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Naperville Branch Update

We’re making some changes to better serve you! Starting January 2, 2025, operations at our Naperville branch will relocate to our Winfield location.
7 Travel Tips for a Happy Holiday and a Happy Budget

The holiday season is coming up, and for many that means… travel! Whether it’s a vacation destination or a trip to see family, ‘tis the season of road trips, plane rides, and unfortunately, empty wallets. The experience of travel is by far one of my favorite aspects of life, but traveling can also be expensive, especially during this festive time.
A Holiday Saving Poem: Gearing up for Gift Shopping

Studies show that the more you interact with a brand, store employee or physical object, the more likely you will be to purchase. From design layouts featuring inconvenient shopping paths to having an overly friendly greeter record the time you stay in the store (watch for the stopwatches), retailers are doing everything to keep your wallet in the right proximity.
AAPI Family Bonds: Balancing Community Strengths and Financial Strains

If you’re an Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), you’re probably familiar with the idea of children caring for (and funding) their aging parents. It’s a stereotype for a reason: it happens—a lot. Sometimes, it happens because families can’t or don’t save enough to retire. Other times, it’s a cultural expectation linked to the idea of filial piety.
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How to Make a Financial Plan and Stick to It

A financial plan helps you understand where you’re at, as well as have clear goals for where you want to be and steps to take to achieve them
Employee Stock Purchase Plans Explained

There are many different ways employers can reward their employees using the company’s shares. One popular way is through an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). Let’s take a closer look at how it works and the potential benefits it can offer employees.
Breaking Down Restricted Stock: RSAs vs. RSUs

Stock compensation can be a valuable tool for employees who are eligible to receive them. Companies issue these awards for reasons such as retaining key talent or aligning employee compensation with management’s goals. Whatever the reason for the compensation, knowing the type of award and its impact on your overall financial picture is important.
Selling Your Home: The Basics

For most of us, selling our home is a significant event demanding considerable attention and effort. It's a major milestone that can bring up a lot of emotions. Whether we are moving for work, upgrading to a bigger place, or downsizing to enjoy retirement, it's important to understand the home-selling process. Knowing the ins and outs can help us achieve our goals and avoid common mistakes.
Saving vs. Borrowing: Weighing the Pros and Cons

At first glance, the decision to save or borrow money for large purchases can seem obvious: save for it so you can own it now and avoid paying interest. However, it’s not always that simple. Sometimes, you can come out ahead by borrowing—even when you already have the money on hand. It’s a matter of strategy in some cases. Whether for a home, a car, an education, or an appliance, there are factors that are important to keep in mind when deciding whether to use savings or borrow money.
To Buy or Rent? How to Make an Informed Decision

Contrary to common belief, it’s not always better to buy than rent. Sometimes, one choice is the only option available, but when you have two choices, the answer isn’t always straightforward.
Don't Be Fooled: How to Recognize and Avoid Imposter Scams

Imposter scams have become increasingly prevalent, ranking as one of the most common types of consumer fraud, according to a report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In 2023 alone, consumers lost $2.7 billion to imposter scams. Unfortunately, as scammers find more creative ways to outwit consumers, it's becoming harder to detect what's real and what's a scheme.
Bouncing Back: How to Overcome Budget Setbacks

In the world of personal finance, setting a budget is a crucial part of your financial journey. It’s meant to be a roadmap designed to guide you toward your goals. However, even with smart planning and the best intentions, budget setbacks can and do happen. Unexpected expenses, overspending, or emergencies can quickly derail even the most well-constructed financial plans.
Investing Basics: The Power of Diversification

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket,” and conceptually, we understand the implications. By concentrating your risk in one place, you can potentially lose everything. So, how do you limit your exposure when investing? This concept is known as diversification. Let’s take a closer look at how it works.
Estimated Taxes: What Are They and Who Pays Them?

For individuals who work as employees, the tax payment process can be relatively simple. Employers are typically required to withhold a portion of the gross income on your paycheck and send it to the U.S. government on your behalf. This is called tax withholding, and it’s how most employees pay their taxes throughout the year. Then, come tax time each spring, taxpayers prepare their tax return and reconcile their tax due with their total tax withholding from throughout the year.