For college freshmen leaving home for the first time, summer can be a frenzied time of shopping for dorm room essentials, packing up clothes and saying goodbye to high school friends. In the midst of this hustle and bustle, parents need to make time to talk to their students about money and protecting themselves against identity theft while they’re on or off campus during the pandemic...

Unemployment, evictions, foreclosures: The economic uncertainties COVID-19 created for many families have countless consumers on the move. Many may be looking for storage units to facilitate these changes in living situation. It’s important to find a trustworthy storage facility, especially for prized possessions or antiques. Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises doing careful research before committing your items to a storage facility...

As COVID-19’s impact on daily life lessens, student loan borrowers whose repayments were paused due to COVID-19 may be considering their options for resuming payments on this potentially life-altering debt. This may lead some borrowers to look into debt consolidation. Better Business Bureau (BBB) cautions borrowers to research these options carefully and not give in to the temptation to seek a quick fix that could turn out to be a scam...

Reverse mortgages are widely advertised to seniors as a popular way to access the equity of their home, which may be attractive to consumers seeking a quick source for cash during tough financial times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Homeowners should fully understand all the costs, terms and conditions before applying for a reverse mortgage...

If you’re in the process of moving, you need to be careful when it comes to filling out a change of address request. Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to be aware of a scam where people are directed to websites that charge significantly more for a service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS)...

When the heat index reaches the 100s, the last thing anyone wants is for the air conditioning to stop working – least of all when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has many consumers spending most of their time at home. But when the air conditioning does fail, you need a reliable contractor – and fast...

Taking a dip in a backyard pool is a great way to cool off on a hot day in the Midwest. If you don’t have one and you aren’t the do-it-yourself type, you may need to find a contractor to install your pool – and it’s important to do your homework before you take the plunge...

When spring storms cause roofs to spring a leak or the house needs a new roof altogether, a roofer is one of the most critical contractors you can hire -- which is why it’s important to do your due diligence when hiring a roofing contractor...

A busy travel season often presents opportunities for scammers to attempt the so-called “grandparent scam.” Receiving a frantic phone call may scare people into letting their guard down, but Better Business Bureau (BBB) encourages everyone to make sure they know signs of this scam as COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed and travel increases...

Moving is one of the most stressful tasks a person will ever undertake. Better Business Bureau (BBB) can reduce hassles by helping consumers find trusted movers and by providing tips to reduce the chance of errors or scams...

For years, spring cleaning has been a ritual for many Americans. It is a perfect time to declutter and organize...

With a vast variety of financial institutions at their fingertips, many consumers are choosing online-only banks or credit unions. Social distancing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has only heightened the appeal of an online-only bank. It is important for consumers to do thorough research and weigh the pros and cons before opening an account with any financial institution, especially one that operates only online...

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven up the price of rental cars. According to a March 2021 report by CNN, the onset of the pandemic forced some rental car companies to sell off large portions of their fleet. This has created a massive shortage of available vehicles as travel has rebounded, particularly during this year’s spring break -- driving prices into the hundreds of dollars per day for entry-level compact cars...

Home security systems often provide homeowners with peace of mind, and the sign in front of your residence provides a warning to would-be burglars. Unfortunately, door-to-door scammers or deceptive salespeople have been known to use alarm system sales and maintenance to take advantage of consumers...

The recent news of a data breach involving more than 500 million Facebook users, coupled with recent warnings against sharing photos of COVID-19 vaccination record cards, is a good reminder for people to be careful with what they post online...

Buying a used car can be a smart financial decision, especially if your budget is limited. However, failing to do your homework before you buy can put you in a disastrous or even dangerous situation...

If your basement is leaking or suffering from foundation issues, it can affect your whole house’s integrity, including structural decay, high humidity levels, and mold and mildew growth. It’s critical that you find a quality and trustworthy contractor to make these repairs -- particularly after a storm, when unscrupulous contractors sometimes prey on homeowners in need...

Looking for your next apartment, condo or house rental can be a time-consuming process, and it may feel as though you’ll never find the right place at the right price. Scammers know this feeling and can use it to exploit consumers. Consumers need to take their time and do their homework before signing a lease...

By now, many high school seniors have finished their college applications and are waiting for results. That means it’s time to start thinking about how a family or individual is going to pay for it...

Whether you’re getting ready to sell a house, move or just want to make more room where you live, a garage sale can be a good way to get rid of unwanted items while realizing some cash...