Eagle Community Blog

Between flip-flops and baseball, beach days and the Fourth of July, there’s so much to love about summer! Unfortunately, though, the warmest season of the year can be incredibly expensive. Family activities, higher utility bills and steep fuel prices are just some of the ways summer can get pricey. A great way to combat a swollen summer budget is to take a financial fast on a summer weekend – or several of them. Here’s how.

Everyone needs and deserves a nice vacation. It’s a chance to escape the daily grind, have fun with family and friends, and unwind. Whether you’re embarking on a fun-filled family excursion or a relaxing retreat, a lot of preparation goes into creating your perfect getaway.

As your vacation date inches closer and the excitement builds, it’s easy to overlook some last-minute household items to check off your to-do list. Preparing your home before you leave on vacation will help protect your property and provide a pleasant atmosphere to return to after your trip.

Ensure your home is vacation-ready with the following tips.

Spring break is a tradition that most students want to add to their college experience. Whether it’s visiting a popular hot spot or exploring someplace off the beaten path, it’s a chance to create fun memories with friends.

But spring break isn’t necessarily cheap. And it can be hard to say “no” when all your friends are going. Before you start eyeing your credit card that’s only for “emergencies,” review the following ten tips to help make your spring break funds go further.

It’s time to celebrate the significant other in your life! If you’re thinking that means pricey gifts, expensive dates and blowing an entire day’s salary on a restaurant meal, think again. There’s no need to drain your wallet while trying to create the perfect Valentine’s Day. Instead, use these eight hacks for a dream Valentine’s Day that don’t break the budget.

With prices rising on everything, including hotel stays, record numbers of vacationers are choosing to rent private homes or apartments on sites like Airbnb and Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO). Unfortunately, though, vacation rental scams are on the rise as well. Here’s all you need to know about these scams and how to avoid them.

Ahh…summer! The season of flip-flops and sunscreen, of lemonade and baseball games. What’s not to love about summer?

Unfortunately, though, summer is also the season of overspending for many. When the sun is blazing across a cloudless sky and the day stretches on with endless possibilities, purse strings are looser and cards are swiped with abandon. But nothing kills summer fun like a busted budget and a mountain of debt. So, how can you stay financially fit this summer?

Keeping your finances intact throughout the summer is well within reach if you’re ready to plan ahead and make responsible choices. Here are four hacks for a summer of financial fitness. 

It’s no secret that having a great credit score is beneficial today. It makes being approved for loans easier and ensures you pay less interest on those financial obligations. But its benefits stretch beyond loans. For instance, some employers will check your credit score before hiring you. Landlords will often review your credit before you can move in. And some companies, such as utilities, may waive the required deposit if your score is high enough.

You should always be on the lookout for ways to improve your credit score. And while often overlooked, tax season is the perfect opportunity to give your score a boost. To understand how, first review the components of your credit score.

Anyone buying a new car, or even a cup of coffee, will notice that prices are going up. From utilities and groceries to filling your car at the pump, inflation is definitely on the rise affecting everyone’s finances in one way or another. As a result, many households are feeling the strain on their budgets.

While inflation won’t disappear overnight, there are steps you can take to help ease the effects of these rising costs. With a bit of planning and reviewing your spending habits, you can create a strategy that will help keep your finances in check.

It’s tax season, and while that may mean you’re drowning in forms and paperwork, for scammers it means millions of taxpayers they can potentially dupe out of refunds or scare into making irrational moves. Here’s what you need to know about tax return scams and how to avoid them. 

Super Bowl parties are always great fun to host, but they can cost a pretty penny. 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. 

As you turn on the TV or glance through the latest news stories, you can’t help but hear about the “Great Resignation.” With more and more people leaving their current jobs, businesses are struggling to find workers. Due to staffing shortages, some companies are even adjusting their hours or closing one or two days a week.

But what exactly is causing this mass resignation event? Many people believe it’s all about employee pay and benefits. Others argue it’s caused by the leniency of stimulus programs made available through COVID-19 government programs.

However, as the “Great Resignation” continues, a different cause is coming to light – new opportunities.

Without the holiday festivities to distract us, the winter months can suddenly seem very gray and drab. If you find yourself feeling blue after the holiday season, you’re not alone. It’s normal to start feeling down as the flurry of the holidays winds to a lull. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to beat the blues, and they don’t need to cost you any money.

Here are some simple tips to use this winter that may help lift your spirits:

The holidays are coming and it’s time to hit the shops! Retailers and consumers around the nation are anticipating a holiday season that’s a lot closer to pre-pandemic days than last year’s festivities. Unfortunately, though, suppliers are cautioning consumers to expect supply shortages, shipping delays and higher price tags than ever.

With that in mind, here’s a look at what you might expect to see this holiday shopping season.

That cackling, long-haired witch might send your heart fluttering with fear, but these Halloween scams are even spookier! Here’s what to know about these common Halloween scams. 

If you’re ready to purchase an RV or an ATV, the number of choices to make can be overwhelming. The price range for different vehicles is enormous, choosing between a new or used vehicle can be tricky and securing financing can be a nightmare all its own. To help you through the process, we’ve outlined the steps to take, factors to consider and general tips for purchasing an RV or an ATV. Let’s get started!

Would you love to pick up some great bargains as the summer winds down? Which products typically go on sale in August and which should be pushed off for another time? As host to the second-biggest shopping season of the year, the tail end of summer brings some fantastic finds, but some overpriced products as well. Here’s what to buy and what to skip in August:

If you’re thinking of road-tripping your summer getaway, think RVs. Recreational vehicles and their close cousin, campervans, are growing increasingly popular as more families hit the road for a true American adventure that’s easier on the wallet and heavy on the fun. When purchasing an RV, you can go all out with a fully loaded luxury vehicle, or go the less costly route by opting for a campervan, also called a Class B motorhome. 

If you’re still not convinced, here are seven reasons to buy an RV or a campervan

With mask mandates and occupancy limits easing and/or lifting, millions of Americans are looking forward to a summer getaway with more excitement than usual. Entertainment venues are opening, attractions are up and running again and for some, it’s been two years since they’ve enjoyed a real summer vacation.

While it’s great to get away for some fun in the sun, it’s important to stick to a budget, even when on vacation. An over-the-top vacay you can’t really afford can mean spending months catching up on credit card payments and paying high-interest rates that may make it not worth the price. This year, attack your vacation with a financial plan that you can actually keep by following the tips outlined in this article.