This article is written and provided by our partners at Fidelity Investments.  Key takeaways Consider allocating no more than 50% of take-home pay to essential expenses. Try to save 15% of pretax income (including employer contributions) for retirement. Save for the unexpected by keeping 5% of take-home pay in short-term savings for unplanned expenses. Budget. [...]

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This article was written and provided by our partners at BECU.  Experts say that financial management is 20% knowledge and skills and 80% behavior. If reducing debt is your goal, putting some healthy habits into practice can take you a long way toward success. Emotions and money Most of us want to believe we make [...]

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Finances can be stressful even without a pandemic. Striving to be financially fit takes practice, consistency, and hard work. But at the end of the day, efforts to increase your financial education and freedom have a positive impact on your overall wellbeing, from reduced stress and anxiety to a heightened sense of security. When it [...]

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This article is written and provided by our partners at Fidelity Investments.  It’s so easy to spend money—sometimes you don’t even realize the ways it leaves your wallet. But knowing these 9 ways companies try to get your cash can better equip you to keep it. Key takeaways The convenience of shopping from your phone can [...]

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It’s no secret that homes in Washington state and the greater Seattle-Tacoma area have skyrocketed in price over the last decade. In July the median sale price for a home in the Seattle metro area averaged at $795k, according to Redfin data. Historically, a down payment on a home has been 20% of the home [...]

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This article was provided by our partners at BECU. Take advantage of Whole U discounts with BECU including a $50 bonus deposit when you open a new checking or savings account! What is a CD? A CD is a certificate of deposit, a federally insured deposit account that has a fixed interest rate over a [...]

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TIAA, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, offers a wide variety of resources for financial education and support to the University of Washington community. Explore TIAA’s expansive offerings below. Custom Bi-Weekly Seminar for UW Employees As an employee of the University of Washington, TIAA provides customized webinars unique to your retirement plans and financial [...]

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This article is written and provided by our partners at Fidelity Investments.  Key takeaways Always note the amount due and the payment date so you pay on time, every time. Read the contract with your card issuer so you understand the terms and possible fees you may face. Check your credit reports regularly to monitor your [...]

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This article is written and provided by our partners at BECU. It’s often called the most wonderful time of the year, but somehow it’s also the most stressful time on your wallet. The following tips will help you to keep your budget in check throughout the holidays. Looking for gift ideas that contribute to your community [...]

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This article is written and provided by our partners at Fidelity Investments.  Key takeaways Inflation poses a threat to bondholders because rising prices reduce the purchasing power of the fixed rates of interest that their bonds pay. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are bonds whose principal and interest rate payments rise along with inflation. TIPS are [...]

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This April, join The Whole U and UW Benefits in celebrating Financial Literacy Month – a campaign whose roots go back more than two decades. Financial Literacy Month is an important reminder that both financial education and health are an integral part to living well. The goal of Financial Literacy Month is to expand education [...]

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With peak home buying season right around the corner, we asked HomeStreet Bank to shed some light on factors you may not think about while working your way through the greater Seattle housing market. While our region tends to be a very hot market, there are some tips and tricks out there to give you [...]

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