Fun Ways to Teach Kids About Money 

It’s never too early to begin teaching kids about money. Responsible money management is a vital skill they will carry throughout their lives. However, the subject isn’t always the most entertaining, especially for younger children. Many find it dull or have difficulty understanding the concepts.   Fortunately, there are many fun and engaging ways to educate your child about money. All it takes is a little time and some creativity. 1. Playing Games Think back to your childhood and the many board games that helped you understand how money works. Games like Monopoly and The Game of LIFE introduce young people to…

May 1, 2023Future Planning, Wallet Wins 2 Comments

It’s never too early to begin teaching kids about money. Responsible money management is a vital skill they will carry throughout their lives. However, the subject isn’t always the most entertaining, especially for younger children. Many find it dull or have difficulty understanding the concepts.   Fortunately, there are many fun and engaging ways to educate your child about money. All it takes is a little time and some creativity. 1. Playing Games Think back to your childhood and the many board games that helped you understand how money works. Games like Monopoly and The Game of LIFE introduce young people to…

Financial Diets vs. Lifestyle Changes 

If you’ve ever tried to shed a few pounds, you know there are plenty of diets to choose from. And whether they’re dictating how much you can eat or what types of foods are acceptable, most diets have one thing in common – they’re unsustainable.  Sure, they might provide a quick fix to get you back in your favorite pair of jeans, but they won’t keep you healthy in the long term. The same “diets” are commonplace when it comes to finances. You can set goals to save more money or cut back on frivolous spending, but long-term success will…

April 6, 2023Borrowing Basics, Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

If you’ve ever tried to shed a few pounds, you know there are plenty of diets to choose from. And whether they’re dictating how much you can eat or what types of foods are acceptable, most diets have one thing in common – they’re unsustainable.  Sure, they might provide a quick fix to get you back in your favorite pair of jeans, but they won’t keep you healthy in the long term. The same “diets” are commonplace when it comes to finances. You can set goals to save more money or cut back on frivolous spending, but long-term success will…

10 Ways You Can Use a Home Equity Loan 

Homeowners often talk about tapping into their home’s equity to solve various financial challenges. But what exactly is home equity? And if you tap into your home’s equity, how can you use those funds?   What is Home Equity?   Home equity is the difference between the appraised value of a home and what you currently owe on the house. For example, if your home’s value is $450,000 and you owe $200,000 on a mortgage, your home’s equity will be $250,000.   However, you may not be able to borrow this entire amount. Other credit factors and lender limits will determine the…

March 2, 2023Borrowing Basics, Future Planning, Wallet Wins 2 Comments

Homeowners often talk about tapping into their home’s equity to solve various financial challenges. But what exactly is home equity? And if you tap into your home’s equity, how can you use those funds?   What is Home Equity?   Home equity is the difference between the appraised value of a home and what you currently owe on the house. For example, if your home’s value is $450,000 and you owe $200,000 on a mortgage, your home’s equity will be $250,000.   However, you may not be able to borrow this entire amount. Other credit factors and lender limits will determine the…

Land Loans: Everything you need to know.

What is a land loan?  Land loans are used to buy property without a home on it. Sometimes these are confused with construction loans, which are for people who want to build a house. The difference is that land loans are typically used by people who want to build a home in the future but may not want to jump into building and financing a home immediately.  Types of Land Loans   Unimproved Land Loan: a loan for large plots of land with no structure on them, and without a current source of water, or septic/sewer.  Improved Land Loan: a loan…

February 24, 2023Borrowing Basics, Future Planning 2 Comments

What is a land loan?  Land loans are used to buy property without a home on it. Sometimes these are confused with construction loans, which are for people who want to build a house. The difference is that land loans are typically used by people who want to build a home in the future but may not want to jump into building and financing a home immediately.  Types of Land Loans   Unimproved Land Loan: a loan for large plots of land with no structure on them, and without a current source of water, or septic/sewer.  Improved Land Loan: a loan…

7 Reasons to File Your Taxes Early 

Filing your taxes can be a bit of a headache each year. While many people may have good intentions of filing as soon as they get their W-2s, the reality is people often procrastinate. Then, before they know it, the deadline sneaks up and forces them to reorganize their schedule to make time to file, causing a great deal of unnecessary stress.   If that scenario sounds familiar to you, it’s time to consider filing your taxes early. Doing so will not only relieve your stress and anxiety levels but there are many other benefits you’ll experience.  The Benefits of Filing…

February 15, 2023Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

Filing your taxes can be a bit of a headache each year. While many people may have good intentions of filing as soon as they get their W-2s, the reality is people often procrastinate. Then, before they know it, the deadline sneaks up and forces them to reorganize their schedule to make time to file, causing a great deal of unnecessary stress.   If that scenario sounds familiar to you, it’s time to consider filing your taxes early. Doing so will not only relieve your stress and anxiety levels but there are many other benefits you’ll experience.  The Benefits of Filing…

2023 Financial Check-Up: Tips to Fight Inflation 

Creating and maintaining a budget is one of the best ways to achieve your financial goals. However, even the most dedicated can find it challenging at times. That’s why it’s essential to revisit your budget and financial plan every six months. This financial check-up is your opportunity to get back on track before you stray too far from your goals.  A regular financial check-up is even more crucial today as inflation continues to decrease the value of your money. With less money to spend, it’s important to find ways to maximize your hard-earned dollars.   Consider the following inflation-fighting strategies when…

February 2, 2023Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

Creating and maintaining a budget is one of the best ways to achieve your financial goals. However, even the most dedicated can find it challenging at times. That’s why it’s essential to revisit your budget and financial plan every six months. This financial check-up is your opportunity to get back on track before you stray too far from your goals.  A regular financial check-up is even more crucial today as inflation continues to decrease the value of your money. With less money to spend, it’s important to find ways to maximize your hard-earned dollars.   Consider the following inflation-fighting strategies when…

Setting New Year’s [Financial] Resolutions as a Couple 

As the new year begins, people take the opportunity to start fresh. It’s a time to change habits and resolve to be better in the coming year. Living healthier, spending more time with family and friends, and bettering one’s financial position are consistently the top resolutions each year.   Even though you may have the best intentions, it can be challenging to stick with your resolutions throughout the year – especially regarding financial goals.   Accomplishing your goals becomes much easier when you do it with your partner. You get to work as a team to hit your target. That includes…

December 29, 2022Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

As the new year begins, people take the opportunity to start fresh. It’s a time to change habits and resolve to be better in the coming year. Living healthier, spending more time with family and friends, and bettering one’s financial position are consistently the top resolutions each year.   Even though you may have the best intentions, it can be challenging to stick with your resolutions throughout the year – especially regarding financial goals.   Accomplishing your goals becomes much easier when you do it with your partner. You get to work as a team to hit your target. That includes…

10 Ways to Improve Your Finances

To celebrate National Financial Awareness Day, we’re bringing you 10 ways to improve your finances. Take these steps to protect your financial health through 2022 and beyond!  Address your tendency to overspend. Sticking to a budget is the key to success. Overspending can cause stress and anxiety around money, so addressing it is important for healthy financial fitness.  Consider starting your own business. If you find yourself in need of another source of income during challenging times, consider turning one of your unique skills into a side gig. This year might be your year!  Prepare for major life events. Make sure…

August 15, 2022Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

To celebrate National Financial Awareness Day, we’re bringing you 10 ways to improve your finances. Take these steps to protect your financial health through 2022 and beyond!  Address your tendency to overspend. Sticking to a budget is the key to success. Overspending can cause stress and anxiety around money, so addressing it is important for healthy financial fitness.  Consider starting your own business. If you find yourself in need of another source of income during challenging times, consider turning one of your unique skills into a side gig. This year might be your year!  Prepare for major life events. Make sure…

Smart Money Moves for Members Under 30 

Life in your twenties can be exciting and full of new opportunities. There are many milestones you might check off your lists during this period: graduating college, starting your career, getting married, and even starting your family.   While long-term financial goals might seem a lifetime away, the decisions you make today can significantly impact your future fiscal success. When it comes to building wealth, time is your best friend. The sooner you begin laying the foundation for the future, the better your position will be when you approach your next financial milestone.   Here are several wise money moves you can…

August 1, 2022Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

Life in your twenties can be exciting and full of new opportunities. There are many milestones you might check off your lists during this period: graduating college, starting your career, getting married, and even starting your family.   While long-term financial goals might seem a lifetime away, the decisions you make today can significantly impact your future fiscal success. When it comes to building wealth, time is your best friend. The sooner you begin laying the foundation for the future, the better your position will be when you approach your next financial milestone.   Here are several wise money moves you can…

4 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Equity 

How is home equity calculated? Basically, it’s your home’s current value, minus the amount you owe on it. The equation would look something like this:  The current value of your home: $200,000  – Remaining mortgage balance: $125,000  = Home Equity: $  75,000  But, building home equity takes time. Each month, a portion of your mortgage payment goes toward the loan principal. You build equity as your principal decreases, which usually occurs over many years. If you want to speed up the process so you can build equity faster, here are four things you can do.  Make a Larger Down Payment The…

January 18, 2022Future Planning No Comments

How is home equity calculated? Basically, it’s your home’s current value, minus the amount you owe on it. The equation would look something like this:  The current value of your home: $200,000  – Remaining mortgage balance: $125,000  = Home Equity: $  75,000  But, building home equity takes time. Each month, a portion of your mortgage payment goes toward the loan principal. You build equity as your principal decreases, which usually occurs over many years. If you want to speed up the process so you can build equity faster, here are four things you can do.  Make a Larger Down Payment The…