Tag Archives: personal finance

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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Creating a Festive Checkbook: Checks for the Holiday Spirit

For many, there’s no better time of year than the holiday season. To help yourself get into the festive spirit this year, try surrounding yourself with all things holiday-themed — including your checkbook!

Each time you go to write a check, you’ll be reminded of all the great things about this time of year — the gatherings with loved ones, bountiful feasts, gift-giving, and more. Take a look below at some of our favorite holiday-themed personal checks to place in your pocketbook as we head into the new year.

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A Nostalgic Look at Checks: How They’ve Evolved and Remain Relevant Today

The first iterations of modern-day checks emerged ages ago. The behind-the-scenes banking practices and legal precedence supporting check-writing have evolved over the years, though the basic concept of making a written promise of payment has remained the same.

As we close out yet another incredible year, let’s reflect back on the long and storied timeline of how we ended up with the modern version of checks we rely on today.

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How to Use Checks for Holiday Charitable Donations Effectively

This holiday season, you can spread some cheer by giving back to charities and causes that are near and dear to you. Making your donation using a festive holiday check is a simple, secure, and effective approach, which you can do by following these simple steps:

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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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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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The Enduring Relevance of Checks in Today’s Digital Finance World

Despite the rise of electronic transactions, checks remain significant in personal and business finances in 2024. Some people simply prefer to write checks rather than send electronic payments. Plus, checks can even be a more secure payment method.

With numerous digital payment options, why do people continue using checks? Below, we’ll explore the advantages of check writing in 2024 and the various ways people continue to use checks in the digital age.

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