Personal Finance

Auto Loan: Bank or Dealership

If you are thinking about buying a car, you have probably wondered whether it is better to use dealer financing or finance through a bank or credit union. With dealer-arranged financing, the dealer collects information from you and forwards that information to one or more prospective auto lenders. Alternatively, with bank or other lender financing, you go directly to a bank, credit union, or finance company and apply for a loan. We refer to this type of loan as a “direct loan.” 

Posted on March 19, 2018

Six Steps to the Best Auto Deal

If you are in the market for a vehicle, start your journey here. You'll find tips for getting the best deal and protecting yourself and your money.

Posted on March 19, 2018

Four Must-Read Personal Finance Books

When it comes to reading books about finance, most people feel their eyes glossing over and their heads nodding off. Even if you do manage to plow through the first 10 pages of a dense financial saga, an unending wall of monetary mumbo jumbo can easily discourage you from...

Posted on December 6, 2017

Set Yourself Up for Early Retirement

Posted on December 6, 2017

Tips for Managing Spending

Managing spending and keeping up with your budget can be difficult tasks, but there are ways to make it easier to manage your spending, reach your financial goals and improve your financial well-being.

Posted on November 28, 2017

Are You and Your Future Spouse on the Same Page About Finances?

The most stereotypical, pre-marriage conversation that can make or break a relationship is generally about children. A conversation many couples unfortunately neglect is one regarding financial goals, which is too bad considering money can be one of the most contentious aspects of marriage. A study performed by Utah State University found couples who argued about finances at least once a week were more than 30 percent more likely to divorce.1 Their survey examined a variety of indicators to determine which aspects of marital discord were the most reliable forecaster for divorce. Of all the potential disputes analyzed–ranging from sex and quality time spent together to in-laws and household chores–disagreements about finances turned out to be the most accurate signal that divorce was a likely outcome.

Posted on October 24, 2017

Picture of Client Success on a Debt Management Plan

Info-graphic summary of one client's experience on a debt management plan. Get out of debt.

Posted on October 4, 2017

Your Five-Step Blended Retirement System Checklist to Success

The new Blended Retirement System (BRS) is coming in January 2018! If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or unsure about the BRS, that’s okay. It’s natural. Deciding whether the BRS is right for you is a big financial one-size-does-not-fit-all decision that has big implications on your military retirement.

Posted on September 21, 2017

Dream of Retirement? You Should! But It’s Expensive.

A recent Merrill Lynch Finances in Retirement survey found that the average cost of retirement for a U.S. worker, as of March 2017, was a staggering $738,400. Another survey by Fidelity estimates that a couple who retired at 65 have, on average, $260,000 of health care costs during retirement.

Posted on August 9, 2017

How to Start Managing Your Retirement Savings

Saving can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re not entirely confident in your investing abilities or secure in your current financial situation, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. There is rarely universal agreement among financial and investment professionals, so the fact that everyone says you should save for retirement, preferably as early as possible, should be a pretty clear indicator that it’s a good idea.

Posted on August 9, 2017