Cheers to a Cybersecure Holiday Shopping Season!

Written by Nathan Woolard

            The gift giving season is just around the corner, and the thrill of hunting down the perfect presents is sure to kick in full force.  However, if COVID-19 has you doing some or all of your shopping online, take a little extra time to protect yourself.  If you’re not staying on guard, it can be easy to fall into the traps laid by cybercriminals to steal your personal and financial...
Read More

Written by Nathan Woolard

            According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost $1.9 billion to phishing and other fraud in 2019.  Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain confidential information via phone call, text, or email.  Criminals will imitate legitimate businesses, including banks, to trick you into giving them personal information.  October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the American...
Read More

The Monthly Costs of Homeownership

Written by Nathan Woolard

When you think about the costs of homeownership, the most obvious consideration tends to be monthly mortgage payments.  However, there are a number of hidden expenses involved in the process that novice buyers might not see coming.  From property taxes to insurance to utilities of all kinds, it’s important to understand the various costs bound to come your way.  Here’s a list of potential...
Read More

How to Pay Off Student Loans Faster

Written by Nathan Woolard

The cost of attending college in America has never been higher, and neither has the growing mountain of student debt.  Paying back loans has become an ever-steeper battle and many people are struggling to keep up.  It’s not a fun subject to dwell on, but it is one that merits some increased effort to push through.  The sooner you pay off your student loans, the sooner you’ll be able to...
Read More

COVID-19 Credit Card Management Tips

Written by Nathan Woolard

If you or your family are dealing with loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be struggling to make even the minimum payment due on your credit cards.  To make matters worse, you may also find yourself needing to use your credit cards to pay for daily essentials that normally would have been covered by your paycheck.  However, if you require extra aid, some credit card issuers are being more...
Read More

Dealing with the Financial Hardships of COVID-19

Written by Nathan Woolard

It’s impossible to downplay the fact that we are living through an unusual and frightening time.  As businesses have closed to protect against the spread of COVID-19, countless employees have been let go and left to deal with ever-mounting financial woes without income to compensate for it.  However, if you or your family are struggling to make ends meet, there are resources available...
Read More

Teaching Kids about Money

Written by Nathan Woolard

Children are by nature curious and observant, so remember that you are always teaching them, whether you intend to or not.  You set an example through your actions and your attitude, and the youngsters may absorb more than you expect.  With that in mind, make sure you’re...
Read More

Smart Ways to Spend Your Stimulus Check

Written by Nathan Woolard

So, you’re getting a stimulus check and wonder how you should spend it.  While you may be tempted to burn the money on that big screen TV you’ve been wanting or to make reservations for a future vacation, there are a number of wiser decisions to consider:

Don’t Fall Victim to COVID-19 Scams

Written by Nathan Woolard

As our communities and the world find ourselves trying to navigate our way along the uncertain path set for us by the COVID-19 pandemic, we must also be vigilant to protect ourselves from those who are trying to take advantage of a panicked society.

In an advisory released by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger warned that “Fraudsters frequently prey upon vulnerable...
Read More

Protecting Yourself from IRS Impersonations

Written by Nathan Woolard

In our August blog, we discussed the effects of data breaches and how to minimize damage taken in their aftermath.  However, not all information theft occurs on such a widespread or impersonal level.  Many scammers make their approach on a more direct level to nab your information straight from the source:  you.  Some of the most commonly employed scams are run by individuals impersonating...
Read More