Whether in a good or bad economy, harnessing financial responsibility is a must.  Before marrying yourself to loans, investments, and even unscrupulous scam artists, arm yourself with a plan to keep your financial health in tip-top shape and make the most of your hard-earned cash.

Today is a new banking world.  Stay atop new financial products, new Federal Reserve and FDIC rules, and safe internet banking practices.  Find out not only how to protect your money, but also how to be a savvy with it.

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Small business and entrepreneurship is the backbone of our economy.  But what is also true is that roughly 50% of small businesses fail in the first five years.  Get tips and resources on loans, grants, taxes, and common pitfalls.

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Depending on your financial history, credit can be a boon or a bane.  The first step toward good money management is awareness.  Find out about new Federal Reserve rules, credit protection laws, how to avoid scams, and how to take better care of your financial health.

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Building a well-diversified portfolio takes time, expertise, and a certain amount of risk.  Because non-bank investments are not federally insured, know how much risk you are comfortable with.  Learn about various investment options available such as stocks, bonds, retirement plans, and mutual funds.

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Do you need home, health, auto, rental, life, or professional liability insurance? To protect you, your family and your assets you may need one or all of these, take the time to shop around for the best rates and terms.  Know how these products work.  Find out about the stability of companies you contract with and avoid potential scams.

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Unpaid taxes can result in penalties and affect your credit score.  If you own a home, unpaid taxes can result in property liens that may affect the salability of your home.   Find out the difference between an electronic return and a paper return.  If you have an issue with the IRS, learn about options such as appeals and low-income taxpayer clinics.

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