The new year is when people make all sorts of commitments to better themselves financially. However, if you've set your sights too high and come up short time and again, it can be difficult to consider realistic goals. Nevertheless, here are five financial resolutions anyone can keep. Evaluate Your Financial Health Do you know your net worth? That's the amount of your assets minus liabilities. Once you calculate this figure, you'll have a clear picture of where you stand and how to outline achievable & realistic resolutions. It’ll also provide insight into monetary shortcomings and where you can make improvements.…

Few things get you into the season’s spirit faster than a good holiday movie. But beyond being festive, these films can also be educational. Here are some financial tips to take from eight classic Christmas flicks. A Christmas Carol The Story: Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) is a miserable miser whose life is changed on Christmas Eve when he is visited by three spirits. The Lesson: There isn't anything wrong with saving, but there's also nothing wrong with spending…if you do it responsibly. It’s okay to reward yourself for reaching short-term benchmarks, for example, to achieve long-term goals. Jingle All the…

The magic of the season tends to end abruptly when your credit card bill arrives. If you have a habit of overspending during the holidays, here are some tips to help you avoid the Christmas sticker shock once it's over. Plan Early The best way to stop overspending is prior planning. Make a shopping list that includes how much you're going to spend on each person. When you start looking for gifts, take your time and keep an eye out for coupons and special promotions. You'll prevent the high cost of expedited delivery if you need something shipped quickly. Begin…

It's always important to stay on top of your loans. Regularly missing payments can negatively affect your credit & harm your financial well-being. Nevertheless, there are times when extra cash for unforeseen expenses or emergencies is needed, which is why America First offers a service where you can skip certain loan payments once a year with no adverse consequences. How It Works When you skip a payment, it doesn't go away completely. You're still required to pay the full loan balance, but it's deferred until the end of the term. And it won't be reported as late or make you…

While paper checks aren't very common, most people use checking. In these accounts, money is subtracted when a transaction occurs. If there are no available funds and you attempt a purchase, it triggers an overdraft & your card will be declined. If you have overdraft protection on your account, a financial institution will cover such a transaction and the purchase will go through, avoiding the inconvenience & awkwardness of being declined. Understanding this service and using it wisely can prevent a potentially destructive financial cycle. Opting In At America First, checks, automatic debits, and other payments or withdrawals you authorize…

November is celebrated as a time of gratitude—a period to reflect on what we have before the focus shifts toward getting or giving what everyone wants. However, being thankful throughout the year not only improves our well-being, it benefits us financially. Appreciate belongings When you first move away from home, resist the urge to have everything your parents provided while you were growing up. It took them time to save up for things like a nice home, washing machine & dryer, and top-tier appliances. Enjoy the struggle of simpler days instead of immediately putting yourself in debt. As you become…