Category: Featured

  • Last Minute Ways to Save Money Over the Holidays

    The holidays are here once again and that means you’re probably spending a fortune on gifts and are preparing to host company or visit family. That means you’ll still be spending even more money before the holidays are over. But don’t drain your bank account just yet. There are several things you can do to […]

  • Tips for Hosting Holiday Company

    Are you hosting a crowd this holiday season? Having a bunch of family members over, whether it’s for Thanksgiving dinner or for a week at Christmastime, can be expensive – but it doesn’t have to be if you follow some of our advice! For the big meal: Plan, plan, plan! Make a list of everything […]

  • The Benefits of Bargain Shopping at Yard Sales

    When you hear the words bargain shopping, what comes to mind? Most people think of saving money and buying cheap. Some think of getting less quality than deserved and settling for less. I, however, think of one of America’s favorite “pastimes”….yard sales! I think of yard sales as being the new era of bargain shopping. They […]

  • Reduce Debt With Credit Counseling

    Can you reduce debt with credit counseling? Yes, you can. If you feel overwhelmed by debt, there is hope! Many people who struggle with a heavy debt-load have wondered how to break free. While credit counseling is not the only debt relief solution offered, it may be the perfect solution for you. Below are 5 ways that […]

  • Retirement Investing 101: The Benefits of Saving Early

    This is the tenth post in our Retirement Investing 101 series written by Amanda Smith, Client Services Specialist at CESI. Check out Part 1 or continue on to Part 11. Today I’ll be talking with you about the benefits and importance of investing early. Okay, I know that when you are in your twenties you are just starting […]

  • Retirement Investing 101: 401(k) Company Matching

    This is the final post in our Retirement Investing 101 series written by Amanda Smith, Client Services Specialist at CESI. Check out Part 1. During my tenure at Fidelity Investments as a Retirement Representative, I would receive calls from employees who opted out of participating in their company’s 401(k). These calls were my biggest pet peeve, […]

  • Retirement Investing 101: The IRA and Roth IRA

    This is the fourth post in our Retirement Investing 101 series written by Amanda Smith, Client Services Specialist at CESI. Check out Part 1 or continue on to Part 5. We have two more savings vehicles to review where you can really maximize your retirement savings so that you can do those extra things (traveling? spoiling the […]

  • Retirement Investing 101: Mutual Funds

    This is the seventh post in our Retirement Investing 101 series written by Amanda Smith, Client Services Specialist at CESI. Check out Part 1, or continue on to Part 8. Welcome to the wonderful world of mutual funds! The basic definition of a mutual fund is a pool of money gathered by many investors to purchase a wide variety […]

  • Retirement Investing 101: Roth 401(k)

    This is the third post in our Retirement Investing 101 series written by Amanda Smith, Client Services Specialist at CESI. Check out Part 1 or continue on to Part 4. Do you know the benefits of having a Roth 401(k)? Many people are not sure what exactly a Roth 401(k) is and how it can benefit them. A Roth […]

  • Retirement Investing 101: Am I On Track?

    This is the eleventh post in our Retirement Investing 101 series written by Amanda Smith, Client Services Specialist at CESI. Check out Part 1 or continue on to Part 12. How do you know if you are on track toward having enough money saved for retirement? This is a very difficult question but necessary to review, though it’s impossible to […]