Money

There’s a classic optical illusion that features a drawing of an elderly woman or a young woman, depending on how you look at it. It’s purposefully ambiguous. The nose of the elder woman could be seen as the chin and jawline of the younger. The ear of the younger could be seen as the eye of the elder. The difference is in how you look at it, just like with your perspective on money. The Village Financial Resource Center's financial counselors help people reach their financial goals. The process almost always entails, at minimum, a discussion about goals, a comprehensive review of assets and [...]

A broken bone, mental health therapy, a long-term illness, a car accident, a premature baby. All of these situations – and so many more unexpected ones – can land a family in medical debt. “Medical debt is different from other forms of debt, because it is usually incurred accidentally or faultlessly. People do not plan to fall ill or hurt themselves, and health care remedies are often unavoidable…” Wikipedia reads. A family can’t comparison shop for a needed surgery or delay treatment for cancer until they have the money to pay for it in full. When most people think of medical debt, they think [...]

Many times, clients decide to make an appointment with The Village Financial Resource Center after a financial shock, such as a job loss, a change in household size, or medical issue. During stressful times it is a good idea to talk things through with a non-biased third party that can help you look at the situation and your options objectively. Here is advice from The Village's credit counseling team for navigating a period of financial uncertainty. 6 Tips for Financial Uncertainty 1. Stay calm In times of stress it can be hard to do, but taking a step back before making any major decisions [...]

Jeremy was trapped. Confined by his own decisions, he found himself drowning in debt. Instant gratification led his life. A new shirt, concert tickets, or whatever caught his eye became his with one swipe of a credit card. He was a hard worker and worked multiple jobs. It seemed easier to buy something on the credit card than it was to budget; he didn’t feel the financial “hit” as much. How can I ask for help? Am I sure I need help? These questions swirled in his brain. That’s when Jeremy was referred to The Village Financial Resource Center. Burdened by his debt, he knew asking for help was [...]

We all know it feels good to have some extra money in the bank, but it's easier said than done to stash that cash. It takes discipline to make your savings account grow, but there are some tricks and tips that you can follow to become a saver. 5 Ways to Start Saving More 1. Have a budget and stick to it While most of us hate the idea of a budget, it is an important part of the saving process. For example, if your expenses are equal to, or exceed, your income, setting aside dollars for saving will require additional effort and other issues will need to be addressed. Having a budget will help [...]

You grab a candy bar at the cash register, or unexpectedly swing into the coffee shop drive-thru. You were just going to browse at the mall until you saw that pair of shoes. You didn't really need that new tech gadget, but it was such a good deal. Everyone has made an impulse purchase. Stores and online shopping outlets are designed to encourage them, and the occasional impulsive treat isn't the worst thing in the world. Most of the time, though, impulsive spending makes us feel worse, drains our finances and can even affect our relationships. What is impulsive spending? It can run from [...]

Just thinking about creating a budget can feel overwhelming, but streamlining your finances will make it easier for you to reach your goals. You may not believe it, but budgeting can actually be fun if you do it the right way! The outcomes of a successful budget include paying off debts, gaining some extra money, feeling a sense of control over your life, and increasing your overall well-being. Creating and sticking to a budget is an attainable goal that anyone can accomplish. Follow these tips and you're sure to be on the right track! Steps to creating a budget that's right for you 1. Figure [...]

What is Identity Theft? Identity theft happens when someone obtains your personal data without your permission and uses it to buy things, use your insurance, or open accounts in your name. Identity theft is a crime, and it can happen to anyone. How Does Identity Theft Happen? There are lots of different ways identity theft can occur. Some of the most common are: Public Settings People can steal your credit card information a number of ways, including shoulder surfing. Shoulder surfing is when someone watches “over your shoulder” when you punch in your credit card number to a machine or type it [...]

It’s never too late to educate yourself on how you can improve your financial future. Our Financial Resource Center created a comprehensive list full of advice and education on how you can make the most of your money and set yourself up for financial success. Whether you’re in debt, need help budgeting, or want to increase your credit score, these financial literacy resources are a great start. Personal Finance Influencers on Instagram Many people don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to learning everything there is to know about financial wellness, and that’s why following a financial [...]