USALLIANCE Blog

Building your dream home – one that’s designed with your personal vision and needs in mind –can be an exciting, rewarding experience. Maybe even a life-changing one.

But there can be a learning curve involved – especially when it comes to financing your venture. In most cases, a traditional mortgage just won’t work. Instead, you’ll likely need some type of construction loan. A construction-to-permanent (CTP) loan can be a smart option.

When the weather starts to warm and the spring flowers bloom, it’s time to crack open the windows, let the fresh air in, and give your home a good spring cleaning. But there’s more than just a neat house awaiting you after you banish those dust bunnies. Think about decluttering while you're at it, and you could even earn a few extra bucks.

Here’s how you can spring clean your way to riches – well, sort of.

“Saving for retirement? No thanks. I’ve got too many bills to pay, money is tight, and besides, retirement is so far away – I have more important things to put my money towards.”

Sound familiar?

Worried you’re behind on saving for retirement?

You’re not alone. Roughly 80% of Americans feel stressed about not having enough money to retire comfortably. For those aged 50 and older, their biggest stressor is the fear of outliving their savings.

If your stress about retirement savings is rising as the days tick by, take a breath. There’s still hope.

Like many, you’re probably expecting a refund when you file your taxes this year. But did you know that you might not have to wait as long as usual to receive that refund? You can get your refund up to three weeks early! Seriously. According to the IRS, the best and fastest way to get your tax refund is to have it electronically deposited into your account through direct deposit.

Saving for your retirement can seem overwhelming. Where do you even begin?

Like many imposing tasks in life, it's all about taking that first step. Opening an individual retirement account (IRA) can be a great first move.

The article How to Stay Afloat Financially in a Federal Shutdown originally appeared on NerdWallet.

When you have a pile of bills and no paycheck, address the essentials first. That means the roof over your head, medicine, food, heat, electricity and — for those who still must report to jobs despite a government shutdown — getting to work. What can wait? Almost everything else.

Communicating with creditors is key to surviving a federal government shutdown and recovering afterward. Here’s a guide to navigating the process if a furlough for federal workers has hit your household.

Looking to save more this year? You'll need a budget. Check out these 3 budgeting strategies & watch your savings grow!

Let's talk about asking for a raise. As an employee, it’s probably one of your least favorite things to do. It can be so intimidating and stressful that many of us delay doing it for years – if we do it at all.

With a new year on the horizon, it's time to turn the page and get a fresh start.

Drink more water, eat healthier, become more organized, learn a new language - if you’ve got a list of New Year's Resolutions, make sure you don't forget about your finances!  Read on for a short list of resolutions you could make to get your finances in check this year.