Welcome To Making Money Prosper

At every stage in life, we all need a routine checkup for our financial health. That is why we’ve launched Making Money Prosper! This blog is dedicated to you, our PEFCU members. We’re here to help you live your best financial life by teaching you to successfully save, invest, and manage your money. Adulting can be hard–we get it! We want you to find success through all of life’s stages: like purchasing your first car, traveling the world, planning for retirement, and everything in between. At PEFCU, our goal is to educate you and your family about your personal finances…

July 6, 2020PEFCU Perks, We Are PEFCU No Comments

At every stage in life, we all need a routine checkup for our financial health. That is why we’ve launched Making Money Prosper! This blog is dedicated to you, our PEFCU members. We’re here to help you live your best financial life by teaching you to successfully save, invest, and manage your money. Adulting can be hard–we get it! We want you to find success through all of life’s stages: like purchasing your first car, traveling the world, planning for retirement, and everything in between. At PEFCU, our goal is to educate you and your family about your personal finances…

Your Balance Transfer Checklist: Before & After

Credit card debt has a way of sneaking up on you. Before you know it, the balances can become a financial burden and a challenge to pay off. This is especially true if you’re managing multiple cards with different balances, payment amounts, and due dates.  Finding the right tools to alleviate debt is an essential step on your path to financial freedom. One solution that can help you in your journey is called a balance transfer. Balance transfers enable you to streamline your financial obligations into one solution – providing immediate financial savings and stress relief.   If you’re committed to…

March 28, 2024Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments

Credit card debt has a way of sneaking up on you. Before you know it, the balances can become a financial burden and a challenge to pay off. This is especially true if you’re managing multiple cards with different balances, payment amounts, and due dates.  Finding the right tools to alleviate debt is an essential step on your path to financial freedom. One solution that can help you in your journey is called a balance transfer. Balance transfers enable you to streamline your financial obligations into one solution – providing immediate financial savings and stress relief.   If you’re committed to…

Debt Consolidation: How It Works

If you’re like most, you probably have multiple reoccurring debts that must be paid off. These debts can consist of student loans, personal loans, credit cards, medical bills, and car payments. It can be hard to pay off the debts separately because each debt has a different balance, payment period, and interest rate.  Keeping track of how much you have to pay for each debt and when you have to pay it can be extremely difficult. If you find yourself in a whirlwind of loan and credit card payments, debt consolidation may be the perfect solution for you.   What is…

February 29, 2024Borrowing Basics No Comments

If you’re like most, you probably have multiple reoccurring debts that must be paid off. These debts can consist of student loans, personal loans, credit cards, medical bills, and car payments. It can be hard to pay off the debts separately because each debt has a different balance, payment period, and interest rate.  Keeping track of how much you have to pay for each debt and when you have to pay it can be extremely difficult. If you find yourself in a whirlwind of loan and credit card payments, debt consolidation may be the perfect solution for you.   What is…

The Benefits of Using Your Tax Refund as a Car Down Payment

It’s always a good plan to set some money aside to use as a down payment when financing a new or “new to you” car. As a general rule, you’ll want to pay 20 percent of the vehicle’s value as a down payment for a new car and 10 percent as a down payment for a used vehicle. This makes tax season an excellent time to shop for a car and use your tax refund as part of your down payment.   Below, you’ll find five reasons using your tax refund as a down payment works in your favor.  Your Down Payment…

February 29, 2024Wallet Wins No Comments

It’s always a good plan to set some money aside to use as a down payment when financing a new or “new to you” car. As a general rule, you’ll want to pay 20 percent of the vehicle’s value as a down payment for a new car and 10 percent as a down payment for a used vehicle. This makes tax season an excellent time to shop for a car and use your tax refund as part of your down payment.   Below, you’ll find five reasons using your tax refund as a down payment works in your favor.  Your Down Payment…

Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them  Tax season is here, and it tends to put most people on edge. Many are anxious to file their returns because they rely on the money from their tax refund. Others find it stressful to locate all their tax documents and file on time. Add in people’s fear of the IRS and making mistakes on their returns, and it creates the perfect environment for scammers.  Fraudsters feed off uncertainty, and tax time provides multiple opportunities to deceive taxpayers. Fortunately, protecting yourself can be easy with the right knowledge.   While the tactics used…

January 30, 2024Security Center No Comments

Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them  Tax season is here, and it tends to put most people on edge. Many are anxious to file their returns because they rely on the money from their tax refund. Others find it stressful to locate all their tax documents and file on time. Add in people’s fear of the IRS and making mistakes on their returns, and it creates the perfect environment for scammers.  Fraudsters feed off uncertainty, and tax time provides multiple opportunities to deceive taxpayers. Fortunately, protecting yourself can be easy with the right knowledge.   While the tactics used…

Should You Buy a Home in the Winter?

If purchasing a new home is one of your financial goals for the new year, you are probably taking all the necessary measures to prepare. From saving for a down payment to finding the perfect home, there is a lot to consider.   But did you know the time of year you buy a house can make a big difference in the price you pay? Just like buying a car or TV, certain times of the year are more favorable for home purchases – and shopping during the winter will often get you the best bang for your buck. In this…

January 26, 2024Future Planning No Comments

If purchasing a new home is one of your financial goals for the new year, you are probably taking all the necessary measures to prepare. From saving for a down payment to finding the perfect home, there is a lot to consider.   But did you know the time of year you buy a house can make a big difference in the price you pay? Just like buying a car or TV, certain times of the year are more favorable for home purchases – and shopping during the winter will often get you the best bang for your buck. In this…

How to Maximize Your IRA Contributions

Retirement planning can be a confusing subject. With so many differing opinions and investment opportunities, people often second-guess their savings strategies. However, one instrument that remains commonplace today is an IRA or Individual Retirement Account.  Even if you have an employer-sponsored 401(k), incorporating a tax-advantaged traditional or Roth IRA into your retirement plan is beneficial. By making timely contributions that will compound over the years, your IRA will help build a solid foundation for your golden years. In this article, we’ll review tactics to ensure you’re maximizing your IRA investments.  For additional information and resources, click here.  Start Early   Because…

January 26, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

Retirement planning can be a confusing subject. With so many differing opinions and investment opportunities, people often second-guess their savings strategies. However, one instrument that remains commonplace today is an IRA or Individual Retirement Account.  Even if you have an employer-sponsored 401(k), incorporating a tax-advantaged traditional or Roth IRA into your retirement plan is beneficial. By making timely contributions that will compound over the years, your IRA will help build a solid foundation for your golden years. In this article, we’ll review tactics to ensure you’re maximizing your IRA investments.  For additional information and resources, click here.  Start Early   Because…

Answering Your First-Time Homebuyer Questions

Buying a home is likely the most significant financial transaction you will make in your lifetime. While preparing to purchase a house is exciting, it’s understandable to feel a bit overwhelmed (especially as a first-time buyer).   Take a deep breath and relax. We’re here to help ease your mind as we address some of the most commonly asked questions for first-time homebuyers.   How Much of a Down Payment Do I Need?   The down payment for a home is a lump sum paid upfront to the lender and is a percentage of the home’s total purchase price. The amount required for…

January 26, 2024Borrowing Basics, Future Planning No Comments

Buying a home is likely the most significant financial transaction you will make in your lifetime. While preparing to purchase a house is exciting, it’s understandable to feel a bit overwhelmed (especially as a first-time buyer).   Take a deep breath and relax. We’re here to help ease your mind as we address some of the most commonly asked questions for first-time homebuyers.   How Much of a Down Payment Do I Need?   The down payment for a home is a lump sum paid upfront to the lender and is a percentage of the home’s total purchase price. The amount required for…

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Save with Share Certificates

Rising loan rates and inflation have taken a financial toll on households nationwide. Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. You may have noticed that savings rates have also been climbing steadily in recent months. This scenario creates the perfect opportunity to earn greater returns through share certificates.  Share certificate accounts, commonly called certificates of deposit, are found in portfolios among investors of all ages because of their earning potential and limited risk. As yields continue their upward trend, now might be the perfect time to put share certificate accounts to work for you.  Benefits of Share Certificates   Share certificates have…

January 26, 2024Borrowing Basics No Comments

Rising loan rates and inflation have taken a financial toll on households nationwide. Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. You may have noticed that savings rates have also been climbing steadily in recent months. This scenario creates the perfect opportunity to earn greater returns through share certificates.  Share certificate accounts, commonly called certificates of deposit, are found in portfolios among investors of all ages because of their earning potential and limited risk. As yields continue their upward trend, now might be the perfect time to put share certificate accounts to work for you.  Benefits of Share Certificates   Share certificates have…

The Community Benefits of PEFCU’s Focus on Health

Hello, again! Alyssa here, and it’s lovely to see you back to wrap up our chat about PEFCU’s community pillars!  So far, we have gone over PEFCU’s focus on both Education and the Environment, leaving Health as our third and final pillar!  Why Health Matters to PEFCU  In today’s fast-paced world, health and wellness have become increasingly important. Organizations like Publix Employees Federal Credit Union have focused on health-related organizations and making healthy habits a priority, which promotes a healthier workforce and contributes to the overall well-being of the community.   PEFCU’s Contribution to the Community  PEFCU has volunteered time, sponsored…

January 19, 2024Community Engagement No Comments

Hello, again! Alyssa here, and it’s lovely to see you back to wrap up our chat about PEFCU’s community pillars!  So far, we have gone over PEFCU’s focus on both Education and the Environment, leaving Health as our third and final pillar!  Why Health Matters to PEFCU  In today’s fast-paced world, health and wellness have become increasingly important. Organizations like Publix Employees Federal Credit Union have focused on health-related organizations and making healthy habits a priority, which promotes a healthier workforce and contributes to the overall well-being of the community.   PEFCU’s Contribution to the Community  PEFCU has volunteered time, sponsored…

The Community Benefits of PEFCU’s Environmental Focus

Hey, PEFCU fam! Alyssa here, and I am thrilled to be heading into the 2024 community outreach program here at the Publix Employees Federal Credit Union!  Did you know that PEFCU focuses on three main community pillars? These pillars are Environment, Health, and Education. This allows us the opportunity to focus on initiatives that matter the most to us.  I am going to briefly dive into why the environment is important to us and what we have done to implement eco-friendly practices in our local communities!   PEFCU’s Environmental Initiatives  PEFCU’s emphasis on the environment promotes a culture of conservational…

January 19, 2024Community Engagement No Comments

Hey, PEFCU fam! Alyssa here, and I am thrilled to be heading into the 2024 community outreach program here at the Publix Employees Federal Credit Union!  Did you know that PEFCU focuses on three main community pillars? These pillars are Environment, Health, and Education. This allows us the opportunity to focus on initiatives that matter the most to us.  I am going to briefly dive into why the environment is important to us and what we have done to implement eco-friendly practices in our local communities!   PEFCU’s Environmental Initiatives  PEFCU’s emphasis on the environment promotes a culture of conservational…