Education Articles

3 Ways to Build a Rainy-Day Fund

You’ve likely heard the saying, “Save for a rainy day.” But what do they really mean by “rainy day”? Not to be confused with an emergency fund , a rainy-day fund is designed to cover smaller, unexpected expenses (think: car repairs, replacing an appliance, vet bills, etc.) without affecting your monthly budget.  The actual saving part can be a...

What to Buy and What to Skip in July

Summer is in full swing, as are the bargains in July. This month has a lot to offer, from all things red, white, and blue to clothing for the rest of summer and back-to-school items. Here’s what to buy and what to skip in July.  What to Buy Patriotic items. Not only do major retailers hold sales on July 4, but you can also find bargains galore o...

What to Buy and What to Skip in June

This may come as a surprise, but June is a great time to pick up a few essentials for the warmer months. Swimwear, Father’s Day outings, and fresh produce are among the seasonal items you can snap up at a nice price this month. Here’s what to buy and what to skip in June. What to Buy Swimwear. Get ready to hit the beach or pool in style. Believe...

‘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...