Purchasing your first home can feel like a rite of passage. It’s a part of the American dream that you might have always imagined as part of your future, so once you’re ready to make it a reality, you want to do it right.  There’s a lot that goes into buying a home, whether it’s your first, or you just haven’t owned a home in a while, but having the best resources and information will help you have a successful experience.  You can use this First Time Home Buyer Guide to help you through the process of purchasing your first home. Who is a First Time Home Buyer? When you… read more »

Qualifying for a mortgage can feel like a daunting task with all of the paperwork, documentation, and steps needed to go from pre-approval to closing. However, having an understanding of the mortgage loan process in advance can make the journey easier. Keep reading for a simple step-by-step guide to getting a home mortgage loan. Prepare Your Finances Before you ever apply for a mortgage, you want to prepare your finances for making this large purchase. To do so, here are a few steps you should take: Check your credit score Your credit score is a significant indicator of your ability to qualify for a mortgage. That’s why it’s essential to… read more »

Life situations differ wildly, so buying a home will look a little different for each person and family. As such, mortgage loans come in numerous types to accommodate many different scenarios. Fixed-Rate Mortgage The most common type of mortgage is a fixed-rate loan. Fixed-rate mortgages have an interest rate that remains consistent throughout the life of the loan, meaning monthly payments are predictable. When to choose a fixed-rate loan These mortgages are fairly standard, which means many home buyers opt for them. They tend to be best for buyers with good credit who buy when rates are low since they can lock in a solid rate early on. It’s worth… read more »

When you hear about rewards credit cards, what do you think? I’m sure points and bonuses and cash-back galore come to mind. What’s better than getting rewarded for spending money?  While rewards credit card might seem straight to the point, you could be wondering, how do credit card rewards work? Keep reading to get all of the details about how credit card points work and how to get the most from your rewards card.  What Are Credit Card Rewards Points? If your credit card offers rewards points, you earn points for the money you spend with your credit card. You can then redeem those points for gift cards, cash-back, travel… read more »

For most people, a checking account acts as the mothership of their financial life. Paychecks are deposited, bills are paid, cash is withdrawn, and debit cards are connected—all from this one place. Essentially, checking accounts are the home base for our everyday financial activity. But what are the benefits of a checking account? In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 checking account benefits so that you can take full advantage of them. Top 10 Checking Account Advantages From earning interest to accessing online banking tools—these are not the same checking accounts your grandparents once had. By leveraging checking account benefits, you can manage your money more efficiently and improve… read more »

Your credit card is a quick and convenient way to pay for necessities and fund the things you need. Credit cards from both credit unions and banks allow you to make purchases in stores and online, but there are some key differences in the services offered by these very different financial institutions. In this article, we answer your questions about how credit union vs. bank credit cards differ and how this affects the services and options you can expect when using the cards they provide. We’ll also summarize the pros and cons of getting your credit card from a bank or credit union. We’ll consider:   What’s the Difference Between Credit… read more »

Banks and credit unions offer a variety of options when you want to store your money. The key to making the best decision is taking your current financial needs and goals into consideration. Money Market Account vs. Savings Account Two popular options are the money market account and basic savings account. This post will outline the difference between the two, the pros, and cons of each option, and how to choose the best one that suits your financial needs. What Is A Money Market Account? A money market account is also known as a money market deposit account (MMDA). It is an interest bearing account which provides a higher interest… read more »

Many of us are guilty of opening a checking and/or savings account but not fully understanding their benefits or how to use them properly to make the most of our money. Each account has a different purpose and function, so understanding the differences helps you choose the right combination for you. This can help you manage your personal finances, minimize overspending and make your hard earned money go further. What Is A Checking Account? A checking account allows you to write checks, or withdrawal funds, as an everyday way to pay others. In the not so distant past, this was primarily done in the form of paper checks – documents… read more »

The amount of money you keep in your checking account is important. Since the goal of a checking account is to process transactions, checking accounts shouldn’t necessarily hold a large sum of money. Rather, they should provide enough funds to cover the transactions you plan to make within any given period of time. Breaking Down How Much Money To Keep In Checking Account When you learn how much money to keep in your checking account, you can make sure your funds are working for you in the best way possible. There are a few things to consider. Money Going In, Money Going Out The key factor to keep in mind… read more »