Smart Money Blog

You may think you’re doing pretty well financially. You keep up with your everyday bills without too much trouble. You have a credit card or two in case of emergency. So why save? If you’re not saving, you could find yourself in…

You may have heard the advice, “Pay yourself first.” The idea is to set aside a portion of every dollar you receive and use that money for saving or investing. But which one should come first: Saving or investing? Or…

I needed to make a quick trip to the grocery store on a recent evening. So, I got in my car, turned the key, flipped on the headlights, and started backing out of the garage. But I didn’t get very…

If you’re a Millennial and are thinking about buying a home in the near future, you’re not alone. Credit bureau TransUnion estimates there will be between 2.8 and 3.4 million first-time home buyers per year over the next five years,…

"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” (Proverbs 17:17, NLT) It’s wedding season! You’ve probably got a few dates circled on your calendar for weddings to attend this summer. It’s fun…

Love getting together with friends but worried about how much those weekly outings are costing you? You don’t want to offer excuses that make you feel like a bad friend. And you don’t want to get yourself into debt by…

You might prefer to use electronic payment options, but paper checks are still important. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2013 study, 18.3 billion checks are written every year. Another study by market research firm New Heights Research showed that over half of all…

"For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10, NLT) Many of us shop with cards instead of…

Your 20s are an exciting time, and you should enjoy them to the fullest. You probably have lots of people offering advice on some of your life choices, especially your finances. Lately, some folks have been recommending that young people…

Whether it’s your first time buying a vehicle or you’re looking to replace your current ride, doing some pre-purchase homework is essential. Here are a few tips to help you get the most car for your money. Keep your goals realistic.You might…