Building a strong financial foundation can reduce stress and pave the way for achieving your life goals. In this post, we'll share some practical tips to help you on your journey to financial wellness.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and it’s a perfect reminder that, whether you’re browsing at home or running a business, staying safe online really matters.

As Things Heat Up, Place a Credit Freeze to Stop Fraud in Its Tracks With summer in full swing and activity picking up everywhere, it’s the perfect time to make sure your personal information is protected. Just as you take steps to stay cool and safe in the summer heat, you can also take proactive steps to keep your finances secure—starting with a credit freeze. Let’s take a closer look at how placing a credit freeze can stop fraud in its tracks—and why it could be the smartest step you take...

Tax season is here and fraudsters are using tax returns and taxes owed to scam consumers. What are Common Tax Scams Tax Refund Scams These scams occur when fraudsters contact you by phone, email, or text, claiming you are owed a refund. Their goal is to trick you into providing personal information—such as your bank account number or Social Security number—which they can then use to steal your money or identity. Tax Credit Scams Fraudsters sometimes use social media to promote credits, such...

With technology evolving, scammers are upping their game. Here are some standout fraud trends for 2026. Impersonation Scams Romance, Affinity, or ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams These scams share one thing: someone posing as a friend or romantic interest online. Over time, they build trust before urging you to invest in a fake opportunity or rush into sending funds for a supposed emergency. Deep Fake Impersonations Advances in AI now let scammers create convincing fake audio and video of celebrities,...

Do Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) cause you to scratch your head? Don’t fret - we have a handy breakdown of the benefits of Health Savings Accounts, eligibility, and tips for how your money can work best for you. HSA Benefits Tax Advantages: While you should always confirm with a tax professional, HSAs generally have tax advantages like contributions being tax-deductible, qualified withdrawals are tax-free, and any interest on the funds grow tax deferred.* Funds don’t expire: Unlike Flex or...

We often start diets in the new year to try and achieve better health, but many of us could also use a “spending diet” after holiday shopping. If you are looking for ways to update your budget and save money in the new year these tips can help. Setting a Budget A spending diet is really just a funny way to talk about budgeting. Budgeting is a great way to help you see where you are spending money, decide what is a need vs want, and how you can achieve your financial goals. Budgeting Step 1:...

It’s not especially romantic to think about romance scams, but February is the perfect time for a refresher on how scammers want to use your heart to steal your money. You might think that these scams will only happen on online dating sites, but they occur on social media sites, online games, chat rooms, and more so it’s important to recognize the warning signs of romance scams. The FTC, Federal Trade Commission, has a list of things to watch for when interacting with new friends online....

It’s a new year and if one of your resolutions is to avoid fraud and scams in 2026, we have 7 tips to help you! Tip 1: When in Doubt Hang Up or Delete This can help you avoid scammers who may contact you by phone, text, email, or social media. If you are unsure whether a call, text, or email is legitimate, you should hang up or stop responding. Then, contact the organization directly using their official phone number. For example, if someone claims to be from the D.L. Evans Bank fraud...

Preparing your home for winter might seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of planning and organization, it can become an enjoyable autumn project rather than a dreaded chore. By breaking down a long list of winterizing tasks into smaller, manageable steps throughout the fall season, you not only reduce stress but also ensure that your home is well-prepared before the chill sets in. Taking advantage of the relatively warm weekends allows you to focus on seasonal maintenance with ease...

Money Saving Halloween Costume and Decor Ideas Halloween is the perfect time to get creative with your celebrations, and you can do so without breaking your budget by using Halloween clearance items, DIY Halloween decorations, and a little ingenuity. Whether you're asking yourself, "What should I be for Halloween?" or looking for Halloween decoration ideas, there are plenty of ways to showcase your unique Halloween spirit that are both fun and inexpensive. Explore Halloween Clearance Stores...

As students dive into college life and new routines, we've got some fun tips to help them manage their money. Let's make those educational journeys a bit smoother with smart financial habits! Tip 1: Record Expenses It’s hard to understand where your money is going if you don’t keep track of your purchases. By taking the time to record your spending, you’ll see exactly where your money goes and can build your budget accordingly. The good news is there are lots of tools to help with budgeting,...