Higher education can be a real challenge with both an abrupt lifestyle change and some serious education. Unfortunately, that education could include a course in personal finance via The School of Hard Knocks. College is already expensive and doesn’t need additional financial pitfalls. According to College Board, an average college student at a public university will pay nearly $18,000 for tuition, fees, room and board for the 2012-2013 school year. That’s some real-world finance right there.

Many students aren’t ready for the financial grind of living on their own. There are mistakes that are easy to make. That’s where Vantage Credit Union’s College Resource Center can help. You’ll find all kinds of advice on all kinds of topics. One includes the seven worst money mistakes made by students. Let’s take a look.

Just what does your credit report include? All the things that help round out your title as a loan-seeking consumer. Your credit accounts. Credit inquiries you make when applying for a loan. Public record and collection items. It’s a simple snapshot of your credit history that lenders check before they decide whether or not they want to lend you money.

While it seems your credit report holds back no secrets, there are some things you won’t find on it. It may feel like you’re totally exposed by your credit report, but there are some things that do not make an appearance, according to our friends at Bankrate.com.

It’s the number one consumer complaint received by the Federal Trade Commission.

Its numbers increased by 13% in 2011.

Its victims numbered over 11.6 million last year.

Yep, people are still out there trying to steal your identity. They think nothing of using your good name to create bad scenarios. But identity theft isn’t an equal-opportunity crime, some of us are at greater risk simply because of our behavior. How’s your risk factor?

Snap. Crackle.

It won’t be long before area fireplaces are adding another dimension of charm to our living rooms. Is there anything better than sitting inside in front of a fire as Mother Nature takes a turn for the worse outside? The hissing and popping. The radiating warmth. Ahhhhhhh...

When was the last time you reviewed your insurance coverage? Yeah, yeah, it’s likely not anything near the top of your To-Do list, but what if we told you that you could be losing out on hundreds (possibly thousands) of dollars for neglecting it? It’s true, and we can prove it. Check out this true story as reported by the New York Times recently. We’ve edited the story a bit for brevity, but we did not alter the facts concerning money.

Are you ready for some football?!

It's crunch time for the professional football season. The play-off picture is shaping up, although our hometown Rams have had better seasons (understatement of the year!).

What does football have to do with your credit union? Personal finances, of course! While most of us can’t begin to imagine life with the salary of professional athletes, we can see that they have many of the same financial problems we do, just on a much grander financial scale. It’s true. Just take a look at a few NFL players and former players who’ve had a tough time with finances for various reasons.

Welcome to 2012! Well, almost. How’s that list of resolutions coming along? While a new diet or the promise of a new workout routine is nice, don’t overlook your financial health. The new year is a perfect time to review your finances and insurance needs. Oftentimes things change and you need to adjust accordingly.