Below The Radar News

Approximately two out of three 2018 college graduates have some level of student loan debt, according to an annual report from the Institute for College Access & Success. The average runs nearly $30,000. That’s a lot of debt, but the report does share an encouraging sign: Researchers found that while student debt is high, it’s […]

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Dreaming of a new car, bigger home, dream vacation? Dedicated savings accounts can help you get there! If you’ve checked the box on an emergency fund, putting away about three months of salary to spend only when the unexpected happens, you’re moving down a solid path for financial success. Now, it might be time to […]

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Overcoming financial challenges and achieving financial stability is what the NFCC Brighter Financial Future Award is all about. Teresita Manrique, working with NFCC member Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI) managed that and more to become the 2019 winner of the award. Originally from Venezuela, Manrique moved to Miami, Florida and took a temporary job. Finding […]

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Here we are, just a couple of months from what might be the most expensive time of the year for families: the holidays. The average American spends more than $1,000 on the winter holidays, according to the National Retail Federation. And many spend more, racking up debt that they have a difficult time paying off. […]

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Greg Smalls, Director of Housing Development at CESI is passionate about helping individuals and families realize their dream of homeownership. He works tirelessly to help families accomplish that goal. For this reason, Smalls was awarded the NFCC 2019 Outstanding Advocate Award at NFCC Connect, the annual gathering of the nation’s largest and longest-serving network of […]

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Before you purchase something, do you look at product reviews? Whether you are buying online, or in a store, a little bit of research and reading product reviews may save you money.  Saving money is isn’t just about not spending money, it also means spending your money wisely. When making a purchase the cheapest option may […]

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The corner grocery store where you can pop in for an affordable gallon of milk and a bunch of bananas doesn’t exist anymore in many communities across the country. More and more neighborhoods sit squarely in a so-called “food desert,” areas in small towns to big cities where there is little to no access to […]

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“Would you like to save 15 percent on your purchase?” It’s a rare person who’d say no to that! But, that seemingly innocent question is typically followed by an offer to open a store credit card.  You may be wondering, should I get a store credit card? On the surface, the offer could seem like […]

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Are you overwhelmed by bills? Nobody wants to pay them, yet they come every month. Bills can put a real strain on a household’s finances. In fact, one study by doxoINSIGHTS found that in the 25 largest metro areas in the United States, the average American household pays $984 per month, or 17% of their […]

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What are the risks of cosigning? If you’ve been asked to cosign a loan for a friend or family member, you may have questions. It’s possible you have heard horror stories regarding cosigning — and there are plenty out there. It’s also possible that you don’t think cosigning is a big deal at all. Cosigning isn’t […]

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