If you’re reading this blog, that probably means you like tips on how to manage your personal finances. You’ve come to the right place. At Aspire, we believe financial education is important. We have a number of resources to help you out no matter where you are in life. Guides and Worksheets We’re continuing to create materials to help educate you about your finances: Buying a House Guide Budget Worksheet Used Vehicle Checklist Videos Our Videos Page contains all of our videos, with topics ranging from how to use our services to financial education topics. Some of our new how-to videos…

Most people believe that you need to pay more for a healthy lifestyle. That mentality can be frustrating; you know being healthy will help you save money, but how much do you have to spend to maintain your health? The good news is it doesn’t have to be bad. You just need to know where to go, what to buy and how to do it all cheaply. Visit a Farmer’s Market You can find high-quality foods at lower prices at farmer’s markets, especially if you visit at the end of the day. You can also contact local farms and ask…

Last week, I talked about what an acceptable amount of debt was and what your debt-to-income ratio means. The next step is to understand how you should prioritize your debt to gain better control of your finances. Necessities First In order to properly prioritize your debt, you first need to make a list of all your monthly expenses. Set this up in a spreadsheet, and you’ll be able to build your budget off it later. Basic human necessities always take priority. Your housing and food costs should be estimated and that money needs to be set aside every month before…

Most people would like to save more money, but they’re not sure how. Even if you allocate a certain percentage of your paycheck to savings, it can still be hard to reach your goals. To help you out, here’s a list of ways you can save even more each year. Get Free Rewards Checking Are you still paying high fees and struggling to meet minimum balances on your checking accounts? You don’t have to! Find a credit union like Aspire FCU that offers free checking with no minimum balance… and even rewards! Sign Up for Free Customer Rewards Programs Almost every…

It’s finally spring! We got another round of snow here in the Northeast last week, but everyone has high hopes that will be the last of it. The warmer weather inspires many people to begin spring cleaning. While giving your home a through cleaning is an excellent idea, don’t forget to add your finances to the list. 1. Make a Commitment to Get Rid of Holiday Bills Are you still paying off holiday gifts? If so, it’s time to tighten up your spending or find ways to earn extra money. Make an effort to save money in small ways, like…