Simply Smart Insights
Scroll down and stay awhile to explore the answers to your everyday financial, business and homeownership questions.
What to look out for BEFORE you sign up for a “free” trial
We all love a good deal, especially offers that include “SALE,” “PRICE DROP,” or “FREE.” There are some offers, however, that we should be careful about—not necessarily because they’re bad or illegitimate—but because they may actually have you on the hook for buying...
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Our View: Navigating the Investing Road Ahead
Apparently spooked by rising interest rates and the potential impact of tariffs on future growth, markets gave up more than 15% since the end of September. While a downturn like that can seem intimidating (and it’s important to pay close attention to short-term...
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Hit the Ground Running: 6 Ways to Get Financially Fit in the New Year
Managing your finances can be stressful. There are always moving parts, unknown factors and risks involved. Even though we all know we should be “staying on top of our finances,” sometimes, it can seem easiest to simply avoid creating a money management strategy at...
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Top FAQs on Home Equity Lines of Credit
Homeowners consider applying for a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) for a variety of reasons. Frequently, they are looking to make home improvements or fund a college education. Sometimes, they are looking to plan a dream vacation or have a safety net of funds on...
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When Is the Right Time to Refinance My Home?
We’ll be the first to agree that interest rates are the driving force behind home refinancing. However, there are several other factors—such as your own priorities, financial goals and long-term life plans—that also need to go into a big decision like refinancing your...
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Questions All First-Time Homebuyers Should Consider
There are many pros and cons of being a homeowner, and there’s no exact right time or place to purchase your first home. On the one hand, you’re investing in property and putting down roots in a community. On the other hand, you no longer have the flexibility of...
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4 Tips to Protect Your Business from Payments Fraud
Cybersecurity and payments fraud have become a reality of everyday business, no matter the size of your business or industry. According to the 2018 Payments Fraud Survey by the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), payments fraud has reached an all-time high...
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4 Tips to Successfully Secure Financing and Grow Your Business
Companies of all sizes—especially start-ups and small businesses—frequently want to know what it takes to get approved for funding in order to grow. Business health and long-term success depend on growth—whether this means adding a new office location, hiring on...
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5 Tips for Businesses: How to Maintain a Personal Touch in the Digital Age
It used to be that if I needed a ride somewhere, I had to find a pay phone, dig into my pocket for a quarter and then wait an unknown amount of time for a taxi to pull up. Now, I use an app to summon a car share. While I wait, I get updates about the car’s make and...
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