Education Articles

‘Smishing’: What Is It, Why Is It So Common, and What Can You Do About It?

Does it seem like you aren’t getting as many robocalls these days? OK, maybe they haven’t slowed down that much; let’s just say they’ve leveled off . But you’re likely getting bombarded with more spam texts than ever before. A lot more. After an exponential increase in 2022, spam texts continue to go out to Americans in droves—and are becoming...

5 Reasons It’s a Better Time Than You Think to Buy a Home

Home prices and interest rates are bound to go down if I wait, right? It’s the question most first-time buyers are asking right now—and understandably so. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the answer is anything but straightforward. The question can be partially answered by the fact that Oregon's housing production shortage is among the worst in the natio...

What to Buy and What to Skip in April

April is smack dab in the middle of a season without a major shopping holiday. But that doesn’t mean you can’t score some great deals. Besides, if you have a tax refund coming, you can feel good grabbing something you didn’t know you needed, at a bargain price. What to Buy   Mother’s Day gifts. It’s never too early to think about making Mom happ...

What to Buy and What to Skip in March

March is one of the quieter shopping months since there are no major holidays or sale events. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pick up some fantastic buys on things like luggage, winter apparel, and frozen food (really). Here’s what to buy and what to skip in March. What to Buy   Luggage. To get ready for the summer travel rush, retailers start...

What to Buy and What to Skip in February

February may be known for chocolate, flowers, and jewelry for Valentine’s Day, but there are plenty of other bargain-buy items best picked up this month. That’s not to say there aren’t bargains on jewelry—you just need to wait a while on that. And other items, like furniture and winter gear, can be found on super sale after sitting in the...

Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards

As you grow older, being able to manage finances becomes more important—and more complicated. Take credit and debit cards, for example. Both cards are commonly used for transactions, but they work in very different ways.

What to Buy and What to Skip in January

Whew, another season of heavy spending is in the books. If you aren’t planning a no-spend month and you have a little room left in your budget to splurge, January is a prime time to pick up a sweet bargain or two on items that may have been on your wish list. Christmas decorations, TVs, fitness gear, and video games are among the products that g...

Building Credit From Scratch

Building credit as a teen can be challenging since most credit-building activities require you to be at least 18 years old. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take now to establish a solid credit foundation to build on.

Common Savings Terms (and What They Really Mean)

When finding the best fit for your savings goals, it helps to know the lingo. You likely know what a savings account is, but how it—and other savings options—works can be confusing. That also goes for common financial terms we often see but aren’t often explained (or explained clearly). So, let’s take a look at a few savings-related terms—both...

Exploring Bank Accounts

Opening a bank account is an important step toward financial independence and responsible money management. It lets you securely store your money, learn about banking services, and develop essential financial skills.