USALLIANCE Blog

Ready, set… swipe! The holiday shopping season is here, and between inflated prices, the rising cost of gas, and the urge to splurge this time of year, it can be harder than ever to stick to your budget. Here, we’ve listed eight holiday shopping hacks to help keep your spending under control while still finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list.

It pays to pay with plastic. When you use a rewards credit card, every time you swipe your card, you earn points. As your points add up, you can redeem them for rewards like travel, merchandise, gift cards, charitable donations, and cash.

Saving money at your credit union or bank doesn't just mean depositing your paycheck into an account twice a week. It can also mean getting the most bang for your buck on financial services. It's hard to save money these days, and many of us are so busy, we overlook some simple steps to make sure we aren't paying any charges or fees we don't have to while also taking advantage of the best promotions and interest rates. Let's take a look at a few ways to save money at your credit union or banking institution.

One way or another, we all learn about financial realities such as service charges, interest fees, and payroll tax withholdings. As parents and guardians, we have an opportunity to not only soften the blow of unexpected changes in our children's money but to help them lead more secure and happy lives by teaching them financial literacy

No one can account for every unforeseen obstacle on the path to homeownership. Still, there are steps you can take to keep your home buying adventure on the rails—one of the most critical steps in getting your mortgage pre-qualification letter.

If you’re in the market for a new car or truck, you’re likely also shopping for an auto loan. Your auto loan will affect your monthly budget for the full term of the loan, so it’s important to do your research and make an informed decision before finalizing it. Here’s everything you need to know about auto loans and how to choose the one that’s best for you.

As students ready to return to the classroom this fall, many parents feel like they are preparing for the unknown. The last two years of job loss, expanded responsibilities at home, and fewer available resources as a result of the pandemic have got us all nervous about what’s to come.

When you’re balancing all-nighters, a full course load, Bachelor viewing parties, and a part-time job, your latte-a-day habit might seem like a necessity. And hey, aren’t you going to college so that you have money to make up for your growing credit card debt in the future? Not quite.

The thing is, you’re creating a foundation for your financial life now, and avoiding the biggest mistakes that most college students make will give you the freedom to do what you want to down the road. Here's how to set yourself up for financial success.

No matter how enthusiastic you are, trying to formally teach finance to kids is a tall order that is likely to make their eyes glaze over. Hold their attention by keeping money lessons relevant, age-appropriate and a bit playful.

If you are looking to borrow, invest, or set up a checking or savings account, you may be asking yourself whether you should consider a bank or credit union. Chances are, you’ve worked with a bank before and understand how they operate. But what makes a credit union different from a bank? Let’s take a close look at credit unions, how they differ, and why they may be the better option for your financial needs.