Whether you rent or own, you might worry about future costs to your home. But one of your biggest fears—if you are concerned about your electric bill—has probably already come true. Your appliances, if left plugged in 24/7, may be conspiring to send your electricity costs to terrifying levels, even when they are turned off! See, when left plugged in constantly, some appliances still continue to draw energy at relatively high levels. Energy efficiency experts estimate these “vampire” appliances can cost the average household around $200 per year. Here are some ways to avoid getting sucked dry...

Ah, the holidays. It’s a time for seasonal cheer, catching up with family and for a financial panic attack!
If you recently looked at the calendar and realized gift-buying season is closer than you thought, don’t worry. We are here to help you create financial order before you outspend your budget. Follow these steps to keep some extra jingle in your wallet...

There is a hard way and an easy way for your teen to learn about money. The hard way involves slapping a debit card into their hands on freshmen orientation day. Welcome to adulthood, kid. No pressure and no supervision. This schooling by way of hard knocks can be effective, but it’s often messy and can involve a parental rescue or two.

An easier way is to look at money management as a key life skill and teach it like you would cooking or laundry. There are lessons to be learned about things like bank accounts, credit card interest, credit scores and deferred gratification before adulthood.

Are you wondering about how much it costs to live in this part of the country? How much do you spend on living expenses? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of living in the Tri-State area amounts to $65,436. This includes groceries, healthcare, pet products, housing, entertainment and clothing. While this number may sound daunting, take relief in knowing there are ways to reduce this amount by introducing some very easy measures to trim down on your daily spending.

As the colder weather approaches, you may start to make your holiday travel plans, we may be faced with the decision of whether or not to purchase travel insurance. You may wonder if travel insurance is worth it. Here are some tips to help you decide before you complete your purchase: