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Resources & Knowledge for a Secure Financial Future
Take Charge America is dedicated to improving financial literacy among people from all backgrounds facing a variety of financial challenges. Bookmark this page to reference whenever you have a financial question, concern or opportunity.
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The Latest Financial Guidance
5 Easy Ways to Automate Your Savings
It’s easy to set a goal to save a certain amount of money for emergencies, travel or other purposes. But actually saving the money and reaching that goal is significantly more challenging. There always seems to be something else that needs your attention and funds. But successful savers know the trick to reaching their savings […]
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Tips to Overcome Temporary Financial Hardships
Temporary financial hardships can hit anyone at any time. Sudden illness, reduced income, or an emergency expense can leave your bank balance low and your financial anxiety high. But you can overcome a financial setback with some serious budgeting and these helpful tips. Rework Your Budget Now is the time to plan a bare bones […]
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Wage Garnishment: What You Need to Know
When creditors or government entities have exhausted all other options to collect a debt, they may resort to wage garnishment. It’s a court order that requires an employer to withhold a specific amount of an employee’s earnings and send it directly to a creditor or person until the debt is repaid. Credit card debt, child […]
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What is Shrinkflation (And Why Does it Matter)?
You can’t turn on the news or read the headlines without hearing about inflation. But have you heard about inflation’s close relative, shrinkflation? It can be just as detrimental to your budget as inflation. And because it’s harder to spot, you may not even realize it’s happening. Let’s look at shrinkflation and why it matters […]
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How to Effectively Communicate with Creditors
Whether you need to request a credit limit increase, adjust your payment date, or discuss hardship programs, at some point everyone will need to communicate with their creditors. There are several things you can do to help ensure these calls go smoothly and yield the results you’re hoping for. Here are 5 tips you can […]
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Tips to Pay Off Holiday Debt Quickly
For many people, the holidays are far in the rearview mirror. But if you used credit cards to pay for holiday travel, celebrations and gifts, the lingering debt may still be very present. The longer it takes to pay it off, the more interest you’ll pay and the easier it will be to keep putting […]
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The Best Things to Buy at After-Christmas Sales
With Christmas in the rearview mirror, it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief. But if you didn’t get what you wanted or needed and you still have some money in your budget, after-Christmas sales are the perfect time to get yourself what you wanted or plan ahead by shopping for specific items. Here’s what […]
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Top Tips for Holiday Returns
If you ended up receiving holiday gifts that weren’t quite right, you’re not alone. The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans return or exchange around $170 billion in gifts every year. That’s a lot of ugly sweaters! There’s no reason to feel guilty about returning or exchanging a gift. Remember that the person who gave […]
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Learn How to Decode Credit Card Offers
Credit card offers can be filled with confusing lingo. But the meaning behind terms like APR and variable interest rate can reveal whether a credit card actually makes sense for your personal finances. A good rule of thumb is that the fine print usually matters more than the flashy, bold print. Understanding what these terms […]
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9 Tips to Stick with Financial Resolutions in 2023
It’s the time of year when people resolve to change their lives, from getting in shape to improving relationships and achieving work-life balance. Financial goals also top the list of New Year’s resolutions – and are easier to plan and stick to than you might think. It’s not complicated to cut expenses and save money […]
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