Financial Literacy

The pandemic forever changed our lives. It changed the way millions of people make and spend money.

One of the biggest challenges many face today is the uncertainty of various debt forgiveness programs and moratoriums the federal government enacted.

Now that tax season is winding down, it is a good time to give yourself a credit check-up. Consumer credit is becoming more expensive. It is imperative that your credit reports are accurate.

How do you decide how your money will be spent? 

Do you have a plan or are all expenditures spontaneous?

Are you sometimes torn between spending money on things you really want versus things you need? 

Think about your spending and savings habits. Have they changed much since the pandemic started? Are you better off now than you were before the pandemic?

The 2022 holidays are behind us and if you’re like me – and everyone else I know – inflation has really kicked you in the backside and has you dreading the momentary arrival of the credit card bills. For millions of us, 2022 was a boom to bust year.

Fuel prices are soaring to record highs amid natural gas, oil, and coal supply shortages which are expected to last through the winter. Home heating costs in the coming months are expected to be much higher than last year. In addition to wearing sweaters indoors, sealing leaky windows and doors, hanging heavier window coverings, replacing dirty heater filters, and making smarter decisions about energy usage, some people are considering becoming their own energy producers by installing small wind turbines and/or solar panels on their homes.

Are you struggling to make ends meet - again?

Are rising prices taking a big bite out of your wallet?

Have you ever wondered how you can afford to even live?

CARES ACT STUDENT LOAN RELIEF EXTENDED AGAIN THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2022

On August 6th, the Education Department announced they will extend student relief for millions of Americans. In what the department is calling the final extension, the moratorium on federal student loan payments, initially instituted by the Trump administration in March 2020, will now continue through January of 2022.

The FCRA permits credit bureaus to list positive information on your credit report indefinitely. Accurate negative information, such as a late payment or an account turned over to a collection agency, can remain on credit reports for 7 years. Bankruptcies may remain on credit reports for up to 10 years. Unpaid tax liens may remain for up to 15 years.