Category Archives: Personal Finance

Preparing for the 2025 Tax Season

 

The tax filing deadline might still be a few weeks away, though it may be a good idea to get things done sooner rather than later. Whether you handle your taxes on your own or you hire a CPA, getting a head start on your taxes gives you plenty of time to gather the necessary documents and avoid any headaches or last-minute filings come April 15th. 

Get started on your taxes with these tips and tricks, including updates on some of the recent changes in the tax code that you should be aware of. 

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Embrace Financial Renewal: The Importance of New Checks and 2025 Financial Cleanup

As you look forward to the new year ahead, getting your finances in order is a common resolution people have. But no matter what your financial goals are for 2025, it’s important to have the right tools and record-keeping system in place to help you stay organized. This includes purchasing new checks, an essential step for establishing healthy financial habits in 2025.

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New Year, New You: Developing Financial Literacy in 2025

Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans have some type of financial goal for the new year, according to Bankrate. If you’re one of these money-minded individuals, you might be focused on paying down debts, improving your spending habits, or boosting your credit. Whatever your financial goals are for 2025, becoming well-versed and educated on the topic of personal finance is a must in today’s environment. 

Fortunately, there are more outlets than ever to make studying the topic easy (and even enjoyable).

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Gift-Giving Made Easy: How to Write Checks as Thoughtful Presents

With the holiday season quickly approaching, you may have a long list of family, friends, and acquaintances that you plan to exchange gifts with. While you can take the time to conjure up ideas of the perfect gift for everyone on your list, there’s always a worry that you’ll gift someone something they already have, don’t like, or would rather pick out themselves. 

Luckily, one thing nearly everyone can agree on is that receiving money as a gift is always welcomed. Plus, there’s a way to gift money in a thoughtful way that doesn’t lose the personal feel of holiday gift-giving — by using a personal check. 

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How Election Season Affects Your Finances

The 2024 presidential election is quickly approaching. Among the many questions and concerns surrounding this momentous event, many folks are concerned about what the potential results of the election could mean for their finances. 

While there’s no way to predict with full certainty what will occur, historical data and expert insights give us a glimpse into what we might be able to expect.  

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Creating a Holiday Spending Plan: Balancing Gifts, Travel, and Festivities

Before you know it, the holiday season will be in full swing. From gift-giving to festive gatherings and long-anticipated travel plans, there’s plenty to look forward to this time of year. However, it’s easy to get lost in the excitement and let costs spiral without realizing it. 

According to PwC’s 2024 Holiday Outlook survey, overall holiday spending is expected to increase by 7% from last year, ringing in at a total of $1,638 per shopper on average. 

Whether you anticipate spending more or less than this amount, creating a holiday spending plan can help you stay on budget and avoid overspending. This way, you’re ready for every occasion and don’t have to miss out on any precious holiday moments. 

Below, we’ll walk through some simple steps to creating a solid holiday spending plan. 

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Checks in Estate Planning and Trust Funds

According to LegalZoom, over half of Americans, or 56%, think estate planning is important for end-of-life planning. So, even though this process can feel overwhelming, taking thoughtful steps now can ease the burden for your loved ones later on. 

One way to make the process more straightforward is to organize your financial matters. This includes setting up clear methods for disbursing funds, like using paper checks. By being proactive with these details, you not only make the process easier but also give your family peace of mind, knowing that everything is in order. 

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Professional Businessman Working On Computer

How to Balance Your Checkbook in the Digital Age

Balancing your checkbook is an important aspect of managing your finances. It allows you to review all transactions to see where your money goes each month and catch any bank errors or discrepancies. Above all, it provides transparency into your finances, giving you a clear understanding of your financial positioning at any given time. 

In the digital age, there continue to be new ways to manage your finances online, including balancing your checkbook, as we’ll detail below. 

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Business person Signing Check In Office

Checks vs. Electronic Payments: Comparing Costs and Benefits for Businesses

The modern business environment has grown increasingly competitive. Business leaders constantly seek new ways to cut costs and boost profits without sacrificing operational efficiency and security. One area where companies may look for cost-saving opportunities is in their payment processing practices. 

Businesses that have relied on check payments for decades may start to wonder if switching to electronic payments is a better alternative. Below, we’ll compare these two payment methods to help you understand the costs and benefits of each. 

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A person taking a picture of a check

The Evolution of Checks: From Paper to Digital

Checks have long been the cornerstone of personal and business finances. They provide a secure and traceable way to transfer funds, an easy method to make a financial gift or donation, and a reliable payment form that doesn’t require you to have access to technology when initiating a transaction. 

Though checks have evolved dramatically over the years, their purpose and benefits remain unchanged. Let’s take a look at how checks have evolved over the years and why they continue to stay relevant in the digital age. 

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