Sticking with money management tips isn't always easy. Managing your finances can mean chopping some of the fun out of your daily routine. But all of your hard work will be worthwhile. You could end nights spent worrying over unpaid bills. And when the bill comes due for a romantic dinner, you know you'll be able to pay it. Follow these steps to make the most of the money you have now and build a secure future. 1. Choose the Right Bank Your bank does more than hold money for you. A bank is a partner in your financial health and your future. Unfortunately, some institutions just don't make g ..read more

Online banking has come a very long way from a banking company simply offering an app to check your bank balance on your phone. Now, online banking has almost surpassed the need for brick-and-mortar locations, offering an array of features and functions that make it a preferred choice of customers. Online Banking vs. Online Banks Online banking has become such a ubiquitous term that it is often confused with terms like online banks, internet banks, or direct banks. You have direct access to your account. There is no physical building you have to visit to carry out transactions or get inform ..read more

If you're asking yourself, "How much money should I save each month?" you're certainly not alone. Setting aside funds for a rainy day, a big purchase, or even retirement seems wise to a lot of people. But if you struggle to set aside any money after payday, you're also not alone. More than half of all American households don't have savings set aside for emergencies. And plenty of people don't have full retirement accounts. If you want to save money but aren't sure how, know this: Every dollar matters. Saving a little bit is better than setting aside nothing at all. While creating a savings pl ..read more

You know you shouldn't spend every dime you make. You know you should set something aside for a rainy day. But as the months come and go, you find that you just can't make a savings resolution stick. What's going on? The psychology of saving money could be to blame. All sorts of factors sit just below the surface of your consciousness, and they pull and prod at you every single day. They could keep you from saving money even though you want to do so. But you can change course. Follow a few simple steps based on psychology, and you can prepare for the future. 5 Factors That Make Saving Diffic ..read more

A car is more than a hunk of metal and rubber. For most of us, it's one of the most expensive things we'll ever own. If you can't walk into a car dealership and walk out with the keys to your new ride, you're not alone. Most families need time to come up with funds for a car, even if it's used. But anyone, no matter their budget, can learn how to save for a car. Follow these steps to get started. How Much Should You Save? Cars are expensive. In 2020, an average light vehicle cost more than $38,000. Most of us don’t have that money sitting in our bank account, so we need to start saving. But ..read more

The topic of banks vs. fintechs has been another hot one as of late, with court rulings, the questioning of banking executives on Capitol Hill and if you’ve been in NYC lately, you’ve probably noticed the launch of our latest marketing campaign on your commute. To be clear and upfront, Current is NOT a bank. We’re better. We first addressed this topic last fall, when we announced we had no plans to pursue a bank charter, and the differences between a fintech like Current and traditional banks have only become clearer over the past year. We’ve never been, nor do we have any plans to, become a ..read more

You pull up to the pump to fill up the tank. How much will the gas cost you? The final bill is unclear, both to you and to the owner of the gas station. But you choose to slide your debit card into the payment slot anyway. Did you just make a big mistake? More than half of all Americans prefer to use their debit cards to pay for gas. Sometimes, that simple decision has financial repercussions that can break your budget. We'll walk through the differences between paying for gas with a debit card vs. a credit card. And we'll give you options you can use to pay for gas without risking your fina ..read more

What is a direct deposit? Many Americans can answer this question. More than 80 percent of workers in the United States are paid via direct deposit. And close to 80 percent of those who do not use this system are somewhat familiar with it. But plenty of American workers are paid in cash. They might be unfamiliar with direct deposit. There are plenty of valid reasons why people might not know about direct deposit, and they could keep you from signing up for a program that could really benefit you. What Is Direct Deposit? Years ago, your reward for work well done came in one of two forms: cas ..read more

If you've lost your Florida job through no fault of your own, you're likely eligible for unemployment benefits. Think of your payments as a temporary lift to keep you out of poverty until you can land a new job and start over once more. In the fall of 2020, nearly 7% of Florida residents were unemployed. If you need help, you're certainly not alone. And Florida officials have streamlined the application process, so you can get financial help quickly and efficiently. We'll walk through how the benefits work, how to apply, and how to keep your application current, so you never miss a paycheck ..read more

No one should spend more than they have in their account. But mistakes often happen. If an automatic payment slides out of your account and you're not aware of it, or if a paycheck takes a day or two extra to clear, you could try to draw on funds you just don't have. Overdraft protection should assist you when you try to spend money that isn’t available in your account. But about a third of consumers don't know that their banks offer this service. We'll walk through what overdraft protection is and how it works. We'll also explain why some people feel these products aren't right for them. Ho ..read more