Welcome to the Financial Wellness Center

A look at the financial challenges of raising a child.

• Introduction
  Having a baby is not just a family decision, it's a financial decision too.
• Babies and Budgets
  How to get your finances in shape before a baby arrives, including a budget review, paying down debt, making sure you're getting the best rate on any long-term debt, and creating an emergency fund.
• Paying for the Baby Years
  The non-childcare costs you can expect when having a baby, from cribs to health insurance.
• Managing Risks
  Life is filled with unexpected events. Learn how to ensure the financial security of your child in the worst case scenario.
• Children and Taxes
  A review of the tax benefits that can help you manage the expenses incurred with children.
• Childcare Choices
  An overview of different childcare choices and the financial implications of each.
• Growing Up - Childhood and Beyond
  A look at the additional costs of raising a child beyond the first few years including the indirect costs.

Why and how to invest, including how to save money now.

• Saving and Investing
  The difference between investing and saving, and how to tell what's the best option for your needs.
• Types of Investments
  The pros and cons of stocks, bonds, and cash. The concept of asset allocation is explained.
• Investment Accounts
  The types of accounts available to investors, including both taxable and tax advantaged accounts.
• Saving for Retirement
  Why save for retirement and the impact of fees on investment performance.
• Retirement Saving Strategies
  How to develop a comprehensive retirement savings strategy.
• Retirement Accounts
  An overview of the major retirement accounts, include Individual Retirement Accounts, Simplified Employee Pensions, and 401(k) plans.
• Retirement Savings Ideas
  A few simple things to keep in mind when starting a retirement savings plan.
• Individual Development Accounts
  Understanding the benefits of IDAs, how to qualify, and where to find a program.

Explore the process of starting a new business from estimating start up costs to hiring employees.

• Is Entrepreneurship For Me?
  Entrepreneurship is the act of starting and running a business, which brings both potential benefits and risks.
• Conducting Market Research for a New Business
  Market conditions play a crucial role in the success of a new business and involve factors such as consumer demand, competition, and economic growth.
• Business Start-Up Costs
  Starting a successful new business requires careful planning and budgeting of both one-time and ongoing costs.
• Writing a Business Plan
  Creating a business plan is a crucial step for starting a new business, whether it is a small home-based operation or a venture-backed tech company.
• Choosing a Business Name
  Choosing a business name is a critical step in starting a new company since it affects the company's brand identity, customer recognition, plus more.
• Choosing the Legal Structure for Your Business
  The legal structure of a new business is an important decision with both tax and legal implications, so it's important to choose wisely.
• Registering a New Business
  Starting a new business involves registering with state, federal and sometimes even local governments.
• How to Finance a New Business
  Finding capital for a new business can be challenging, but there are a number of options to consider.
• Business Cash Flow, Profit and Loss
  Understanding a business's financial cash flow and overall profit or loss is critical for ensuring its long-term success and financial stability.
• Establishing Business Credit
  Business credit is a record of a company's financial history used to evaluate its creditworthiness.
• Your Responsibilities as an Employer
  As an employer, there are several responsibilities you must be familiar with in order to avoid potential legal issues.
• Business Taxes
  Understanding and managing taxes are key to every business owner or self-employed individual.
• Buying an Existing Business or Franchise
  Buying an existing business or a franchise are two options for entrepreneurs looking to start a business quickly. Let’s explore the potential pros and cons of each option.

From setting goals to paying off loans, the basics of effective budget management.

• Setting Goals
  Setting financial goals offers the chance to step back from everyday pressures, allowing us to think about how we’d like to be rather than how we are.
• Debt and the Pressure to Spend
  It’s wonderful to have the freedom to buy so many products, but unless you’re rich, the key to happy spending is planned spending.
• Nudging Yourself Toward Your Goals
  No matter what your financial goal, it's important to have an accountability system in place.
• Introduction to Budgeting
  Why budgeting is important, no matter how much money you earn.
• Income and Expenses
  A big part of budgeting is identifying income and listing expenses.
• Making Sense of Your Budget
  After you've identified your income and tracked your spending, it's time to compare the numbers, gain perspective, set priorities, and make changes.
• Tracking Your Spending
  Tracking your money can be a powerful way to spot unplanned spending.
• How to Improve Cash Flow
  Cash flow is a key indicator of your financial health.
• Money Saving Ideas
  Looking for ideas for ways to save money? Almost everyone can find a way to save using at least one of these tips.