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Give Your Child a Head Start on Money Confidence

By Marcelo Quintana

We believe that building strong communities starts with something simple: helping people understand their money. It’s why we’re here, and it’s especially important when it comes to the next generation.

April 10, 20254 mins

How to Escape the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Trap in a Pricey World

By Annie Jacobs

Life is expensive these days, and for many of us, it feels like every dollar we earn goes towards something before it even hits the bank. According to Bankrate’s Living Paycheck to Paycheck Survey, more than one in three workers—34%—say they’re scraping by with nothing left to save after the bills are paid.

March 21, 20254 mins

Turning Free Time into Dollars

By Annie Jacobs

These days, a lot of folks are jumping into side gigs to snag some extra cash and dive into stuff they love outside their 9-to-5. Whether you're saving up for a trip, knocking out some debt, or just want to make the most of your downtime, side hustles can help you turn your skills and hobbies into money.

December 20, 2024

The Impact of Modern Spending Habits on Consumer Behavior

By Annie Jacobs

In today’s fast-paced digital world, convenience is king. With just a few taps on your smartphone or clicks on your computer, you can have almost anything delivered to your doorstep. From "Buy Now, Pay Later" schemes to the allure of one-click shopping and subscription services, the ease of spending can sometimes lead to financial pitfalls.

December 2, 20245 mins

What you need to know as a First-Time Homebuyer

By Annie Jacobs

Buying a home is a big step, especially if it’s your first time. It can seem confusing but breaking it down into steps makes it easier. This guide will help you understand the process and also cover some tips on refinancing, which can save you money down the road.

October 25, 20244 mins

How to Consume Less, Budget More, and Be More Financially Responsible

By Annie Jacobs

From ads on social media to enticing sales, the pressure to spend is everywhere. However, adopting a more financially responsible lifestyle is both possible and essential for long-term stability. Here’s a practical guide on how to consume less, budget more, and take charge of your financial future.

September 9, 20244 mins

Middle Ground: The Shrinking American Middle Class and What It Means for the Future

By Annie Jacobs

The American middle class, once the backbone of the nation's economy, has been shrinking over the past 50 years. In 1971, 61% of U.S. adults were in the middle class, but by 2021, that number dropped to 50%. Meanwhile, more people have either moved into the upper-income or fallen into the lower-income tiers.

September 9, 20244 mins

How to spot Phishing

By Scott Cowan

Phishing scams often come in the form of emails or text messages that appear to be from legitimate sources but are actually designed to steal your personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. Here are some essential tips and tricks to help you spot phishing attempts and keep your information safe.

August 6, 20243 Min

Protect Yourself from Fraud: Tips for Staying Safe

By Jennifer Kasparek

With technology being such a big part of our lives, it's important to know how to protect yourself from fraud. Scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people, so staying informed can help you avoid their traps. Here are some tips to keep yourself safe from fraud:

July 11, 20243 mins

Tis the Season for a Mid-Year Money Checklist

By Mylene Leasure

As summer hits its stride, the idea of preparing for the holiday season might seem a bit premature. However, considering that money is the biggest source of holiday stress for 58% of US adults, July is the perfect time to review your finances and make adjustments.

July 11, 20243 Mins

Mortgage Talk

By Scott Cowan

On our latest episode of Dollars and Sense we talk about the mortgage landscape, and how people are navigating current rates. Read a quick summary and then check out the podcast episode for more!

June 5, 20243 mins

Starting a Business Resource Listing

By Scott Cowan

This blog post is a companion to our Podcast episode. Inside you can find a list of links to resources about starting up a business.

May 8, 20241 min

Trafficking Resource Listing

By Scott Cowan

This blog post is a companion to our Podcast episode. Inside you can find a list of links and phone numbers to resources about human trafficking.

February 9, 20241 min

Navigating Finances After the Loss of a Spouse

By Mylene Leasure

We recognize losing a spouse is an incredibly challenging and extremely emotional experience. Amidst the grief, it's essential for the surviving spouse to take control of their finances. Here's an overview along with a downloadable guide to help you through this difficult process.

February 6, 2024

Paying for College

By Scott Cowan

This is a companion blog post to our recent two-part Podcast episode titled "Paying for College." Inside you will find a bunch of quick links to a number of helpful resources for planning for college.

December 5, 20232 mins

Transforming the Member Experience through AI

By Jeremy O'Niel

In the world of modern banking, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about a transformative change in the customer experience. In this post, we're going to explore how AI supports the member experience, making banking smarter and more convenient for our members.

November 9, 20232 mins

Benefits of creating sub-savings accounts for budgeting

By Sebrina Wizner

In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of using sub-savings accounts or “buckets” as a way to budget expenses and what that looks like when setting up your accounts.

July 25, 20233 mins

When is the Right Time for Your Teen’s First Credit Card?

By Jenifer Gateley

Introducing your teen to their first credit card is an important step in their financial journey. In this blog post, we'll discuss key factors to consider in determining the appropriate time for your teen's first credit card.

July 14, 20232 mins

Awareness is Key when using P2P apps

By Annie Jacobs

In this digital age, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) apps have gained popularity for their convenience and simplicity in transferring money from one person to another. However, it's crucial to be aware of the risks associated with these apps, as they may not offer the same level of protection as traditional banking institutions.

June 23, 20233 mins

Building Stronger Communities

By Crystal Contreras

Credit unions are not just financial institutions; they are member-owned cooperatives that have a vested interest in the success and well-being of their communities. One aspect of credit unions' mission is advocacy.

June 9, 20233 mins

Put your Tax Refund to Work

By Annie Jacobs

There are a lot of ways to use your tax refund. Let’s jump right in and explore a few productive ways to put your tax refund to work this year.

March 21, 20233 mins

5 Reasons to use Direct Deposit for Your Tax Refund

By Annie Jacobs

There are a few ways to receive a tax refund – through a paper check, direct deposit, or as an issued payment to a U.S. Series Savings Bond, however direct deposit is an ideal and popular way to receive your tax refund.

February 1, 20233 mins

Watch Out for These 3 Holiday Fraud Threats

By Stephanie Waechter

It’s no coincidence that the busiest season for shopping coincides with the highest period for fraud. Every day fraudsters target consumers with an array of legitimate seeming propositions. But during the holidays, fraudsters make an extra effort to trick and defraud consumers.

December 16, 20223 mins

4 Ways to Reduce Financial Stress over the Holidays

By Alissa Petersen

Budgets are great, but for some people they can add unnecessary stress to the holidays. We have four great ideas you can actually implement that will not only make the holidays more enjoyable, but can save you some dough along the way!

December 2, 20223 mins

Let Your Dream Be Your Financial Motivator

By Sebrina Wizner

Spring is a time of fresh starts and new beginnings (and treasure hunting!). It’s a great time to start, or increase your savings, but I know what you’re thinking, “If I had the money to save I would already be saving it.”

May 18, 20226 mins

AdulTeen 101 - Money Matters

By Kandy Bowlsby

As parents, we always strive to make sure our children are whole. We want to set them up for the best when it comes to mental, physical and financial health. However, when it comes to talking about saving and establishing strong money habits, it may be difficult to know where to start or who to trust.

April 14, 20223 Mins

Under Pressure: Buying or Renting

By Mylene Leasure

Should we purchase a home; or, should we stay put, and continue to rent? After weighing a few different factors, we decided we were ready to purchase a home, so we spent the next three years improving our credit score and saving for a down payment.

March 15, 20223 Mins

Scholarship Application Hacks

By It's A Money Thing

Successful scholarship applications take considerable time and effort. Although there’s no shortcut to a quality application, there are steps you can take to make your efforts as rewarding as possible.

February 17, 20226 mins

Diversified Retirement Income: Three Practical Solutions

By CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc.

You’ve been faithfully saving, spending wisely and investing for years in preparation for a comfortable retirement, and you have a lot to be proud of, but making the transition from accumulating money to actually spending it in retirement is a part of financial planning that isn’t always talked about.

February 1, 20227 mins

4 Tips to Protect Your Family and Your Future

By CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc.

Use these 4 strategies to help ensure the financial security you have today will be there tomorrow. Tips to protect your finances, family and future.

December 16, 20214 Mins

Take a Breath

By Kandy Bowlsby

Did you know that Fraudsters prey on your fight or flight response to a situation? Here are a couple of things you can do and a few red flags to look for to prevent you from being a victim of fraud.

December 3, 20212 Mins

Lending - An Art and a Science

By Bobby Gale

Underwriters, both consumer and commercial, look at qualitative and quantitative factors when reviewing loan requests. That’s why lending is an art and a science. This article will cover the 5 C's of Credit.

September 10, 20213 Mins

5 Things I've Learned from Lifestyle Creep

By Adrianna Hammitt

Lifestyle creep is the tendency to increase your spending as income increases. We didn’t realize it then because the fluctuation of our spending was normal and it never hindered our daily living. Here are some lessons learned about lifestyle creep after a major life change.

August 2, 20215 Mins

Building Your Emergency Fund

By Mylene Leasure

If there was ever a time to be reminded of the importance of building an emergency fund, it was when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Those without an emergency fund soon realized they were not immune to financial disaster and learned the only way to minimize the damage is to have a fully-funded emergency fund.

July 28, 20213 Mins

Financial Growth Is Not Always Linear

By Adrianna Hammitt

The journey of a person’s financial growth from failure to success is not always linear. It took one of my members a few years to realize the relationship between failures and success, and she has grown to be resilient in the process.

July 6, 20212 Mins

Build me up budget

By Mylene Leasure

If your relationship with your budget gets you down and up like the song “Build Me Up Buttercup,” you might need to rethink your strategy. We all know it is vital to have a budget, but sometimes, it is easier to give up the whole idea when it is not working.

July 2, 20213 Mins

Credit Clean Up

By Kandy Bowlsby

Time to reset, refresh, and get to that project that has been calling your name all winter long. We often think about projects around the home, but what about your financial wellbeing, and furthermore your credit. No matter where you are in your credit journey, there is always work to be done.

June 17, 20213 Mins

Take Action - Financial Recovery

By Tawney Edgmond

If you are like most of us, this past year has had its unexpected financial ups and downs. It has caused many of us to reshuffle financial obligations and reprioritize commitments. It can be a scary feeling to hear the phone ring and know that on the other end is a creditor.

May 20, 20213 Mins

Real Stories of Financial Transformation

By Annie Jacobs

Here is a story about someone eager to get back on their feet, create a budget, build their credit and find a job, told by one of our financial coaches. The names of the individuals have been changed to protect their privacy.

April 16, 20212 Mins

Fraud Prevention Tips from an Identity Theft Victim

By Anonymous

“I didn’t have a care in the world. I was with my family, enjoying a perfect summer day at the lake when I got, the call. It was my local bank representative asking if I was in town making a withdrawal. My heart dropped, as I said, “No, why do you ask?”

March 16, 20213 Mins

4 things you can do in 30 minutes to protect your identity

By Annie Jacobs

In the time it takes to watch your favorite sitcom, you can take four simple steps that will help protect your account from fraud and identity theft.

March 8, 20212 Mins