Living Greater

CONSIDER THIS:  A Gallup poll found only about 1/3 of Americans (32 percent) maintain a household budget. Without a budget, it is easy to overspend, waste money, and get into debt.

So, what steps can you take to create a successful budget? Preparation is key. Most of us plan trips, weekend activities, work projects—so why should we handle our money any differently?

We need insurance for just about everything: home or renters, car, life, business, pets, and possibly a lot more, depending on how many other assets you may have. Although insurance provides us with the necessary coverage to protect ourselves and our possessions, many don’t bother to do proper research on how they might be able to save on their insurance expenses.

Consider This: According to a survey from WalletHub, 59 percent of Americans don’t check their credit reports more than once a year.

But frequently checking scores and reports can be crucially important to financial health. Here are some reasons why it is important to check your credit report more often.

The holiday season is a time for festivities, cheer, and reunions with family and friends. But as we deck the halls or spin the dreidel, many of us will have something else on our mind: money. In fact, more than three in four Americans overspend during the holiday season, with the average household adding nearly $1,000 in debt. While it may seem like a fact of life, going into gift-purchase debt is not inevitable. In today’s post, we’ll offer four key tips to stress-free holiday spending, allowing you to devote yourself to some worry-free celebrating.

Before you know it, the winter holidays will be here! And with it comes joy, family time, and often, money worries and stress.

One way to help avoid that last part is something you may have heard often: develop a budget. Seems simple, but many people don’t do that, and it often leads to overspending, debt, and financial stress.

It used to be that most banking, like making deposits, applying for and paying on loans, and transferring funds, was done inside of a branch. These days more people are doing their banking online and on the go through their mobile devices. If that’s your preferred way to bank, is it safe?

CONSIDER THIS: The credit cards consumers choose can have a considerable impact on their overall financial health, so it’s important to choose wisely.

Although there are no set rules for finding the perfect credit card, here are some ways to make that search a little easier:

A good credit score is much more than simply paying your bills on time. Those with the best credit tend to have overall healthy habits, like only buying necessities and keeping luxuries to a minimum. They also make smart decisions when making big purchases, carefully maintain their belongings, and live a fiscally responsible lifestyle.

Fall is a great time to enjoy the striking natural beauty and diverse activities only found in northern Nevada.  Trees throughout the region show off with glorious displays of autumn color, mild daytime temperatures and crisp evenings are ideal for enjoying the outdoors, and a bounty of local harvest festivals offer fall fun for all ages.

Here are some ideas for local events to check out, plus some unique places to explore that transport you back in time, appeal to sports fans of every persuasion, or beckon nature enthusiasts with scenic diversity and beauty.