Author: Meredith Olmstead

5 Tips to Relieve Your Debt and Stress The average debt load for Americans, including mortgages and car loans, is $132,529. Of that, over $16,000 is tied up in credit cards. All of this debt contributes to a high level of stress for many families. If you’re ready to take charge of what you owe...

Are you concerned that someone could leverage your personal information and drain bank accounts or rack up credit cards? In the age of digital bandits, we all need to take proactive measures to ensure identity theft protection because things like Social Security numbers, ATM card PINs, and other dat...

With the holidays coming up soon, you’re probably surrounded by beautiful and charming holiday decorations every time you leave your home. Maybe you’re wishing that your home could be holiday ready, but you just don’t have a big budget for holiday decorations. The good news: You do...

Christmas would not feel like Christmas without the decorations filling our surroundings with the magic, sparkling warmth of the season. After you have baked your cookies, start a tradition of crafting Christmas decorations with your family to give away as gifts or to adorn your home with memories...

As we move into the busiest part of the holiday season, you’ll hear a constant countdown: How many days left until Christmas? Whether you started shopping super early or you haven’t even thought about what to buy everyone yet, it’s helpful to know where you can get the best holiday...

Scammers have nearly perfected the art of bringing unsuspecting people into their confidence and then defrauding them of hard-earned retirement resources. Many begin their investment fraud schemes by contacting everyday people with seemingly valid reasons to invest in their proposals. Our valued eld...

Even in today’s robust economy, families are tasked with striking a delicate balance between leisure spending and necessities. College funds, healthcare, and home improvements rank among the high-priority items that require smart investment. On the other hand, life is for living, and taking the cl...

Whether you’re planning a great American road trip or a Paris vacation, working families often save and budget for extended getaways. Getting the best bang for your buck can open opportunities such as remaining on vacation longer or more money for activities you may have considered too expensive. ...

Every year, billions of dollars are lost from cyber scams. Computer hackers steal personal information that allows for identity theft. This type of crime can impact individuals, families, and even large scale corporations. Protect yourself from allowing this to happen by better understanding the lat...

If you have a family and are shopping for a new car, you need to find the right car for your needs. Yet it’s not always easy to determine which are truly the best cars for families. Should you be looking for size, safety ratings, in-car entertainment, or something else? Here’s a closer look at [...