Living Greater

Consider This:  Perhaps your wedding is just around the corner. Or you’ve managed to survive the wedding stresses and are enjoying the honeymoon. Or you’re settling into your new home together. Wherever you are on the newlywed spectrum, you may have heard one of the most common problems in marriage is finances. It can often lead to divorce.
 

The time has come to send your oldest child off to college. You’ve talked with them about safety, getting to class on time and being careful when going to parties. But, how much have you talked with them about being responsible with their money?
 

In today’s world, the ability to manage money has never been more critical. All the while, financial knowledge among the general public has not kept pace with the need for financial capability. In a 2017 study, only 48 percent of all Americans were able to answer at least half of a set of financial literacy questions correctly. The young adult demographic performed even worse, with less than a quarter of millennials, in another study, able to answer basic financial wellness questions.

It’s no secret that we live in one of the best states to enjoy the outdoors. Between Lake Tahoe, Red Rock Canyon, Black Rock Desert and more, the things you can do and see in Nevada are endless. We can also hop behind the wheel and head to Yosemite National Park, Utah’s Arches National Park and the coasts of Washington and Oregon.
 

Consider This:  American consumers have become increasingly aware that their personal information needs protecting. That concern isn’t unfounded. Javelin also found that 6.6 percent of U.S. consumers became victims of identity fraud in 2017—an increase of almost one million victims over 2016.
 

Hooray! You’ve been accepted to college. Now the question is, “how do I pay for it?”  With several different options, including pay as you go, scholarships, grants and student loans, finding the best way to finance your education can seem overwhelming. Here are some tips to make navigating the financial side of your college education that much easier.
 

If you’re starting to plan a spring break vacation or family summer trip, and Disneyland Resort is where you’d like to head, don’t book anything until you check out the many discounts available to you. Before we look at those special offers, let’s first review upcoming events that you may want to schedule around.
 

What’s a Mobile Wallet?

A mobile wallet is located in your smartphone, tablet or smart watch, and some can be used on a laptop or desktop, as well. The wallet can be part of a built-in feature on a mobile device, or an app that you download from an app store. For instance, the Apple Pay™, mobile wallet is built into the Apple iPhone, where Samsung Pay™ and Google Pay™ mobile wallets require downloading the app on to your smart phone.

Consider This:  There is still some confusion among consumers with the new federal tax laws.
 
A recent NerdWallet study found that almost half—48 percent—of Americans don’t know to what tax bracket they belong. In fact, the study found that about 1 in 14 Americans don’t understand how tax brackets work.

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?