Kirsten Thuringer

If I said that identity theft is no fun, it would be a lot like telling you the sky is blue and water is wet — a bit of an understatement. Identity theft is one of the most devastating things that can happen financially, but it’s also far more common than a lot of people realize. About 15 million U.S. consumers were affected by identity fraud in 2016, according to a study by Javelin Strategy & Research. In total, about $16 billion was stolen from those victims.

One of the first — and most important — steps of any job is deciding which tool will be most effective for that task. While a hammer is great for driving nails into a wall, it doesn’t work quite as well when you’re trying to apply a fresh coat of paint.

Credit cards are like a stick of dynamite: They’re incredibly effective at their intended purpose, but they can blow up in your face when used inappropriately. When you're in the market for a new credit card, the possibilities seem infinite. Countless banks and credit card companies offer dozens of different deals, and every card delivers distinct terms, rates, and fine print.

Since the dawn of credit cards, man has struggled with one nagging question: Cash or credit? Some people claim you should ditch cards altogether to avoid debt, while others argue it’s smarter to responsibly use credit to rack up rewards. Regardless of your spending habits, most financial experts would say it’s a good idea to have at least one card to build your credit history.

Credit cards can seem like the solution to all of life's financial problems. Can't afford to pay the electric bill this month? Charge it to your credit card and worry about it later! Want to go on a $5,000 trip to Italy, but don't have the cash? That's what credit cards are for, right?

Let’s face it: Credit scores are a confusing concept. Most people don’t know much about their credit score aside from the fact it’s a three-digit number that controls nearly every financial aspect of their lives.

If aliens judged us by our commercials, they’d probably assume everyone were interested in pharmaceuticals, luxury cars, and credit scores. Many advertisements urge viewers to know their credit rating by heart.

Balance Transfer Credit Cards are not for everyone but they can be a money saver when used in the right situation. These credit cards are best used to transfer your current credit card balance with a higher interest rate to and then pay it off within a few months or within the intro period.

Shop smart and shop small, as in small business, this Saturday, November 26th. Small Business Saturday takes place the Saturday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday and offers great benefits to not only the business owners but also the shoppers.

The USAA family of companies provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement products and advice to 11.7 million current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength.

Looking to purchase or lease a new vehicle at some point within the next 3 years? Then the BuyPower Card® from Capital One® might be for you. This rewards card offers great benefits as well as the opportunity to redeem your earnings towards the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac.

There are two different types of people when it comes to the holidays… those who think “It’s only October, I have plenty of time to do my Christmas shopping” or those who feel “There’s only 9 weeks til Christmas, I better get planning and finish shopping!” Many reasons exist that people procrastinate their holiday shopping, but a result of procrastinating can lead to spending a large amount of money at once, which doesn’t work for most people.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite MasterCard®- Voted Money Magazine’s Best Frequent Flyer Credit Card! This travel rewards card has been voted the best frequent flyer credit card for frequent travelers who are looking for a no hassle card with great benefits.

Your Credit Score is very important and having a low score can affect you in more ways than one. Whether you’re buying a home or applying for a credit card, having a low credit score can impact your Annual Percentage Rate (APR), as well as determine if you are able to get a loan or approved for the credit card.

To your kids, shopping for new clothes, gear and school supplies may be the only good thing about going back to school, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune every year. Check out these 5 tips on how to save.

In the car buying world there can be a lot of things that can go wrong. That is unless you take certain steps that, if followed, will hopefully result in a great experience. To help make your car buying experience a little easier, take a look at these following tips.

Planning parties can be a lot of pressure especially when you have a tight budget. Here are 4 money saving tips to party planning to help you stretch your budget and save big!

Summer time is almost here and for many that means…family vacation! Vacation planning can be stressful, as well as very expensive, but there are a number of ways to cut down on the stress and be less draining on the checkbook. Check out these 5 tips on how to save, but still have a memorable vacation.

Graduation is just around the corner and before you know it you could be faced with some tough financial decisions. Check out these personal finance basics to get you ready for the next phase in your life.

With Spring in full force the gardening bug is spreading. For those people who aren’t quite sure on what to do and don’t want to spend a lot of money just quite yet, check out these great tips on how to create a successful garden while not spending a fortune.

Buying a home can be one of the scariest decisions of your life, but also one of the best. Before visiting with a realtor or starting your house hunting, you need to ask yourself a few questions.