Education Articles

Changes That May Affect Your Medicare Coverage

Recent legislation and subsequent rule changes to the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage program may affect Medicare recipients' coverage in 2026.

What You Need to Know About Earthquake Insurance

As an independent agency, SELCO Insurance Services can help you find affordable earthquake insurance for peace of mind in the event of an earthquake damaging your home.

What Does ‘No Mortgage Insurance / No PMI’ Really Mean?

While "no PMI" or "no mortgage insurance" may sound enticing, there will always be higher costs for your mortgage if you're unable to make a down payment of 20%.

What 2025 Tax Changes Mean for Your Wallet

Starting with the 2025 tax filing year, a new federal law will allow some borrowers to deduct the interest paid on qualifying auto loans, which could result in extra savings at tax time.

Make Every Dollar Really Count with Cultivate High-Yield Savings

Saving money is always a good idea, whether it’s stashing cash in your sock drawer or parking funds in long-term investments. But with so many options to choose from, sometimes it’s difficult to decide which savings vehicle will deliver the optimal payoff for your needs. Money market and investor accounts may offer higher returns but often come...

Despite the Noise, Stay the Course on Your Financial Plan

In a 24-hour news cycle with no shortage of ups and downs, it’s natural for your reactions to affect your everyday life, including how you manage your finances. The stock market isn’t immune either. On February 19, the S&P 500, a leading market indicator, soared to an all-time high, only to slip into full “sell! sell! sell!” mode, culminating in...

When to Use (And Not Use) a Credit Card

To use or not to use a credit card. That is the question. Some experts recommend making nearly all of your purchases on a credit card. Others say to use a credit card only for needs and not wants . Every scenario has a common thread, though: “However you choose to use a credit card, it’s important to understand the true cost of your purchase and...

Prepare Your Home and Vehicle for a La Niña Winter

La Niña is predicted to make another appearance this winter. What does that mean for the Pacific Northwest? For one, colder and wetter conditions through February. It also adds a little urgency to preparing your home and vehicle—and the need to take extra precautions on the road. In the event of storm damage or an accident, it’s good to know wha...

Your Guide to Paying Taxes as a Gig Worker

The gig economy continues to expand exponentially—and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. To give you an idea of how much the workforce landscape has changed, gig workers (temporary or part-time independent contractors and freelancers, such as Uber drivers, Airbnb hosts, website designers, dog walkers, etc.) are projected to mak...

Financial Wellness Planning: Reviewing and Tweaking

Step 10 of 10 Steps to Financial Wellness The foundation is set for your path toward financial wellness. The key now is to not get complacent. Take each step intentionally, adjust your plan when needed, and stay true to your vision. Here’s a quick overview of what brought us here: Step 1: Tracking your spending Are you regularly tracking your...