Thinking about buying a home? Before you start browsing dream neighborhoods or house plans, it is important to focus on the cost of homeownership. Understanding the financial side of homeownership will set you up for success. Down Payments The cost of buying a home depends on location and the type of property you choose. Regardless
File and Save on Taxes Getting organized early to file your 2024 taxes can reduce stress and help you file on time. Start planning now to ensure your return is in order and you maximize credits and deductions that can lower your tax bill. The IRS processed 163 million individual tax returns last year with
Savvy money scams are on the rise because of new digital technologies that make managing money and buying the things you need easier. But the rise in apps, digital wallets, and online shopping also is a thief’s paradise, with consumers losing billions to fraud each year. Scammers are becoming smarter at hacking into company systems,
6 Ways to Protect Yourself from Fraud Keep hard copies of all credit and debit cards in a safe, secure place. Use double-authentication on all online banking transactions. Never click on any suspicious-looking links or download anything when you’re unfamiliar with the source. Don’t share sensitive information online unless you can absolutely verify the identity
If you follow the news, you may realize major data breach headlines are frequent. At DoverPhila Federal Credit Union, your financial success and safety are our primary goals. To help keep your information and finances secure, we’ve created an informational guide to data breaches and what you need to do to protect yourself. What’s a
The holidays are inching closer, but that big shopping frenzy has not started yet. There are no big shopping holidays this month either, but you can still pick up a scary-good deal in October. Here is what to buy, and what to skip this month. BUY: JEANSThe September sales on jeans will get better in
Not every bargain is a bargain. Unfortunately, it can be hard to spot the bogus bargains from genuine finds. Here are five times when a bargain is not one. When you had not planned to buy the item. If you find a new home speaker system marked down from $399 to $249, you just scored
GATHER YOUR INFORMATION The first step in prepping for tax season is to gather all the necessary documents. Depending on your personal circumstances, these can include: W-2 forms 1099 forms Receipts and invoices Mortgage and loan documents Investment statements Business income and expenses Other miscellaneous income ORGANIZE YOUR FINANCES Store all your documents and receipts
By adequately managing a credit card, you can earn rewards and build your credit score while making regular purchases. GET THE RIGHT CARDThe first step to best using a credit card is to get the right one. That means doing your research. It would help if you considered your spending habits and priorities regarding rewards.
Traveling doesn’t come cheap, and part of keeping your finances intact during vacation includes knowing the best way to pay for your purchases during your getaway. Should you primarily use cash, debit, or credit cards? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each choice so you can make an informed decision during your vacation.
Money tips can be helpful, but it’s important to remember that not all advice is created equal. Let’s look at three common money tips that aren’t as great as their claim. 1: The latte factor. The claim: Cutting out your daily latte will solve all your money problems. The truth: Trimming discretionary expenses will only
Despite its bad rap, not all debt is bad debt. Some are actually beneficial for the debtor and considered “good debt.” Here’s a look at the factors defining good debt, the various types of good debt, and how to keep debt from going bad. WHAT IS GOOD DEBT? Good debt helps you build wealth or
The holidays are in the rearview, but if you’ve gone over budget with your spending, it’s time to deal with the aftermath, which is coming head-on. Here’s how you can get your budget back on track. Review your holiday spendingHow much debt did this season’s spending set you back? Spend some time crunching the numbers,
January begins with a bang, but there are no major shopping holidays once the new year begins. Of course, you can still pick up great bargains this month or find that you’ve overpaid for something when its price drops right after you’ve purchased it. Here’s what to buy and what to skip in January. Buy:
The holidays are nipping at your heels and there’s still a lot to do! It probably seems like your stress levels keep rising while the money in your wallet keeps dwindling. It doesn’t have to be this way. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy a stress-free and affordable holiday season. Not buying what
Whether you’re finishing up your holiday shopping or looking for year-end bargains in any category this month, here’s what to buy and what to skip in December. Buy: ElectronicsLots of retailers keep the leftovers from November’s sales marked down through December. Look for discounted electronics at big box stores, online retailers, and directly from
Sticking to a budget during times of high inflation is challenging—but not impossible. Here are five ways to help make it happen: Plan Your Grocery PurchasesFirst, shop your pantry and fridge before hitting the store. You may not remember what you have at home, so a quick scan can help you stick to purchasing only
The biggest shopping month of the year is here! Before you charge up a storm, though, remember that not all “Black Friday Deals” are really worthy of the label. Here’s what to buy and what to skip in November. Buy: Headphones & Audio Gear Tune into your favorite holiday jams with a pair of state-of-the-art
With summer winding down and autumn creeping in, are you ready for some fantasy football? Fantasy football is so much more than an addictive hobby! Fantasy football can teach you financial lessons for life. Do Your ResearchKnowing which NFL players to “draft” to your team on your league’s draft day is crucial. If you
Get ready for big savings on big-ticket items this September! Retailers want to bring the crowds back after the big back-to-school storm has passed, and to clear the shelves before the holiday season blows in. All that, plus the Labor Day sales, means big savings in September—but not on everything. Here’s what to buy and
