Veterans Day always holds a special place for me. It’s a moment to honor two very special men, my grandfathers, who shaped my life and values and whom I was named after.
My paternal grandfather, Richard Franklin Brown, served in the Marines, and my maternal grandfather, Eugene Preston, served in the Air Force. Every year, this day reminds me that freedom is something precious that we’ve inherited because it was earned, protected and preserved by those who came before us.
Each Veterans Day is a time to pause and think about what they endured and fought for, not only for their families but for the ideals that define our country. It also reminds me how easily those freedoms can fade when we forget the cost of protecting them.
One story that always stands out to me is the Gulf of Tonkin incident of Aug. 2, 1964. That day, the USS Maddox exchanged fire with North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. Two days later, on Aug. 4, reports claimed that a second attack had taken place against U.S. ships. That second attack, as we now know, never happened, yet the reports swayed public opinion and led Congress to pass what became known as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, granting President Lyndon B. Johnson broad authority to use military force in Southeast Asia without a formal declaration of war.
That decision marked a major escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam, costing millions of lives and reshaping American politics, culture and public trust in institutions. The consequences were especially devastating for young Black men, who were recruited and drafted at disproportionate rates and, in many cases, returned home carrying trauma, addiction and lifelong hardship. It remains one of history’s clearest reminders that misinformation, when left unchallenged, can alter the course of a nation and define generations.
For me, that lesson reinforces the purpose and responsibility of a free and accurate press. Truth and trust are not only journalistic values. They are civic obligations that uphold our democracy and protect our shared future.
Wisconsin Watch takes that responsibility seriously. Our mission is to provide clear, factual and accessible information that helps people navigate their lives and strengthen their communities. Veterans and their families are one of many groups whose needs have informed our journalism. Earlier this year, our newsroom looked at how federal workforce and funding cuts could affect veterans here in Wisconsin, how homeless veterans would be affected by the closure of Klein Hall and whether the state Legislature would take steps to help. And yesterday, we published a list of 12 veteran-related bills that are currently in front of Wisconsin lawmakers.
Much like my grandfathers’ service, our work is guided by endurance, care and the belief that truth matters in even the most trying times.
To all who have served and to everyone who stands for accuracy, transparency and fairness, thank you! Your courage and commitment make freedom a reality and a treasured gift for us all.
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Credit is an important part of life for many adults, but it can feel confusing or overwhelming, especially if you’ve had some setbacks.
Whether you’re just starting out, trying to bounce back after a rough patch, or simply want to keep your credit in great shape, this is your go-to guide on all things credit.
What is credit and why does it matter?
Credit is your ability to borrow money or access goods and services with the understanding that you’ll pay for them later. Your credit history and score show how trustworthy you are when it comes to borrowing and repaying money.
Good credit can help you qualify for loans, get better interest rates, rent an apartment, or even set up a phone plan, whereas poor credit can make these things harder or more expensive.
Remember, “credit is a tool, not a measurement of your value,” says LaDaisha Washington, financial mentor with UW Credit Union, adding “good credit saves you real money.”
How do I build credit?
“You need to have credit to build credit,” says Mike Hruska, another financial mentor with UW Credit Union.
New to credit or starting over? You’ve got this. These simple steps can help you build a solid foundation:
Start with a secured credit card, says Washington. A secured card requires a small deposit (often $100 to $500), which becomes your credit limit. Use the card for small purchases that you can pay off monthly and show lenders you’re responsible.
Always make payments on time. Both Washington and Hruska echo this top tip. Even if you can only afford the minimum payment, always pay by the due date.
Keep your credit utilization low is another tip shared by Washington and Hruska. Keep credit utilization, which is the percentage of your credit limit you’re using, under 30%. For example, if you have a $1,000 limit, keep your balance under $300.
Diversify your credit mix (over time). Lenders like to see a mix of credit types (credit card, car loans, mortgages, etc.) says Washington. Don’t rush to open lots of accounts before you need them but, as your financial goals evolve, having more than one type of credit can help your score.
How do I maintain good credit?
Consistency and smart habits will help you continue to build and maintain your credit.
Set up automatic payments or reminders on your phone to pay your bill on time. The later the late payment and the more times it happens, the more your credit score may go down, says Hruska. Don’t let it happen to you!
Don’t max out your cards. Staying well below your limit (ideally under 30%) shows lenders you’re not overextended, says Washington.
Manage a healthy mix. Try to have a variety of credit types as you build your credit, but only take on what you need and can manage.
Limit inquiries. Applying for lots of new credit at once can make you look risky. Only apply for new accounts when you really need them and do your research tomake sure each account is a good fit.
How do I come back from bad credit?
Each person’s situation is unique and credit scores can be negatively impacted for a number of reasons, says Hruska, but don’t despair. There are steps you can take to recover:
Catch up on late payments. Bring any late accounts current as soon as possible.
Set up automatic payments. This can help prevent future late payments and keep your accounts on track.
Lower your utilization. Try to pay down balances to under 30% of your credit limit. If possible, ask for a credit limit increase (but don’t use the extra credit to spend more).
Work through the negatives. Dispute any errors you spot on your credit report, and pay off items in collections if you can.
Be patient and consistent. Credit repair takes time. Most negative marks fade after 3–6 months of good behavior, but bigger issues like bankruptcy or foreclosure can take 7–10 years to fully disappear. Keep making those small positive steps – they’ll add up over time.
Ask for help. Many financial institutions and nonprofits offer credit counseling and advice. UW Credit Union’s free credit consultations can help you make a plan for your finances.
True or false?
There’s a lot of bad information about credit out there:
“Checking your own credit hurts your score.” – False! Looking at your own credit report or using credit monitoring services only counts as a “soft” inquiry and does not affect your score. In fact, it’s smart to check your credit regularly. You can get a free copy of your credit report every year at annualcreditreport.com.
“Carrying a balance helps build credit.” – False! You don’t need to carry a balance or pay interest to build credit. Using your card and paying it off in full each month is the best approach.
“Closing old accounts improves your score.” – False! Closing old credit accounts can actually hurt your score because it lowers your total available credit and shortens your credit history. It’s usually better to keep old accounts open, even if you don’t use them, as long as they don’t have annual fees.
Building, maintaining and improving your credit is a journey, not a race. With some simple habits and a little patience, you can boost your score and open up new opportunities. It’s never too late — or too early — to take control of your financial health, and you’ve already taken the first step by learning more. And remember we are here for you if you have questions or want support.
Sponsored content allows partners to reach our civic-minded readers through clearly labeled and transparently produced stories. The views expressed do not reflect those of Wisconsin Watch or Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, and sponsors do not influence our editorial decisions. Learn more about our mission.
What is a paid post?
Paid posts allow organizations to share their perspectives on issues relevant to our audience. These posts are labeled as sponsored, reviewed for clarity and relevance, and published outside of the editorial team’s control. This helps sustain independent journalism while keeping readers informed about community-driven efforts and public interest topics.
Wisconsinites lost $109 million to fraudsters in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
As our use of technology to manage our money increases, so does the potential for fraud. Financial scams are constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay informed. Here’s how you can avoid becoming a victim.
Imposter scams from an organization
The most common type of fraud, imposter scams have common themes:
Someone calls claiming to be from your financial institution, credit card company, the county sheriff, the IRS, a charity or a similar type of trusted entity.
Using “spoofing” technology, they make it look like the call is coming from a legitimate institution.
The caller tries to convince you to send money as a donation, to cover fraudulent charges on your account or because of a violation or debt you’ve incurred.
They ask you for personal information like verification codes or login credentials.
They create a sense of urgency.
If you receive a phone call like this, especially if it’s unsolicited or unexpected, pause. Do not feel pressured to respond right away.
Hang up and contact the organization the caller says they represent using a verified number from a legitimate website – or send a secure message through the legitimate organization’s app or website. It’s unlikely that government officials and agencies would call you about official business or ask you to wire money or purchase gift cards.
Imposter scams from a loved one
Beware of calls from people attempting to sound like a family member such as a grandchild or relative asking you to wire money or provide credit card numbers to help them get out of trouble.
These calls often occur late at night to confuse the call recipient and may use enhanced technology to mimic a loved one’s voice.
Resist the pressure to act immediately. Instead, end the call and independently contact the person who allegedly made the call, in order to verify the details.
Romance scams
Sweetheart scammers pretend to fall in love with people in order to win their trust and steal their money. These scams may unfold over a year or more. They are often initiated on dating websites and apps, or via social media.
Common reasons for requesting money include airline tickets, tuition, medical costs or paying off debt.
Even if someone has professed their love to you or you feel like you’ve established a bond, be reasonably cautious before reacting. Don’t wire money to someone you’ve never met, or someone you’ve only known for a short amount of time.
Phishing and smishing
Using email (phishing) or texts (smishing), scammers send messages that appear to be from your financial institution, popular merchants or someone you know. They create a sense of urgency to convince you to click a link, open an attachment, take an action such as wiring money or share confidential information like account numbers, login credentials or personal information.
Red flags to watch for:
Email addresses with domain names (the segment after the “@” symbol) that don’t match the company’s real domain, which is typically the homepage of the company’s website.
Generic greetings (“Hello user”).
Frequent misspellings, bad grammar or word choices that seem off.
Links or attachments that stress acting quickly.
Never click the link or open the attachment. This is a common tactic for downloading malware or spyware to your device and tracking your confidential information.
When in doubt, conduct an online search to verify the website or phone number, and independently contact the entity to confirm the validity of the email or text you received.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a kind of software that holds your device hostage by restricting access until you pay a ransom. Ransomware spreads to your devices when you click on an infected email attachment or a link that leads to a contaminated file or website. Ransomware also can affect a network of computers in the workplace or be passed around on a contaminated thumb drive.
Never click on attachments or links in unsolicited emails or texts.
Avoid using thumb drives from others.
Run antivirus software to search for and remove malicious software on your computer.
Employment scams
If you receive an unsolicited job offer that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers may pose as employers or recruiters, offering exceptional employment opportunities, including working from home. But once you get the job, you’re asked to deposit an official-looking paycheck in your account and wire a portion of the money to someone else for business purposes.
Before you commit to an employment situation:
Research the company on trustworthy public websites to make sure it’s legitimate.
If the job is for a well-known organization, double-check its website to confirm the job is posted there.
Avoid on-the-spot job offers, especially when they don’t involve interviews.
Always get job details and an offer in writing before taking next steps.
Fake check and overpayment scams
These scams might begin with a merchant reaching out to say you’ve overpaid for something and they need to issue you a credit. However, when you initiate the credit process, suddenly the $50 you were supposed to be credited shows as $50,000 and now they’re instructing you to send that money back.
Or someone messages you on Instagram about using your photo or modeling, then they “accidentally” send you a check for too much and ask you to send back the extra money.
Just like with imposter scams, pause before agreeing to do anything with your money. Don’t send money back to someone who sent you a check. If a company claims they need to access your account to process a refund, hang up and do some research to determine if this is a legitimate situation.
Overall, following a few basic rules can help you avoid being the victim of financial fraud:
Always listen to your intuition if something feels off.
Take time to thoughtfully respond rather than reflexively react.
Never share account details or personal information.
Create a unique username and password for every online account.
You’ve worked hard to earn a living, build your savings and pursue your financial goals. Stay up to date and be aware of ways to protect what you’ve achieved by taking smart steps to avoid the growing number of financial scams out there.
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