Personal Resource Center

Discover spending habits that erode your wealth and get simple saving and investing tips to harness compound interest for your financial goals.

Various factors go into collecting Social Security at, or near, retirement.

I bonds can be a good supplement to 529 plans when saving for college as they protect savings from inflation and offer tax benefits.

On November 12, 2025, the United States Mint produced its last penny, ending a 232-year production run.

Learn smart strategies to grow from $100K to $500K-plus in investable assets—through mindset shifts, diversification and tax-smart planning.

Learn how debt consolidation works, and the pros and cons of different ways to consolidate, and which debt you may want to keep separate.

Learn how to pause impulse buys and reset your habits with a 30-day spending cleanse.

Scammers can get your Social Security number via security breaches. Learn how to freeze your credit to prevent scammers from getting credit in your name.

A securities-backed line of credit (SBLOC) uses your investments as collateral for flexible, low-interest borrowing. Learn how it works and why it’s right for you.

An overview of the 2026 inflation adjustments to tax brackets, deductions and retirement plan contribution limits to help you plan ahead.

If you have suffered damage to your home, car, or personal belongings from a natural disaster, here's how to get back on your feet — and make sure your house is safe and habitable.

Maximize your eligibility for financial aid by making smart money moves before filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Many Americans find themselves in their 50s without enough saved for a comfortable retirement.

Natural disasters can strike at any time. Even if you don't own your home, being prepared helps protect your property and family.

Interest rates are higher than they've been in decades after a run of rate hikes by the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) to calm inflation.

The holiday season often leaves us with more than just happy memories — it also brings the all-too-common post-holiday money blues.

Reducing your tax liability can literally save you thousands of dollars

It's important to have enough cash saved up for a financial emergency, but how much should you sock away? Here's what the experts say.

An emergency fund can help you stay afloat when money is tight. Here are a few ideas for coming up with the savings.

To be a good executor of a will, you need to understand the rules and pitfalls of taking this complex responsibility.

Learn how the FDIC steps in to protect account holders when a bank fails and understand whether your account balances are protected.

Holiday airfare is among the most expensive of the year. Here's how to get the best deal on year-end plane tickets.

Synovus has partnered with Carefull, a financial safety service, to provide education on protecting you and your money. With so many variables affecting financial means, the latest article on wills and not having one could have complicated effects after you’re gone.

Even if you don't want to borrow money, having a credit card can help you do things like rent a car, book a hotel, buy a plane ticket, and more.

Before you leave on a trip, be sure to tackle these 10 items to protect your finances — and your security — while you're away.

When the Federal Reserve announces a change in interest rates, it tends to make headlines. Here's how it works. 

When catastrophe strikes, your top priority pivots to ensuring loved ones are safe. Once you've made it through, though, thoughts inevitably turn to dealing with the financial aftermath.

Your home has just been through a natural disaster involving water or wind, or both. Now what?

Do you have a good credit score? Learn what the two major scoring models consider "good" and how you can get — and keep — your score there.

Being an adult is expensive. Make sure you start off your newfound life of freedom on the right foot by knowing how to manage your money.

As people travel for the holidays, you might be considering travel insurance. Here’s what you need to know.

Fitting student loans into your budget as a new grad can feel overwhelming. Here's how to make a plan and budget that will work for you.

When a loved one dies, you'll need to settle up their finances. Here are the key steps you need to take to do this.

Estate planning doesn't have to be complicated. Here are the steps you should take to ensure your plans are in order.

Paying taxes can be a major drain on your retirement income. Make sure you're taking advantages of these tax breaks.

It's possible to have some fun while accomplishing your financial goals, too. Here are five smart ways to use your year-end bonus.

Good credit is key for everyday life, but watch out for these actions that can harm your score

Discover the pros and cons of money market accounts, their potential for growth, and how they differ from money market funds.

Your credit reports inform your credit score. Be sure that negative entries, errors, or fraudulent activity doesn't drag it down.

Responsible financial planning requires preparing for how you'll deal with unanticipated setbacks and worst-case financial scenarios.

Certificates of deposit (CDs) differ from traditional savings accounts, their benefits and drawbacks, and how to invest in one safely.

Through 2022, the average tax refund check was $2,753. Learn five ways to get the most value from your refund this year.

With so many different versions available, credit scores can be confusing. Here's what you need to know for your financial health.

Ready to make better financial decisions? Check out these 5 simple steps you can take to gain control of your finances.

From debit cards to interest rates, here are the most important money-related terms you need to know as a financially savvy young adult.

Giving kids an allowance helps them learn how to manage money, but only if you're actively teaching them good practices. Here's how.

Closing a bank account when someone passes away isn't difficult, as long as you have the right paperwork for the the teller or banker.

Managing the financial affairs of a deceased loved one can be challenging, but closing their credit cards doesn't have to be. Get started here.

Personal loans can be a great alternative to high-interest borrowing options when you have a major expense to cover. Here's how they work.

Trying to get your family's spending under control? This infographic shows you step by step how to create a budget for your family. 

A HELOC is a line of credit that's based on the equity in your home. If you're considering getting a HELOC, consider all the facts first.

Creating a family budget doesn't have to be difficult, especially with this simple template. Here's how to get started — and how to keep your budget on track.

Find out how CDs and MMAs work, how they differ, and how to decide which is best for your situation.

Overdrafting your account is a real pain, especially considering overdraft fees can be as much as $40 each. Know how to prevent overdrafts.

You don't have to be a financial pro to help your kids grow into money-savvy adults. Follow these tips to help your kids learn how to budget money.

Whether to pay off debt early or save more money for retirement is one of the most common questions people ask financial advisors.

Your credit score will determine whether you qualify for a loan — and what interest rate you'll pay. Here's how to boost your credit score.

Do you know what your credit score is? This infographic breaks down how your credit score is determined and what the different ranges mean.

Getting credit when you don't have credit can be a frustrating Catch-22. Here's how to build good credit without a credit history.

It's important to understand how to read your paycheck and check it for errors. You could be having too much (or too little) withheld for taxes!

With the freedom of college life comes the responsibility of managing your own finances. Here's how to create and stick to a college budget.

Here's a quick guide to four key banking concepts you need to understand to avoid overdrafting your account.

Minimizing your tax burden can have a major impact on your finances in the long term, so here are some year-end tax moves to consider.

This holiday season, consider giving that aligns with your wealth goals and values while also benefitting from tax breaks.

Why "safe" money habits can become wealth traps in 2026 and the mindset work that must come before any strategy change.

The 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 investing strategy offers a balanced, diversified portfolio that includes cash, securities and non-traditional assets.

Understand stagflation, its warning signs, historical context and how it may impact markets, inflation and investor sentiment.

Calculating your asset allocation across stocks, cash, real estate and more can help you make more informed investment decisions.

When markets move, it can impact the allocation within your portfolio — and that's where rebalancing plays a role in good financial advice.

Whatever your personal financial goal, you need a fundamental understanding of these five common investment instruments.

Familiarizing yourself with key estate planning terms is an essential step in managing your financial assets.

A bear market sounds scary — but long-term investors don't need to fear. Here are some ideas for how to deal with a bear.

Rethinking your retirement plans in the face of a market downturn? You may still be able to retire on time. Here's what you need to know.

New technology has made it easier than ever for novices to get involved in stock trading. But is it wise to go it alone? We explain the risks.

If you are hoping to retire in the next few years, this list of questions can help you decide if you're ready and what you should do next.

Interested in protecting your assets and your loved ones even after you pass away? Then you need a will — and possibly a trust, too.

ETFs are gaining in popularity. Here's what you need to know about them, including pros and cons, before you decide to invest.

Diversification helps protect you from risk by spreading your investments across the entire market rather than keeping money in one place.

No matter what your financial situation is, how old you are, or where you're at in life, here are seven steps you can take to make slow and steady progress towards retirement.

Ready to give a financial gift with the potential to keep on giving? Explore how gifting investments can help you spread the wealth.

Choosing between retirement savings and student loan repayment can feel impossible — but this framework can help you make a good decision.

Inherited investments have a few more moving parts than inheriting cash. Learn about transferring ownership and options for your new assets.

These three tips will help you think about how to incorporate healthcare costs into your retirement savings plan.

A 529 plan is a useful tool for saving for a child's education. Here's are tips for choosing the right plan for your family.

529 plans limit how you can use college savings. This investing strategy helps you reap the 529 benefits while avoiding potential drawbacks.

There's no one right answer to what your risk tolerance "should" be. Learn how to balance risk and reward with your investments.

Does your 401(k) have a Roth option? Here's what that means and how to decide if you should fund a traditional or Roth 401(k).

An estate plan isn't just for the wealthy. Learn how an estate plan especially a will can help anyone with assets or children.

Borrowing from your retirement fund allows you to access money in an emergency. Just make sure you're aware of the potential hurdles.

Worried about protecting your wealth in a declining market? Here's how you can use portfolio "airbags" to protect your investments.

Saving and investing are critical actions to build your wealth, but they're not the same thing. Learn the importance of each one here.

Here are four ways to ensure you have a steady stream of income coming in after you retire.

Social Security can help you fund your retirement. But you'll need to draw from other income sources too. Here's how to develop a plan.

If you're behind on saving for your child's college expenses, these savings options can help you catch up and be prepared.

Here are five concrete steps you can take to ensure that you have enough money to retire when the time comes.

Traditional and Roth IRAs offer different tax treatments, and the type you choose can have an impact on your retirement savings balance.

A college degree can be pricey, but a 529 college savings plan can help take the sting out of paying for your child's education.

If you earn an income, it's time to think about putting a financial plan together so you can make the most of the money you have.

Is your nest egg at risk? It could be if you don't take these steps to protect your wealth as it grows. Here's what to do to keep it safe.

You might have a new job, but don't forget about your old 401(k). Here's what to do with your retirement plan when you change careers.

Dreaming of a sports car or lakefront property? Here's how to save for that big purchase.

Earning stock dividends can fast-track your portfolio's growth and supplement investment returns. Learn the basics here.

Investing is an important part of building wealth. But before you begin, it's helpful to understand the basics of how the market works.

The first step in developing a financial plan is finding the right financial advisor to help you. Here's what to look for.

Now is the ideal time to start saving for retirement. Learn which retirement planning milestones could be most important in your 20s and 30s.

Divorce doesn't have to derail your retirement plans. No matter where you're starting from, you can still build a comfortable retirement plan.

Learn how to identify small steps you can take now to help you reach your ultimate retirement savings objectives.

Learn how to use gifted or inherited money for a home down payment, including rules, paperwork, and loan options.

Here are smart, practical ways to use a HELOC to strengthen your financial future.

Assess your preparedness by examining housing costs, interest rates and lifestyle preferences.

Discover how mortgage-specific credit scores impact your loan terms and learn strategies to improve them for better mortgage deals.

Don't delay closing on a home because you can't access your savings. Learn how to store-your-down-payment money so it's readily accessible.

Homeowners can use a homestead exemption to protect the value of their primary residence from creditors and to lower property taxes.

After qualifying or pre-qualifying for a loan, you might notice that your mailbox is a bit fuller than usual or field an influx of spam calls. No, it's not your imagination — applying for a mortgage or other types of loans can cause your junk mail and spam phone calls to multiply.

Are you ready to sell your home? These six tips can help you get ready to list your home to sell it quickly and at the price you want.

The mortgage process is full of confusing acronyms. Learn how to speak the home-buying language to ensure a smoother process.

Natural disasters can strike at any time. Being prepared helps ensure that your family — and your home — are protected as much as possible.

Mortgage scams can be particularly distressing and costly, given their financial implications. Here are four to watch out for.

Pre-approved and pre-qualified sound similar but they mean different things when getting a mortgage. Understand each before making an offer.

Before you start shopping for a home, you need to shop for a real estate agent. Here's how to choose the one that's right for you.

A conventional loan is any home loan that's not guaranteed or insured by the government. You can apply for one through your local bank.

Should you renovate your home or sell it? Consider the pros and cons of both options before you take steps in either direction.

Applying for a mortgage may seem like a big step to take, but when you separate the process into bite-size pieces, it's less intimidating.

Find out the differences between fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages, and when it makes sense to choose one over the other.

Beneficiaries of a house can move in, sell or rent it, but they need to make decisions with other heirs and professional advice.

Many consumers need a cash infusion to fill the gap in today's challenging economic time. Find out how a cash-out refi and a HELOC compare.

Regular maintenance can help your home retain value and prevent costly emergency repairs or replacements. Here are 9 steps to take.

If disaster strikes, homeowners insurance can help make you whole. Here's what you should consider as you shop for a policy.

To get prequalified for a mortgage, you'll need to prove to the bank that you're financially prepared to take on a loan payment. Here's how.

How do you know if it makes financial sense for you to own a home? These four questions can help you decide if you should rent or buy.

Find out whether you can afford a mortgage on your budget — even if you've never owned a home or if you've always rented.

Whether you're buying a home for the first time or you're a seasoned pro, there are a handful of common mistakes to look out for when purchasing a home.

Buying a home is an important milestone, but so is choosing the right type of mortgage. Use this guide to help understand your options.

It's wise to have a home improvement plan that can increase the market value of your home for the least amount of investment.

You can buy a FSBO without the help of a real estate agent—the trick is knowing how. Learn eight steps on how to buy a FSBO home.

Private mortgage insurance is a type of loan insurance that some buyers are required to pay to protect the lender. Find out more about PMI.

What is a down payment? How much is it? And where does the cash come from? Learn more about how to take this key step toward home ownership.

Escrow can confuse even the most savvy home buyers. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about escrow accounts

What are closing costs? How much are closing costs? And who pays closing costs? We break it down to ensure there are no surprises.