Money Knowledge Center

If saving money has ever felt frustrating, or like something you’ll “get to eventually”, you’re not alone. The good news? Building savings doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul. In fact, most people don’t struggle because they lack discipline, they struggle because they don’t have a simple, consistent system. Spring is the perfect time to reset. With a few small changes, you can start building momentum that carries into the rest of the year.

A new year brings a fresh start for many of us, and when it comes to money, it’s the perfect time to reset your financial habits. But if your past resolutions fizzled out by February, you’re not alone. The good news? Financial goals don’t have to be extreme to be effective. Instead of big, overwhelming promises, focus on small, realistic changes that add up over time.

The holidays are just around the corner and your to-do list probably feels longer than Santa’s! Between buying gifts, wrapping presents, and prepping meals, it’s easy to feel like your stress levels are rising as your budget shrinks. The good news? With a little planning and organization, you can enjoy a joyful, stress-free, and affordable holiday season.

If you feel like your budget is disappearing along with the dog days of summer, we can help! Summer can be expensive, and the transition from summer to fall only brings with it more expenses, including back-to-school costs, holiday preparations and year-end financial planning. Here are five financial tips to help you end the summer on a high note and prepare for the months ahead.

It’s that time of year again: Time to clean out those closets, polish that furniture and clear out that clutter! Spring is also the perfect time of year to review your saving habits and spruce up your saving goals. Here’s how to spring-clean your savings in five easy steps. And don't forget to check out our short video on spring cleaning tips!

Summer is winding down and while that usually conjures up images of back-to-school shopping, there are still plenty of opportunities to take that last-minute summer trip or start thinking about that fall getaway. But you don’t have to rely on your credit card and take on unnecessary debt to have an enjoyable trip! Consider these 5 money-saving tips as you start planning your next travel adventure.

In today's fast-paced world, convenience and security are paramount when it comes to managing your finances. Direct deposit stands as a prime example of how you can leverage technology to simplify your financial transactions while bolstering your peace of mind. At Fort Financial, you’re empowered with the tools you need to streamline your banking experience, including direct deposit.

Most people have walked into their home at some point and just felt like moving. It can happen more often if your home has outdated finishes. A whole home remodel would do the trick, but that may not be in your budget. Don’t worry, here are a few projects that can bring a lot of new life to a home without breaking your budget.

If you need to steel yourself before looking at your monthly utility bill and you’ve been known to throw a fuse when someone leaves on the light for seconds more than necessary, you need to read this blog. Here, we’ll share nine realistic and helpful ways to save on energy costs. Check out our newest video on energy savings too!

Millions of Americans will be hosting a party to watch and celebrate the "big game" on Sunday, February 11. Whether you're cheering for the 49ers or the Chiefs, just there to watch the commercials and Usher's halftime performance or just tuning in to see if Taylor Swift makes an appearance, one thing is consistent...parties are fun but they can cost a lot! To help cut the costs, we’ve compiled some hosting hacks so you can pull off the party of a lifetime without breaking your budget.

The holidays are just around the corner, and there’s a whole heap of things that are going to appear on your to-do list soon! It probably seems like your stress level keeps rising while the money in your wallet keeps dwindling. It doesn’t have to be this way. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy a stress-free and affordable holiday season. Don’t believe us? Well, continue reading to find out how.

The holiday season is officially here as October brings about Halloween and other fall fun activities before the traditional holiday season arrives in November. While the last three months of the year can be a drain on your wallet, utilizing some cost-savings tips for your goblins and ghouls will pay off for your turkeys and stocking stuffers!

Certificate laddering is a great way to save and take advantage of higher dividend rates. Certificates, also known as share certificates or certificates of deposit, are like a savings account where you can’t withdraw the money for a certain period of time. In return for agreeing to keep your money in a certificate for a longer period of time, you get rewarded with a higher rate of return.

February 27 – March 3 is America Saves Week and while we don’t have Danny Zuko and the T-Birds to serenade you, we wanted to share some tips for getting you and your savings transformed from a clunker to an automatic, systematic (not really hydromatic) machine. Systematic savings is the process of automatically setting aside a specific amount of your income on a regular basis, whether that’s weekly, biweekly or monthly. Rather than waiting to put money away when you have extra cash, with systematic savings you pay yourself first and make building your savings a priority.

Are you looking for a place where you can set funds aside for long-term savings? A certificate of deposit, or CD, might be the answer you’re looking for. What is a CD? A CD is a deposit account that pays a higher interest rate than a standard savings account and requires a higher opening balance. Unlike a standard savings account though, the access to your funds is restricted until the certificate reaches maturity, which is often between 90 days and five years. If you have funds you don’t need access to and want to earn a higher rate, than a CD is a great solution.

Fort Financial is offering two limited-time specials on CDs. View our rates here.