USALLIANCE Blog

If a time-traveler from the 19th century landed in your living room, you’d likely have a hard time explaining the way our world works – especially the way we deal with finances. Your visitor can watch as you hold an oblong object in your hands and proceed to order a full summer wardrobe, new bedroom furniture or maybe even airline tickets. Who would have imagined we’d be able to do all that and more or without ever touching a dollar bill, coin or even a credit card?

Buying a home may seem like a great investment that will help build wealth. Though many American adults dream of purchasing houses adorned with white picket fences in picturesque neighborhoods, they’re often unfamiliar with the numerous risks and unanticipated costs of homeownership. 

It’s tax season, and while that may mean you’re drowning in forms and paperwork, for scammers it means millions of taxpayers they can potentially dupe out of refunds or scare into making irrational moves. Here’s what you need to know about tax return scams and how to avoid them.

It’s that time of year again! Get ready to break out the calculator and pencils, dig out the enormous pile of receipts, tax forms and pay stubs, and get to work.

Now that 2022 is rolling, many people are faced with the fact that they collected a significant amount of debt this past holiday season. If you’re looking at debt right now you are not alone; 1 in 3 Americans racked up more than $1,200 of debt this holiday season according to CNBC.

Are you ready to join us on a journey toward financial wellness?

The holiday season is over and your bank account, may be experiencing a sense of remorse. All of that gift giving comes at a price, one that may have your wallet feeling a bit light.

            Does this sound familiar? Read on for a few tips to get you back on track financially in 2022.  (Bonus: we’ll help you avoid getting into the same spending trap next year with a few simple preparation strategies.)

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.