As of September 21, 2018, you can freeze and unfreeze your credit with Experian, Transunion and Equifax for free. A credit freeze, prohibits lenders from accessing your credit report, making it more difficult for anyone to steal your identity or access your financial assets without your permission. Previously, only residents of certain states had access to such freezes free of charge. Here’s why you should take advantage of this freebie.

By Shay Cook, MS, AFC^®, FINRA Investor Education Foundation

September is National Preparedness Month, and it is a great time to prepare for a potential natural or financial disaster. You never know when a hurricane, tornado, earthquake or volcanic eruption may disrupt your life. Disruptions can also occur in the form of an unexpected financial torpedo.

By Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Extreme weather and natural disasters can occur with little warning. This year’s floods and wildfires are proof of that. Are you ready to leave your home at a moment’s notice? You can reduce your anxiety about these scary events by making sure you are prepared if and when they happen. September is National Preparedness Month and a good time to get your family, pets, and property ready. You can, for example:

It’s National Payroll Week - a time to celebrate employees. It’s also the perfect time to take a look at your or your spouse’s Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) to make sure you understand the fine print.

Here are some things to review the next time you get paid:

It’s back to school season, which means it’s time to stock up on clothes and school supplies. School shopping is an annual expense that’s inevitable. But you can avoid overspending on back to school with these tips.