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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.

Whether you’re planning for an average weeknight dinner or a Thanksgiving feast, it can be hard to get your grocery bills to align with your monthly budget. The good news is that there are many great strategies for saving money on groceries that work for Thanksgiving and all year long. Here are some of our favorite tips.

Beyond the emotional toll of the loss of a loved one is a list of responsibilities. While paperwork and documentation may be the last thing on your mind, it is important to settle certain matters quickly, such as managing the deceased’s bank accounts. At American Heritage, we strive to treat this sensitive topic with the respect it deserves by making the process smooth and uncomplicated. For the purposes of this article, the information provided will be written with American Heritage accounts in mind.

When it comes to managing finances, too many of us make terrifying mistakes that can cost us money, hurt our credit and impact our financial future. In order to survive, we offer this brief list of financial terrors. Avoid them, and you may get out alive.

A credit card balance transfer makes a high-interest credit card balance (or balances) more manageable by transferring that balance to a new credit card with a lower interest rate. For added savings, some balance transfer offers include a lower introductory rate for a limited amount of time or sometimes even the life of the balance. Balance transfers can help you get out of debt faster and make multiple payments easier to manage.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it’s a good time to learn how this common scam works. When you know what phishing emails look like, you’ll be more likely to avoid failing for one – and can prevent the stress and financial harm that these scams cause.

For many couples, opening a joint checking account or a joint savings account is the first step. In fact, some studies have found that couples who pooled their money in shared accounts had happier long-term relationships. But before you make this big step, it’s important to communicate your feelings about combining your finances. It’s also helpful to understand how joint accounts work and know the benefits and challenges that come with them.

Just in time for October, the CDC has put forth a list of ways to join in the autumn activities while keeping your friends and family safe. We’ve taken the highlights and expanded upon them to inspire this year’s fun.

The process of comparing your financing options and choosing the right one can sometimes feel overwhelming – especially with all the financial jargon and concepts associated with loans and borrowing. Fortunately, many of these concepts are less complicated than they seem. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most important borrowing terms you should know. Learn them now, so you can make smarter borrowing decisions later.

In the last few years, mobile check deposit has become a must-have mobile banking tool for users of every age. It’s easy to see why: This powerful mobile banking feature lets you avoid extra trips to a branch or ATM by giving you the freedom to make deposits on your schedule, and you can make deposits anywhere you have an internet connection.

We all know the drill. You head to the checkout line and are presented with two options from the cashier: ”Will that be on credit or debit?” If you’re like most, there’s a good chance you may not know the difference between the two. While the two may seem identical when it comes to making a purchase, there is a very real difference and it’s a good idea to know which is best to use for various scenarios.

School transitioning to online-only or a hybrid environment last semester may have caught you and your students off guard. Going from a dedicated classroom environment to staying home, distractions and all, can affect a student’s morale, grades, and mental health. Add in parents and siblings who may also be working or learning at home, the school year and summer vacation blending together, and the absence of a teacher’s watchful eye, and you have a recipe for a poor learning experience.

Right now, staying connected is more important than ever. But for many people with pricey cell phone plans, it’s also more expensive than ever. On average, Americans are paying more than $1,300 a year for their cell phone service, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While carriers all claim to offer the best cell phone deals, finding ways to lower your cell phone bill can be challenging. To help, here are eight proven tips to help you save on your cell phone.

Like purchasing a home, selling your home will include various fees. Most sales are completed with the assistance of a real estate agent or broker. These agents make their money by earning commission on each sale and only get paid once a home has sold. This commission is paid by the seller during closing.

Maybe you want your job to be more fulfilling. Maybe you want to make more money. Either way, taking steps to advance in your career – or start a new career – can be one of the best ways to improve your quality of life and financial security. But moving forward professionally requires having the right skills. Valuable professional skills can range from technical skills that require specialized training to less tangible (but equally important) assets like leadership and empathy. If you’re looking to acquire more of the skills you need to succeed, here’s where to begin.

When you’re looking at a big-ticket purchase, one question always comes up: Should you pay with your savings or finance it? Or, if it’s a new home or car, how much of the purchase price should you pay up front, and how much should you borrow?

If quarantine brought a new furball into the family or led you to spend more quality time with the pets you have, you know that returning to your former routine means a bittersweet goodbye. Your pet, who was blissfully unaware of world events over the past few months, grew accustomed to you being around more often. To leave them suddenly without easing back into normalcy can cause stress and behavioral issues. Keep reading for five tips on helping your pet overcome this change.