Blog

As the holiday season wraps up, many of us face the financial aftermath, a period marked by reviewing expenses and recalibrating budgets. The start of the new year presents a crucial opportunity to assess and rejuvenate your financial health, setting a solid foundation for the months ahead.

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and a vital part of our cultural identity. However, when it comes to holiday shopping, many consumers rely on retail giants, missing out on the opportunity to discover distinctive offerings and invest in their communities. Held each November, Small Business Saturday is a chance for Main Street enterprises to capture a little more yuletide magic and market share. Here’s what small business owners need to know.

‘Tis the season to be wary. The holidays are a busy time for shoppers, travelers, and helping hands. Unfortunately, the cold weather months are also when scammers turn up the heat. A recent study found that nearly one in four Americans have fallen prey to fraud during the holidays. In this article, we’ll cover seven costly scams that are currently on the rise and offer a few tips for staying safe.

For many people, the colder months are a time for giving: giving thanks, giving gifts, and giving back to help the less fortunate. However, when finances are tight, the desire to support great causes can sometimes be overshadowed by budgetary concerns.

If you didn’t snag all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals you were hoping for — or if you didn’t receive everything on your own wish list over the holidays — don’t worry. There are a ton of awesome shopping deals to be had after Christmas. With some planning, patience, and strategic shopping, you can score deep discounts from both big-box stores and mom-and-pop businesses trying to reduce their inventory and make room for new items in the new year. Here are some savings you can look forward to after Santa returns to the North Pole.

The brisk changing of the seasons and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday gives us a chance to look back at the year and reflect on the things we’re most grateful for. Here at American Heritage Credit Union, 2022 has brought us many new experiences, relationships, and opportunities to advance our mission in the communities we serve. Here are some memorable highlights.

With December right around the corner and holiday festivities quickly approaching, it’s also the time of year when the needs of your community are the most apparent. Though food, clothes, and essential goods are needed all year round, the winter season brings the greatest needs for these items. Whether you want to make a donation, take action, or find new organizations to help into the new year, there are many opportunities to spread joy within your own community.

While the holiday season may be a time of tradition for many, changing economic factors will force many to adapt their habits to fit a tighter budget this year. According to Deloitte’s 2022 Holiday Retail Survey, shoppers plan to buy 9 gifts in 2022 versus 16 in 2021, citing rising prices. Despite this, consumers plan to maintain spending levels, spending an average of $1,455, similar to last year’s $1,463 average. Knowing that shoppers don’t expect their dollar to go as far, what options exist for budget-conscious consumers who still want to create happy holidays?

Ghosts, goblins, witches, and vampires – everyone knows All Hallows’ Eve is full of creepy creatures. But the scariest of them all may be scammers who try to trick you into revealing your sensitive personal information. Millions of Americans have their identities stolen or compromised each year, and dealing with the aftermath of identity theft and fraud is no treat.

Holiday spirit can encourage increased tipping and additional cash gifts for workers in the service industry and other customer-facing roles. It’s a thoughtful gesture and is a great way to pay a special thanks to our everyday heroes.

Whatever you associate the holiday with, there are others in the community who may not get to experience the same joy around the holidays. But you can help change that by finding ways to give back to your community. Here are a few simple ways to give back on Thanksgiving and spread some holiday cheer.

Beat the lines, the “sold out” signs, and get every item on your list by getting ahead of this year’s crowd. November marks the start of holiday shopping for many – and you should aim to be among them this year.

The spirit of giving is always alive and well during the holidays, and we know that’s especially true this year. As so many people grapple with the hardships of COVID-19, many of us are looking for ways to lend a helping hand. But with new safety concerns, it can be a challenge to find ways to help others while safeguarding our own health. That’s why we’re sharing this list of seven ways you can make a difference in your community right now, without putting yourself at risk.

‘Tis the season to be careful. Amidst the holiday deals, package deliveries, and charity donations, danger lurks. No one wants to ruin their holiday cheer with a headache and a disputed credit card charge, but a little caution goes a long way. Due to current world circumstances, many are choosing to do the bulk of their shopping online this year. While avoiding the crowd can keep you safe in one way, you still need to protect yourself on the web. Here are some common scams you can expect to see this holiday.

There are lots of reasons to love the holidays: the lights, the gifts, the time with family. But here’s something you probably don’t love: a big credit card bill or low checking account balance to start the new year. By some estimates, the average American spends around $1,000 on holiday expenses. However, with a little planning and smart purchases, it’s possible to enjoy lots of holiday fun without spending lots of money.

The holidays are a season of charity and generosity. With this spirit of giving, it is easy to overindulge and buy a gift for everyone in our lives. Though we never want to discourage kindness, overextending your finances for the sake of the holidays isn’t a wise financial decision. We've compiled some resources and tips to help navigate this potentially challenging holiday season.

It's never a bad time to get involved with a charitable cause. However, it’s also a good idea to think before you donate. While giving to global charities and community charities is a wonderful thing, it’s also a good idea to make sure that you’re giving in a way that provides maximum value for your giving dollar and allows you to take advantage of the tax value of donations.

The fact is, the average American can easily spend between $800 – $1000 on the holidays each year. Unfortunately, many people don’t save in advance and put it all on the credit card. This leaves them with a savings shortfall, or worse, a large credit card balance that they’ll be paying off well into the following year. The good news is that you can avoid these traps with a little planning and by applying these six holiday budgeting tips.

The holidays are one of the most enjoyable times of the year. But if you’re like many of us, they may also be one of the most expensive. Whether you’re heading out of town or heading to the mall, the cost of gifts, travel, and entertaining can leave you in the red come January. The secret is to start saving for the holidays as soon as possible.