MoneyWisdom Blog

“Do you want your receipt?’’

We hear that question so often as clerks complete our transactions that we can be tempted to tune it out, dismissing it with a quick head shake as we dash off to the next receipt-generating errand.

But we shouldn’t. Taking that receipt can pay off...literally. It's a small piece of paper that can add up to big bucks.

Here are 6 reasons why you should always say yes to the receipt:

If you're a fan of direct deposit, you know how much time it saves you: there's no running to your financial institution with a paper check in hand, hoping you'll get there to cash it before closing. You don't have to wait around for your check to clear before you pay your bills. And you'll never spend time worrying if your check got lost in the mail, or worse, stolen.

Direct deposit is dependable and simply makes life easier. But did you know direct deposit can also help you build wealth? Here's how:

Your boss calls you into the office with great news: You've earned a raise, or perhaps you're getting a bonus for all the hard work you've done this year. Now you can buy those shoes you’ve been eyeing, or replace your old iPhone with the latest iteration.

While the urge to celebrate and reward yourself is understandable, hold onto your wallet and think before spending. Putting your long-term goals ahead of short-term needs can make your money work harder for you in the long run, reduce crippling debt, or boost savings for a rainy day or a sunny retirement.

Here are five things you can do with that raise that'll help you reach your financial goals:

The day may not be as well-known as Christmas or Thanksgiving, but Aug. 14 is a milestone day that could change your life. National Financial Awareness Day is celebrated Aug. 14. This date reminds us to be aware of how to build financial stability and to be prepared for our financial future. After all, ignoring your financial situation can be scarier than Halloween. So here’s five pieces of good advice to consider on this Financial Awareness Day. Recognize these sayings? They apply to finances as well:

Summer's finally here. The waves are crashing and the AC is blasting. With summer concert bands playing classic hits, fireworks exploding in the skies, and excited kids screeching joyously in splash parks, it's a blissful, if noisy, season. But listen carefully. There’s another sound in the distance. You might not hear it clearly yet, but it’s getting closer by the day.

Sleigh bells.

First came eBay and Craigslist. Today, those old-school sites are just the tip of the iceberg for selling your stuff online. Now it's all about smartphone apps and social media to sell stuff that no longer, as Marie Kondo would say, “sparks joy.” Possibilities include OfferUp, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace, to name a few. But which is best? Well, that totally depends. Each has its pros and cons, and the best choice for you depends on what you are selling and how much time and effort you are willing to devote to the process. So here's a rundown on three well-known buying-and-selling apps.

Hanscom FCU’s certificate accounts are a smart and safe way to reach your savings goals while letting you earn a great rate. However, you can earn even more when you use a laddering strategy with your certificates.

Not that long ago, people looked forward to retirement as a time of relaxation and leisure when one might travel the world or take up a new hobby. Increasingly, however, people preparing to retire are doing the math and realizing that the future doesn’t look so bright financially. The following 10 guidelines will help you enjoy a more comfortable retirement even in an uncertain economy.

As one of the 45 million Americans who wears contact lenses, I’ve spent a lot of money on vision correction over the years. Unfortunately, I never really considered I might be overspending. Instead of shopping around for contacts, I simply ordered and re-ordered lenses from my optometrist’s office whenever I needed them without any regard to the price. I just figured it was the easiest and most practical option. And besides, how much would I even save by buying them elsewhere? A few dollars, maybe?

How about $70 per year?

Ever notice how your monthly expenses always seem to equal whatever salary you’re making, even after you get raises? The phenomenon is called “lifestyle creep” and it can keep you from reaching all kinds of financial goals, from paying down debt, to saving for retirement. One way to get lifestyle creep under control is to have any future raises you get direct deposited into savings – like a 401(k) account through your employer, or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). But here are five things you can do right now to cut your monthly expenses.