Home Equity Loan or Cash-Out Refi: Which Is Right for Me?

Your home is so much more than just a place to live. It’s a haven for you and your family. It’s a gathering place for your inner circle. But did you know that it can also serve as a powerful financial tool?   If you’ve owned your home for a while and built substantial equity, you can access that equity to help meet your financial needs. And your equity can be used for much more than simply home renovations and repairs – it can also be utilized to consolidate high-interest debt, pay for education expenses, or cover emergencies.   How you choose to tap into your equity matters just as much as how you plan to use it. You can leverage your equity with a Home Equity Loan, a Home Equity…

February 8, 2026Borrowing Basics, Future Planning No Comments
Home Equity Loan or Cash-Out Refi: Which Is Right for Me?

Your home is so much more than just a place to live. It’s a haven for you and your family. It’s a gathering place for your inner circle. But did you know that it can also serve as a powerful financial tool?   If you’ve owned your home for a while and built substantial equity, you can access that equity to help meet your financial needs. And your equity can be used for much more than simply home renovations and repairs – it can also be utilized to consolidate high-interest debt, pay for education expenses, or cover emergencies.   How you choose to tap into your equity matters just as much as how you plan to use it. You can leverage your equity with a Home Equity Loan, a Home Equity…

Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them  Tax season is here, and it tends to put most people on edge. Many are anxious to file their returns because they rely on the money from their tax refund. Others find it stressful to locate all their tax documents and file on time. Add in people’s fear of the IRS and making mistakes on their returns, and it creates the perfect environment for scammers.  Fraudsters feed off uncertainty, and tax time provides multiple opportunities to deceive taxpayers. Fortunately, protecting yourself can be easy with the right knowledge.   While the tactics used…

February 1, 2026Security Center No Comments
Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them  Tax season is here, and it tends to put most people on edge. Many are anxious to file their returns because they rely on the money from their tax refund. Others find it stressful to locate all their tax documents and file on time. Add in people’s fear of the IRS and making mistakes on their returns, and it creates the perfect environment for scammers.  Fraudsters feed off uncertainty, and tax time provides multiple opportunities to deceive taxpayers. Fortunately, protecting yourself can be easy with the right knowledge.   While the tactics used…

Start the Year with Lower Car Payments

For many of us, we love the car we drive. It gets us where we need to go, hauls and protects what matters most, and feels like an extension of daily life. However, we often don’t feel as passionate about the monthly payment attached to it. Auto loans are among the largest expenses in most households, yet they are rarely updated once the paperwork is signed.   As a new year begins and financial resolutions are the new focus, it’s worth taking a moment to ask yourself: Does your current car loan fit your budget as well as it could?  Refinancing gives you the chance to adjust your loan in your favor. It’s not a…

January 31, 2026Borrowing Basics No Comments
Start the Year with Lower Car Payments

For many of us, we love the car we drive. It gets us where we need to go, hauls and protects what matters most, and feels like an extension of daily life. However, we often don’t feel as passionate about the monthly payment attached to it. Auto loans are among the largest expenses in most households, yet they are rarely updated once the paperwork is signed.   As a new year begins and financial resolutions are the new focus, it’s worth taking a moment to ask yourself: Does your current car loan fit your budget as well as it could?  Refinancing gives you the chance to adjust your loan in your favor. It’s not a…

6 Myths About Refinancing Car Loans

Refinancing your car loan might sound like a mystical and complicated process, but that’s rarely the case. In truth, refinancing is one of the quickest and easiest ways to put more of your hard-earned dollars back into your wallet each month.   Believing common misconceptions about refinancing might be preventing you from pursuing one of the best financial decisions you can make for your budget. We’re here to debunk these common myths and help you gain a clearer understanding of how this process can instantly improve your finances.   Understanding Auto Loan Refinancing  Refinancing your car loan is essentially the process of replacing your current auto loan with a new one. Borrowers typically pursue a refinance to make their loan…

January 25, 2026Borrowing Basics No Comments
6 Myths About Refinancing Car Loans

Refinancing your car loan might sound like a mystical and complicated process, but that’s rarely the case. In truth, refinancing is one of the quickest and easiest ways to put more of your hard-earned dollars back into your wallet each month.   Believing common misconceptions about refinancing might be preventing you from pursuing one of the best financial decisions you can make for your budget. We’re here to debunk these common myths and help you gain a clearer understanding of how this process can instantly improve your finances.   Understanding Auto Loan Refinancing  Refinancing your car loan is essentially the process of replacing your current auto loan with a new one. Borrowers typically pursue a refinance to make their loan…

New Year, New Scams: How to Protect Yourself

A new year often brings a fresh financial mindset. People review budgets, set goals, apply for loans, and spend more time managing accounts online. Those shifts are normal. Unfortunately, they also create opportunities for scammers who are constantly watching how consumer behavior changes.  Fraud does not slow down after the holidays. It adapts. Scam tactics evolve alongside technology, digital banking habits, and everyday tools people trust. That’s why some of today’s scams feel more believable than ever before. Staying informed about how these schemes work helps you recognize the warning signs early and protect your accounts before a situation escalates.    Why Scams Are Becoming More…

January 9, 2026Security Center No Comments
New Year, New Scams: How to Protect Yourself

A new year often brings a fresh financial mindset. People review budgets, set goals, apply for loans, and spend more time managing accounts online. Those shifts are normal. Unfortunately, they also create opportunities for scammers who are constantly watching how consumer behavior changes.  Fraud does not slow down after the holidays. It adapts. Scam tactics evolve alongside technology, digital banking habits, and everyday tools people trust. That’s why some of today’s scams feel more believable than ever before. Staying informed about how these schemes work helps you recognize the warning signs early and protect your accounts before a situation escalates.    Why Scams Are Becoming More…

Travel More, Spend Less: How I Make Every Trip Affordable

A great trip doesn’t have to be expensive. Over the years, I’ve learned how to plan incredible travel experiences for myself and my clients without financial stress or post-vacation regret. The secret? Maximizing value and planning ahead. Here are three strategies I use to make travel more affordable. Work with a Travel Advisor Working with a travel advisor is a smart investment for any trip. In addition to expert destination knowledge and personalized planning, you may receive: Onboard credit on cruises Room upgrades or early check-in times Resort credits or added amenities Exclusive offers not available when booking directly These…

December 22, 2025Wallet Wins No Comments
Travel More, Spend Less: How I Make Every Trip Affordable

A great trip doesn’t have to be expensive. Over the years, I’ve learned how to plan incredible travel experiences for myself and my clients without financial stress or post-vacation regret. The secret? Maximizing value and planning ahead. Here are three strategies I use to make travel more affordable. Work with a Travel Advisor Working with a travel advisor is a smart investment for any trip. In addition to expert destination knowledge and personalized planning, you may receive: Onboard credit on cruises Room upgrades or early check-in times Resort credits or added amenities Exclusive offers not available when booking directly These…

Close the Books: Your Year-End Financial Review

With the holiday season in full gear, you likely have wrapping presents on your to-do list. While it’s not quite as fun as gift-giving, now is also the perfect time to wrap up your finances for the year.   As the year comes to an end, you’ll want to ensure all your financial ducks are in a row. That way, you can get a jump start on your goals in the new year. A lot can happen fiscally speaking in a year, and we’ll help guide you through the steps of performing a year-end financial review.     Step #1: Evaluate Your Spending Habits  Log into online banking for your financial and credit card accounts. Either download your past statements or scroll through the months one by one. If your spending is regular, consider…

December 18, 2025Wallet Wins No Comments
Close the Books: Your Year-End Financial Review

With the holiday season in full gear, you likely have wrapping presents on your to-do list. While it’s not quite as fun as gift-giving, now is also the perfect time to wrap up your finances for the year.   As the year comes to an end, you’ll want to ensure all your financial ducks are in a row. That way, you can get a jump start on your goals in the new year. A lot can happen fiscally speaking in a year, and we’ll help guide you through the steps of performing a year-end financial review.     Step #1: Evaluate Your Spending Habits  Log into online banking for your financial and credit card accounts. Either download your past statements or scroll through the months one by one. If your spending is regular, consider…

One-Minute Read: Building a Budget That Works in the New Year

A fresh year is the perfect time to reset your finances. No matter your income or goals, the right budgeting method can help you stay organized, reduce stress, and make steady progress toward a stronger financial future. Here are four simple strategies to try:  Pay Yourself First Treat your savings like a bill. Set aside money for savings before paying anything else. Automating this step makes it easier to prioritize your future.  The 50/30/20 Rule Break your take-home pay into three buckets:  50% for needs (housing, groceries, insurance)  30% for wants (fun spending)  20% for savings and debt payoff  You…

December 10, 2025One Minute Reads, Wallet Wins No Comments
One-Minute Read: Building a Budget That Works in the New Year

A fresh year is the perfect time to reset your finances. No matter your income or goals, the right budgeting method can help you stay organized, reduce stress, and make steady progress toward a stronger financial future. Here are four simple strategies to try:  Pay Yourself First Treat your savings like a bill. Set aside money for savings before paying anything else. Automating this step makes it easier to prioritize your future.  The 50/30/20 Rule Break your take-home pay into three buckets:  50% for needs (housing, groceries, insurance)  30% for wants (fun spending)  20% for savings and debt payoff  You…

5 Year-End Money Moves to Maximize Benefits

Once the holiday season kicks into high gear, looking past the festive lights, joyful music, and fun-filled atmosphere can be challenging. But amidst all the excitement, there are many year-end events and deadlines that can have a significant impact on your finances.   Set aside some time to review your finances, investments, employer benefits, and insurance options to ensure you set yourself up for success in the coming year. Consider the following five money moves to end this year on a high note.  #1: Contribute to Retirement Accounts  With all the presents you’re giving others this holiday season, don’t forget to…

November 24, 2025Wallet Wins 1 Comment
5 Year-End Money Moves to Maximize Benefits

Once the holiday season kicks into high gear, looking past the festive lights, joyful music, and fun-filled atmosphere can be challenging. But amidst all the excitement, there are many year-end events and deadlines that can have a significant impact on your finances.   Set aside some time to review your finances, investments, employer benefits, and insurance options to ensure you set yourself up for success in the coming year. Consider the following five money moves to end this year on a high note.  #1: Contribute to Retirement Accounts  With all the presents you’re giving others this holiday season, don’t forget to…

How Scammers Use Social Engineering to Steal Money  

And some ways you can spot them   As digital payment scams become more prevalent, they are also more sophisticated, making them harder to detect. Scammers employ what is known as “social engineering” to manipulate people into revealing sensitive information.   It’s all about the psychology of persuasion. These scammers take advantage of human nature, aiming to lower your defenses so you’ll act on impulse rather than reason.   Let’s look at some examples of how social engineering uses the powers of persuasion to steal personal information and money:   Pretexting   Building a solid pretext or a fabricated scenario is an important aspect of…

November 19, 2025Security Center No Comments
How Scammers Use Social Engineering to Steal Money  

And some ways you can spot them   As digital payment scams become more prevalent, they are also more sophisticated, making them harder to detect. Scammers employ what is known as “social engineering” to manipulate people into revealing sensitive information.   It’s all about the psychology of persuasion. These scammers take advantage of human nature, aiming to lower your defenses so you’ll act on impulse rather than reason.   Let’s look at some examples of how social engineering uses the powers of persuasion to steal personal information and money:   Pretexting   Building a solid pretext or a fabricated scenario is an important aspect of…