(BPT) - Understanding finances and making smart money decisions is something many people struggle with. In fact, when asked to grade their own financial literacy most people give themselves a “C” or lower, according to new data from Prudential.

(BPT) - Although they’re widely used and an important part of our lives, most people find credit scores confusing. Often, consumers have a lack of accurate information about how and why credit reports and scores are used by lenders. Credit reports and scores allow banks and creditors to dete…

(StatePoint) At the same time that Americans are feeling the financial pinch of the holidays, they’re gearing up for 2020, with their top two goals being to save more and increase their credit scores, according to a national consumer survey by Experian.

(NAPSI)—This holiday season, the Postal Service™ looks forward to delivering a great deal of holiday cheer, along with more than 15 billion mail pieces. The United States Postal Inspection Service®, the federal law enforcement arm of the Postal Service, is working to keep your important ship…

(NAPSI)—If you’re like many people, you’re sometimes stumped by what to give certain special folks on your list: your grandma, your mother-in-law or a cousin you rarely see.

(NAPSI)—According to the U.S. Census, by 2035, older generations are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history, thus increasing the need for caregivers. Millions of adults, including Boomers, are already taking care of loved ones and facing new realities that require…

(NAPSI)—If you think your kids could be more money conscious, you’re far from alone. In fact, according to the National Financial Educators’ Council, fewer than one in four children talk to their parents about money with any frequency. Fortunately, teaching kids about managing money can pay …

(StatePoint) According to one unique and whimsical economic indicator -- The PNC Christmas Price Index -- “true loves” will find all is calm when putting the gifts under the tree this holiday shopping season.

(StatePoint) As young adults establish their financial independence, they may be overwhelmed with enticing credit card offers. Free airfare, cashback and special introductory rates may be tempting, but choosing the right card is more important than snagging some fun freebies.

(NAPSI)—The U.S. Postal Service plans for its peak season all year long. With more than 240 years of experience delivering the holidays, the Postal Service is uniquely qualified to make this magical season the best one yet. Here are some tips to help everyone have a happier, less-stressed ho…

(NAPSI)—If you’re ever thinking about investing in a second home or listing your property as a vacation rental, you’ll be in good company. New research on the global second-home market reveals for the second straight year that more homeowners are buying a second home to use as a vacation ren…

(StatePoint) Americans are taking proactive steps to keep holiday spending in check and be financially ready for next year, according to an Experian national consumer survey.

(NAPSI)—For many Americans—maybe you or someone you care about—2020 could be a milestone year.

(StatePoint) After paying monthly student loan minimums, many Americans have just enough to cover basic living expenses, which means that when unexpected expenses arise, they often end up defaulting on their student loans. 

(NAPSI)—An increasing number of people in the United States—some 17 million a year according to the experts at the American Staffing Association—are earning extra income in new and creative ways during the holidays and beyond.

(StatePoint) With speculation swirling that the U.S. economy is heading for another recession, you might be wondering what you can do to protect yourself from feeling the pinch of a slowing economy.

(StatePoint) Mortgage rates have recently hit near-record lows and Freddie Mac predicts rates will remain low for the foreseeable future.

(StatePoint) The holidays are fast approaching, making now the time to consider some wise strategies to get the most out of the season, without wreaking havoc on your personal finances.

(NAPSI)—If you receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work, Social Security Work Incentives can allow you to keep your healthcare (Medicare and Medicaid) and, in some cases, cash benefits as you begin working. These Work Incentives are designed to encourage and support benef…

(NAPSI)—Texas is a great place for companies to do business and developers are building fast to keep up. Texas also experiences extreme weather and forces property owners to think seriously about how their new facilities can endure these extremes.

(BPT) - Your wedding is one of the most memorable days of your life. To pull off the big day of your dreams, it is important to have a plan in place.

(NAPSI)—If you spend a lot of time on social media sites or looking for great online deals, you may wear a bullseye when it comes to scammers hunting for prey, according to groundbreaking fraud research from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust and the…

(StatePoint) For many families, the holiday season is the most expensive time of year. Americans spent over $707 billion dollars during the 2018 holidays, according to the National Retail Federation, and it would be no surprise for spending to increase in 2019.

(NAPSI)—With unemployment at a 50-year low, companies are eager to draw talent from a diverse pool of job seekers, and organizations have recognized the inherent value in a diverse workforce that includes qualified employees with disabilities.

(NAPSI)—If you own or run any of America’s nearly 31 million small businesses, recent research reveals gift cards can be a real gift to your bottom line. According to a 2019 Small Business Gift Card Study commissioned by First Data, now Fiserv, gift card programs help small business owners b…

(StatePoint) Millennials are no strangers to watching numbers. Lives today are affected by a vast number of online and social media statistics -- likes, followers, scores and ratings. However, a new survey suggests that despite the time and attention this generation devotes to social media, …

(BPT) - From mobile deposits to apps that transfer money in the blink of an eye, financial technology (or fintech) is disrupting the financial marketplace in new ways. The latest example is an innovation in the annuity marketplace that expands online access to a conventional retirement produ…

(BPT) - From mobile deposits to apps that transfer money in the blink of an eye, financial technology (or fintech) is disrupting the financial marketplace in new ways. The latest example is an innovation in the annuity marketplace that expands online access to a conventional retirement produ…

(NAPSI)—Whether you’re looking for a job for the first time or trying to return to the workforce, you don’t have to do it alone.

(NAPSI)—According to AARP, there are 10,000 people turning 65 every day—a figure that is expected to be consistent until 2030. As these Americans continue to prepare for and enjoy their retirement years, more and more are factoring the cost of aging into their financial plans. For good reaso…

(BPT) - About 80% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, often struggling between paydays. If this is a challenge for you, here are three easy ways that can help you get from one paycheck to the next with ease, avoid financial pitfalls, and even come out ahead.

(NAPSI)—Floods are the most common and costly natural disasters occurring in the United States today. They can impact anyone, anywhere, at any time. Yet only 15 percent of Americans choose flood insurance, leaving countless properties uninsured. Just one inch of water can cause thousands of …

(BPT) - In addition to its typical cadence of taxpayer correspondence, the IRS has also begun sending roughly 10,000 letters to taxpayers with virtual currency transactions that may have been unreported or misreported, as well as another tranche starting in late September to taxpayers with e…

(StatePoint) Consumers face major financial decisions at every stage of life. But experts say a basic understanding of financial concepts can help you make better decisions related to money management and reduce your stress at the same time.

(BPT) - The IRS projected that more people than ever before — 14.6 million — would file an extension. That estimate may have been conservative, given how tax reform influenced people to delay filing as they figured out what tax reform meant for them.

(BPT) - For many people, a monthly mortgage payment may be manageable, but their biggest obstacle is the upfront expense — namely down payment and closing costs — of buying a home. In fact, according to the Bank of America Spring 2019 Homebuyer Insights Report, 69% of prospective homeowners …

(StatePoint) When looking for a financial planner who can bring all the pieces of your financial life together and put you in the driver’s seat of your own financial future, experts say it’s important to look beyond his or her resume.

(StatePoint) There are more than 300,000 professional financial advisors in the U.S. It’s fair to say that a majority are dedicated to helping their clients achieve their financial goals. However, some unethical individuals seek to take advantage of clients’ trust and lack of financial knowl…

(StatePoint) From fitness apps monitoring daily activity to calendar apps that send appointment reminders, having high-quality, real-time information in the palm of your hand can be an effective way to stay accountable to your goals. So if you’re looking to better manage your money, it may b…

(StatePoint) For many people, getting married and buying a house is still part of the American Dream. That’s reflected in the numbers. The homeownership rate among married couples in the U.S. is 80 percent, according to recent data reported by Statista. But what if something were to happen t…