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.

Just as that holiday party hangover creeps in the morning after a long night out, your bank account may experience a similar sense of remorse after a particularly generous holiday season.   All that gift giving comes at a price, one that might have left your wallet feeling a little light. 

Sound familiar?  Read on for a few ways to get you back on track financially in the new year.  (Bonus: we’ll help you avoid getting into the same spending trap next year with a few simple preparation strategies.)

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.

There isn't a feeling quite like getting a raise, or a new job that comes with a pay increase.

It’s fiscal validation that your boss or employer is happy with your hard work. It’s a sign of appreciation and approval. More often than not, one of the first things you want to do is shout it out from the rooftops and celebrate with a huge purchase.

But before you do, here are a few quick tips to ensure your new money is working as hard as you are.

We try to fit a lot into our holiday budgets, and travel can account for a pretty big slice of the pie. But even if you’re just beginning to think about the costs of visiting loved ones this holiday season, it’s not too late to save.

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

Have you thought about switching your primary bank accounts over to USALLIANCE? Maybe you started the process, but then the idea of filling out forms, changing over automatic payments, updating your bills, or dealing with HR to submit a new direct deposit made you think again. 

If only there were a way to have all these tasks taken care of with a single, easy to use service...

Wait.

There is. AND it's FREE for USALLIANCE members!

Maybe you’ve heard of personal loans. But, what are they? And how can a loan be “personal”?

Rewarding careers don’t always come with a steady paycheck. For people who work in agriculture, construction, tax preparation, entertainment, landscaping or other types of freelance and seasonal businesses, income may vary wildly depending on the time of year. This uneven cash flow makes budgeting especially challenging, but it’s by no means impossible.

Change is coming. And if you’re not careful, you could be paying the price. Federal Regulation D limits the numbers of transfers and withdrawals you can make on certain savings and money market accounts within a calendar month. After six, you’ll be charged $20 for every transaction afterward in that month.