Choosing Between a Safe Deposit Box and Home Safe
Deciding the best way to keep valuables safe is often a dilemma for consumers. The following information can help determine if a home safe or a safe deposit box at your local bank is the best option for you.

We are bombarded with applications for credit cards offering special rates, awards, points and prizes if we use one card over another. All of it is designed to convince us to buy things NOW.
​
In addition to a credit card, most of us also have a debit card attached to a personal checking account. With all these payment choices, how do you know which one is the best to use, and when? First, know the difference between the two cards.

​The price of earning a college degree has increased dramatically over the past decade. The amount of student loans now surpasses credit card debt in the U.S., having reached more than $1 trillion in 2013. Furthermore, for students and their parents, the complicated logistics of financing college can be overwhelming. Below are tips to consider when navigating the maze of financial options.

​Research shows that only one-third of parents discuss financial issues with their children, and only one out of seven parents believes their children have a solid understanding of financial matters. In addition, the majority of children determine their attitudes about money by the time they finish fifth grade. As a result, many states are beginning to emphasize the need for personal finance education for children. Below are ten personal finance principles that every child should know.

​No one likes to get a “declined” message when using a debit card, but if you have ever faced a $30 plus overdraft fee, you know it is a situation you would also like to avoid. Almost every financial institution offers some kind of “overdraft protection,” also called “overdraft privilege,” which allows you to spend more than what’s currently available in your checking account. Given the charge that usually accompanies these overages, bank customers should think of the service as a safety net that allows access to funds when you’ve made an error balancing your checking account or you’re in need of funds before your next deposit.

​This year marks the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Ike and the second anniversary of the Bastrop, Texas wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes in a weekend. Texans live in a state with the potential for many types of natural disasters—flash floods, hurricanes, windstorms, tornadoes and wildfires. While we may never know for sure when a natural disaster is going to strike, it is the responsibility of every family to be prepared. The following tips can help ensure the safety of you and your loved ones during a natural disaster.

​Purchasing insurance coverage can be confusing for consumers. The following tips provide some helpful background to consider before making your next insurance decision.

We’ve all heard stories about college students who racked up thousands of dollars in credit card debt. These cautionary tales remind parents about the importance of protecting their children from making bad financial decisions. But, even more so, these stories serve as reminders that newly minted high school graduates can make “adult” decisions that will haunt them for years to come.
​
As millions of high school seniors prepare to graduate later this month, it’s a natural time for these young adults to look forward to greater independence, responsibility and the realities of adulthood. This is also a natural time for parents to sit down with their children to talk about the dangers of credit cards and how to use them responsibly. As part of this conversation, parents need to educate their children about how credit works and empower them to take an active role in their financial future by using credit responsibly.

​April is Community Banking Month and as such, it’s an ideal time to show support and patronage of your local community. Shopping and banking locally have personal and economic benefits. In many towns throughout the country, once-thriving main streets have been replaced by strip malls and retail outlets. The quaint subtleties of shopping “in town” have been exchanged for trips to behemoth shopping centers that clutter the sides of nearby interstate highways. However, the movement of the past decade towards a “bigger is better” mindset in doing business has been challenged by the recent economic downturn. Now, more and more consumers are looking to ditch the big guys and go back to local businesses that more directly impact their community. So, what are the benefits of buying and banking locally?

​When you see five or six credit cards every time you open your wallet, you may consider one of those credit card transfer advertisements you receive on a weekly basis. You know the ads—the ones that offer a zero- or low-interest rate for a period ranging from three months to a year if you transfer your credit card balance to a new card.