Personal

While it may be hard to get into a “vacation state of mind” during the dead of winter, there’s no better time than now to start saving for a summer trip. If your dream destination is a debt-free paradise, start with these helpful tips:  Establish a budget. Know how...

No finance-related New Year’s resolution would be complete without including an emergency fund. Most experts agree that you should set aside enough money to cover at least three to six months-worth of living expenses, in the event that the “worst” happens (you lose...

Brace yourself: It’s estimated eight out of 10 of us have errors on our credit reports. A widely circulated U.S. Public Interest Research Group study found a whopping 30 percent of those mistakes involved student and auto loans, credit cards and mortgages that had...

Just because the National Retail Federation says the average shopper this season will spend around $750 on gifts – along with décor and other seasonal and party goodies – doesn’t mean you have to spend that much. Below are a few ways to stay within your specific...

The holidays are supposed to be joyful, so don’t get scammed by a Scrooge out to steal your hard-earned cash (or your very identity). Keep more money in your pocket to spend on your loved ones or to save for yourself by stashing away the following tips, and you’ll...

It can happen to any of us, and happens to many of us; according to government statistics, some 900,000 victims of identity theft in 2009 alone reported a lost or stolen wallet was to blame. Be it a pickpocket at the shopping center, or a “misplaced” wallet during the...

Undoubtedly, you and yours have holiday traditions, and we at Core Bank are no different. Fridays in late November and throughout December you’ll have the opportunity to see our tradition up close. If you happen to drop by one of our branches and see our team...

Taxes are a constant every year. But in this big election year, a number of key tax incentives are set to expire. With just two short months before year end, now is the time to get a solid game plan in place for your 2012 tax filings, and 2013 tax strategy. Here are a...

Building good credit….it’s a bit of a modern twist on the chicken and egg conundrum – it is harder to get credit until you have a history of repaying credit. While, at first, it seems like an impossible situation, take heart. Because building credit, at...

No doubt you’ve heard a lot about “refinancing,” what with all the chatter recently about historically low interest rates. While you may know there is no time like the present to refinance, you need to do your homework. Like the terms you agreed to when you first...