News

PRINT EMAIL

HomeNewsArticles

Cent-curity_Center_Logo_Combined

View Archives

Results: 94 Articles found.

SEP IRAs vs. SIMPLE IRAs: Key Differences and Considerations

When it comes to saving for retirement, there are several options for self-employed individuals and business owners to choose from. However, among these are two popular choices—the SEP IRA and SIMPLE IRA— each with its own set of advantages and considerations.
6 Options to Pay Down Medical Debt Not Covered by Insurance

Suppose you find yourself in a position where an unfortunate and unexpected illness has brought about hundreds or even thousands of dollars of debt that insurance isn’t going to cover. In that case, you’re likely looking into ways that you can pay off your medical debt. The good news is that you have a variety of options available to you, which we’ve compiled in this article. Depending on the amount of debt and your needs, one of these ways may fit the bill!
Refinancing Options

If you're a homeowner who could use some extra financial help, you may decide to refinance your home. Simply put, refinancing is when you replace your current home loan with another one.
From the Couch to the Caribbean: How to Save for That Much-Needed Vacation

Who doesn’t like going on vacation? If you’re like me and love to travel, you probably have a few destinations in mind of places you’d love to go; however, how often do you actually think about saving for these vacations? Unless you’re like my dad, who has a savings account specifically for vacations, you probably don’t think too much about saving for a vacation or how much money you need for one until it’s right before your trip.
How to Master Your Budget Based on Your Pay Cycle

Budgeting is a critical component of managing your finances. However, an often overlooked factor in budgeting is the impact of pay cycles. Whether you receive a monthly, biweekly, or weekly paycheck, it's important to understand how your pay cycle affects your overall financial plan.
Revamping Your Debt Management Plan for Federal Student Loan Repayment

If you have federal student loans, you're likely aware of the payment and interest freeze that has been in place since March 2020. With payments set to resume in October of 2023, you might be looking ahead and wondering how best to prepare.
Beware of Student Loan Debt Relief Companies

If you’ve borrowed federal student loans, you may have had third-party debt relief companies reach out to you with the promise of forgiving your loans. However, it’s important to understand the potential dangers of interacting with these companies.
What Everyone Should Know About The Different Types of College Savings Plans

Although students can find some form of grant, tax break, or scholarship to help defray the cost of higher education, most will still have to pay out of their own pockets. If you are planning on completely paying for your child's college education when he/she graduates, think again. This is one of the biggest mistakes parents make when saving for their child's education.
Exploring the New SAVE Student Loan Repayment Plan

With the federal student loan forbearance period ending in August 2023, borrowers are gearing up to resume their loan payments this fall. After a 3-year hiatus, many individuals may be concerned about managing their student loan obligations. To address this issue, the federal government has introduced the SAVE Repayment plan.
Cent-curity Center Mascot Logo

Did You Just Charge $3,178 on Your Credit Card? Reply Yes or No" SCAM

As text scams become more sophisticated, it is getting increasingly difficult to identify the “real” from the “fake”.
How to Maximize Your Savings While Planning Your Next Trip

If you have an upcoming break or some extra time off from work, it can be the perfect time to relax and recharge. Or, plan a big trip and spend some time somewhere new! No matter which direction you decide to take when planning a holiday or vacation, trips can quickly get expensive. So, we have gathered some tips to help you save on your adventure, no matter where (or when) you are going.
How to Find the Right Home for Your Emergency Fund

Whether your phone breaks, your car needs repair, or your washing machine springs a leak, it's important to be prepared for the unexpected. And one of the best ways to do this is by setting up an emergency fund dedicated to these unforeseen expenses.
Do You Know Your Financial Personality? What Your Money Habits Say About You

These tests are designed to help you understand yourself, your actions, and your attitude towards the world in general.
Cent-curity Center Mascot Logo

Critical Fraud Trends to Watch

As fraudsters develop increasingly sophisticated ways to con consumers out of their hard-earned money, we, in turn, must elevate our awareness and advance our fraud prevention tactics. At Alloya, our compliance and fraud prevention experts are continuously monitoring evolving fraud trends to keep our members informed.
Lifestyle Inflation: How to Recognize and Avoid it

Lifestyle inflation is best described as a vicious but often unrecognized cycle of financial or spending increases. When income increases (even by a small amount), spending—not saving—increases at a similar rate. Each time a promotion, raise, or job change occurs, many people fall victim to the same cycle of lifestyle inflation.