- The Safest Cities in America in 2018
When families are looking to move to a new area, they often consider the affordability of a new city, their new commutes and the quality of local schools. But one factor they can overlook is safety. More than just being crime-free, a safe city also has careful drivers and clean air. While danger can take… read more…
- The Best Cities for Beer Drinkers – 2018 Edition
Just six years ago, the Census Bureau estimated there were only 880 breweries in America. But the craft beer revolution took off: By 2016, the Census Bureau pegged that number at 2,802, 2,605 of which belonged to the microbrewery category. In fact, nearly one in four U.S. counties can boast having a beer brewery within… read more…
- The Most Fitness-Friendly Places for 2019
The new year is a time to reflect on which aspects of our lives we can most improve. For many people, that may mean a remorseful peak into their savings account or a regretful pinch of the waistline. Statistically speaking, losing weight or eating healthier tends to dominate surveys of Americans’ new year’s resolutions —… read more…
- What Is the Average CD Rate?
Certificates of deposit, or CDs, offer a reliable and structured approach to savings. A CD has a set term length. Once you make your initial deposit, you can’t touch that money until the term ends. This allows your money to… read more…
- How to Get Your Bank Statement Online or By Mail
Every month, your bank prepares a document for you showing all of of your transactions for the past month. This is called a bank statement. It’s important to review your bank statement regularly – in part to ensure there aren’t… read more…
- Ally vs. Barclays Bank
Online-only bank accounts are increasingly popular. They tend to offer better interest rates than typical banks because they don’t have to pay the costs of having brick-and-mortar locations. Two popular online banks in the U.S. are Ally Bank and Barclays… read more…
- Top 10 Cities With the Largest Rent Increases – 2018 Edition
The fear of skyrocketing rents can consume the thoughts of Americans who don’t own their homes. Despite an improving economy and low unemployment rates, rent increases continue to chip away at earnings. And when residents are forced to devote ever-increasing portions of their paychecks to rent, the scenario not only impacts their ability to pad… read more…
- The 10 Best Mobile Banking Apps of 2023
Mobile banking apps have come a long way. Once upon a time, features like mobile check deposit were considered cutting edge. Now, consumers have come to expect that kind of functionality, along with seamless money transfers, bill pay, ATM locators… read more…
- Health Savings Account (HSA) Providers to Consider
One of the best ways to save for future medical costs is to invest in a health savings account (HSA). It provides you with some great tax breaks while also helping you save for future healthcare expenses. These investments could prove vital amid daunting healthcare costs you may face as you get older. You can… read more…
- Where Workers Are Most Committed to Their Jobs
Feel like you’re slogging away at the office with no reprieve in sight? Maybe you’re grinding out those long days to show your loyalty to your company and nab a promotion? Sure, some American cities have well-established reputations for their hectic work schedules. In New York or San Francisco, for instance, it’s not unusual to… read more…
- Are Banks Open on Christmas Eve?
Most major banks will be open on Christmas Eve 2018, even though it’s a federal holiday and generally recognized as a bank holiday. Still, some banks do observe Christmas Eve. We’ll discuss which ones will open their doors before Santa… read more…
- The Best Places to Work in Manufacturing – 2018 Edition
Manufacturing used to be one of the largest industries in America. In 1910, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that nearly one-third of workers worked in manufacturing. Today, that number has shrunk to 8.7%. Many smaller cities that historically relied on these manufacturing jobs have suffered as a result of their decline. But manufacturing in… read more…
- How FDIC Insurance Works and How Much It Covers
If you’ve ever listened to the radio or watched television, chances are you’ve heard a commercial for a bank where a voice at the end says something about being FDIC-insured. If you’ve never stopped to look it up, FDIC stands… read more…
- What Is the Average Interest Rate for Savings Accounts?
When shopping around for the savings accounts for you, it’s important to know what you want from it. It’s also important to learn how your options stack up against the competition. For instance, are you currently earning below the average… read more…
- Best Cities to Live on a $55,000 Salary – 2018 Edition
The average American family earns about $55,000 per year, according to Census Bureau estimates. Of course, that’s probably not enough to get by on in America’s most expensive cities, but there are plenty of places where the average American family’s income is sufficient for a satisfying life. These cities offer long-term financial stability by allowing… read more…
- What Is a Bank Holiday?
Most banks are open for business Monday through Saturday. But occasionally you might show up at your bank on a weekday and find that the bank has been closed all day. Because most banks follow a federal holiday schedule, their branches… read more…
- What Is a Bank Transit Number?
A bank transit number, also known as a routing number, is a nine-digit number that helps financial institutions identify what institution issued checks or other documents financial documents. Transit numbers have been around for over 100 years, and they help… read more…
- Ally Bank vs. Chase
When it comes to choosing a bank, there are plenty of factors that you should consider, from interest rates to online banking offerings to the availability of physical locations. And the differences between banks are especially pronounced when comparing traditional… read more…
- Discover Bank vs. Ally Bank
If you’re looking for the highest savings interest rates the industry can offer, you’ll want to turn to an online bank. Without the maintenance costs of physical branches, online banks can offer the most competitive rates – not only on savings… read more…
- Where Rent Is Becoming More Affordable for Workers
Renters in America face an uphill battle to create space in their budgets for saving. In fact, the latest Census Bureau data reveals that nearly 10 million renting households spent at least 50% of their income on rent in 2017. But there’s good news on the horizon for workers who rent in some cities. With… read more…
- Cities Where Veterans Are Thriving Professionally
Veterans are an important part of American society in light of their many sacrifices for our safety. They also make up a significant portion of our population: 7.3% of the 251 million Americans 18 and older are vets. But these heroes can face a number of difficulties when reintegrating into civilian life, particularly when it… read more…
- The Most Livable Mid-Sized Cities in America – 2018 Edition
Mid-sized cities can offer a good compromise between the unaffordable, congested big cities out there and the smaller, sleepy suburbs. But with so many mid-sized cities across the country, it isn’t easy to tell which are the best options. From cities with a lower cost of living where opportunities to save and invest are abundant,… read more…
- The Spookiest Cities in America
It’s October, the creepiest month of the year, a time when many cities flaunt their ghosts, troubled spirits and haunted houses. But which locale can boast that it’s the spookiest in the U.S.? A cursory internet search for the most haunted cities in America retrieves many claimants while leaving any definitive answer a mystery. After… read more…
- How Does Interest Work on a Savings Account?
Most of us know that a savings account is a smart place to store money. Savings accounts have higher interest rates than checking accounts and, as such, help us earn more without sacrificing liquidity. And although they yield lower returns… read more…
- The Best States for the Middle Class in 2018
The American Dream of homeownership and financial independence is a hallmark of middle-class life. Indeed, working hard defines this cohort’s pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps sensibility. But earning and saving up enough money to afford a down payment comfortably and reduce financial stress is getting increasingly difficult. With inequality on the rise in America, the middle class is getting… read more…