Five Ways to Get Out of Credit Card Debt

woman window shopping with credit cards

Depending upon how much credit card debt you have, being debt-free can seem daunting or even unattainable. Developing a plan is the most important first step to attaining a debt-free life. Without a plan, it can feel like you’re not making any noticeable progress. Here are five important steps to take to get rid of your debt.

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5 Tips on Caring for Your Aging Parents Without Going Broke

man at cafe; photo by Jeff Sheldon on Unsplash

"Once a man, twice a child.” People from the Caribbean know exactly what that means. It’s the inevitable circle of life. Humans begin life as helpless children and later, we again become dependent on others for assistance. In our forties and fifties, we will all see our parents aging and becoming more dependent. Then before we know it, the tables become completely turned and we begin to assume the role of caretakers.

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Tips to Keep You Safe During Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week

senior man with tablet

It’s tax time! Have you ever considered that you could be at risk for tax identity theft? Tax identity theft occurs when a thief files a fraudulent tax return using your Social Security number and collects your refund. It also occurs when someone uses your Social Security number to earn wages and sticks you with the tax bill. Often, people do not realize they are the victim of tax identity theft until after the crime, when they try to file their taxes.

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10 Ways to Save on Holiday Shopping

happy couple window shopping

‘Tis the season. No matter what we say, most of us will end up spending a significant amount on holiday gifts. After all, no one wants to be a Scrooge. But never fear. There are ways to save hundreds of dollars this year on your holiday shopping, both online and in person. Here are 10 suggestions:

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Avoiding Flood Damaged Cars

cars in flood water during Hurricane Harvey

After the recent catastrophic storms in the southern United States, it is estimated that as many as 500,000 cars may have been flooded and seriously damaged.  A large percentage of these vehicles will find their way into the market for re-sale.

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How Debit Card Fraud Happens — and How to Avoid It

For many people, debit cards are the perfect plastic. They offer most of the conveniences of credit cards with no risk of accumulating debt.

But like credit cards, debit cards are vulnerable to rip-off artists. And debit card fraud is particularly scary because thieves can withdraw money directly from your checking account.

Here's how debit fraud happens and how to protect yourself.

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Retirement Planning 101

happy retired couple holding hands in a marina

Retirement. It’s not exactly like death and taxes but it’s pretty much inevitable. So like everything else in life, it pays to do a little planning. With this wise thought in mind, I headed off on Tuesday, June 13 to the Members Financial seminar on Social Security at the credit union’s Pembroke Pines branch.

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Four Major Myths about Credit Unions

group of friends at coffee shop

While credit unions have been around for more than a century, plenty of consumers are often faced with myths about what credit unions are – or aren’t. Credit unions are an excellent alternative to banks, and often have plenty more to offer. Let’s take a closer look as we debunk some misconceptions about credit unions.

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Buy Your Retirement Home Before You Retire

couple looking at a laptop and smartphone

If you’ve been thinking of buying a second home, you may not want to wait much longer. You may have heard that mortgage rates are expected to rise this year, which means waiting could cost you. Securing a mortgage for your second home now, while rates are low, means you can buy more home for your money.

If retirement is in your 5 to 10 year plan, you may be starting to think about buying your retirement home now. Or, you might want to buy a second home as a vacation home for your family. Either way, now is a good time to buy.

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Dating on a Budget – How to Woo Your Date Without Breaking the Bank

couple picnicing

One of the hardest things about saving money is trying to budget during a holiday, especially one that gives you the opportunity to dote on someone you love. So how do you make birthdays, date nights, and even Valentine’s Day special without draining your bank account? We’ve compiled a few inexpensive date ideas that will impress your date without breaking the bank.

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New Year’s Resolutions That You Can Really Keep!

Man jogging

You might have big plans for 2017, and you likely have made a resolution or two for the New Year. As we say goodbye to January, how are you doing on those goals? Have you already lessened your resolve? The important thing to remember about making attainable goals is to make them specific and measurable.

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Making New Year’s Resolutions With Your Kids

mother and daughter having fun in kitchen

The New Year is upon us and it is time to improve on ourselves with resolutions. The New Year is a great opportunity to talk to your children about making resolutions to grow as a person, as well. Children can be very receptive to this idea and the younger you start getting them involved, the better.

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Adding Up Your Holiday Spending

happy couple shopping with purchases

When it comes to holiday spending there are tons of ways to get off-track. Unexpected costs can come from any angle, and it is important to be prepared for them during the holidays.

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