7 Tips to Stay Safe While Online Shopping
How can you stay safe and protect your identity? Identity theft occurs when someone uses personal information without your permission — like your name, Social Security number or credit card number — to commit fraud or other crimes.
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that millions of Americans have their identities stolen each year. While it can be a challenge to guarantee you won’t become a victim of identity theft, you can minimize your risk with the following tips.
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Minimalize Your Life and Your Finances
The home decorating business is a billion-dollar industry, and for good reason. For many people, nothing makes a house feel like a home quite like photos, artwork, and soft pillows. However, in recent years, the minimalist lifestyle has gained fans. From tiny houses to spare, clean bedrooms, minimalists are proving they have really good design taste. But the truth is they've readjusted their mindset to appreciate the things they have and purge the things that don't bring joy.
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Stay Safe at the ATM
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are convenient way to access your funds using your debit card. That convenience also appeals to crooks. For that reason, it’s important to learn how to access your funds safely and protect them from being accessible by others.
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Show Your Teens Smart Financial Behavior
Do money talks with your teenagers begin and end with “How much do you need…”? Our advice is don’t tell teens what they need to know—show them.
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5 Ways to Make Money Resolutions That Stick
The New Year is a time for new beginnings. Are you ready to make money resolutions that stick? Eliminating debt, learning new spending habits, or building savings are choices that can change your life. They can affect your entire well-being from stress levels, to physical and mental health. When considered as one big New Year’s goal, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. To make it possible in the year ahead, here are five tips to commit to your financial health.
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Payday Loans Aren't Worth the Cost
When money is tight and you don’t know if you’ll be able to make your rent or keep the lights on, you start looking for ways to find quick cash. You have options, including loans from ICCU, but whatever you do, don’t go to a payday lender. It’s a trap that will hold you captive far too long and cost you many times more than you borrow.
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Tips for Last Minute Holiday Shoppers
Some people are experts at the Holiday shopping. They start shopping for Christmas at the beginning of the New Year, searching for deals year-round... For the rest of us, here are some great tips for last-minute holiday shopping…
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To Pay Down Debt, First You Have to Save
When you want to pay off debt fast, that impulse often means depleting your savings. So how do you pay off debt AND save money?
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Tips to Avoid a Holiday Spending Hangover
You can survive the season without suffering a fiscal holiday hangover. By examining the reasons for overspending, planning how much you’ll spend, and identifying what's important to your family, you can rein in your spending and rediscover the joy of the holidays.
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Simple Energy Projects to Save You a Bundle This Winter
With the cost of natural gas going up, heating bills are expected to increase up to 30% this winter. To conserve your money, it's time to consider ways to conserve energy in your home.
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5 Smart Money Moves
As the leaves are gone and the snow starts to fall, it's time to start thinking about your year-end money strategy. The fall and winter holidays are closer than you think. Use the following strategies to make the rest of the year count.
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4 Reasons You Should Pay with Your Phone
Using virtual wallets, like Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay, to purchase your everyday items may seem worrisome and new, at first. But there are several reasons why it is a much better alternative to using your physical card.
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Trim Your Holiday Spending
Save that New Year’s resolution for something besides paying down holiday debt. With a bit of planning and saving, and a little help from the Internet, you can keep your holiday spending in check.
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6 Steps Toward Financial Well Being
About half of Americans make New Year's resolutions each January, but only about 20% of people keep them. Getting into shape and achieving financial goals are among the most popular resolutions. (Statista.com)
While we can’t help you reach your ideal weight, we can share 6 ways to help you become financially fit in the new year:
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Financial Roadmap for the Suddenly Single
After the sudden loss of a spouse, it can be difficult to think straight—especially when it comes to finances. Although many people suggest holding off on big financial decisions after the recent death of a spouse, there are some things that just can’t wait.
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Mindfulness Is Key to Spending Control
Are you spending too much? For many Americans, the answer is, "Absolutely." The reasons are varied—lack of a budget or a desire to maintain appearances—but, to better manage your spending, many financial advisers recommend tracking your cash flow and monitoring your emotional state.
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Debit Card: Use my PIN or Use it as Credit?
Some people believe it’s safer to use a debit card as credit since they don’t have to enter their PIN. If you cover the keypad during the debit transaction and keep your card in your wallet when not in use, a debit transaction is as safe as a credit transaction.
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5 Ways Good Credit is Your Safety Net
A healthy savings account is your best defense against life’s curve balls. But sometimes setting aside some money every paycheck isn’t enough—particularly when you’re just starting out in life.
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