Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has extended assistance to many Americans in the form of an economic impact payment—or as it’s more often called—a stimulus check. The initial direct deposits have already begun to hit the accounts of those eligible to receive them. The purpose of the stimulus payment is two-fold: first, to help …
Oh, Baby: Preparing and Saving for Parenthood
It’s no secret that babies are expensive! Several years ago, my husband and I wanted to make sure we were financially ready for the responsibility of parenthood. At first it seemed like a very daunting task. We decided to tackle it a little at a time which made it easier than I had expected. I’ve heard people say that they …
Meet Our 2018 Team Pelican Scholarship Winners
Our Team Pelican Scholarship Award Program is in its 11th year, and the students that apply continue to showcase their ever-growing skillsets, determination and dedication to Pelican’s values. Since 2008, we’ve awarded scholarships to deserving high school seniors across the state. Pelican has given out over $50,000 in scholarships since we’ve started! We had 62 students apply this year—our highest …
Pelican and Peabody Magnet: Investing in Students’ Futures
When I was young, my parents gave me a container shaped like a bank, store and church combined. There were three slotted sections for saving, spending and giving. Each time I received money, it was divided into these slots. Although I don’t remember how it worked in detail, I do know the importance of dividing money in these ways became …
Credit Cards: Making Them Work for You
Credit cards have become a way of life for most of us today. They’re easy to use, convenient and safer than carrying around cash. They enable us to purchase what we need or want today and pay for it tomorrow. They’re a large piece of the equation to establishing a credit score, but it’s important to remember that they can …
Budgeting for Your Lifestyle
For most people, the “B” word, budget, usually suggests a strict adherence to spending a designated amount of money on a monthly basis. In other cases, being on a budget represents a sacrificial lifestyle. In either case, maintaining a budget is viewed as rigid and simply boring. It’s regarded as a spending lifestyle that has no spontaneity or planned fun …