Scammers are taking advantage of the uncertainty during the pandemic and finding ways to take advantage of innocent victims by stealing their money and personal information. Protect yourself and your loved ones by learning about these scams. 1. Work-At-Home Scam This scam promises victims the opportunity to work from home and make a substantial amount
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the due date for filing federal income tax returns and making tax payments has been postponed by the IRS from Wednesday, April 15, 2020, to Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Taxpayers will incur no interest, penalties or additions to tax during this 90-day relief period for any return or payment postponed
On March 20, 2020, the Department of Education announced terms for student loan relief for tens of millions of borrowers in response to COVID-19.1 Here are answers to some questions about the new rules. Does the relief apply to all student loan borrowers? This relief only applies to borrowers with outstanding federal student loans. Private
One of the longest-standing investing debates is over the relative merits of active portfolio management versus passive management. With an actively managed portfolio, a manager tries to beat the performance of a given benchmark index by using his or her judgment in selecting individual securities and deciding when to buy and sell them. A passively
Homeownership remains a defining characteristic of the American Dream, according to a recent National Association of Realtors Aspiring Home Buyers Profile study1. There are many benefits to homeownership, but the ability to use home equity to reach other financial goals is one that many homeowners may not have considered. United States homeowners have over $15
Why does your credit score matter? How can you improve it? Where do you even begin? All of these questions are important to ask if you’re considering buying a home. To qualify, a minimum credit score may be required depending on the overall loan profile. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are
Credit unions have a unique core purpose: to serve all of our members in the best way possible. Membership and community is at our core, and one of the ways this cooperative approach is most apparent is through the nationwide network of CO-OP shared branches and ATMs. This network ensures you can do your banking
Many folks have questions about their 401(k) dollars. How to access them and how to convert them moving forward. It can be confusing, but the CFS* wealth management advisors at Elevations can help you navigate your choices like the example below. Here’s the dilemma: You have a traditional 401(k) that contains both after-tax and pre-tax
There are so many ways to buy and sell as an individual online. Through platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craig’s List, and Poshmark, you can sell your unwanted possessions or purchase products from other individuals. While the premise seems simple, there are rules to follow and red flags to be aware of that can help keep
When investing, particularly for long-term goals, there are two basic concepts you will likely hear about over and over again — diversification and asset allocation. Diversification helps limit exposure to loss in any one investment or one type of investment, while asset allocation provides a blueprint to help guide your investment decisions. Understanding how the
