The Power of a PEFCU Visa® Credit Card

In today’s fast-paced world, you need a reliable credit card packed with exclusive benefits to help you stay on top of your game. At PEFCU, we understand your need for financial flexibility and security, too. That’s why we make our Visa® credit card stand out with its exceptional rewards.  Competitive Rates at 9.90% APR: One of the key advantages of choosing the PEFCU Visa® credit card is the low Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 9.90%. With rates lower than the national average and no fee for balance transfers, it’s one of the best financial decisions you’ll ever make. No Balance…

January 10, 2024Wallet Wins No Comments

In today’s fast-paced world, you need a reliable credit card packed with exclusive benefits to help you stay on top of your game. At PEFCU, we understand your need for financial flexibility and security, too. That’s why we make our Visa® credit card stand out with its exceptional rewards.  Competitive Rates at 9.90% APR: One of the key advantages of choosing the PEFCU Visa® credit card is the low Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 9.90%. With rates lower than the national average and no fee for balance transfers, it’s one of the best financial decisions you’ll ever make. No Balance…

Fighting Parkinson’s Disease One Punch at a Time

Hey, PEFCU fam!   Alyssa here to share a new PEFCU partnership! One of PEFCU’s main community pillars is Health, so when the opportunity to partner with PunchWorX was presented, I knew we had to support their efforts. PunchWorX is a local to Lakeland non-contact boxing and fitness program that is dedicated to helping those battling Parkinson’s Disease slow down the symptoms. PunchWorX is an affiliate of Rock Steady Boxing, a first-of-its-kind nonprofit gym founded in 2006 to offer an effective form of physical exercise to people who are living with Parkinson’s. This non-contact boxing-inspired fitness routine dramatically improves the ability…

December 29, 2023Community Engagement, Uncategorized No Comments

Hey, PEFCU fam!   Alyssa here to share a new PEFCU partnership! One of PEFCU’s main community pillars is Health, so when the opportunity to partner with PunchWorX was presented, I knew we had to support their efforts. PunchWorX is a local to Lakeland non-contact boxing and fitness program that is dedicated to helping those battling Parkinson’s Disease slow down the symptoms. PunchWorX is an affiliate of Rock Steady Boxing, a first-of-its-kind nonprofit gym founded in 2006 to offer an effective form of physical exercise to people who are living with Parkinson’s. This non-contact boxing-inspired fitness routine dramatically improves the ability…

Securing Your Dream Home: An Essential Checklist

Purchasing a home is a significant financial investment that takes time and dedication. While house hunting can be exciting, you need to complete several steps before ensuring you’re ready financially to become a homeowner.   The following guide will walk you through a series of actions you should take to confirm you’re prepared for the long-term commitment of homeownership. Each step will help ensure you have all your financial ducks in a row, leaving no loose ends in your pursuit of becoming a homeowner.  Check Your Credit Score  Financing a home is a long-term commitment, with mortgage terms often extending up…

December 22, 2023Future Planning No Comments

Purchasing a home is a significant financial investment that takes time and dedication. While house hunting can be exciting, you need to complete several steps before ensuring you’re ready financially to become a homeowner.   The following guide will walk you through a series of actions you should take to confirm you’re prepared for the long-term commitment of homeownership. Each step will help ensure you have all your financial ducks in a row, leaving no loose ends in your pursuit of becoming a homeowner.  Check Your Credit Score  Financing a home is a long-term commitment, with mortgage terms often extending up…

What’s the Optimal Down Payment on a New Car?

In today’s world, purchasing a new car seems straightforward. Many rely on their trade-in vehicle to cover upfront costs, such as a down payment. However, the amount you put down on a new car plays a much more significant role than most realize.   Between taxes and the slew of add-on products peddled by dealerships, the amount you finance for a new vehicle could be substantially higher than the car is worth. Preventing this situation is not only critical for your finances, but it also protects your investment.   This article sheds light on the importance of your down payment and provides…

December 22, 2023Wallet Wins No Comments

In today’s world, purchasing a new car seems straightforward. Many rely on their trade-in vehicle to cover upfront costs, such as a down payment. However, the amount you put down on a new car plays a much more significant role than most realize.   Between taxes and the slew of add-on products peddled by dealerships, the amount you finance for a new vehicle could be substantially higher than the car is worth. Preventing this situation is not only critical for your finances, but it also protects your investment.   This article sheds light on the importance of your down payment and provides…

Don’t Fall for These Text Scams

Millions of people fall victim to identity theft every year. The best way to protect yourself is to understand how popular scams work. However, once you become comfortable identifying them, fraudsters change it up and try new methods.  A new trend emerging involves fraudsters piggybacking off legitimate text alerts from financial institutions. These messages are deceiving because they often copy the same language credit unions and banks use to alert individuals of suspicious activity on their accounts.   Identifying these fraudulent texts can be challenging at first, but there are tell-tale signs of a scam.  How Text Scams Work  Text scams…

December 22, 2023Security Center 1 Comment

Millions of people fall victim to identity theft every year. The best way to protect yourself is to understand how popular scams work. However, once you become comfortable identifying them, fraudsters change it up and try new methods.  A new trend emerging involves fraudsters piggybacking off legitimate text alerts from financial institutions. These messages are deceiving because they often copy the same language credit unions and banks use to alert individuals of suspicious activity on their accounts.   Identifying these fraudulent texts can be challenging at first, but there are tell-tale signs of a scam.  How Text Scams Work  Text scams…

Traditional or Roth IRA: Which Is Right for Me?

Time is your best friend when it comes to saving for retirement. Ideally, you’ll start putting money into retirement accounts in your early 20s, but it’s never too late to start. The reason is two-fold: 1) it allows ample time for your money to grow and compound over the years, and 2) it’ll provide the greatest tax benefits – a component of retirement planning people tend to overlook.  Many tax-advantaged retirement accounts limit how much you can contribute per year. To maximize your tax savings, you’ll want to start early. One such account that everyone should consider is an IRA. …

December 22, 2023Wallet Wins No Comments

Time is your best friend when it comes to saving for retirement. Ideally, you’ll start putting money into retirement accounts in your early 20s, but it’s never too late to start. The reason is two-fold: 1) it allows ample time for your money to grow and compound over the years, and 2) it’ll provide the greatest tax benefits – a component of retirement planning people tend to overlook.  Many tax-advantaged retirement accounts limit how much you can contribute per year. To maximize your tax savings, you’ll want to start early. One such account that everyone should consider is an IRA. …

Unlocking Your Home’s Equity: A Responsible Approach

One of the most significant financial benefits of being a homeowner is the ability to tap into your home’s equity. With a home equity loan, you can finance almost any project, and the borrowing costs are much lower than other loan options.  As savings balances continue to shrink due to inflation, more people are exploring home equity loans to fill the financial gaps. However, is this a smart use of your home’s equity?   In this article, we’ll look at what makes home equity loans so attractive and identify potential pitfalls to avoid.  What is Home Equity?   Home equity can best…

December 1, 2023Borrowing Basics, Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

One of the most significant financial benefits of being a homeowner is the ability to tap into your home’s equity. With a home equity loan, you can finance almost any project, and the borrowing costs are much lower than other loan options.  As savings balances continue to shrink due to inflation, more people are exploring home equity loans to fill the financial gaps. However, is this a smart use of your home’s equity?   In this article, we’ll look at what makes home equity loans so attractive and identify potential pitfalls to avoid.  What is Home Equity?   Home equity can best…

What Does It Mean to Be Financially Independent?

In the world of finance, the phrase “financial independence” is tossed around frequently. The challenge is that this concept isn’t one-size-fits-all; it means different things to different people. For instance, for someone in their golden years, financial independence might signify the ability to retire comfortably without the burden of a 9-to-5 job. However, for hardworking adults, it often boils down to breaking free from the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.  This article addresses the latter – helping working-class adults build confidence and peace of mind, knowing they’re financially equipped to handle whatever comes their way. Explore the four components of modern financial independence…

December 1, 2023Wallet Wins No Comments

In the world of finance, the phrase “financial independence” is tossed around frequently. The challenge is that this concept isn’t one-size-fits-all; it means different things to different people. For instance, for someone in their golden years, financial independence might signify the ability to retire comfortably without the burden of a 9-to-5 job. However, for hardworking adults, it often boils down to breaking free from the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.  This article addresses the latter – helping working-class adults build confidence and peace of mind, knowing they’re financially equipped to handle whatever comes their way. Explore the four components of modern financial independence…

Ways to Save Money on Holiday Travel

With the holiday season right around the corner, you may already be thinking about your travel plans.  Whether you’re heading home to be with family, visiting friends, or going on a well-deserved vacation, travel costs can consume a significant portion of your holiday budget.   In this article, we’ll explore ways to reduce travel expenses and keep your money and accounts safe on your journey.   Save on Holiday Travel Expenses  Flights   While airlines offer one of the quickest means of transportation, tickets typically cost the most. To prevent your budget from being depleted before the holidays even begin, review the following…

December 1, 2023Wallet Wins No Comments

With the holiday season right around the corner, you may already be thinking about your travel plans.  Whether you’re heading home to be with family, visiting friends, or going on a well-deserved vacation, travel costs can consume a significant portion of your holiday budget.   In this article, we’ll explore ways to reduce travel expenses and keep your money and accounts safe on your journey.   Save on Holiday Travel Expenses  Flights   While airlines offer one of the quickest means of transportation, tickets typically cost the most. To prevent your budget from being depleted before the holidays even begin, review the following…

12 Financial Resolutions for 2024: A Money-Savvy Twist on the 12 Days of Christmas

As we bid farewell to another year and usher in the promise of a new one, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our financial habits and make some smart resolutions for 2024. In the spirit of the classic holiday song, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” we present you with 12 financial resolutions to help you achieve your money goals and secure your financial future. So, let’s sing along and embrace these twelve money-wise commitments!  Day 1: Create a Budget  On the first day of financial resolutions, commit to starting your financial journey by creating a budget. A well-structured budget…

December 1, 2023Future Planning No Comments

As we bid farewell to another year and usher in the promise of a new one, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our financial habits and make some smart resolutions for 2024. In the spirit of the classic holiday song, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” we present you with 12 financial resolutions to help you achieve your money goals and secure your financial future. So, let’s sing along and embrace these twelve money-wise commitments!  Day 1: Create a Budget  On the first day of financial resolutions, commit to starting your financial journey by creating a budget. A well-structured budget…