United Community Blog

Do you know if your parents have a will? If anyone is trying to sell them an annuity? If they are paying all of their bills? If you answered no to these questions, it may be time to have a conversation with them. You may be groaning right now—who enjoys talking about money?—but doing this can help ensure your parents’ well-being.

For quite a while, the standard advice was to take 4% out of your total retirement nest egg every year to have enough money for a comfortable lifestyle in your golden years. There was strong logic behind that number; a mixture of 60% of your money in stocks and 40% in bonds has historically been a very safe bet to return greater than 4% over any 30-year period. As long as you adjust your withdrawal for inflation periodically, you should be fine.

Because of the high cost of most real estate, very few people can purchase a home with savings alone. Therefore, if you are like the vast majority of people, you will be borrowing money from a financial institution to purchase the property you want. Called mortgages, these loan products can be quite complicated. Knowing the basics of how mortgages work can help guide you to the loan that is most appropriate for you.

Using the equity in your home to pay off unsecured debt and/or make home improvements can be a hard financial decision. Low annual percentage rates, tax-deductible interest, and streamlining your monthly payment makes second mortgages extremely attractive. Meanwhile, using your home for collateral is a decision that should be weighed carefully.

No doubt about it, medical expenses – even if you have health insurance coverage – can be steep. However, if your policy has a high deductible, you may be able to use a Health Savings Account to pay for some very common (and often pricey) out-of-pocket medical expenses at a tax advantage.

If you are considering a reverse mortgage, there are many important decisions to make. Among the biggest decision is determining whether a reverse mortgage is the best option for you.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a government form that streamlines the financial aid process, which can help reduce your student loan burden. This workshop covers FAFSA basics, as well as provides insight into the application process, how to complete the FAFSA online, federal requirements, and receiving and maintaining federal financial aid.

Don’t let scammers steal your holiday spirit! Unwrap knowledge and tools needed to protect you and your loved ones from holiday scammers. Learn how to identify the red flags, utilize safe online shopping techniques and the steps to take if you do become a victim.

Entrepreneurship is stronger than ever. This session covers all the financial aspects of starting and running a small business. Topics include: types of legal entity structures, writing a business plan, bookkeeping, paying taxes, and everything in-between.

If you’re a victim of identity theft or just want to stay prepared, this workshop is a must. You’ll learn about the different types of identity theft as well as proven steps you can take to minimize its impact.