Since we all know what the other certainty in life is (death), maybe we shouldn’t be all that upset about the onset of tax season, right?
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Ways to Improve Your Financial Security This Year
Last year challenged us to protect our health, job and financial well-being. Although things are looking up, life will always have bumps in the road. Here are some tips to get back to basics and improve your financial picture.
Tax Tips for Investors
Some years, Congress changes the rules investors face. Other years, the economy necessitates rethinking the best-laid investment plans. In between, investors’ personal situations change, from the arrival of children to the loss of a job.
“Investors face a changing environment,” says Fred H. Thomas, branch manager of Raymond James Financial Associates in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. “They need to maximize their investment dollars.”
Taxpayers trying to build wealth can weather the ups and downs of the tax side of that volatile environment by following a few historically helpful steps. Continue reading
The Benefits of Asset Allocation in a Stormy Market
Investing in the stock market can be intimidating, even when the economy is booming. While “buy low, sell high” is sage advice for those entering the market, recent global and national events have sent otherwise confident investors on a roller coaster of emotions. It’s understandable. There have been several twists and turns in the market in 2020, and experts are expecting even more in the coming year. But that doesn’t mean investors can’t protect their hard-earned money with an asset allocation strategy.
Money Moves Series
Whether you’re just starting out in life, mid-career, preparing for retirement or living in it, there are smart money moves you can make to help you stay on track financially, take advantage of opportunities and have a game plan when the unexpected occurs.
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Will the Upcoming Election Hurt Your Investments?
Nothing is more polarizing than presidential elections. People get very emotional when discussing the pros and cons of candidates and the future state of the country. And those very emotions can sometimes send the markets reeling.
Ask the Financial Counselor: Navigating Money Setbacks
By Susana Raya
Susan is a financial expert with GreenPath Financial Wellness, the national nonprofit organization that provides financial counseling, education and products to empower people to lead financially healthy lives. Through their work with GreenPath, Susana has helped people with debt and credit management, homeownership education, and foreclosure prevention.
As the pandemic continues, many Americans are trying to figure out how to juggle expenses, get the most mileage out of unemployment, and keep current with housing and other essentials. And while financial relief programs have helped, whether they’ll be extended to provide further aid is uncertain. Continue reading
It’s a Money Thing: 4 Credit Score Myths Debunked
Credit scores are an area of personal finance that seem a lot more mysterious than they actually are. Many people believe that improving them is a matter of trial and error and, as a result, there’s a lot of “credit score advice” floating around that can end up doing more harm than good. Four common credit score myths have been rounded up and debunked below:
A Member’s Financial Journey – Sheela H. (Videos)
Although Sheela’s credit score was at an all-time low due to circumstances beyond her control, the Credit Union looked beyond that drop in her score and saw a Member worth taking a chance on. See her remarkable journey from financial crisis to financial freedom.
California’s New Consumer Privacy Act: Know Your Rights
The majority of Americans are growing more concerned about how companies and the government collect and use their personal information, according to a recent survey by Pew Research Center. Eight in 10 consumers believe that the potential risks of data collection overshadow any potential benefits.
This sentiment is not surprising, given the data breaches that have occurred over the last few years. To increase individuals’ privacy rights, legislators passed the California Consumer Privacy Act bill (CCPA) in 2018. The law became effective Jan. 1, although enforcement begins July 1, 2020. This will give companies adequate time to comply with CCPA requirements. It’s likely that other states will follow California’s lead with their own privacy laws in the near future. Continue reading