if you’re ready to realign…

Am I Really Ready to Buy a House?

Jul 14, 2020

Q: I’ve saved a down payment, narrowed my choices of neighborhoods and drawn up a wish list of what I’m looking for in a home, but I’m getting cold feet. How do I know if I’m really ready to buy a house? A: It’s perfectly normal to feel hesitant about going through with what may be the…

My Savings Has Been Wiped Clean; How Can I Replenish It?

Jul 14, 2020

Q: The last few months have been really tough on my finances, and I’ve been forced to use my savings for getting by. My emergency fund and savings account are basically zero. Now that my financial situation is starting to improve, I’d like to start building these up again, but it’s all so overwhelming. Where do…

7 Apps to Download this Summer

Jun 11, 2020

Summer 2020 will be different from any other.  We’ll be packing face masks along with our sunscreen and picking up our favorite takeout dinners to go instead of eating in restaurants. Lots of summertime attractions will only allow a limited number of guests on the premises at any one time, while others may not even…

Beware Unemployment Scams

Jun 11, 2020

Tens of millions of Americans have found themselves out of work as the economy reels from the impact of COVID-19. A record 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment insurance in the four weeks leading up to April 11. Unfortunately, when there’s bad news, the scammers aren’t far behind. According to the Federal Trade Commission…

What Can I Do About Robocalls?

Jun 11, 2020

Are you sick of grabbing your ringing phone five times a day only to find yet another robocaller on the other end? If robocalls are getting to you, you’re not alone. Those super-annoying automatic calls have recently exploded, and it’s enough to make anyone go bonkers. More than 30 billion robocalls are made in the…