Financial education articles
We encourage financial literacy for our members – that’s one of the ways we’re different from a bank. By providing helpful resources and tips for making informed financial decisions, we help to educate our members and make them smarter consumers of financial products and services.
An educated membership is at the heart of the credit union difference. Use these resources to go beyond the basics of personal finances. Learn how to live debt free, how you can improve your credit score, what to do if you can’t pay your taxes, how to save money on college textbooks and much more.
Auto loans
- Can you afford a 0% interest auto loan?
- Does it make sense to refinance your car loan?
- How to buy a new car
- How to buy a used car
- Smaller payment or shorter term
Budgeting
- APR and APY: What's the difference
- How to build a budget
- How to teach your kids about money
- Tax filing tips
- Teach kids to set savings goals
- What to do when you can't pay your taxes
Credit and credit score
- Avoid mistakes on credit report disputes
- Does having multiple credit cards hurt my credit score?
- Five ways your credit score can affect your life
- How to dispute an error in your credit report
- How your credit score is calculated
- Nine ways to improve your credit score
- Understanding your credit score credit pulls
- What is a credit utilization ratio?
- What is installment credit?
- What is revolving credit?
COVID-19 — Coronavirus
- 2021 Economic Impact Payments
- Branch services and safety
- Budgeting in COVID-19 uncertainty
- Coping with Market Volatility
- Protect your credit score during the COVID-19 era
- Scam text claims card blocked
- Watch for these stimulus payment scams
Credit cards
- Card management and control
- Credit and debit card alerts
- Debit and credit card differences
- EMV chip card frequently asked questions
- Habits of a responsible credit card user
- How to cancel a credit card
- Protect your credit cards when you travel
- When not to use your debit card
Debt consolidation
- How debt consolidation can reduce your debt and improve your cash flow
- Make a debt reduction plan
- Seven steps to reduce debt and improve your credit score
- Understand your debt
Deposit accounts
- CD, money market or savings account?
- What is a certificate of deposit (CD)?
- What is a Money Market account (MMA)?
- What is a savings account?
- How to build savings with a CD ladder
- Two reasons to invest in CDs
- What are Member Merits
- Overdraft Protection saves you money
Fraud
- Avoid scams during the holidays
- Be safe at the ATM
- Beware of fake check scams
- Beware of social media scammers
- Create a strong password
- Estatements are safer than paper statements
- Five ways to tell if you're being scammed
- Fraud involving credit and debt
- How to protect your identity from email, phone and online fraud
- How to tell if a charity is legit
- Learn how to protect your identity
- Our commitment to your security
- Scam text claims card blocked
- Scamming the elderly
- Watch for these stimulus payment scams
- What to do if you’re a victim of ID theft
Home loans
- Home buying tips
- Home refinance saved $767 monthly
- Three ways to tap into the equity in your home
- Is a home equity line of credit right for you?
- Questions to ask before you apply for a home equity loan
- Save money each month by refinancing your house
- How to refinance your home
- Avoid these harmful home equity practices
- When is a home equity loan or line of credit a smart choice?
Insurance
Kids and money
Loans
Online banking
- IRS reporting requirements
- Pay a loan using a debit card
- Make person-to-person payments wherever you are
- Automate your payments and avoid late fees
- Advantages of online banking
- Mobile check deposit made easy
- Use text banking for fast, easy mobile access to your accounts
- Manage your account safely and easily, 24/7
- Access your accounts on-the-go
- Get support within online banking
Recreational vehicles
- Big picture costs and RVs
- Can I deduct the interest on my RV loan?
- RV buying classifications
- What you need to know before buying your first RV
Retirement
School expenses
Shred Days
- Get ready to shred at these free Shred Days
- How long should you keep important documents
- Paper shredding helps protect against ID theft
- Paper shredding helps the environment
- Results from past Shred Days
- Seven secrets about Shred Day
- What should you shred