The holidays can bring on additional stress and pressure: finding the perfect gift, baking the perfect cookies, decorating the perfect mantle. But a lot of this is pressure and stress we’re creating ourselves. This is where a minimalist approach to the holidays can help. At its core, minimalism is focusing on what you value most and removing the distractions that get in the way. This can be for anything from gifts to holiday activities. Schedules Holiday schedules can get busy fast between gift shopping, get-togethers (in-person or virtual) and end-of-year activities. Start with a blank calend ..read more

Holiday distractions provide the perfect opening for scammers. They hope the busy time of year will make scamming easier. This year’s holiday season is on track to see a 15% increase in phishing incidents compared to last year according to F5 Labs’ 2020 Phishing and Fraud Report. Here’s how you can remain alert this holiday season: Fake charities The holidays can certainly inspire gifts of gratitude and giving but be sure that you’re donating to reliable organizations. You can check how much money charities allocate to their mission on websites like CharityWatch and Charity Navigator. And be c ..read more

Go into the holiday season with a plan. Here are some helpful ways to manage your spending. Spend wisely The first step is to plan what you’re comfortable spending on gifts and other expenses this holiday season. This may include additional food, home décor or travel costs. Look at your regular weekly or monthly budget and decide what you can spend this year. Plan your gifts As part of your holiday budget, make a list of the people you want to purchase gifts for. You will get a clear understanding of how many gifts you need to purchase. Set your budget Start planning how much you want to spen ..read more

Black Friday will definitely look different this year.  Instead of long lines, doorbuster sales, and tons of people, stores will push online sales this year. Even if you do decide to shop in person, make sure you call ahead to check store hours. Be prepared for COVID safety measures at most stores including masks and a limited number of people allowed in the store. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still score big at home while shopping in your pajamas! Because online shopping is expected to be bigger this year than in the past for Black Friday, be vigilant about staying safe online. Shop a ..read more

The primary purpose of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is to help ease the financial and legal burdens of military personnel and their families brought on by active duty. The SCRA has many benefits and provisions, including: a reduced interest rate, relief from penalty fees, a reduced minimum payment by the amount of interest forgiven per billing period to avoid acceleration of the payment, and a temporary suspension of legal proceedings that may adversely affect the rights of servicemembers during their military service. Coverage SCRA coverage extends to all the armed forces servic ..read more

Whether it’s for a specific purpose or to build an emergency fund, saving money can alleviate stress and lead to a financially fit lifestyle. And with all the uncertainty 2020 has brought us, it’s a good idea to have some savings to cover unexpected expenses or a reduction in your income. Start with developing short and long-term saving goals to promote healthy spending and saving habits. Whether it’s saving for a home, vehicle, education or splurging on something fun, setting these goals can help you commit to saving. Savings accounts are also beneficial if you’re tempted to spend savings tha ..read more

PREMIER often receives questions from customers about how long it will take for them to see payments reflected on their credit report. PREMIER reports to the credit reporting agencies once per month. It then takes time for the consumer reporting agencies to update that information. The updates can take up to 45 days to reflect on your credit report. But each lender is different – some may report more often and others less. Each lender follows their own schedule, which means your credit report may change throughout the month. When you make a payment and how it falls in the lender’s reporting sc ..read more

Eating food that’s good for you is admittedly tougher than just grabbing a frozen pizza. You have to plan, budget and cook. But it’s not impossible! With a few quick tips, you can plan nutritious meals that taste good without breaking the bank. Create a list No matter how short your grocery list is, it is easy to spend more money and time than originally planned at the grocery store. Many of us are guilty of going to the store with the intention of buying one item, and an hour or two later leaving with a full cart and an empty wallet. To avoid getting trapped into strolling the aisles, create ..read more

Scammers are constantly adjusting their tactics in order to take advantage of consumers. Check out these five COVID scams and stay up-to-date so you can stay safe. Global Empowerment Fund An email appearing to come from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) informs you that you’re getting money from the COVID-19 Global Empowerment Fund. Just reply back with your bank account information and they’ll transfer the funds. SCAM – there is no such fund and the FTC will not email you or ask for your financial or personal information. Phishing and Supply Scams You may get an offer to purchase an at-home ..read more

We have been spending more time at home than ever before. You’ve finished every show and movie on Netflix and have played every board game in your house, so now what? Let’s explore some new activities you can do at home to save your and your children’s sanity while being cost conscious. That repetitive dinner conversation of highlights and low points of the day is starting to get old. To spice things up a bit and give yourself and household members something to look forward to, start planning a weekly picnic. Use this time to enjoy fresh air and scenery outside the walls of your home. This is ..read more