Tips to Increase Your Credit Score

A high credit score makes it much easier to be approved for loans, make large purchases, take on financial assets, and even rent an apartment. If improving your credit score is on your “to-do” list, we have some tips that will lead to significant improvements in your score within a matter of months.   Steps to Increase Your Credit Score  Check for Errors. While you may think it’s unlikely that your credit report will contain errors, it’s more common than you may think. Regularly reviewing your credit report is essential. Take a moment and download a FREE copy of your credit…

December 1, 2022Wallet Wins 1 Comment

A high credit score makes it much easier to be approved for loans, make large purchases, take on financial assets, and even rent an apartment. If improving your credit score is on your “to-do” list, we have some tips that will lead to significant improvements in your score within a matter of months.   Steps to Increase Your Credit Score  Check for Errors. While you may think it’s unlikely that your credit report will contain errors, it’s more common than you may think. Regularly reviewing your credit report is essential. Take a moment and download a FREE copy of your credit…

4 Popular Scams & How to Protect Yourself

Every day, technology becomes more prevalent in people’s lives. From working and traveling to shopping and socializing, it seems people are always connected today. But this nonstop reliance on our devices also creates a haven for fraudsters.  While online scams have been around for ages, new technologies bring additional means for fraudsters to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Scammers have even gone to such lengths as impersonating government officials or creating fraudulent marketplaces allowing them to capture your financial information.   The best way to protect yourself from becoming a fraud or identity theft victim is to understand how these scams…

December 1, 2022Security Center 1 Comment

Every day, technology becomes more prevalent in people’s lives. From working and traveling to shopping and socializing, it seems people are always connected today. But this nonstop reliance on our devices also creates a haven for fraudsters.  While online scams have been around for ages, new technologies bring additional means for fraudsters to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Scammers have even gone to such lengths as impersonating government officials or creating fraudulent marketplaces allowing them to capture your financial information.   The best way to protect yourself from becoming a fraud or identity theft victim is to understand how these scams…

4 Ways to Help Reach Your 2023 Financial Goals 

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, saving more money and improving one’s financial standing are always near the top of the list. To kick off 2023, we have some products to help you reach your financial goals.   Holiday Club Account  If year-end expenses tend to creep up on you, our Holiday Club Account can help you plan for the next holiday season. You can save year-round with no maintenance fees. Your money will roll over into your savings account on November 1 of each year.  Free Financial Coach with KOFE (Knowledge of Financial Education)   One-on-one coaching allows you to…

December 1, 2022Wallet Wins No Comments

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, saving more money and improving one’s financial standing are always near the top of the list. To kick off 2023, we have some products to help you reach your financial goals.   Holiday Club Account  If year-end expenses tend to creep up on you, our Holiday Club Account can help you plan for the next holiday season. You can save year-round with no maintenance fees. Your money will roll over into your savings account on November 1 of each year.  Free Financial Coach with KOFE (Knowledge of Financial Education)   One-on-one coaching allows you to…

How to Keep Your Holiday Shopping in Check

The holiday season is upon us. And you know what that means… Shopping! With the decorations, music, and parties, it’s easy to get carried away during the holidays – especially when it comes to our finances. Top it off with the fact that kids today are begging Santa for smartphones, tablets, and other expensive electronics! It’s a mystery how anyone can escape that dreaded credit card bill in January.   To help you keep your holiday shopping in check this year, we’ve created a list of tips to help you out.  Make a Budget  Take a moment to sit down and…

November 1, 2022Wallet Wins No Comments

The holiday season is upon us. And you know what that means… Shopping! With the decorations, music, and parties, it’s easy to get carried away during the holidays – especially when it comes to our finances. Top it off with the fact that kids today are begging Santa for smartphones, tablets, and other expensive electronics! It’s a mystery how anyone can escape that dreaded credit card bill in January.   To help you keep your holiday shopping in check this year, we’ve created a list of tips to help you out.  Make a Budget  Take a moment to sit down and…

Fraud Awareness Week: Keep Your Data Safe

Keeping passwords strong and secure these days is about as easy as tightrope walking over a pool of hungry great white sharks. Updating passwords frequently and making them complex is difficult, but it’s essential to keeping hackers and fraudsters at bay.   Fraud Awareness Week is a great time to evaluate your financial security and risk. Fraud costs billions of dollars in damage to companies, governments, and individuals each year. It can dramatically affect your life, result in the loss of your savings and investments, cause a strain on your financial resources, or worse.  Strong passwords are crucial when it comes…

November 1, 2022Security Center No Comments

Keeping passwords strong and secure these days is about as easy as tightrope walking over a pool of hungry great white sharks. Updating passwords frequently and making them complex is difficult, but it’s essential to keeping hackers and fraudsters at bay.   Fraud Awareness Week is a great time to evaluate your financial security and risk. Fraud costs billions of dollars in damage to companies, governments, and individuals each year. It can dramatically affect your life, result in the loss of your savings and investments, cause a strain on your financial resources, or worse.  Strong passwords are crucial when it comes…

Money-Saving Tips for Turkey Day 

The holidays are fast approaching and, much like the rest of this year, things will be different. While you may still gather with family and friends, it’s likely those gatherings will be smaller in nature. And whether you have been affected financially by the holidays, chances are someone in your family or group of friends has been. Here are a few tips for keeping the holidays joyful without spending extra cash—and finding moments of thankfulness with friends and family.  Scale Down Celebrations  Even if your personal financial situation hasn’t been affected negatively by the pandemic, it doesn’t mean others in…

October 27, 2022Wallet Wins 2 Comments

The holidays are fast approaching and, much like the rest of this year, things will be different. While you may still gather with family and friends, it’s likely those gatherings will be smaller in nature. And whether you have been affected financially by the holidays, chances are someone in your family or group of friends has been. Here are a few tips for keeping the holidays joyful without spending extra cash—and finding moments of thankfulness with friends and family.  Scale Down Celebrations  Even if your personal financial situation hasn’t been affected negatively by the pandemic, it doesn’t mean others in…

Boots For Troops Donation Collection

The heart of our credit union is giving back and actively working to reinvest in the communities we serve. That’s why during the entire month of November, PEFCU is partnering with Boots for Troops to host a donation drive for the brave men and women in our military.   While deployed overseas, Boots for Troops founder Jimmy Rogers often witnessed his shipmates return to their camp with no packages waiting for them. If they did receive a package, it was typically mass-produced and full of items the service members didn’t want or need. This gave Jimmy the incredible and heartwarming idea…

October 5, 2022We Are PEFCU No Comments

The heart of our credit union is giving back and actively working to reinvest in the communities we serve. That’s why during the entire month of November, PEFCU is partnering with Boots for Troops to host a donation drive for the brave men and women in our military.   While deployed overseas, Boots for Troops founder Jimmy Rogers often witnessed his shipmates return to their camp with no packages waiting for them. If they did receive a package, it was typically mass-produced and full of items the service members didn’t want or need. This gave Jimmy the incredible and heartwarming idea…

7 Tips to Save for Your First Car

Buying your first car is an exciting experience! After all, with your very own vehicle, you can finally experience the freedom and independence you’ve been wanting.   However, buying a car also means you’ll have additional expenses each month. If you’re financing your vehicle, you’ll have to consider the down payment and ongoing monthly payments. Plus, you will need to budget for gas, insurance, and maintenance.   While saving for your first car may take some time, you’ll be on the road to freedom in no time by utilizing these seven tips.   1) Determine How Much You Need to Save.   The first…

October 3, 2022Borrowing Basics No Comments

Buying your first car is an exciting experience! After all, with your very own vehicle, you can finally experience the freedom and independence you’ve been wanting.   However, buying a car also means you’ll have additional expenses each month. If you’re financing your vehicle, you’ll have to consider the down payment and ongoing monthly payments. Plus, you will need to budget for gas, insurance, and maintenance.   While saving for your first car may take some time, you’ll be on the road to freedom in no time by utilizing these seven tips.   1) Determine How Much You Need to Save.   The first…

7 Habits of People with High Credit Scores

Upon reaching adulthood, your credit score is one number that can dramatically impact your life, both financially and otherwise. A good score can help you receive the loans you need and ultimately pay less interest. But it can also help when applying to lease an apartment; some employers even check your score before hiring.   While a good credit score is desired, it isn’t always easy to obtain. Life throws everyone curve balls that knock their financial plans and budgets off track. So how do you build and maintain the high credit score you desire? Below are seven habits commonly found…

October 1, 2022Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments

Upon reaching adulthood, your credit score is one number that can dramatically impact your life, both financially and otherwise. A good score can help you receive the loans you need and ultimately pay less interest. But it can also help when applying to lease an apartment; some employers even check your score before hiring.   While a good credit score is desired, it isn’t always easy to obtain. Life throws everyone curve balls that knock their financial plans and budgets off track. So how do you build and maintain the high credit score you desire? Below are seven habits commonly found…

How to Protect Your Family From Scams

Nowadays, everyone in the family is using technology – from kids to grandparents. These convenient digital tools instantly connect everyone and everything, from friends and family to financial accounts and shopping. Unfortunately, they also open the door to fraudsters. It’s more important now than ever to educate your family about online safety and how to avoid becoming a victim of the latest scam.   Essential Online Security Tips  Begin by reviewing your current online practices. There are simple steps you can take to safeguard your accounts and daily activities against scammers.   Creating Passwords: When creating passwords for any online account,…

October 1, 2022Security Center No Comments

Nowadays, everyone in the family is using technology – from kids to grandparents. These convenient digital tools instantly connect everyone and everything, from friends and family to financial accounts and shopping. Unfortunately, they also open the door to fraudsters. It’s more important now than ever to educate your family about online safety and how to avoid becoming a victim of the latest scam.   Essential Online Security Tips  Begin by reviewing your current online practices. There are simple steps you can take to safeguard your accounts and daily activities against scammers.   Creating Passwords: When creating passwords for any online account,…