Rapids Blog

At some point during the long summer, kids are bound to say the words every parent dreads: “Mom, I’m bored!” Oh sure, there are many things to do—amusement parks, costly trips to the mall, and summer camps—just to name a few. But thrifty parents can keep kids happy without breaking the bank. With a little creativity, you can still uncover a variety of ways to keep your children stimulated with little or no cost. Here are some budget-friendly activities to enjoy during the summer months.

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The warm weather months are coming up, and that means one thing: it's time to start figuring out how you can save money on your energy bill. With the summer months being notoriously expensive for cooling bills, there are many ways to cut down on utility costs without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Here are ten ways to save money on your energy bill each month!

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Most of us will have to deal with a financial emergency at some point in our lives. They can happen at any time and rarely come with a warning. Whether you have one year or one week to adjust to such monetary upheavals as divorce, medical emergencies, military deployment, or loss of wages, you may be able to sail through financial foul weather – as long as you PLAN for it.

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Many Americans are facing drastically reduced income due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some people have lost their jobs, or have reduced work available to them. Below are our tips on surviving on less income.

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Rivermark's 2022 PDX Diaper Drive is June 1st thru 11th. We have teamed up with PDX Diaper Bank to collect donations for babies in need. There are over 150,000 children living in poverty in Oregon. Families shouldn't be forced to choose between purchasing food or diapers for their children. By partnering with community agencies, the PDX Diaper Bank provides free diapering supplies to low-income and houseless families.

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Tax Returns from last year were due in mid-April. So now that you've filed your return, what are some ways to help improve your tax return and refund maximization strategy for next year? In this article, we've outlined several important ways to do exactly that! The tax laws can change over time, but millions of Americans expect to receive a sizable refund check soon after they file their tax returns for the year.

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Your down payment for a home loan can be saved in many different ways. There will be easy ways and difficult ways. Some ways will require sacrifices, while others will take time. If you're committed to owning a home one day, these small sacrifices will be well worth it. The following are some ways you can begin saving for your down payment on a home today.

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An understanding of how money works and how to manage money is one of the most significant gifts you can give your children. One day, we all want our children to be financially savvy adults, but with today's materialistic "spend-everything" culture and attitude, it's increasingly difficult. If you want your child to grow up with a basic understanding of money management, here are some things you can do.

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Those looking to tidy up their homes and lives have taken to Marie Kondo and her KonMari method. If you've seen her Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo or read any of her books on the subject, you know she's all about inspiring others to choose joy when they organize.

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Even the most careful of investors and planners can sometimes get caught off guard by life. In those moments, a personal loan can really make a difference. We've compiled six ways a personal loan can be helpful.

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