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To help you determine the most financially responsible course of action to take with your stimulus check, Mutual 1st Federal has compiled a list of advice and tips from financial experts and advisers on how to use this money.

As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed on March 27, the federal government is sending out $290 billion in stimulus checks over the next half a year...Unfortunately, scammers are doing all they can to get their hands on these checks before they reach the rightful recipients. The best way to keep your money safe from scammers is to arm yourself with information about the checks and to learn how to spot the scams.

Starting this week, the first economic stimulus checks of up to $1,200 will start to go out for eligible taxpayers, starting with people who have direct deposit set up with the IRS. Find out more about the stimulus checks and more.

Some of the financial terms flying around in the wake of the recently approved Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act may be confusing. We have broken down some of the key components and how they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Home buying – it’s equally exciting and confusing… so much information being thrown your way! You’ve saved your down payment and started talking to a realtor but now what?

Despite receiving more than $80,000 in merit-based scholarships, Brianna Harrington still graduated from college in 2014 with $40,000 in student loan debt. Determined to eliminate her debt, she lived below her means, and paid it off in 26 months. Her story may inspire your own debt-free journey.

What do you do when you have a master’s degree in performance studies, and you can’t find a job — but badly need one because you have tens of thousands in student loan debt? Melanie Lockert's story of paying off $57,426 of debt in about 3 years!

Do Jay-Z’s largely autobiographical tales hold any lessons for people of modest means? Here are five financial moves he’s cited in his lyrics over the years, and our take on whether regular folks can draw on them to improve their own financial standing.

Bedbugs. Weird smells. The possibility of imminent breakdowns. People have all sorts of excuses for not buying used stuff. Those who deliberately buy used items, though, say such fears are not just overblown — they’re also expensive.

It doesn’t take much to upend many Americans’ finances. Some bills may be unpredictable in their amount or their timing, but they’re still inevitable. In other words: If you have a car, or a home, or a body, sooner or later it’s going to cost you.

Breathe in the crisp fall air, you’ve settled into your dorm by now but the feeling of newfound freedom lingers. Moving out of your parent’s house for the first time and off to college, the bliss of having your own place! You’re living the typical student life with the exception of one thing… you’re reading these tips so your summer savings isn’t gone in the first couple months.

The credit bureaus know a lot about you, but they don’t know everything.The bureaus gather data about your past use of credit into reports, and that information makes up your credit scores. To shake the feeling that they lay your entire financial life bare, take a look at what does and doesn’t show up on your credit reports.

Daniel Montville knew a debt consolidation loan wouldn’t solve his financial problems, but the hospice nurse hoped it would give him some breathing room. He had already filed for bankruptcy once, in 2005, and was determined not to do it again.

Raising a child takes patience, understanding — and about $245,340, based on the latest estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If you're getting ready to have your first child, your life and your spending will change drastically. Here's a closer look at how the cost breaks down.

You dream of owning a home, the upgraded space, a vegetable garden in the backyard. A daydream that seems out of reach when you start to think of the down payment… when in reality a down payment isn’t unreachable. Here are the steps to saving your down payment.

When you graduate, you might end your academic journey with more than a diploma in hand — you could wind up with a generous cash gift, too. So what should you do with your graduation money?

Knowing where you stand is important. Your score can range from 300 to 850; a score of 740 or above is an excellent score. If you find yourself in a bad credit situation – don’t get flustered – you can fix your score.

Talaat and Tai McNeely paid off $30,000 in debt during the first year of their marriage. This husband-and-wife team managed to repay the debt fast and now share financial advice. Here’s their story, related to us in an email exchange.

Apart from the pain of a family member or close friend's passing, settling their financial matters can be time-consuming and difficult. These steps can ease the process of sorting through the deceased's finances.

With many sports and activities in the off season and pools closed, your little ones are spending most of their time indoors. They’re coming to you with complaints of being bored; the last thing you want is them parked on the couch watching TV all day.