HUDSON | Construction Alert

This Saturday, August 6 at 1 p.m. after the Hudson Office closes, the parking lot will be seal coated. The ATM machine will be unavailable at times. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause!

GUEST POST: Get Financially Fit! | Making College Affordable

5 Ways to Make College More Affordable

The value of a college degree isn’t what it used to be, but its importance certainly hasn’t diminished. In fact, in Sallie Mae’s report, “How America Pays for College,” 90% of families expect their student to earn at least a bachelor’s degree, with 54% expecting a graduate degree. Of course, if you’ve read any recent news about the financial details of college education, you’ll know that it’s also a foreboding prospect: there is nearly $1.3 trillion in total U.S. student loan debt, ongoing wage stagnation, and the prospect of enduring years of underemployment.

But it’s not all bad news. A notable paradigm shift is taking place: this year, a whopping 98% of current students are actively engaging in ways to make their education more affordable.

So how does a student and their family better prepare themselves? Here’s our list of the top five ways families can make college more affordable:

Get Financially Fit! | Travel Food Costs

When it comes to travel, food costs can break the bank! Trent Hamm, contributor to U.S. News & World Report and writer on his website, TheSimpleDollar.com, shares with us How to Cut Food Costs While Traveling.

In a nation as big as the U.S., travel is often a big part of people's lives. Whether trekking to visit family or friends or simply to enjoy a national landmark, Americans frequently hit the road or fly the friendly skies.

Once you're away from home, however, one of the biggest financial challenges is food. Without the contents of your cupboard and the convenient tools of your kitchen, how exactly can you avoid spending a fortune on sustenance?

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CHIPPEWA FALLS | Honor a Loved One

Honor a loved one! With any donation made through this Friday, July 29 at our Chippewa Falls Office, you may sign one of our shirts to honor a loved one who has battled or is currently battling cancer. The shirts will be worn the day of the relay by WESTconsin team members.

School Supply Drive Starts Today!

Our School Supply Drive starts today! Help local children  in need pack their backpacks for the upcoming school year. For more details, visit our Facebook event: http://ow.ly/WToU302vyik.