Everybody has gaps in their knowledge; like mispronouncing a word in a funny way, not knowing your state bird, or not recognizing the newest hip hop artist. Most gaps in knowledge are harmless. But there are some out there that can get you in trouble.

While this isn’t a comprehensive list of every piece of life advice and information you need, it is a list of important subjects everyone should know. 
 

Car Maintenance
 

There are a few things you should know about maintaining your car. It’s a large investment that you should keep nice and working smoothly for as long as possible. Ignoring your car’s maintenance is a short road to needing to buy a new one or paying for costly repairs.

You don’t need to be a skilled mechanic, or even need to know how to change your oil to keep your car maintained. There are just a few areas you need to be aware of and keep an eye on so you know when to take your car to a professional to fix.

The first thing you should know is how often and when to get your oil changed. Getting the oil changed too often or not often enough are both bad for your car. Based on your make and model of car and the type of oil put into it, that could vary. The “3,000 miles or every three months” rule is outdated and shouldn’t be followed. Know exactly when to come in for your next oil change based on your car and oil.

The next piece of information about your car is when to get your tires rotated/replaced. Grab a penny and turn it so Lincoln’s head points down. Then, put the penny into the tire’s thread. If part of his head disappears, you are good. If you can still see his entire head, it’s time to replace your tire. Check all four tires, and even check them at different spots. Tire wear and tear can happen irregularly.
 

When to Start Saving for Retirement
 

Especially for younger people, retirement is a far away dream to be worried about later. The reality is, the moment you join the workforce, you need to start saving for retirement. The amount needed for retiring at 65 is always increasing, and the earlier you start saving, the more likely you’ll reach it. 

The most common way of saving for retirement is a 401(k) through your employer. If your employer offers this benefit, take it and start depositing money through it right away. Don’t have access to a 401(k)? Open an IRA and start depositing there. Pioneer offers IRAs to our members that you can open quickly and easily, to start saving for retirement now.
 

Easy Way to Build Credit
 

Credit is an enigma for many. It’s an important part of life, but there is so much to know, many people don’t know where to start. If you’ve never touched your credit, or have a low score, there is one easy way to build your credit reliably over time.

Open one credit card with no fees. Use the credit card regularly on small purchases, then pay off the balance on time and in full. Keep doing this indefinitely. This helps build your credit score in two ways. First, having a line of credit open for a long period of time increases your score, and utilizing that credit card puts positive history on your credit report. Pioneer offers a VISA credit card with no annual fees that is perfect for building your credit. 
 

Don’t Pay Fees You Don’t Have To
 

The world is always trying to take your money, and a common tactic is through fees. Nearly every industry and business has fees in some form or another. A late fee for returning a book to the library. A convenience fee for using a credit card rather than cash. A transfer fee for sending money between two people. 

While individually, many fees are small, costing you maybe a few dollars, but those fees pile up. If you consistently use services and are paying fees, you could easily be losing $30 or more a month to fees.

If there is a fee, make sure you are getting more value out of it then paying. If you have a credit card you don’t use but has a yearly fee, cancel it! But if you have a credit card that is giving you points or bonuses that outweigh the fees, then keep it. 

A prime example of this is checking accounts. Many checking accounts have monthly maintenance fees attached to them, but lack any type of real benefits. You don’t need to go with these checking accounts with fees, there are better options!

Pioneer offers reward checking accounts that get you cash back for having the account. That means every month, you are earning money either by how you spend your money or by earning interest on it. Yes, there is a fee, but it pays for a great benefit: fraud protection. If you have a Pioneer reward checking account and your identity is stolen, Pioneer helps lock down your identity, your money and your credit. Plus, this benefit stretches to your immediate family too. 

Open a Rewards Checking Account