Our 90th annual meeting will take place on Weds., March 25, from 9-10 a.m. at our Moline, Ill. headquarters.

Financial planning considerations for LGBTQ+ couples

Every couple has a story.  Maybe you met through a mutual friend. Maybe it was a dating app. Maybe it was ones of those meet cutes in a coffee shop that turned into something bigger. However it started, at some point the conversation shifts from “What are we doing this weekend?” to “What are we building together?”  That’s where financial planning begins.  For LGBTQ+ couples in the United States, […]

Retirement checklist: The 5 years before you retire

In the five years before you retire, things start to feel real in a new way. This is the window where retirement stops being a distant idea and starts becoming an actual date on the calendar. For most people, that moment sits on top of years of preparation, from the first dollar they ever put into a […]

Types of mortgages that offer stability in an unstable economy

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make in their life. And in today’s shifting housing market — where home prices fluctuate and economic uncertainty lingers — choosing the right mortgage isn’t just about buying a home. It’s about finding stability for your future. With so many loan options available, [...]

Credit card consolidation strategies to pay off debt faster

If you’re carrying credit card balances, you already know the math can feel stacked against you. High interest rates mean a big portion of every monthly payment goes toward interest instead of your actual balance. Even when you’re doing everything “right,” progress can feel slow and discouraging.  That’s where credit card consolidation comes in — not as a magic fix, but as a practical way to regain momentum toward paying […]

Tips to completing the January no-buy challenge (and other ways to reset your budget)

January is a natural time to take a closer look at your money. After the holidays, you may be looking for ways to reset your budget, rethink your spending habits and start the year feeling more in control. And because January tends to inspire fresh starts, more people are turning to challenges that make budgeting feel less like a chore […]

Why we’re conditioned to overspend on holidays (and a festive budgeting challenge that can help)

Holiday spending has a way of sneaking up on even the most responsible planners.  You head into December with a clear budget in mind, yet somewhere between gift exchanges, year-end sales and last-minute gatherings, the total creeps far higher than you expected. Reality sets in: The holidays are a real budgeting challenge.  If this feels […]

The new freelancer’s guide to money management

Freelancing comes with benefits — more control over your time, the work you take on and how much you earn. But becoming self-employed also means handling a few financial tasks that used to happen automatically in the background. For traditionally employed people, things like taxes, health insurance premiums and retirement contributions are deducted by their employer automatically. Now, you have to make those […]

How to use a credit card to get ahead financially

Credit cards often get a bad reputation — and for good reason. When used carelessly, they can lead to mounting debt, high interest charges and lasting damage to your credit score. But when used wisely, they can be one of the most powerful tools for improving your financial health.  Credit cards are convenient and secure. […]

How to avoid travel scams this holiday season

The holiday travel season is a time for family, fun and unfortunately, sometimes, fraud.  According to the Federal Trade Commission, thousands of travel-related scams are reported every year, with losses reaching tens of millions of dollars. Whether it’s fake travel agencies, a bogus too-good-to-be-true vacation package or a website selling counterfeit documents, scammers are ready to take advantage of travelers in a hurry.  […]

Financial education is a feminist issue: Why every woman needs a wealth strategy

For women to control their futures, they must control their finances.  That idea is simple, but for too long the systems supporting it haven’t been. Women continue to earn less, invest less and retire with smaller savings than men — even though studies show they’re better at investing when they do.  A recent report from […]