Saving for College Made Easy

It’s never too late – or too early! – to save for your children’s future higher educational expenses. In Wisconsin, parents (and anyone else, actually) can save for kids’ college costs through one of the state-designated ...

Eau Claire Native Sarah Godlewski Has Big Plan for Boosting the Profile of the State Treasurer’s Office

First, Eau Claire native Sarah Godlewski led a successful effort to save the job of Wisconsin’s elected treasurer by defeating a statewide referendum last year. Next, she was elected to that office herself by winning ...

Get Your Investments Working for You

ideas to ensure your retirement money is there for you and not the taxman

You’ve probably heard the old joke that here up north there are four seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction. None of us like road construction at the time, right? But it’s better than the alternative ...

Three Apps to Manage Your Debt

tracks your debts (and maybe even save money, too!) the 21st century way

Debt can be overwhelming, and, in some cases, debilitating. The key to managing this stress is getting a handle on your debt – it is crucial to your financial health to know exactly what you owe, even if you really do not want to know ...

The View From the Top

Brandon Riechers, CEO of Royal Credit Union, has climbed the ladder of success

Brandon Riechers has spent literally half of his life working at Royal Credit Union, beginning in 1996 as a 21-year-old part-time financial sales representative in the office at Golf Road and Highway 93 ...

The Man Who Makes Money Talk

award-winning financial guru Kevin McKinley speaks up about saving, spending – and smartphones

It’s shaping up be to be big year for Eau Claire financial advisor and public radio host Kevin McKinley: This fall, he marks 30 years as a financial advisor (“I’m starting to get the hang of it,” he quips), and last ...

Wisconsinites Are Money Smart

study says we’re financially literate, but we still act like everyone else

In recent years, communities, schools, and families have sought to help people be better able to avoid money troubles by promoting financial literacy and, in turn, financial capability. A new national study shows these efforts are finding success in Wisconsin ...

A Breakdown of Your Wisconsin Income Taxes at Work

When Wisconsin’s Legislature crafts the state budget every two years, it relies in part on state income tax payments from about 2.5 million households. In 2016, Wisconsinites paid $7.7 billion in state ...

Every Little Bit Helps

when it comes to college savings, even small amounts can inspire success

A doctor or singer or maybe an astronaut? Young children have plenty of dreams when it comes to what they want to be when they grow up. Parents know those career dreams keep changing as their children ...

How to Give Back to the Valley

You don’t have to be a millionaire to be a philanthropist. Community foundations can help multiply your generosity.

Sooner or later, there comes a time in most of our lives when we feel the desire to give back to our communities. Depending on our means and motivation, this desire can manifest itself in something as simple ...