This is a great time of year to get organized and back on track. Something about the return of regular schedules after a nice summer break leaves many people feeling ready to take on the world. Still, going into the end of the calendar (and tax) year can also leave us a bit anxious about our financial situations.
Money.com recently reported that nearly a third of people who earn $75,000 per year are actually living paycheck to paycheck. This means they have no emergency funds available and no savings plan in place. It also means that an unexpected misfortune such as a leaky roof, medical expense, or temporary job loss could easily put a family into big trouble.
Here are some simple ways to get your finances on track so you can build up an emergency fund, pay off debt, and build a long-term savings plan:
Category: Budgeting & Debt Reduction
According to a recent study, the average American household spends $64 per month on internet service. If you’re looking to reduce that cost, here are some ways to do that.
It’s tax season again! Do you dread filing your taxes each year? We don’t have any secrets for making the process more fun, but we do have some tips that will hopefully make it a bit easier.
They say money and friends don’t mix, and there’s certainly some truth to that. However, life isn’t always black and white. One day you might find yourself in a situation where you are pondering lending money to a loved one. If that happens, consider the following before going through with the transaction.
Will there be a sweet tax refund check coming your way? Even though you may be excited about this lump sum of cash hitting your banking accounts, consider your options before going on a shopping spree. If you use this money to your advantage, you could improve your finances for long-term benefits. Here are some smart ways to spend your tax refund:
Giving children an allowance can help them build better spending and saving habits. It’s hard to learn the true value of money without actually having some money to save and spend. That’s why setting aside a specific amount each week as an allowance for your children can be a good way to show them, among other things, that cash is a limited resource.
Setting a financial goal is easy. Attaining that goal is the hard part. Here are some ways to make the road to your financial goal as smooth as possible.
Winter is here, which means it’s time to start focusing on your heating bills. If you use gas to heat your home, inflation is going to make things tough. According to a study from the Energy Information Administration, you’ll likely spend about 30 percent more on heating costs this winter. No matter how you heat your home, there are ways to reduce the expense. Here are some tips that should help:
Was ‘saving money’ or ‘making more money’ on your list of New Year’s resolutions? Are you one of the millions of Americans who reach each payday with less than a few hundred dollars in your checking account, or even a completely empty checking account?
According to a study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, groceries are going to get more expensive. The report suggested prices will likely increase between 1.5 percent and 2.5 percent during the next year. One way to save on groceries is to buy things in bulk. Here are some items that are usually worth buying in bulk:
Maybe you are saving up for a big post pandemic vacation or a new home or both. Maybe you’re just done being — or at least feeling — broke every January. Whatever the reason, it’s possible to make it through the holiday season and live within your means so you can keep on stashing away cash for your short-term and long-term financial goals.
Did you know the average US adult spends over $700 a year on gifts? In addition, we often can’t help ourselves while we’re shopping for others, and we end up also spending money on ourselves while out shopping. And that’s not even including the hundreds of dollars we spend on wrapping, cards, groceries, decorations, clothes and hairstyling for parties, and the gas, mileage, babysitting, and restaurant expenses it takes to get out and go shopping.
It’s that time of year again, when the weather starts getting cooler, and kids start getting excited about trick-or-treating for Halloween! Have you noticed the specialty Halloween stores popping up nearby your community? Have no fear– you can make your own Halloween costumes and save some money in the process!
There’s a growing community of people who are strategically planning to retire much earlier than 65, 60, or even 50 years old. These people are making radical changes to their lifestyles and financial plans. They are looking to achieve “financial independence” and to “retire early.” Shortened to an acronym, that becomes F-I-R-E, and the FIRE movement is gaining popularity with millennials.
Food is a necessary cost – you can’t avoid feeding yourself and your family! Here are our Top 10 ways to cut some of the cost and put some of the money back into your pocket every week:
Are you expecting a tax refund this year? While it can be exciting to have an unexpected chunk of cash suddenly available, consider your options before going on a shopping spree. You could use this money to your advantage and improve your finances for long-term benefits. Here are some smart ways to spend your tax refund:
School shopping might look a little different this year, but here are some timeless tips for how to save money during the “back to school” shopping season.
Did you know that there are special rewards available to you as a member of Merrimack Valley Credit Union? Here are some of the fabulous benefits our members enjoy:
How would your life change if you were able to save $200 a month? Did you know that’s less than $7 per day? It could be as easy as skipping a fancy latte and snack each day. If you make this a daily habit, save this little stash of money, and utilize it smartly… it can do wonders for your financial situation over time.
Do you know about Massachusetts’ first statewide college savings program, BabySteps? The goal of this program is to ensure every family has the opportunity for future success! BabySteps will provide $50 towards every child born or adopted in the Commonwealth upon opening a 529 college savings account. This program is designed to help all parents save for their child’s higher education, and level the playing field for all children in Massachusetts.
Each May there’s a special “Herb Day” holiday in May, which was created in 2006 to encourage people to learn more about how to use herbs in their daily lives. So what does this have to do with your finances?
Using debt consolidation as a tool to lower your monthly payments and interest If you’re like most Americans, you may be juggling several different payment responsibilities each month: credit cards, car loans, store credit cards, gas credit cards and even student loans. It can be overwhelming!
It is officially summertime, you’ve put in the request for some time off at work and you’re ready for some much needed R&R! You finally start to plan out your vacation getaway, and then… you see that the expenses are adding up quickly. The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination and realize you’re out of money. So how do you plan a vacation without overspending, that also fits your budget?!
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When you’re 25 years old, retirement seems so far away. Even though I have at least 40 more years in the work force (sigh) I still know that one day I am going to be burnt out from working 5 days a week- I already am! Eventually, I’ll need to stop working as hard as I am now to enjoy some relaxation except I can’t get to that point if I run out of money prematurely.
Hi my name is Olivia and I am a total clothes horse. I buy for a mixture of reasons, including being a spin instructor so always “needing” new workout sets or severely overestimating the amount of times I go outside my house. In reality, I wear the same t-shirt and sweatpants every day (yay for working from home!). Essentially, I have spent so much on clothes that my bedroom has started to look like a TJ Maxx popup shop.
When I was young, I was gifted the coolest plastic safe. It was deep grey with a bright purple handle that you would spin to open and it had clinking sound effects whenever you opened the safe and deposited money. Since this was before I had a savings account, I threw all of my money in there until it would all fall out when I opened the safe.
You could spend this summer between high school and college vegging out, or you could use the next few months to get ahead. Here are some quick tips for making the most of this special summer:
According to a survey from CreditCards.com, “47% of Americans are carrying credit card debt.” This statistic would make my grandfather furious if he heard it. He would often say to me, “Vivi, the world started to go downhill once they introduced plastic money!” Following my grandfather’s testament to the downfall of society, he would then tell me the story of how he used to always leave a wad of cash in his work locker for emergencies.
When you were a little kid, did you dream of being a millionaire? Did it sound like a magical fantasy that would allow you to live a luxurious life? Well… experts are now warning that one million dollars may no longer be enough savings to fund your retirement, depending on your personal circumstances.
This is a great time of year to get organized and back on track. Something about the return of regular schedules after a nice summer break leaves many people feeling ready to take on the world. Still, going into the end of the calendar (and tax) year can also leave us a bit anxious about our financial situations.
It’s a new year and a fresh start. Did you make any financial resolutions for the New Year? Here are 3 common financial resolutions, and some ideas of how to actually accomplish them this year:
It’s a new year! Now is a great opportunity to develop some positive savings habits to build or refresh your Emergency Savings account.
Life is unpredictable. It doesn’t matter how much you plan; sometimes, things pop up that can be very expensive! Having money saved for planned and unplanned events can help you manage financial stress.
Who doesn’t love the freedom of being able to purchase anything from the comfort of your couch? So many consumers have pivoted from in-store purchases to surfing the web for their wants and needs. Here are five ways to save money or get rewards for your purchases when shopping online:
Are you tired of having to choose between saving money and having fun? Do you find it challenging to stick to a budget because you need to catch up on the things that make life enjoyable? Here are six easy ways to enjoy life while still being financially responsible!
We all know that we need to have money saved for a rainy day or for fun things like vacations or nights out! However, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all savings account. There are several ways to save money, and each type of account has different benefits. Understanding all your options is key to making the right decision for your financial needs:
It’s that time of year again: the temperatures are high, and the kids are home on summer vacation. Summer vacation is a time to make memories and spend quality time together as a family. However, it can also be challenging and expensive to keep kids busy. We’ve put together some simple craft projects you can make at home. Save yourself from hearing “I’m bored” without spending an arm and a leg!
Getting older isn’t the worst thing, especially with all the senior discounts available. Whether you are grocery shopping or buying new shoes, you might be able to score some savings. Here’s a list of 10 spots in our own backyard that offer discounts. Please note that discounts occasionally change, so please contact your local stores ahead of time to confirm!
Need a smart strategy to save on essential school supplies? Planning your dream vacation or gearing up for the holiday season? With a club account, you can save for essential school supplies, exciting vacations, and joyful holiday celebrations, making your financial goals more attainable and stress-free.
Did you know you can open a savings account with your child? It’s never too early to introduce them to important life lessons and the importance of saving. Opening a savings account for your child is a great way to introduce them to the value of money.
As temperatures rise in the summer months, so do our utility bills. However, with a few mindful practices, you can keep your energy costs in check, while staying comfortable at home.
Seven-Eleven Day is here! For those not familiar with the significance of this day, on July 11th every year, 7-Eleven stores across the country celebrate with free Slurpees for all their customers. It’s the perfect way to beat the summer heat and indulge in a variety of flavors.
The beginning of the school year is an exciting time for families, but it also comes with the stress of managing expenses. From school supplies to clothing and extracurricular activities, the costs can quickly add up. Here are some saving strategies to help you send your kids back to school prepared:
Halloween is a time for spooky fun, but it can also bring a scare to your wallet if you're not careful. From costumes to decorations and treats, the costs can add up quickly. Here’s how to manage your Halloween budget and keep your spending under control while still enjoying the festivities.