Direct Insight

Avoiding costly trends when managing your personal finances is key to creating personal wealth. Dive into three trends that could derail your ability to grow your money.

Hackers constantly search for ways to steal information both online and offline. It's important to take action and protect your identity.

Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by disguising as a trusted company. Recognition is the key to avoiding phishing scams. Here are some suggestions.

With ease of access comes vulnerability to your online identity, so you have to be more careful to protect your personal data.

Financial plans help you navigate your current financial circumstances to reach your goals.

Revolving credit plays a big part in a number of factors, having a significant impact on your score. Learn more about the four aspects that decide your creditworthiness.

Picking the right time to retire depends on several factors, including how long your money needs to last, your savings, your debt, and the retirement lifestyle you want.

Embracing paperless bank statements can help the environment, however, the practice also has other benefits that simplify your life and help you take control of your finances.

A CD allows you to invest your money for a set period of time and earn interest. Typically, CDs have a higher interest rate than savings or checking accounts. In order to earn that…

You may ask yourself, why would I want to have multiple savings accounts? That just sounds like more work. If you think that way, you’re not alone. Most people think of savings accounts…

If your parents didn’t teach you good financial habits, you may feel at a loss when you enter adulthood and have to start taking responsibility for your own money. Luckily, you can…

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are a good option for savers who want to invest a portion of their nest egg in relative safety for a set amount of time. CDs are often lumped in with deposit…

The holidays can be expensive and frustrating if you’re battling crowds in a rush for last-minute gifts. Sticking to a budget, shopping early, and giving the gift of your time and expertise…

You know you need an emergency fund — the experts talk about it all the time. But the numbers seem daunting: six months to a year's worth of expenses. For most, it’s tough to save that…

We’ve all heard the saying, “money can’t buy happiness,” and we believe this to be true, but we also know that how you manage and spend your money can have a profound impact on your…

For many people who make New Year’s resolutions each year, the New Year seems like an excellent time to push the reset button. But, according to the U.S. News (add icon), approximately…

It’s the end of the year, and amid all the celebrating and best-of lists, it’s time to get in a few smart financial moves before the new year begins. Consider the following suggestions…

Writing a business plan is an essential step in getting your small business off the ground, especially if you plan to apply for a loan or pitch to investors.

The holidays are here! That means delicious meals, parties, and fun with loved ones. It can also mean spending a lot of money—too much if you’re not careful.

Preparing your home for winter weather is a smart move if you want to keep heating costs down. Fortunately, that winter preparation doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, why not kick off your end-of-year giving by participating in Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving back, powered by social media.…

It’s that time of year again, and you’ve decided to host Thanksgiving at your place. You can make the day a success without overspending—or overstressing—by planning carefully and enlisting…

We often hear experts talk about “work/life balance” and how we can effectively spend time with our families while not missing a beat at work.

There’s a new hacking horror story every week, and it’s not just businesses being affected. A clever hacker can get into your computer, access your personal information, and steal from…

Some people hear the words “financial planning” and think it sounds like a difficult, time-consuming task best left to experts.

Being a working parent certainly has its challenges—staying on top of your kids’ activities and schooling while attempting to excel at work is rarely an easy feat.

As the cost of a college education continues to rise, saving as much as possible has become a necessity.

Avoid the unnecessary clutter of paper statements mailed to your home. Access your bank statements easily and securely from just about anywhere using Popular Direct Online Banking.

Scammers continue to devise new methods to defraud people. Being careful with what information you share online or by phone, and maintaining a healthy skepticism, can help you escape…

The decision to rent or buy is a highly personal one, and often must be made by weighing both objective and subjective factors. What makes sense for one person's financial situation…

Saving by using certificates of deposit, or CDs, can be a low-risk way to diversify and grow your funds. If you are attempting to accumulate money for a large expense, such as a…

Financial independence can mean different things at different stages of life. It eventually means the ability to live solely off savings and passive income—also known as retirement.

Transitioning from an overscheduled, overstuffed, hectic life to a simpler one can often result in a happiness increase. Consider paring down your lifestyle to eliminate clutter, become…

These days, it's less common for people to stay with just one employer for an entire career. As a result, you'll probably need to answer the question of what to do with your 401(k)…

It can be difficult to get back on track after challenging life events that affect your finances. But difficult doesn’t mean impossible—you can rebuild your financial life one step…

If you made some financial New Year's resolutions in January, June is the perfect time to review your progress. Start by dusting off your list of resolutions. Have you abandoned…

Now that summer is here, the fun and relaxing vacations many of you have been longing for will finally happen.

What's the most important part of a vacation? The budgeting…

Over the last decade, college tuitions have increased an average of five percent each year and that number is expected to increase over time.

Technology plays an ever-expanding role in our daily lives, and banking technology is no different. Our phones are always with us, so it makes sense that mobile banking has become…

Life insurance helps you plan for the unexpected. Young people who are just starting out can often wait a while before purchasing it, but there are specific circumstances in which…

Starting your own business can be a daunting task. Even if you have the most marketable idea in the world, nothing can be done until you've accumulated enough funds to get your startup…

How we can better manage money spent on our furry friends? Be sure to include costs for these things: food, grooming, vet visits, toys, treats, and other extras.

There are steps women may want to consider taking to close the retirement savings gap, many of which would be prudent for any pre-retiree to do.

One important area to streamline a less stressful life is the way you handle your finances. Consider simplify your financial life.

Most companies offer a wide range of benefits because they help attract and keep the best people. If you don’t know your company’s benefits, or are not using them to their maximum advantage,…

Selling your first home is an important milestone that can also be bittersweet. You’ll be leaving behind a place in which you created many first memories while also looking forward…

As the old saying advises not to put all your eggs in one basket, it’s particularly true of where and how you allocate your money.

When you’re young, retirement seems like it’s an eternity away. But the fact is, it’s never too early to start saving for it.

Even though the term itself can sound lofty, estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s certainly not as fun as planning a vacation, but it’s definitely more important.

Those who have declared, "New Year, New Career" are eager to search for opportunities that may improve their lives.

We can all agree we'd like the biggest income tax refund allowable. So it's important you're taking advantage of every deduction, credit, and exemption allowed.

For many, their retirement home comes with lower taxes, a lower cost of living and a fair climate. But there are other important aspects to consider.

Families are stocking away more money in 529 college savings plans than ever, investing a record $253 billion last year in preparation for the sky-high cost of higher education.

Investment properties can be a great way to diversify your assets. Here are just a few things to consider before jumping into the real estate world.

Enrolling in Medicare can be confusing and if you don’t have the right coverage, you could end up with some steep medical bills.

If you’re nearing retirement, it’s time to check your 401k (and other investments) to refine your asset allocations. Now is not the time to risk a big drop in value.

One of the first things you should determine is whether you’re looking to buy or lease, because that can impact the type of car you ultimately end up with.

Today, many of us can’t imagine banking without being online. What is it about online banking that is so revolutionary and game changing?

Developing a savings strategy may not be your top priority. But the younger you are when you begin, the more likely you are to achieve the goal of financial security later in life.