Citizens Blog

It’s the bargain-hunter’s favorite season-or is it? Before you brave the crowds this Black Friday, take a few minutes to read through our list of what to buy and what to skip so you come home only with true bargains.

We all grow up hearing the same financial advice: Spend less, save more and invest early. While most of these words of wisdom ring true, there are lots of widespread money management tips that are actually false. Outlined here are 7 money myths that might be causing you more financial stress than benefit.

Let your debt snowball grow by packing it with all your unexpected windfalls.

Increase your income this month to help you pay down debt.

Extracurricular activities are expensive. If you’ve got several school-aged children and each wants to participate in two activities, you can be looking at an investment as high as $10,000 or more for fees, equipment, uniforms, instruments and supplies.

You’ve organized your debt, you’ve set up an emergency fund and you’re working on spending less. You’re now ready to start getting rid of that debt…for good!

It’s hard to believe, but 2019 is half over. Take a timeout from barbecues and beaches to give yourself a mid-year financial checkup. Use the seven steps below to guide you.

Riiiing! You race for the phone, but the caller has already hung up—after just one ring. How rude! You thumb through the Caller ID, poised to give your mysterious caller a ring back when you note the strange area code. Should you, or shouldn’t you, make this call?

Now that we have a budget, let’s slim it down!

This month, you’re going to organize your finances. Hold onto every receipt, bill, paystub and invoice you produce throughout the month. Sometime during the last week of May, sit down with all of your paperwork and start crunching the numbers.