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.

Fritters? Yes, please! Frittering? No, thanks! It's time to stop frittering your money!

If you've ever wished there was an easier way to save for a down payment on a new car or build an emergency savings account and get a great rate of return on your money, you need to check out our automated savings program, CU Thrive. Right now, it's paying a 4.89% dividend, a rate that's really hard to beat. Here's how it works.

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” 

Years ago, if you had a subscription to something, it was probably for a magazine, newspaper, or compact discs (remember “eight CDs for penny?”). Today, it seems you can subscribe to just about anything via a subscription box and maybe even save a little money to boot. Dinner, razors, new outfits, cleaning supplies – you name it, there's probably a merchant out there with a subscription box to suit your needs ... or wants, whims, and wallet!

Heating your home can be expensive, and this year it may be more so. The U.S. Energy Information Administration is forecasting that heating bills for American families will be higher than last year because of higher forecast energy prices. They predict natural gas bills to rise by 5%, electricity by 3% and home heating oil by a whopping 20%. How can you cut the high costs of heating your home this winter? Here are 7 winter energy savings tips that'll bring the cost of heating your home down:

If you've had your eye on a new laptop or need to replace a washer/dryer, this may be a good weekend to drop some serious cash. Last week Massachusetts lawmakers passed an economic development bill that includes a tax-free holiday on the weekend of August 11-12, 2018...the first tax-free holiday since 2015!

What if your income stream suddenly stopped? Would paying for the essentials be difficult? What if an unexpected expense, such as a medical bill, popped up? Would you be able to pay it? Many people turn to credit to help them make ends meet in difficult times. While it may provide temporary relief, it could cost you, as interest accumulates on your balance if you cannot pay it in full. Not to mention, it may be a struggle to make the payments each month.