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Thursday, December 26, 2024

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Advocates urge broader clemency despite Biden's death row commutes; Bald eagle officially becomes national bird, a conservation success; Hispanic pastors across TX, U.S. wanted for leadership network; When bycatch is on the menu.

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The authors of Project 2025 say they'll carry out a hard-right agenda, voting rights advocates raise alarm over Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and conservatives aim to cut federal funding for public broadcasting.

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From the unprecedented election season to the latest environmental news, the Yonder Report looks back at stories that topped our weekly 2024 newscasts.

Expert offers tips for a stronger financial year ahead

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Monday, March 4, 2024   

Debt in North Carolina and across the nation is rising and experts are offering tips to help people to make a shift in their finances.

The average person in North Carolina has more than $96,000 in debt across student loans, car loans, credit cards and other types of personal loans.

Joe Mecca, vice president of communications for Coastal Credit Union in Raleigh, said if you haven't already, now is the best time to tackle financial tasks to help tackle debt and strive for financial security.

"Setting goals, doing some planning and creating or maintaining their budget," Mecca outlined. "They're getting ready to maybe purchase a home, and need help with the homebuying process. Or, they're trying to plan for retirement or saving for education. And then, a growing trend that we're hearing more and more about is financial caregiving."

He explained thinking about your financial obligations at the beginning of the year is key when building your financial plan. He advised starting with the basics and increasing your knowledge along the way. He also recommended seeking out a professional who can help guide the process.

A recent study from WalletHub found North Carolina was among 18 states seeing an increase in personal debt last year.

To bring your financial situation under control, Mecca emphasized it is important to spend less than you earn, having a clear understanding of your income and expenses, and always prioritizing living within your means. He pointed out automation is one way to do this.

"One thing I always recommend to people is, automate as much as you can," Mecca explained. "When you get your payroll deposited into your account, immediately do a transfer into savings if you're trying to reach a goal, or make a transfer into a loan that you're trying to pay down, transfer into a retirement account."

He suggested another thing you can do is find ways to increase your knowledge about money overall, and checking with your financial institution can be a good resource. For instance, he noted Coastal Credit Union has a self-help hub offering interactive modules, covering topics from basic financial planning and budgeting to advanced subjects such as homeownership, investing and retirement.


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