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Creating a Budget

A budget will help you understand your spending patterns and gain better control over your money. Creating one helps you understand where you spend your money and discover areas where you can save.

How to Protect Older Adults and Loved Ones from Fraud

As autumn draws near, it’s time to consider the holiday season ahead. Although fraud can happen to anyone anytime, it’s especially concerning during the holidays. Older adults and loved ones often feel the brunt of these attacks. The FBI reported Americans aged 60 and older lost nearly $1.7 billion in 2020, with fraud claiming over 92,000 victims that year.

Why Hiring an Investment Professional is a Good Idea

Like most people, you probably think hiring an investment professional is a waste of money. You might believe using a pocket investor or investment app is just as good — or better — than working with an investment professional. However, this isn't always the case. There are many reasons why hiring an investment professional is a good idea and can maximize your return beyond what fractional investing can achieve.

Switching from Paper Statements to eStatements

Switching from paper to electronic statements is quick and easy! Save paper and reduce clutter by receiving your statements via email instead of the mail. You can view your statements, notices, and all documents through Extraco Banks online banking portal or our app, Extraco eBank.

Tips on How Student Loan Forgiveness and Refinancing Works

With a federal student loan moratorium scheduled to expire soon and more talk about student loan forgiveness, now is a great time to decide how to proceed if you carry student loan debt. The weight of any student loan, especially a large one, can feel like a drag, but it doesn’t have to end that way. There are ways to reduce your loan term, lower your interest, or lower your monthly payment. You might even eliminate all or part of your student loan. However, knowing the difference between student loan forgiveness and refinancing is vital before beginning.

How to Prepare for Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters

No one knows when a natural disaster will strike. That is why preparing for anything coming your way is essential. Hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, wildfires, sinkholes, hailstorms, and drought can all cause severe damage to your home and property. In this blog post, we will discuss how to prepare for natural disasters so that you can stay safe during storms!

The Role Title Plays When Purchasing a Home

The purpose of the title company is to make sure the title to the home is lawfully given to the buyer. Once the title company has completed its verification, it will support that guarantee with title insurance. Title insurance protects the bank and the owner if someone were to make a claim to the property.

How Insurance Works

Insurance can help you financially recover if a risk should damage the things you value. Insurance can't prevent something from going wrong, but it can help protect you and your assets from the financial risk if something does happen.

Is a VA loan right for you?

Extraco Mortgage wants to help our Veterans, Active Duty Military and Surviving Spouses get the mortgage loan they have earned. A VA loan is a mortgage loan that is guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. It is different from a Conventional loan and a FHA loan in several ways.

What’s the Difference Between Scholarships, Grants and Loans?

Few matters more than finding the funding you need to further your education. However, searching for money to cover college or trade school is like walking through a labyrinth. Yes, scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, and other opportunities are everywhere, but what’s the difference between them? Which funds do you need and what do they cover? Will you need to repay the money you receive?

The Reasons People Buy Insurance

Read to learn the six reasons why most people buy insurance. One reason is to protect something purchased that has a high value, such as a house, car, jewelry, etc.

Borrower Responsibilities

When you take out a loan, you enter into a legal contract with the lender. This contract makes you liable to repay the obligation as set forth in your loan agreement.

Does Being Frugal Make You Feel Richer?

It's easy to rationalize why frugality makes sense today. We’re seeing higher prices at the pumps, the grocery stores, and everywhere else. When costs climb, it’s time to focus on the things that truly matter and identify those that could wait a bit longer.

What Is a Trust Fund?

Trust funds provide a financial safety net for your family in an unexpected tragedy. Creditors cannot access the money you place in a trust fund. However, the fund can pay for funeral expenses, medical bills, and other immediate needs. Trust funds can also ensure that your loved ones have the money they need to care for themselves financially, even after you're gone.

Personal Debt Ratio Calculator

Use this calculator to quickly determine your debt-to-income ratio. This is the percentage of your gross income required to cover your housing and debt payments.

Home Budget Analysis

Managing your monthly budget can be difficult and frustrating. One of the most important aspects of controlling your budget is to determine where your money is going.

Should You Use Home Equity to Pay Off Debt?

You’re staring at a mountain of debt and wondering how to pay it all. Bills keep piling on, but your payments, especially today, barely make a dent in your situation. Sure! You’ve heard of refinancing your home; some use home equity to tackle their mounting debt. But is it a good idea? And, if so, what must you know before diving in?

Auto Loan Calculator

Use this calculator to help you determine your monthly car loan payment or your car purchase price. After you have entered your current information, use the graph options to see how different loan terms or down payments can impact your monthly payment.

Whole Life vs. Term Life: Which Life Insurance is Better?

Choosing a life insurance policy can feel like walking through a labyrinth. Different types of policies, costs, benefits, and the fine print can be confusing.  Which insurance is best for you: whole life insurance or term insurance? Let’s look at the differences between each so you can decide.

Mortgage Refinance Calculator

How long will it take to break even on a mortgage refinance? Use the mortgage refinance calculator to sort through a multitude of factors including your current interest rate, the new potential rate, closing costs and how long you plan to stay in your home.

Money Mentor vs. Financial Planner vs. Financial Advisor: Which is Best?

The new year brings a unique chance to change your future and financial situation. According to a recent survey by intelliflo, a cloud-based technology platform for financial advisors, 71% of Gen Z (ages 18-25) and 72% of Millennials (ages 26-41) say they want financial advice but don't know how to get it.

Mortgage Payoff Calculator

How much interest can you save by increasing your mortgage payment? The mortgage payoff calculator helps you find out.

Certificate of Deposit Calculator

Use this calculator to find out how much interest you can earn on a Certificate of Deposit (CD). Just enter a few pieces of information and we will calculate your annual percentage yield (APY) and ending balance. Click on the "View Report" button to see a detailed schedule of your CDs balance and interest earned.

American Heart Month: The Costs and Warnings of Heart Attack

One thing we don’t talk enough about is health. We care about you. So, we want you to be as healthy as possible. February is American Heart Month, so it's a great time to learn about heart disease. Heart disease affects people of all ages, from babies to adults. And heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death for men and women.

5 African Americans To Celebrate During Black History Month

We’ve got some extraordinary people to tell you about in celebration of Black History Month. We’re thrilled to celebrate these pioneers for all they have achieved and taught us throughout history. These historical figures remain beacons of hope, knowledge, and resolve. Their stories remind us to pursue our goals, dreams, and ambitions with determination, as tomorrow may bring unexpected opportunities.

Enhanced Loan Calculator

Use this calculator to look at a variety of possible loans. Change your monthly payment, loan amount, interest rate or term.

Benefits of a Living Trust

There are many benefits to creating a living trust. Here are the top three: 1. Avoid probate at death. Including multiple probates, if you own other property in another state. 2. It provides maximum privacy. 3. It can reduce or completely eliminate estate taxes.