Personal Insights

Explore insights for your lifestyle

Investing

Beware of These Common Investing Mistakes

You take your car in for service and hire contractors to renovate your house. The same logic applies to investing.
If you started investing without a plan, it's not too late to put one in place.
Saving

Have You Considered CD Laddering as a Savings Strategy?

CD laddering is ideal for those who want FDIC-insured savings, higher interest rates and protection from market risk.
With CD laddering, you invest money in multiple CDs with different maturity levels instead of investing in one CD and waiting for it to mature.
Credit

Considering Differences Between Rewards Cards

Comparing rewards programs can help you find the right credit card for your goals and spending style.
The most common rewards cards offer one of three types of benefits: cash back, travel miles or rewards points.
Family

4 Things to Know When Receiving an Inheritance

Minimizing taxes on any inheritance you receive can leave you more to use for your needs.
For some, an inheritance may be more complicated than simply being handed a stack of money.
Family

Follow These Rules on Gifting Money to Family

Financial gifts can help both you and the recipient, but it's also important to discuss specifics with both a financial advisor and tax professional.
A financial gift to a child can help teach them basics about money or even the stock market.
Family

Add Flexibility to Your Work-Life Balance

Balancing your work life with personal issues like caring for a parent can be challenging.
Experts suggest keeping your work life and caregiving responsibilities as separate as possible.
Investing

A Primer on Balancing Pretax Contributions

Both 401(k)s and health savings accounts have different advantages and disadvantages to consider.
An HSA has the capability of having a triple tax advantage, which is why it's so useful.
Budgeting

How to Maximize Year-End Charitable Giving

Any time is a good time to carefully consider how you can best benefit yourself and the institutions you want to help.
Start by considering which causes you care most about. Is it access to education, animal welfare or maybe the arts?
Insurance

Is Your Life Insurance Keeping Up With Your Life?

Your insurance should change as your earnings, lifestyle and family situations change.
Think of life insurance as the foundation of your financial house.
Budgeting

How to Budget for Vacation

Making a budget and being flexible can help you save on your next trip.
Creating a budget for a vacation is more than just putting money away. It's about finding savvy ways to save on every aspect of your vacation.
Budgeting

Want to Improve Your Financial Stress and Mental Health?

Pay attention to your wallet. Financial stressors can greatly impact mental and physical health.
A majority of Americans surveyed say money is a significant source of stress in their lives.
Security

How to Combat Online Identity Theft

Follow these best practices to reduce your risk of identity theft.
As you engage with service providers online, post on social media and upload your information on different websites, identity theft will continue to be a risk.
Career

Stop Fearing a Credit Check for Employment

Stressed about how a credit check for employment could impact your career? Fear not.
Any employer that wants to conduct a credit check for employment must secure your written approval to do so.
Budgeting

Ways to Beat Fall Financial Stress

There are many ways to manage the stress that comes with weather changes and holiday prepping.
Fortunately, once you've identified what's causing you anxiety, there are ways to manage your stress—both financial and emotional.
Family

How to Manage and Pay for Long-Term Care for Parents

Managing care for an ailing parent should start with important conversations.
If your parents already need significant care—or may soon need more—the time to plan is now.
Banking

Here's When You Should Write a Personal Check

Sometimes, writing out a check is the best way to go.
Depending on the circumstances, personal checks can offer advantages over digital methods.

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