Page 6 - Metro Record May 2021

6 THE METRO RECORD - MAY 2021

Take Control of Your Financial Future

While Managing Pandemic Challenges

estimated third or about changes to your report and Remember, it's smart to triple-
more of your credit get insights on building good credit. check any social message, email or
score is tied to on- This is important if you are solicitation you get from someone
time payments. considering applying for a loan or a claiming to be from a financial
Financial technology credit card, or refinancing debt or institution. Most banks, including
can help you with yourhomeloan. Chase, won't ask for confidential
managing your bills information like your name,
andhowyougetpaid Setasidesavings passwordorPINwhenreachingout
so you never miss a toyou.
payment. Automate Having money set aside in an
allyoucanandsetup emergency fund can help provide Look into payment programs if you
transaction alerts for peace of mind. Also, by saving needhelp
deposits and regularly, you'll have the financial
withdrawals so you flexibility to help you reach future If you are worried about making
stay on top of money goals.Useanonlinecalculatortosee payments, contact your home loan,
movement. howyoursavingsaretracking.Keep car or credit card company and ask
in mind, even setting aside a few if they have any payment relief
Monitor and protect dollars a week can help you prepare programs.Youcanalsoreachoutto
yourcredit for the unexpected and save for community organizations and city
short-andlong-termplans. and state resources that can help
Some actions can connectyoutoaidifyouneedit.
impact your credit Stayalerttoscams
more than others, For additional resources, tools and
Takecontrolofyourfinancialfuture Bailey shares some smart tips and and having a clear picture of your Financial scams are prevalent informationonhowtomanageyour
while managing pandemic simple strategies that anyone can credit score is critical. Sign up for duringtheCOVID-19pandemic.To budget,growyoursavingsandbuild
challenges adopt: Chase Credit Journey for free to stay up to date, visit the Federal your credit, visit chase.com/
check your score, receive alerts Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov. personal/financial-goals.
(BPT) - A year into the pandemic, Buildabudgettomeetyourneeds
many people have experienced
changes in how they manage their Three in four people have concerns
money. With different spending about creating a budget that's
needs and, in some cases, changes flexible and realistic for how they
in income, the ways we balance live, according to the 2020
budgets, save and monitor credit JPMorgan Chase Financial Needs
havebecometopofmind. Study. It's a good practice to update
your budget frequently to gain a
"No matter where you are clear understanding of where and
financially, budgeting and saving howyoucanmakeadjustments.
are two key habits that can help all
of us bounce back from life's Use traditional budgeting tools like
unexpected moments," said the Chase Budget Builder or digital
Lawrence Bailey, head of financial toolsliketohelpkeepaneyeonyour
health and community banking for expensesandincomeaswellasfind
Chase. "Another important habit is gapsorwaystosave.
understanding how credit works
andwhatgoesintoascore." Use technology to help keep you on
track
To help people manage their
changing needs and stay financially While algorithms can vary
healthy now and into the future, depending on the credit bureau, an