Unlock Insights

Key takeaways: The Federal Reserve concluded its September meeting Wednesday by holding interest rates steady, while suggesting that it would likely hike them again one more time in 2023. Most analysts had expected that outcome, but the central bank threw many for a loop with its comments about what the future might hold.  On Wednesday, […]

Credit matters.  Just ask Joel, an Unlock customer in southern California.  “I was in trouble with my credit card utilization* – to the point that it was nearing 100%,” he says. Over the past few years, with living expenses rising, and dealing with an overall high cost of living in California, Joel explains that he […]

In August, real estate data provider Zillow made a splash by forecasting that home prices would gain 5.8% in 2023. That’s a big shift from earlier forecasts, and it makes the Zillow team much more bullish than other experts, many of whom are still calling for a decline in prices. Here’s what’s going on. The […]

Key takeaways Grandparents may be known for spoiling their grandchildren, but they can also offer valuable life lessons – particularly when it comes to finances. Some grandparents have lived a fiscally conservative life, saving for a rainy day and paying for purchases with cash, not credit. Many lived through recessions, periods of unemployment and excessive […]

Key takeaways: Since you’re poking around the blog pages of a company that offers an innovative way to profit from your stored up home equity, we’re guessing you already have a good idea of what home equity is. (It’s the value of your home minus any outstanding debts on it, like your mortgage.) But what […]

Key takeaways:  The real estate market is facing multiple challenges right now, not least of which is high mortgage rates. But one thing is certain: people will always need a roof over their head, whether they buy, rent or crash on someone’s couch.  So if you think this is the right time for you to […]

Key takeaways: You know that having an emergency fund in place is important. You understand that some unplanned expense always comes up. And you know that depending on a credit card (or worse, a payday loan) when these unexpected expenses arise is not a good idea. But with the cost of living, inflation and a […]

Key Takeaways: What’s happening in Hawaii is not only sad and tragic, it’s creating a long road to recovery which will cost billions of dollars. And it’s been occurring more and more frequently in locations across the planet. Families have been displaced, businesses have been leveled, not to mention the horrific harm to wildlife the […]

Key takeaways: As most parents know all too well, shopping for back-to-school clothes and supplies is an expensive proposition. According to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, consumers are expected to hit a new record on back-to-school spending this year: Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $890.07. […]

Key takeaways: The Federal Reserve hiked interest rates again at its late-July meeting, after pausing in June. With ratesnow at their highest in more than two decades, the Fed says anything goes when they meet in thefuture. Besides the obvious – it’s more expensive to borrow money – what does this all mean forconsumers? Your […]

Key takeaways: Taking care of your home, inside and out, is important for every homeowner. Doing so maintains and enhances the home’s value, keeps things in working order and makes the house more livable. Yet it can also be expensive, tempting many homeowners to consider tackling some projects on their own. Before diving into a […]

Key takeaways: Whether the housing market is going up or down, a homeowner wants to maximize their home’s value for sale. If you are thinking about selling, these nine tips should help you position your home to get the best price possible. 1.     Boost curb appeal. First impressions count! Mow the lawn, pull weeds, rake […]