When to Get a Secured Credit Card  

Secured credit cards work like regular credit cards, and you make purchases and payments as usual. But there’s one big distinction. With a secured card, the issuing financial institution requires you to put a cash deposit down as collateral, which they will keep if you cannot repay the balance. *  The secured funds are usually equal to the secured card limit. For instance, if the card has a $500 limit, your financial institution may put a hold of $500 on your checking or savings account or ask for a $500 deposit. Though this $500 is still in your account, it…

May 2, 2022Borrowing Basics 2 Comments
When to Get a Secured Credit Card  

Secured credit cards work like regular credit cards, and you make purchases and payments as usual. But there’s one big distinction. With a secured card, the issuing financial institution requires you to put a cash deposit down as collateral, which they will keep if you cannot repay the balance. *  The secured funds are usually equal to the secured card limit. For instance, if the card has a $500 limit, your financial institution may put a hold of $500 on your checking or savings account or ask for a $500 deposit. Though this $500 is still in your account, it…

5 Ways To Save $$ And Have Fun This Summer

Summer is a great time to take it easy, connect with your loved ones, and slow down to make lasting memories for years to come. Summer trips are fun, but they can be difficult to plan, and costs can add up quickly. With the rising price of gas, what better way to spend some quality time with your family than with a staycation right in your own backyard?  Saving money now on summer vacations can help you reach the financial goals you have for later this year or can help you put more money towards your big summer getaway next…

April 27, 2022Wallet Wins No Comments
5 Ways To Save $$ And Have Fun This Summer

Summer is a great time to take it easy, connect with your loved ones, and slow down to make lasting memories for years to come. Summer trips are fun, but they can be difficult to plan, and costs can add up quickly. With the rising price of gas, what better way to spend some quality time with your family than with a staycation right in your own backyard?  Saving money now on summer vacations can help you reach the financial goals you have for later this year or can help you put more money towards your big summer getaway next…

3 Ways to Live More Sustainably

Earth Day is a great day to start thinking about how you can reduce your carbon footprint. Here are three things you can start doing right away!  Save Water. According to the EPA, the average American family typically uses over 300 gallons of water every day. With climate change causing droughts across the nation and around the world, it’s critical to saving water whenever you can.  Green Your Closet. Americans buy a lot of clothing, and it’s quickly filling landfills. In addition, donated clothing often winds up being sent to developing countries, where it’s overwhelming local economies. The prescription for…

April 18, 2022Wallet Wins, We Are PEFCU No Comments
3 Ways to Live More Sustainably

Earth Day is a great day to start thinking about how you can reduce your carbon footprint. Here are three things you can start doing right away!  Save Water. According to the EPA, the average American family typically uses over 300 gallons of water every day. With climate change causing droughts across the nation and around the world, it’s critical to saving water whenever you can.  Green Your Closet. Americans buy a lot of clothing, and it’s quickly filling landfills. In addition, donated clothing often winds up being sent to developing countries, where it’s overwhelming local economies. The prescription for…

Tax Scams You Need To Know About

Each year, the IRS releases a list of tax scams that most affect people at the time.. With fraudsters becoming more proficient in their targeting methods, the number of scams seems to steadily increase with every annual list, . Now, there is more for taxpayers to be mindful of with COVID-19 and economic impact payments setting the stage for tax scams.    As your credit union, our goal is to prepare you for these potential scams so you can wisely avoid them. Here is a list of the most popular tax scams with advice on how not to fall for…

April 1, 2022Wallet Wins No Comments
Tax Scams You Need To Know About

Each year, the IRS releases a list of tax scams that most affect people at the time.. With fraudsters becoming more proficient in their targeting methods, the number of scams seems to steadily increase with every annual list, . Now, there is more for taxpayers to be mindful of with COVID-19 and economic impact payments setting the stage for tax scams.    As your credit union, our goal is to prepare you for these potential scams so you can wisely avoid them. Here is a list of the most popular tax scams with advice on how not to fall for…

Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund   

It’s that time of year again. While some people are biting their nails over how much they’ll have to pay, others are eagerly anticipating their refunds from Uncle Sam. Below are a few smart ways you can put your tax refund to work for you.  Make a Down Payment on a New Car  If you’ve been thinking of trading up or buying a new car outright, your tax refund can help you bolster your down payment, so you pay less for the vehicle over time. The larger your down payment is, the more you save on interest.  Use It to…

April 1, 2022Wallet Wins No Comments
Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund   

It’s that time of year again. While some people are biting their nails over how much they’ll have to pay, others are eagerly anticipating their refunds from Uncle Sam. Below are a few smart ways you can put your tax refund to work for you.  Make a Down Payment on a New Car  If you’ve been thinking of trading up or buying a new car outright, your tax refund can help you bolster your down payment, so you pay less for the vehicle over time. The larger your down payment is, the more you save on interest.  Use It to…

Spring Cleaning Your Finances

Spring cleaning your home is probably not new to you. You declutter the garage, clean windows, wipe down baseboards, clear out your basement, and more. But, what about your finances? It pays to spend some time spring cleaning your finances too. Below are seven ways to get your finances in order.  1. Organize Your Financial Records One of the first things to do when you organize your finances is to gather together all your information in one place. Certain things you’ll want to consider in this financial inventory include:  Financial accounts  Credit reports  Monthly statements  Debit and credit card details  HSA…

March 14, 2022Security Center, Wallet Wins 2 Comments
Spring Cleaning Your Finances

Spring cleaning your home is probably not new to you. You declutter the garage, clean windows, wipe down baseboards, clear out your basement, and more. But, what about your finances? It pays to spend some time spring cleaning your finances too. Below are seven ways to get your finances in order.  1. Organize Your Financial Records One of the first things to do when you organize your finances is to gather together all your information in one place. Certain things you’ll want to consider in this financial inventory include:  Financial accounts  Credit reports  Monthly statements  Debit and credit card details  HSA…

Women’s History in the Credit Union Movement 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we want to bring to light one of the women behind the credit union movement. Louise McCarren Herring played a huge role in founding credit unions and organizations that supported credit unions. Early pioneers of the movement included people of all backgrounds and ages, and Herring was one of the youngest to get involved.  Louise McCarren Herring, now referred to as the “Mother of Credit Unions,” was just 23 years old when she started her activist work for the not-for-profit cooperative movement. Seeing how debt affected people’s lives, she worked tirelessly to set up…

March 7, 2022We Are PEFCU 1 Comment
Women’s History in the Credit Union Movement 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we want to bring to light one of the women behind the credit union movement. Louise McCarren Herring played a huge role in founding credit unions and organizations that supported credit unions. Early pioneers of the movement included people of all backgrounds and ages, and Herring was one of the youngest to get involved.  Louise McCarren Herring, now referred to as the “Mother of Credit Unions,” was just 23 years old when she started her activist work for the not-for-profit cooperative movement. Seeing how debt affected people’s lives, she worked tirelessly to set up…

Black History Month: Inspiring Leaders

In celebration of Black History Month, we decided to highlight one of PEFCU’s inspiring African American leaders to share their perspective on what working for a diverse and inclusive credit union really means to them. This year, we’re featuring Jheniffer Alphonse, Assistant Branch Manager in Pembroke Pines! Jheniffer has been working with PEFCU members for over 15 years. She began her career as a Teller, and has been promoted to numerous positions within the branch. She is now the Assistant Branch Manager at one of our largest branches.  She is also a single mother of four with “kids” ranging from…

February 28, 2022We Are PEFCU No Comments
Black History Month: Inspiring Leaders

In celebration of Black History Month, we decided to highlight one of PEFCU’s inspiring African American leaders to share their perspective on what working for a diverse and inclusive credit union really means to them. This year, we’re featuring Jheniffer Alphonse, Assistant Branch Manager in Pembroke Pines! Jheniffer has been working with PEFCU members for over 15 years. She began her career as a Teller, and has been promoted to numerous positions within the branch. She is now the Assistant Branch Manager at one of our largest branches.  She is also a single mother of four with “kids” ranging from…

8 Ways to Fight Rising Prices on Groceries

If you’re like most Americans, you’ve probably noticed your grocery bills climb to crazy heights during the coronavirus pandemic. Over the past twelve months, all of the six major grocery store food group prices increased, according to the November 2021 Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Prices for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 12.8 percent in 2021, with beef prices jumping the most with a 20.9 percent increase. Dairy product prices rose 1.6 percent. Other prices rose too, ranging from a 4.0 percent increase on fruits and vegetables to 5.7 percent for other…

February 14, 2022Wallet Wins 1 Comment
8 Ways to Fight Rising Prices on Groceries

If you’re like most Americans, you’ve probably noticed your grocery bills climb to crazy heights during the coronavirus pandemic. Over the past twelve months, all of the six major grocery store food group prices increased, according to the November 2021 Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Prices for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 12.8 percent in 2021, with beef prices jumping the most with a 20.9 percent increase. Dairy product prices rose 1.6 percent. Other prices rose too, ranging from a 4.0 percent increase on fruits and vegetables to 5.7 percent for other…

3 Inexpensive Valentine’s Day Date Ideas 

You can have a fun and romantic Valentine’s Day AND stay within your budget this Valentine’s Day. Here are three great, inexpensive date ideas that you can do with your loved ones.  Cook or bake something together. Even if you make a grand feast at home, it will still probably fit the budget more than if you were to go out. And you’ll probably have leftovers! Head out to the grocery store and pick up some delicious ingredients to make a romantic meal together. Not so great at cooking? Meal delivery boxes are making it easier than ever to make…

February 6, 2022Wallet Wins No Comments
3 Inexpensive Valentine’s Day Date Ideas 

You can have a fun and romantic Valentine’s Day AND stay within your budget this Valentine’s Day. Here are three great, inexpensive date ideas that you can do with your loved ones.  Cook or bake something together. Even if you make a grand feast at home, it will still probably fit the budget more than if you were to go out. And you’ll probably have leftovers! Head out to the grocery store and pick up some delicious ingredients to make a romantic meal together. Not so great at cooking? Meal delivery boxes are making it easier than ever to make…