Noteworthy News

BBB Alert: Scammers impersonate your Facebook friends

October 14, 2021

Rockford, IL – October 12, 2021 – Did you get a message or request from a Facebook friend? It could be fake. The Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers that scammers are setting up fake Facebook “friend” webpages to steal your money and personal information. Statista.com estimated 16% of all Facebook accounts in 2020 were fake or duplicates. “Your Facebook ‘friend’ could be a scammer impersonating your real friend,” says Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau. “This latest scam has strong potential for money loss, identity theft and future problems.”
 

Debit Card: Should I use my PIN or Use it as Credit?

October 6, 2021

When you make a purchase using your debit card, you’re often given the choice between “debit” or “credit.” What’s the difference between the two? Click the title of this article to learn more. 
 

6 Ways to Boost your Credit Score

September 29, 2021

An excellent credit score is the ultimate goal of the financially responsible consumer. Those three magic digits tell a story of accountability, good financial sense, and the ability to spend mindfully. A great credit score also unlocks doors for large, affordable loans; employment opportunities, and more.
 
Its significance notwithstanding, achieving and maintaining an excellent credit score is easier said than done. There is no quick and easy way to dramatically boost your score over a short amount of time, but you can take steps to increase your credit score gradually. Below, we’ve listed six ways you can start amping up your credit score today.
 

5 Ways to Raise your Kids to be Financially Independent Adults

September 14, 2021

It’s commendable to try raising your kids today with an eye toward their future. Teaching your children how to be financially independent will help smooth the transition into adulthood. It will also give them the tools they need to achieve and maintain financial wellness throughout their life. Here are some 5 tips for raising kids to grow into financially independent adults. 
 

6 Steps to Crushing Debt

September 1, 2021

You and debt are so over. You’ve just about had it with those endless piles of credit card bills and those hideous numbers that never seem to get any lower. It’s time to kiss that debt goodbye! Getting rid of high debt will take hard work, willpower and the determination to see it through until the end, but it is doable. Here, we’ve outlined six steps to help you start crushing debt today. 
 

BBB Warns: Look Before you Scan

August 16, 2021

As QR codes get more popular, BBB.org/scamtracker is seeing more reports of con artists using them to mislead consumers. Companies use QR codes to point consumers to their apps, track packages, or view menus. “But because the human eye can’t read these codes, they have become a way for scammers to disguise malicious links,” says Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau.

6 Reasons to Switch to eStatements

August 11, 2021

Are you constantly dealing with a barrage of junk mail that clogs up your mailbox? Drowning in papers needing sifted through? Are you always afraid to throw out any paper from your financial institution, fearful that you’ll be throwing sensitive material into the trash and making it an easy steal for would-be scammers? If this sounds familiar, you may benefit from switching to electronic account statements.
 

Needs vs. Wants

July 8, 2021

One of the most important parts of setting up a monthly budget is separating needs from wants. Before assigning dollar amounts to any categories, it’s important to know which parts of your monthly expenditures are an absolute need, and which items would be nice to include, but are not a necessity. Below, we’ve outlined how to tell the difference between wants and needs, as well as how to separate these two categories on a monthly budget plan.
 

Don’t Share your Grad Photo Online

June 4, 2021

Congrats — you did it! Whether you’re graduating high school, college or graduate school, there’s lots to celebrate. You’ve worked hard to earn your diploma or degree, spending years studying for exams, keeping up with your coursework to reach the goal you’ve now accomplished. Now that the finish line is finally within reach, all you want to do is talk about your graduation and celebrate this milestone. So, when a bunch of your friends are sharing their senior photos and joining graduation contests on Facebook, Instagram or other social media platforms, you may think it’s harmless to do the same. Unfortunately, though, posting a senior portrait with your graduation year and the name of your school on a public platform can lead you right into a scam. Here’s what you need to know about grad photo scams and how to play it safe.
 

Dream First - How to Quit Overthinking and Make It Happen

May 21, 2021

Book Review

Who is this book for? 

• Wanna-be entrepreneurs wondering how to get started.
• Anyone looking for inspiration and guidance on making their dreams come true.

What’s inside this book?
Bennett’s incredible story of how she built a multimillion-dollar company by leaping into the unknown and accepting a challenge from her boss. Motivation, tips and practical advice for making your personal dreams come true.