What’s one of the best parts of summer, aside from warm weather and sunshine? You can have a ton of fun without spending a ton of cash.   Check out our favorite budget-friendly summer activities: 

What’s a credit score myth? It’s information about credit scores that’s been shared so many times – either by word of mouth or on social media – that people may accept it as true, even if it’s not.     If you’re working to build or rebuild your credit, knowing if they’re…

Valentine’s Day is a bright spot of cheer in the middle of wintry February. What a great time to craft a homemade Valentine’s Day gift.   This paper flower project is easy and inexpensive. Best of all, you can use the flowers in so many different ways. Ready to get…

What’s in your financial future? A new car? Buying a home? A comfortable retirement?   Whatever your dreams for the future, it’s important to act now to make them come true. To help you get started, here are 12 tips you can use to build a bright financial future for you…

It’s the time of year when millions of Americans think about... taxes. Filing your income tax return might not be an easy task, but doing it early is worthwhile, especially if you expect a refund.   Before you file your federal income tax return, it’s important to plan and prepare. Here…

Are you excited to spend an afternoon organizing your financial paperwork? If the answer is no, that’s OK. We understand this isn’t how most people like to spend their precious free time.   But hey, you’re here. You’re serious about tackling this project, and that’s what counts. Here’s the good news:…

How’s your financial health? Take this quick quiz to find out. The quiz will take you through several pages and topics. Check your score at the end of the quiz to see if you’re on track or need to learn more. 

As New Year’s Day approaches, you’re probably thinking about the year ahead. You may have resolutions for your health, family or job, but have you thought about your credit? Is it ready for 2023?   To get the new year off to a strong start, we’ve put together 8 tips to…

It’s not the holidays without family photos. If cash is tight, why not skip the photographer and save money by taking your own family pics? With a little planning, you can create a polished family portrait that captures everyone at their best. Here are 6 tips for shooting great holiday…

If you own a car, you know how expensive it can be. Monthly payments, insurance and gas all add up. Keeping up with regular maintenance can help you avoid bigger troubles and expenses down the road. It may even be helpful to set up a reminder on your calendar to…

If you’re working on building your credit, you hear a lot about credit scores. And you probably know that having a high credit score is better than having a low one.   But do you ever wonder, “Why are credit scores important, anyway?”   Lenders, credit companies and other businesses may…

Our Fun with Money series is an easy way to boost your financial know-how and tickle your brain cells with games, quizzes and activities about money and finances.  

If you shop online, you’ve probably seen that Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) plans have become very popular.   Most of these plans look tempting, with the promise of getting what you want right away and paying in 4 installments. But even though they’ve become more common, there are a lot…

Declaring bankruptcy is a difficult decision. On one hand, you get relief from overwhelming debt. On the other hand, it has a really negative effect on your credit.   The impact on your credit depends on what type of bankruptcy you file. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your debts are completely…

low monthly payments1 make budgeting easier 

3 budget-friendly tips for tailgating or fall parties Here are 3 easy tips to help you have a successful fall party without spending lots of your hard-earned money. 

10 tips for holding a money-making garage sale  It’s garage sale season! What a great way to make a little cash and get rid of clutter. Are you thinking about holding your own sale this year? Here are 10 tips to help make your sale a success.

8 tips for saving money on back-to-school shopping  As the kids get ready to head back to school, you’ll need to do some shopping – notebooks and paper, maybe new jeans and tees – we know it can all add up quickly. Here are helpful tips.  

5 ways to love your budget this summer There’s lots to love about summer, but with all your focus on activities and fun, it’s easy to forget about sticking to a budget. And that could lead to overspending and delays in reaching your financial goals.  That’s why we’ve put together 5…

You know we love sharing good news. Here’s some really big news that could help those struggling with medical debt. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion announced 3 changes they say will remove almost 70% of medical debt from consumer credit reports. Here are the details: 

8 helpful tips For the past two months we’ve shared ideas for teaching your kids about money. But the learning doesn’t have to end here. Keep on talking about money as your kids grow, so they’ll be ready to make smart choices as adults. Below are some tips to help…

is inflation taking a bite out of your budget?

You want to teach your kids how to spend, save and plan wisely. And as they reach their ’tween and ’teen years, they’ll also be ready to earn their own money. By the time they become older teens, you can also teach them about income taxes and how credit works.…

Do you remember learning about money as a kid? Chances are those lessons have stuck with you through the years. What kids learn about spending and saving can last a lifetime. Smart money habits can play a role in their success as an adult—helping them reach goals and achieve dreams.  …

Your money… it’s part of your everyday life, but how well do you know it? Chances are, you already know some things about your money. But there's always more you can learn. By mastering your money, you can make it work better for you to help reach your financial goals.  Money…

Picking a credit option is a lot like going on a bike ride. Choose the right path and you’ll have lots of fun. Choose the wrong path and you could find yourself lost or at a dead end or broken down (gasp!).   Most traditional Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options…

Inflation is when prices of goods and services start to go up, and the purchasing power of your money goes down. Watch this video or keep reading to learn what you can do right now to deal with inflation.

how do I check my credit score? how do I check my credit report? what’s the difference between my FICO® Score and other credit scores? why does my credit score change so often?

Welcoming a new pet, planning a wedding, having a baby, buying a home. These major life events can have a big impact on your finances but being financially prepared for them before they happen can help.  

Interest Rate vs. APR 

Have you noticed that suddenly there are a lot of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options out there? Doesn’t it seem like there’s a new one every week? They’ve started popping up everywhere, like in checkout when you’re shopping online. Some even have smartphone apps that let you use BNPL…

You go to a doctor when you’re not feeling well, but did you know you should check in on your financial health, too? Financial health is important for your future, giving you and your family peace of mind. So, where to start? 

How’s your financial health? Take this quick quiz and keep track of your answers to determine if you need to brush up on the basics or maintain what you’re doing for your financial future.  

credit dos and don’ts

5 budget-friendly ways to celebrate the holidays  It can be easy to overspend during the holiday season, but there are ways to make the holidays feel priceless without spending much, or anything, at all. Read on for some ideas to make this holiday season a Claus for celebration. 

You know you have to pay your credit account bills every month, but do you know how that process works? 

If you’re trying to figure out a way to raise your credit score, where should you start? We’ve said it before: start simple. 

Fall’s the perfect season to pumpkin-spice up your home decor. These DIY activities are cheap, easy and a-maize-ing fun for the whole family.  autumn tablescape  So, what’s a tablescape? It’s a fun way to decorate your table for any season or occasion. It doesn’t matter the table size, there are fun ways to decorate any tabletop. It can be cheap…

The holidays are a time to eat, drink and be merry, but it's helpful to keep your budget in mind. It can be an expensive time of year, but it doesn’t have to be. Read on for some tips on how to stay on budget and still have a tree-mendous holiday season. 

When you think about moving, the first thing you might consider is where you’re going to live. The next thing you think about is whether you’re going to rent or buy. We’ll look more closely at each option, and hopefully help you figure out what might be best for you. 

saving vs. investing Saving money  can be  easy  to understand, but it’s not the only option you have when it comes to your money. If you’ve got a good handle on your savings and debt, now might be a good time to look at investing your money. So, what’s the…

By now, you’ve probably created a budget to track your expenses, so you’ve learned your spending habits and how far you can stretch your income. In this article, we’ll be going over how to save, ways to make saving easier and how to save when money is tight. When's the best time…

One of the best parts of family is creating new memories and traditions. Game night is the perfect way to do just that. Try some of these ideas and take game night to a new level!

The best time to start teaching kids about money is early on. It might seem silly to talk money with a toddler, but even the basics are helpful. So, where to start?

It’s a big world. So many places to go and things to see – but maybe your travel budget is tight. That’s OK! Traveling on a budget doesn’t have to make the trip any less fun. If you’re thinking about planning a vacation, read these 4 tips first to help you stay within your…

how to save up for your next big purchase Do you have a wish list of things that might be considered “big” purchases? You know, maybe more than what you have on hand right now? Take a few moments to think about them or write them down. They could include a new TV,…

10 budget-friendly hobbies to try

outdoor DIY fun for kids  Sun’s out, fun’s out! Try one (or all) of these awesome DIY activities for nonstop summer fun. Don’t forget, when you finish these activities, take a pic and head over to our Facebook page to share.  Want more DIY ideas? Go to https://blog.fingerhut.com/all_articles/ and click on “DIY” to see all…

11 budget-friendly ways to prep your outdoor space for summer

May DIY project Now that spring is in full bloom, it’s a great time for your family to get crafty! These projects are super fun to do and add a great splash of color to your home. Bonus: they can be educational too. Do a quick online search about the life cycle of a butterfly or the different parts of a flower, and talk…

4 ways to stay financially fit this summer

take this quick quiz to see what you know about financial goals  Decide if each statement is true or false. If you’re on your phone, click the blue box to get the answer and learn why it’s true or false. If you’re on your home computer, roll your mouse over…

what is financial literacy? Financial literacy is when you have the knowledge, skills and tools to help you make financial decisions. Then you can take actions that will get you closer to not only reaching your goals, but helping you be prepared for the future.  

DIY crayon crafts Here are two fun ways you and your kids can make crafts using their broken crayons. The easy part will be getting them to help you find as many as you can in your house or apartment; the more colors, the better. The hard part? Deciding which…

what is a credit score? how is a credit score calculated? how can I build up my credit score? I’m not sure how to build credit, can you help?

5 ways to make the most of your tax refund There are plenty of ways to use a tax refund, and it’s helpful to make a plan. With these 5 ideas, you can invest in yourself and your future – and maybe keep the “fun” in refund too.

simple ways to balance money and relationships Honesty and openness when talking about finances are important in relationships, no matter what stage you’re in. Here are some easy ways to talk money with your partner.

Raise your hand if you’re looking forward to the day you can retire. We’re right there with you. If you’ve already started saving, don’t stop. If you haven’t started, it’s not too late. There are plenty of options out there. What you can use and how much money you can…

It’s completely normal to worry about money, but what can you do when worries keep you up late at night or start affecting you during the day? You tackle them head on. That’s right, you go toe-to-toe with those annoying worries and show them who’s boss. Look below to learn…

Three simple, inexpensive DIY ways to help you relax. Everyday life can be hectic, and sometimes you need to focus on you. If you need to, give one (or all) of these DIY stress-relieving activities a try. They’re budget-friendly, easy ways to unwind and clear your mind.