Weekly Tip: Start saving for retirement early.

Retirement may seem like a lifetime away, so many people assume they can hold off on saving now and make it up later. But it is important to start saving as early as you can. Waiting too long can make it nearly impossible to catch up, and consumers who wait will end up with significantly less money when it comes time to retire, even if they save a higher percentage of their paycheck.

Updated by Alice Bryant on Wed, 2014-05-07 11:37

Target Upgrades Credit Cards with Chip Technology

by Alice Bryant on May 7, 2014

In light of the recent Target hacking where millions of consumers had their information compromised, Target has come under a lot of scrutiny. As a result, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel resigned from his position, and the company has been scrambling to update business protocol and replace executive leaders. The hacking certainly hurt Target’s business, as well as the millions of consumers who shopped there late last year.

Saving on Summer Travel

May 5th, 2014 by Alice Bryant

Summer break is getting close, and that means sunny skies and long, beautiful days. For many people, this is the perfect time to travel. But with high gas prices and expensive costs, a lot of consumers end up spending an arm and a leg on their summer travels. This doesn’t have to be you though. For those of you thinking about taking a trip this summer, there are easy ways to save, while still having an epic vacation.

So what should you do to save?

Credit Unions vs. Banks: Where Should You Put Your Money?

April 30th, 2014 by Alice Bryant

Credit unions have increased in popularity ever since the financial crisis. With the Occupy Wall Street movement and Bank Transfer Day, many people have become more skeptical of large banks and their profit-making measures. As a result, a lot of consumers have turned towards credit unions as a safer way to store their money. But don’t just automatically switch to a credit union because everyone else is doing it. There are pros and cons to both credit unions and banks. Check out the following before deciding what’s best for you.

Weekly Tip: Change your passwords regularly.

It is important to regularly update the passwords on all your accounts. Why?

Updated by Alice Bryant on Tue, 2014-04-29 10:29

ADP Study Shows Millennials Need to Start Saving for Retirement

by Alice Bryant on April 28, 2014

Should You Use Your Retirement Account to Pay Off Debt?

April 25th, 2014 by Alice Bryant

Using retirement funds to pay off high-interest credit cards, or outstanding financial obligations, is a common, yet less advised method of managing expenses. Liquidation of a retirement fund often does allow you to fully pay off your accounts owed. However, before making the decision to tap into your retirement savings, or transfer your assets to cash, review the terms and conditions for early withdrawal from a 401(k) or long-term investment.

Protecting Yourself From Credit Repair Scams

April 24th, 2014 by Alice Bryant

In an economy where more and more people are struggling than ever to survive personal financial disasters, advertisements for repairing credit can be very tempting. No matter where you look – TV, the Internet, or radio, there’s always an offer that claims they can miraculously pull you out of your credit slump. The truth is, if there were a quick easy fix that cured credit woes, wouldn’t everyone be doing it? Then again, there are a few credible credit counseling agencies out there that can indeed assist you in clearing up your financial issues.

Barclays Announces Exit from Commodities Trading

by Alice Bryant on April 24, 2014

Barclays announced Tuesday that they would be exiting from the commodities trade. Following in the footsteps of other major banks, like JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank, Barclays is now leaving the commodities business. Many speculate that these big banks are leaving due to increasing regulatory scrutiny and falling profits. However, although the banks may be leaving because of regulatory burdens, that doesn’t mean that others are leaving. This new opening creates a lot of opportunities for other businesses that don’t have regulatory constraints.

Weekly Tip: Always pay at least the minimum on your credit card bill.

Whether you are in debt or not, it is important to at least pay the minimum on your credit card bill each month. By paying late, you can significantly damage your credit score. If you miss a payment or don’t pay it at all, not only will you have to deal with late payment fees and higher interest rates, but it can stay on your credit report for 7 years. A late payment alone can really hurt your score, making it almost impossible to get approved for credit cards, loans, rent properties, and more. So, even if you don’t have a lot, make sure to pay at least the minimum on time.

Updated by Alice Bryant on Wed, 2014-04-23 09:12