Skip to main content
First
Demo
Bank
Personal
Business
Wealth
About
Contact
Locations
Investors
FirstDemo Bank & Trust
Open Mobile Menu
Close Mobile Menu
Personal
Business
Wealth
About
Contact
Locations
Investors
build
smarter
financial relationships
Credit and Debt
Credit
Debt
Major Purchases
Money Management
Banking
Budgeting
Building Wealth
Saving
Spending
Family Finances
Life Events
Identity Protection
Insurance
Kids & Money
Financial Crisis
Workplace Finances
Employee Benefits
Paycheck Planning
Retirement Plans
Your Home
Renting
Buying a Home
Mortgage
Home Equity
Refinancing
Paying for College
Saving for College
Financing College
Repaying Student Loans
Retirement Planning
Saving for Retirement
Social Security
Living in Retirement
Small Business
Starting a Business
Business Finance
Business Management
Growing Your Business
Employment Basics
Financial Calculators
Auto
Mortgage
Home Equity
Savings
Retirement
Debt
Budget
Insurance
Business Finance
Business Management
Business Marketing
Search
Content type
- Any -
Article
Calculator
Quiz
Subject
- Any -
-Renting
-Buying a Home
-Mortgage
-Home Equity
-Refinancing
Sort Order
Latest
Alphabetical
Random
Apply
Mortgages
Understanding VA Loans
Article
Mortgages
What Is a Jumbo Loan?
Article
Mortgages
Getting the Lowest Mortgage Rate
Article
Refinancing
Should You Refinance Into a Shorter Term Mortgage?
Article
Mortgage
15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgages
Article
Mortgage
Buying a Home in a High Rate Market
Article
Mortgage
Fixed Rate vs Adjustable Rate Mortgages
Article
Buying a Home
Buying vs Renting a Home
Article
Load More
Credit and Debt
Credit
Alternatives to Pay Day Lenders
Building a Credit Reputation
Closing Down a Credit Card Account
Credit Card Industry Laws
Credit Repair Scams
Credit-Building Loans
Dealing with Rising Credit Card Interest Rates
Evaluating Credit Card Reward Programs
Fee-Based vs No-Fee Credit Cards
Good Reasons to Borrow Money
How Credit Card Utilization Impacts Your Credit Score
How Credit Cards Work
How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?
How is a Credit Report Used?
Important Credit Card Terms
Keeping Track of Your Credit Score
Loan Basics
Lower Your Credit Card Rate
Repairing Your Credit
Smart Purchases to Make on Credit
The Ins and Outs of Your Credit Score
Travel Reward Programs
Understanding Credit Card Interest
What Do You Know About Credit?
What Is a Credit Reference?
What Makes My Credit Score Go Up and Down?
Why Your Credit Utilization Ratio Matters
Your Annual Credit Report Review
Debt
Accelerating Repayment on a Loan
Are Credit Card Balance Transfers Worth It?
Consolidating Debt with Home Equity
Consumer Protection Laws and Medical Debt
Cures for a Debt Hangover
Dealing with Credit Score Fallout
Dealing with a Spouse’s Credit Issues
Debt Consolidation
Debt Ratios and Debt Loads
Debt Terminology
Good Debt, Bad Debt
How Long Will It Take to Pay Off a Credit Card?
Increase Your Monthly Payment
Make Bi-Weekly Payments
Making Only Minimum Payments
Managing Debt
Meet a Debt Payoff Goal
Prioritizing Your Loans for Quicker Payback
Protect Yourself from Predatory Lenders
Save or Pay Off Debt?
The Avalanche Debt Repayment Method
The Debt Snowball Method
The Difference Between Debt and Credit
The Life Cycle of Debt
The Pros and Cons of Loan Protection Insurance
Understanding Your Debt
Use a Lump Sum to Pay Down Debt
Use a Side Hustle to Pay Off Debt
What Happens When You Don't Repay Your Debts
What Happens to Your Debt When You Die?
Your Debt Collection Rights
Major Purchases
Budgeting For Your Big Day
Buying an Engagement Ring
Calculate a Loan Payment
Electric Vehicle Tax Credit Requirements
Financing a Major Purchase
Getting Ready to Borrow
How Rooftop Solar and Net Metering Work
Selling Your Car
The Cost of Borrowing
Understanding Car Subscription Services
Understanding Interest on Loans
Using Home Equity for a Major Purchase
What it Means to Borrow Money
Calculate a Vehicle Payment
Low Rate or Cash Back?
Compare Monthly Payment by Term
Vehicle Affordability by Loan Term
Compare Two Vehicle Loans
Purchase or Lease a Vehicle
Money Management
Banking
Accessing Financial Services as an Immigrant
Balance Your Checking Account
Banking Basics
Check-Cashing Services
Closing a Bank Account
Debit or Credit Card?
Digital and Mobile Wallet Basics
Financial Basics for Service Members
Going Cashless
Going Green With Your Finances
How Safe is Your Money?
How the Federal Reserve Controls Interest Rates
Introduction to Online Billpay
Money Transfer Options
Opening an Account
Peer-to-Peer Payment Tools
Private Banking Basics
Safe Practices for Mobile Banking
Selecting the Products That Are Right for You
The Benefits of Online Banking
The Pros and Cons of Cash Advances
Using a Checking Account
Using a Savings Account
Watch for Gift Card Scams
What Do You Need in Your Wallet?
What Is a Cash Management Account?
What is a Cryptocurrency?
What is a Demand Deposit?
Paying Your Bills
Budgeting
25 (Almost) Pain-Free Budget Cuts You Can Make
Are There Leaks in Your Finances?
Budgeting Basics
Budgeting on Irregular Income
Buy Now, Pay Later Apps
Calculating Your Disposable Income
Challenge Your Budget Cutting Skills
Don’t Let the Holidays Bust Your Budget
Financing a Home Solar Project
Having a Plan
Household Cash Flow Tracker
How Much Am I Spending?
Measuring the Cost of Living
Monthly Credit Card Management
New Year? New Budget Resolution
Putting Together Your Budget
Reducing Food Waste at Home
Ridesharing Basics
Roommate Finance Management
Save, Share, or Spend
Smart Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund
Staying Frugal without Becoming Cheap
The 50/30/20 Budget Rule
The Benefits of Personal Financial Management Tools
The Minimalist Model
Understanding Your Income and Expenses
Understanding a Shoestring Budget
Upcycling Basic Household Items
Using Budgeting Apps
What to do with a Financial Windfall
Why Do Budgets Fail?
Your Budget and Higher Food Prices
Building Wealth
Calculate Your Net Worth
Diversifying While Investing
Do You Need a Financial Advisor?
Investing in ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)
Investing in Stocks
Researching Investments
Save to be a Millionaire
The Benefits of Compounding
What is a Mutual Fund?
Saving
2022 & 2023 Maximum IRA Contribution Limits
Becoming a One-Car Family
Building a Rainy Day Savings Fund
Bump-Up CDs vs. Step-Up CDs
Calculate Your Savings at Maturity
Compare Two CDs
Creating a Savings Mindset
Cutting the Cable and Saving Money
Determining Your Savings Need
Finding Affordable Travel Options
Finding Money to Save
Get S.M.A.R.T.
How a Smart Home Can Save You Money
Is it Time to Use CDs for Investing Again?
Laddering Strategies for CDs
Performing a Home Energy Audit
Preparing Holiday Meals on a Budget
Protecting Your Savings From Inflation
Repair or Replace it?
Save Towards a Goal
Save for a Rainy Day
Saving Money When You Join a Gym
Saving Money
Saving for a Rainy Day
Saving on Back-to-School
Solar Energy Options
The Difference Between Spending Less and Saving Money
The Impact of Saving More
Types of Savings Goals
U.S. Savings Bonds
Understanding Your Savings Options
Understanding the Savings Deposit Program (SDP)
Using a Sinking Fund to Save
Watching Your Money Grow
What Is an ABLE Account?
What Is an Add-On CD?
What Will My Savings Be Worth?
What are You Saving For?
Spending
Are Food Delivery Services Right for Me?
Are You Eating Away At Your Paycheck?
Are You Maximizing Your 'Cash Back'?
Are You Under the Influence?
Avoid These Car Leasing Mistakes
Buying Your First Electric Car
Categorizing and Tracking Your Expenses
Dealing With High Gas Prices
Dealing with Dynamic Pricing
Do Grocery Delivery Subscriptions Make Sense?
Find the Best Christmas Shopping Deals
Finding Online Coupons
Getting Out of a Car Lease
How Inflation Impacts Your Finances
Hybrid, Electric or Gas?
Making Sustainable Food Choices
Maximize Your Car's Trade-In Value
Reducing Your Spending
Saving Money While on Vacation
Shopping Strategies for Holiday Deals
Shopping for Home Appliances
The Art of Splitting a Check
The Rising Costs of Streaming Services
What Is Social Commerce?
What is Surge Pricing?
Gas Mileage Savings with a Fuel Efficient Vehicle
Family Finances
Life Events
Becoming Financially Independent
Becoming a Parent
Building a Cash Wedding Registry
Considering a Financial Caregiver
Creating a Power of Attorney
Employed Again? Do These Things First
Estate Planning
Getting Your Child's Finances 'Move-Out' Ready
Housing Scams to Avoid
How Do Living Wills Work?
If Your Spouse-to-be Has Serious Debt Problems
Is Your Significant Other a Tightwad?
Keep Working or Stay at Home?
Lending Money to Family or Friends
Liquidating a Loved One's Estate
Making Financial Preparations for Maternity Leave
Making Your Home a Vacation Rental
Managing Moving Expenses
Managing Your Child Care Expenses
Preparing Financially for a Special Needs Child
Saving Money by Moving Back Home
Searching for Unclaimed Money
Should You Get a Prenup?
The Child Tax Credit 2021
The Financial Side of Dating
What is Financial Therapy?
Identity Protection
Am I Being Phished?
Child Identity Theft
Common Phone Scams
Consumer Privacy
Consumer Privacy
Credit Freezes vs. Fraud Alerts
Credit, Debit and Fraud Prevention
Digital (or Virtual) Credit Cards
How Credit Card Dumps Work
How to Spot a Money Wiring Scam
Identity Protection Services
Identity Theft and Fraud
If You're a Victim of a Data Breach
Keeping Your Mobile Phone Secure
Make Sure Your Home Network is Secure
Medical Identity Theft
Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Protecting Your Home When You're on Vacation
Protecting Your Identity While Traveling
Protecting Yourself On Social Media
Scammers and the Coronavirus
Shopping Safely Online
Spotting Elder Fraud
Spotting Health Insurance Scams
Stop the Robocalls!
Take Advantage of Two-Step Authentication
Understanding the "Dark Web"
Using a Password Manager
Website Password Strategies
What Is Carding?
What Is Skimming?
What Is an Advance-Fee Loan Scam?
What is Synthetic Fraud?
What is a Spoofing Attack?
What’s Your Password Strategy?
Insurance
Auto Insurance and Teen Drivers
Calculate Your Disability Insurance Needs
Calculate Your Life Insurance Needs
Calculate Your Long Term Care Needs
Check Your Insurance Knowledge
Choosing the Right Deductible Amount
Dropping Collision from Your Auto Coverage
Factors That Impact Life Insurance Premiums
Finding the Right Auto Insurance
Health Savings Account or Traditional Health Plan?
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
Insurance Tips for Homeowners
Insuring Your Property
Is Pet Insurance Right for You?
Is Travel Insurance a Good Idea?
Reach Your Health Savings Account Goal
Reviewing Your Medical Bill
Save for Long Term Care
Should You Take the Travel Insurance?
Term vs. Whole Life Insurance
The Advantages of Health Savings Accounts
The Homeowner's Insurance That's Right for You
The Value of Your Future Earnings
Tips to Reduce Your Auto Insurance Premiums
Understanding Home Hospital Care
Understanding Roadside Assistance Insurance
What Is FAIR Plan Insurance?
What Is Umbrella Insurance?
Your COBRA Health Insurance Rights
Kids & Money
2024 Child Tax Credits
Allowances and Children
Are Kids Sports Draining Your Bank Account?
Homeschooling During COVID-19
Learning to Save
Paying for Good Grades
Preparing Your Teen for Their First Job
Raising Financially Literate Children
Spare Change
Spending on Your Child
Teaching Kids About Money
Teaching Smart Spending
Teaching Your Child to Count Money
Teaching Your Children about Gift Buying
Teaching Your Teen About Financial Risk
The Cost of Homeschooling
Things Your Grade Schooler Should Know About Money
Things Your High Schooler Should Know About Money
Things Your Middle Schooler Should Know About Money
Things Your Pre-Schooler Should Know About Money
Understanding Money
Understanding a Small Saver Certificate (SSC)
What Is a Custodial IRA?
Financial Crisis
A Death in the Family
Avoiding Costly Car Repair Mistakes
Avoiding Tax Penalties
Dealing with Large Medical Bills
Dealing with a Home Foreclosure
Helping Your Parents with their Finances
Housing Relief Options and COVID-19
In Case of Medical Emergency
Making a Comeback from a Financial Setback
Managing Debt When You Are Unemployed
Managing Your Finances After a Job Loss
Mortgage Relief Scams
Paying for Rehab and Addiction Treatment
Preparing Financially for a Climate Changing World
Preparing for an Economic Downturn
Rebuilding Credit After Bankruptcy
Reselling Your Stuff
Revisiting Your Budget During a Crisis
Selling a Home That is Financially Underwater
Should You Get a Second Job?
Suddenly Unemployed
Weathering a Financial Crisis
When You’re Short On Money
Workplace Finances
Employee Benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Hourly and Salaried Employment
Navigating Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs)
Negotiating a Job Offer
Quality of Life and Wellness Benefits
The Basics of Working from Home
The Benefits of Union Membership
The Financial Impact of Job Hopping
The Financial Impact of Relocating for Work
Understanding Employee Benefits
Understanding Paid Time Off (PTO)
Understanding Parental Leave Policies
Utilizing Childcare Benefits
Utilizing Job Training Programs
What Is a Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)?
What Is a Severance Package?
What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
Paycheck Planning
2021 Paycheck Planning
2022 Paycheck Planning
2023 Paycheck Planning
2024 Paycheck Planning
Dealing with Expense Reimbursement
Filling Out a W-4 Form
First Paycheck? Do These Things First
Gross and Net Income: What's the Difference?
If You're a 1099 Employee
Juggling Multiple Jobs
Setting up Tax Withholding
Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Understanding Company Bonuses
Understanding Pay Statements
Understanding Payroll Taxes
Understanding Performance-Based Pay
Understanding Your Pay Statement
Understanding Your Paycheck
Understanding Your W-2 Form
Using Pay Transparency in Salary Negotiations
Retirement Plans
2021 & 2022 Maximum 401(k) Contribution Limits
2022 & 2023 Maximum 401(k) Contribution Limits
2023 & 2024 Maximum 401(k) Contribution Limits
401(k) Calculator
An Overview of 401(k) Plans
Are You Eligible for a 403(b) Plan?
Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
How Do Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) Work?
Reviewing Your Retirement Plan
Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) Plans
Traditional 401(k) or Roth 401(k)?
Understanding Matching Contributions
Understanding Pension Plans
What is a Defined Benefit Plan?
What is a Profit-Sharing Plan?
Your Home
Renting
Finding a Roommate
Furnishing Your New Space
Going from Homeowner to Renter
How Much Should You Spend on Rent?
Qualifying for Your First Apartment
Renter Mistakes to Avoid
Renting Your First Apartment
Understanding Your Rights as a Renter
Buying a Home
Additional Financial Home Buying Obligations
Are You Ready to Buy a Home?
Building a Home Buying Team
Buying a Home from a Family Member
Buying a Home with a Friend
Buying a Vacation Home
Buying vs Renting a Home
Down Payment Assistance Programs
Down Payment Strategies for First-Time Home Buyers
Finding a Real Estate Agent
Finding the Right Home
Getting Your Home Ready to Sell
Home Affordability
Home Affordability
How Home Construction Loans Work
Is a "Tiny Home" the Answer?
Landscaping on a Budget
Making an Offer on a Home
Proceeds from Sale of a Home
Saving for a Down Payment on a Home
Tax Implications of Home Ownership
The Pros and Cons of an HOA
Tools Worth Spending Money On
Understanding Housing and Debt Ratios
Understanding Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
Rent or Buy?
Mortgage
15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgages
Being Pre-Qualified vs. Being Pre-Approved
Buying Down an Interest Rate with Points
Buying a Home in a High Rate Market
Can Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments Save You Money?
Closing on a Home
Compare a Bi-Weekly Mortgage to a Monthly Mortgage
Debt-to-Income Calculator
Down Payment Calculator
FHA Mortgage Basics
Finding a Mortgage
Fixed Rate vs Adjustable Rate Mortgages
Getting Rid of Private Mortgage Insurance
Getting the Lowest Mortgage Rate
How Escrow Accounts Work
Key Mortgage Terms
Know When to Lock-In a Mortgage Rate
Loan Amount Calculator
Maximizing a Home Appraisal
Mortgage Loan Modification Options
Qualifying for a Mortgage
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
Understanding Mortgages
Understanding VA Loans
Understanding the Federal Home Loan Bank System
What Is a Jumbo Loan?
Calculate a Mortgage Payment
Compare Two Mortgage Loans
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Analyzer
Calculate Home Closing Costs
Home Equity
Cash-Out Refinancing or a Home Equity Loan?
Is it the Right Time to Refinance Your Home?
Refinancing Your Mortgage
Should You Refinance Close to Retirement?
Should You Refinance Into a Shorter Term Mortgage?
Time to Refinance?
Refinancing
Building Equity in Your Home
Calculate a Home Equity Line of Credit Payment
Calculate a Home Equity Loan Payment
Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit?
Home Equity Loans vs Lines of Credit
Paying Off a Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit
The Equity in Your Home
The ROI of Home Improvement Projects
Understanding Home Equity
Using the Equity in Your Home Wisely
Using the Equity in Your Home
Paying for College
Saving for College
An Overview of 529 Plans
Are Online Degrees Worth It?
Choosing Between College and Retirement Savings
College Savings Plan Options
College Savings Plans
Explaining Stackable Credentials
How Community Colleges Save You Money
Save for College
Saving for Your College of Choice
The "2K Rule" for College Savings
The ROI of Education
The True Cost of a College Education
Vocational and Technical Training
Financing College
Comparing Your Financial Aid Offers
Expected Family Contribution
FAFSA and You
Financial Aid
Financial Tips for College Freshmen
Financing a College Education
Finding Scholarships
Graduating from College Debt-Free
How Much Student Loan Debt is Too Much?
Maximizing Your Financial Aid Package
Minimizing College Application Expenses
Misconceptions Surrounding Financial Aid
Private Student Loans
Saving Money on College Textbooks
The Challenge of Working Your Way Through College
Will Your Choice of Major Payoff Financially?
Repaying Student Loans
COVID-19 and Your Student Loans
Claiming Your Student Loan Forgiveness
Credit Building Tips for New College Graduates
Employer-Sponsored Repayment Programs
How to Quickly Pay Off Your Student Loans
Income-Based Student Loan Repayment Plans
Living with High Student Loan Obligations
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Refinancing Strategies for Student Loans
Repaying Student Loans
Student Loan Forgiveness
Understanding Income-Share Agreements
Retirement Planning
Saving for Retirement
2019 & 2020 Maximum 401k Contribution Limits
2019 & 2020 Maximum IRA Contribution Limits
2020 & 2021 Maximum 401(k) Contribution Limits
2020 & 2021 Maximum IRA Contribution Limits
2021 & 2022 Maximum IRA Contribution Limits
2023 & 2024 Maximum IRA Contribution Limits
Explaining Payroll Deduction IRAs
Factoring Family Into Your Retirement Plan
Getting Your Retirement Back on Track
Gig Worker Retirement Strategies
How Much Do You Need to Retire?
Retirement Planning Checklist
Retirement Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Retirement Saving Basics
Retirement Tax Planning
Save for Retirement
Spend It or Invest in an IRA?
The Basic Principles of Retirement Planning
The Pros and Cons of an Early Retirement
What are My IRA Options?
Social Security
An Overview of Medicare
Estimate Social Security Benefits
Getting By on Social Security
How Cost of Living Adjustments are Calculated
How are Social Security Benefits Calculated?
Social Security Benefits
Social Security Survivor Benefits
Social Security and the Self-Employed
Understanding the Ticket To Work Program
When Should I Start Collecting Social Security?
Your Social Security Number & Card
Living in Retirement
Buying a RV for Retirement
Don't Miss Out on Senior Discounts
Extend Your Retirement Budget with the Gig Economy
Finding a Caregiver
Have You Saved Enough for Retirement?
How Long Will My Retirement Savings Last?
In Retirement
Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You?
Required Minimum Distributions
Restructuring Your Budget for Retirement
Retirement Account Withdrawal Strategies
Retirement Income Estimator
Supplemental Healthcare Coverage in Retirement
Supplementing Your Retirement Income
Working in Retirement
Small Business
Starting a Business
Business Startup Basics
Buying an Existing Business
Creating a Business Plan
Leasing Space for Your Business
Location, Location, Location
Naming Your Business
Partnership Pros and Cons
Saving to Start a Business
Sizing the Market
Sources of Start-Up Funding
Business Finance
Accepting Payment
Basic Accounting Statements
Business Debt Consolidation
Business Finance 101
Business Lines of Credit
Business Loan or Line of Credit?
Calculate a Business Loan Payment
Effective Receivables Collection
Establishing Credit
Extending Credit To Your Customers
Financial Ratio Analysis
Financial Ratios
Getting a Business Loan
Keeping Your Business & Personal Finances Separate
Lease or Buy Equipment
Managing Cash Flow
Projecting Your Cash Flow
Purchase or Lease Equipment?
Repaying a Business Loan
Small Business Administration Loans
The Basics of Budgeting
Using Credit Cards for Financing
Working With Outside Investors
Working with Factors
Business Management
Accounts Receivable Analysis
Becoming the Boss
Business Inventory Requirements
Determine Your Working Capital Requirements
Gross Margin Analysis
Laws and Local Ordinances That Impact Your Business
Managing Vendor Relationships
Managing Your Inventory
Managing a Business
Money Management
Providing Great Customer Service
Recordkeeping Basics
Sales Volume Required to Break Even
Selecting the Right Technology and Tools
The Value of Your Business
Time Management
Valuing Your Business
Growing Your Business
Affordable Marketing Strategies for Startups
Branding Your Business
Calculate Customer Lifetime Value
Calculate Your Conversion Rate
Calculate Your Direct Mail ROI
Calculate Your Email Marketing ROI
Creating a Marketing Plan
Creating an Online Presence
Direct Marketing Basics
Gaining a Competitive Advantage
Growing a Business
Internet Marketing Basics
Measuring the ROI of Your Marketing Budget
Optimize Your Sales Pipeline
Pay-per-Click Advertising ROI
Pricing Strategies
Selling Your Products Online
Social Media Marketing
Understanding Customer Lifetime Value
Employment Basics
Attracting and Retaining Quality Employees
Compensation Basics
Creating an Employee Handbook
Effective Employee Communications
Employment Basics
Hiring Your First Employee
Maintaining a Work/Life Balance
Negotiating with Prospective Employees
Required Employee Benefits
Running a Virtual Company
Total Employee Compensation Package
Training and Educating Employees
Using Contractors Instead of Employees
Financial Calculators
Auto
Mortgage
Home Equity
Savings
Retirement
Debt
Budget
Insurance
Business Finance
Business Management
Business Marketing
