Financial Wellness Articles
How to Manage Your Debt
There isn’t just one reason that people fall into debt. It’s a complex issue and solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Discover how to start managing your debt with these tips and tools.
8 Tips to Reduce Your Food Bill
Food can eat up your budget. Learn how to reduce your food bill with simple steps like limiting trips to restaurants and planning grocery shopping.
50/30/20 Rule
The 50/30/20 rule is a simple, practical rule of thumb for individuals who want a budget that's easy and effective. It offers guidelines for enjoying your income while putting savings on autopilot.
What a Car Loan Costs
Gearing up to get a car loan is the key to getting wheels.
Getting a Car
When looking for a new car, you have three main options: buy used, buy new, or lease. There are pros and cons to each method.
Auto Insurance
Auto insurance is like ordering fast food—you have a lot of options.
Using Credit
Using credit can open up big possibilities, but it can also get you in trouble if you aren’t careful
Holiday Budgeting 101
Think through your holiday spending to avoid going into debt (and feeling regret!)
Best Practices for Using a Credit Card
Following these guidelines with your credit card can help give a boost to your credit score.
Recognizing and Avoiding Scams
Defend yourself against scammers by learning to recognize red flags.
Ransomware
Ransomware can wreak havoc on anyone’s life, but the more it’s understood, the easier it is to prevent.
50 Internet Safety Tips
Protect yourself from online threats by learning 50 common internet safety tips regarding protecting yourself and your sensitive information.
Stock Market Basics
Learn how to buy & sell stocks so you can start investing your money.
What is a Bull or Bear Market?
What should I do when faced with high inflation and rising prices?
The Rule of 72
Calculating compound interest is much easier with this shortcut.
The Cost of College Life
Going to college incurs a lot of expenses you might not have thought about.
Repaying Student Loans
Student loans are intimidating. Learn how you can start repaying them.
Filling Out the FAFSA
If you're considering going to college, you have nothing to lose by applying for federal student aid.
Protecting Your Online Accounts: Password Safety Tips
Your passwords are the digital keys to your personal and professional life—just like the keys to your home, they must be kept secure.
To Buy or Not to Buy?
If you’re ready to change your living situation, you may be debating whether it’s better to rent or purchase your next home.
Mortgage Application Checklist
Applying for a mortgage takes a lot of documentation. Prepare with this mortgage application checklist.
Buying a Home: Exploring Your Options
Explore your options for buying a home: first-time buyer benefits, best age to buy, building vs. buying, foreclosure auctions, buying with parents, and owner financing.
Funds to Build Your Business
Building a business costs money—usually more than you can generate from your operating revenues alone.
Professional Help With Your Business
Although it’s tempting to try and run a business on your own, it’s usually a good idea to get professional help.
Documentation for SBA Loans
In order to apply for an Small Business Administration (SBA) loan, you'll need to provide the correct documentation.
Understanding an Unstable Stock Market
It’s important to understand what’s actually happening and what it means for you.
Retiring in a Rocky Market? Here's What You Can Do Now
If you’re getting ready to retire, seeing your account balances drop stirs up anxiety, uncertainty, even fear. But there are things you can do to regain a sense of control, protect your income, and stay on track.
What is Financial Literacy?
Financial literacy is knowing what finances are and how to spend, save, and manage money effectively.
Teach Financial Literacy at Home
Teaching your family to be financially literate is as simple as involving them in everyday financial decisions.
Protect Yourself from Cryptocurrency Scams
Cryptocurrency scams have become increasingly prevalent. Learn how to protect yourself against them with these common warning signs.
Health Savings Accounts
If you have a high-deductible health insurance plan, you can allocate tax-free income toward your health with a health savings account.
Tax Planning: Strategies & Tips
Look ahead to the tax consequences of your financial decisions so you can legitimately meet your minimum tax obligations.
Completing a Tax Return
Filing your tax return doesn't have to be as complicated as it seems.
Envelope Budgeting
Whether it's a cash or a digital envelope system, the envelope budgeting method is guaranteed to help you manage finances like a pro.
Don't Be Spoofed
Fraudsters are hard at work trying to steal your account and personal information. There are ways to protect yourself from these thieves.
Tis the Season to Avoid Online Shopping Rip-offs
Online holiday shoppers, gear up and hunker down. You could fall victim to serious scams unless you know how to distinguish a legitimate site from a rip-off.
Save Energy, Save Money
There are many little things you can do to reduce the amount of energy you use and, as a bonus, you’ll trim your home energy bill.
Cost of College Attendance: What Does it Mean?
The cost of attendance is the total of six different costs, including tuition, room, board, books, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.
Good Debt/Bad Debt
Not all debt is necessarily bad, particularly when it can help you build wealth. It’s important to know the difference and how to sort the good from the bad.
3 Tips to Keep Your Summer Vacation Within Budget
Whether you plan to travel near or far, these three tips will help you enjoy your vacation and avoid having a “financial hangover” when you return.
Codes are Confidential
Learn about security codes and why you should never share them with anyone.
Be Safe Shopping Online
Online shopping is more prevalent than ever. Make sure to do everything you can to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime.
What to Do if You're Turned Down for a Loan
Getting rejected for a loan can feel like a kick in the teeth. No way around it, rejection is painful. But a loan rejection may be a gift in disguise.
Manage Your Credit Cards Better
U.S. consumers are once again increasing their collective credit card debt, which now exceeds $1 trillion. Here's some advice for controlling credit card use.
How to Establish a Credit History
Establishing a good credit record can be difficult for anyone without a credit history. Here are the steps to help you build credit and maintain a good credit score.
7 Ways to Protect Your Credit Score
Your credit score is a three-digit number creditors use to assess how likely you are to repay your loans. Learn seven things you can do to make sure it stays healthy.
5 Ways Good Credit is Your Safety Net
A good credit score can provide you access to low-interest credit options that can help cover any expenses your emergency savings can’t.
Financial Warning Signs You Can't Ignore
If you find yourself dealing with any of the following financial issues, it's time to get proactive and take steps to correct them.
Your Credit Score & Mortgage Loans
Your credit score is one of the biggest factors in your approval for a home loan.
Watch Out for Phon(e)y Messages
Learn about methods scammers use to try and take advantage of our reliance on cellphones to get our personal information.
Your Credit Score & Home Buying Power
Know how your credit score will affect your home buying power.
Reconciling a Spender-Saver Marriage
In any marriage, even one where both partners have similar money management styles, family finances can occasionally create conflict.
5 Common Cryptocurrency Scams
Explore five common cryptocurrency scams that you should be aware of and protect yourself and your investments.
Put Your House to Work
Home equity provides homeowners a ready financing source to turn their house into their dream home.
Avoid Phishing Scams
Learn ways to protect yourself from scammers trying to access your credit union account with phishing scams.
Property Ownership and Your Will
When creating your will and assigning beneficiaries on your accounts, the form of property ownership can have an unforeseen impact on the inheritance process.
The Importance of Getting Preapproved
We ensure our members are set up to become successful homeowners from the very beginning of the home buying process.
Vacation Means Re-Creation
There are many reasons why you might skip taking a vacation, but the benefits of a little time off often outweigh the drawbacks.
9 Common Money Myths
See how many of these common money myths you believe.
Teach Your Kids Good Money Beliefs
Make sure you pass on positive money beliefs to the next generation.
How Mortgage Loans are Approved
While your loan officer and processor review your application, the underwriter will ultimately be the one who provides final approval.
Home Improvement Projects: DIY or Pro
If you have a home improvement project, should you do it yourself (DIY) or hire a pro?
The Case for Debt Consolidation
Consolidating your credit card bills into a single loan can be a wise financial move.
Secure Your Mobile Wallet
Keep your financial data safe when carrying out transactions on your mobile device.
Managing Mom's Money
Managing someone else’s money, usually via a power of attorney (POA) document, is a big responsibility.
Are You Ready to Purchase a Home?
Buying a home is typically the biggest purchase you will make. Know the process so it seems less scary.
8 Ways to Save Vacation Money
Plan ahead for your next vacation to ensure that you get the most for your money without sacrificing a good time.
Avoid Check Deposit Scams
Don't be fooled by a remote deposit capture/check scam.
Don't Fall for Gift Card Scams
Scammers have come up with creative ways to convince you to purchase gift cards for them.
Protect Yourself from Trigger Leads
Trigger Leads are a marketing tool that mortgage lenders, insurance companies, and credit card providers use to identify potential customers.
