Shop Smarter: Best Times to Buy

We’ve scoped out the best times of year to buy some higher-ticket items so that YOU can save money throughout the year and stay on budget. Each month is listed with items that are most likely to be priced the best they will be all year, plus we’ve included the holidays when you’ll find major sales. Make sure to plan your shopping calendar and your budget accordingly!  January  Electronics: There are typically sales AFTER Christmas to encourage additional purchases after the holidays. You’ll probably find that some of your favorite electronics are on sale.  Fitness Equipment: Retailers know that people make resolutions to…

January 10, 2022Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments

We’ve scoped out the best times of year to buy some higher-ticket items so that YOU can save money throughout the year and stay on budget. Each month is listed with items that are most likely to be priced the best they will be all year, plus we’ve included the holidays when you’ll find major sales. Make sure to plan your shopping calendar and your budget accordingly!  January  Electronics: There are typically sales AFTER Christmas to encourage additional purchases after the holidays. You’ll probably find that some of your favorite electronics are on sale.  Fitness Equipment: Retailers know that people make resolutions to…

4 Tips to Pay Off Your Holiday Credit Card Debt

If you’re struggling with holiday credit card debt, it might feel like you’re drowning in quicksand. The more you fight to get out of this high-interest debt, the deeper you get, it seems.   But there’s a lifeline! There are practical things you can do to pull yourself out of credit card debt, once and for all. These four real-life tips can help you out:   1. Stop Using Your Credit Cards. You must understand and accept that unpaid credit card debt is bad for you financially and must be corrected. If you’ve been using your credit cards to fill in financial gaps, now is the time to break the habit for good and vow never to return.    This sounds much simpler than it is.  Do these three…

December 27, 2021Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments

If you’re struggling with holiday credit card debt, it might feel like you’re drowning in quicksand. The more you fight to get out of this high-interest debt, the deeper you get, it seems.   But there’s a lifeline! There are practical things you can do to pull yourself out of credit card debt, once and for all. These four real-life tips can help you out:   1. Stop Using Your Credit Cards. You must understand and accept that unpaid credit card debt is bad for you financially and must be corrected. If you’ve been using your credit cards to fill in financial gaps, now is the time to break the habit for good and vow never to return.    This sounds much simpler than it is.  Do these three…

9 Things to Consider When Buying a Car 

9 Things to Consider When Buying a Car  Whether you’re in the market for your first car, or it’s just been a while since your last vehicle purchase, you may have some questions. We put together a list of nine things you should keep in mind as you prepare to buy your car.   1. Set Your Budget  Consider how much you want to spend on your vehicle. If you’re taking out an auto loan, think about how much you want to spend on your monthly payment. Don’t forget to include tax, tags, and auto insurance in the cost. Here is an easy-to-use auto loan calculator…

December 27, 2021Borrowing Basics No Comments

9 Things to Consider When Buying a Car  Whether you’re in the market for your first car, or it’s just been a while since your last vehicle purchase, you may have some questions. We put together a list of nine things you should keep in mind as you prepare to buy your car.   1. Set Your Budget  Consider how much you want to spend on your vehicle. If you’re taking out an auto loan, think about how much you want to spend on your monthly payment. Don’t forget to include tax, tags, and auto insurance in the cost. Here is an easy-to-use auto loan calculator…

Hacks to Keep Your Financial Resolutions

Every January, it’s the same deal: You resolve to save more money, pay off your debts, and get your financial situation in order. Then February comes along, and you’re back to your old habits. If you’ve broken New Year’s resolutions in the past, you’re not alone. The vast majority of people give up on their resolutions within the first month of the year.  But this year can be different. With a few adjustments to your thinking and a few small hacks, you can make sure that your resolutions actually stick.    Start Small  If you usually start the year off with a big goal, only…

December 27, 2021Wallet Wins No Comments

Every January, it’s the same deal: You resolve to save more money, pay off your debts, and get your financial situation in order. Then February comes along, and you’re back to your old habits. If you’ve broken New Year’s resolutions in the past, you’re not alone. The vast majority of people give up on their resolutions within the first month of the year.  But this year can be different. With a few adjustments to your thinking and a few small hacks, you can make sure that your resolutions actually stick.    Start Small  If you usually start the year off with a big goal, only…

PEFCU Holiday Club Account 

We get it; the holidays just ended. We’re sure the last thing you want to think about is the hustle and bustle of the next holiday. But here’s one reason why you should: PEFCU Holiday Club Account. Taking just a few minutes to open this account could save you some serious $$ next December.   Here’s the scoop: When you open a PEFCU Holiday Club Account, you’ll have all year to save the money you need for the next holiday season. With this account, you get to decide the frequency and amount of your deposit. To make it easy, we even offer convenient distribution of your payroll direct deposits.  For example, assume the annual percentage yield (APY) is 0.05% (this is subject to change each Tuesday). If you start depositing $10 from each…

December 20, 2021Future Planning, Wallet Wins 4 Comments

We get it; the holidays just ended. We’re sure the last thing you want to think about is the hustle and bustle of the next holiday. But here’s one reason why you should: PEFCU Holiday Club Account. Taking just a few minutes to open this account could save you some serious $$ next December.   Here’s the scoop: When you open a PEFCU Holiday Club Account, you’ll have all year to save the money you need for the next holiday season. With this account, you get to decide the frequency and amount of your deposit. To make it easy, we even offer convenient distribution of your payroll direct deposits.  For example, assume the annual percentage yield (APY) is 0.05% (this is subject to change each Tuesday). If you start depositing $10 from each…

Hacks to Keep Your Financial Resolutions   

Every January, it’s the same deal: You resolve to save more money, pay off your debts, and get your financial situation in order. Then February comes along, and you’re back to your old habits. If you’ve broken New Year’s resolutions in the past, you’re not alone. The vast majority of people give up on their resolutions within the first month of the year.  But this year can be different. With a few adjustments to your thinking and a few small hacks, you can make sure that your resolutions actually stick.   Start Small  If you usually start the year off with a big goal, only…

December 20, 2021Future Planning No Comments

Every January, it’s the same deal: You resolve to save more money, pay off your debts, and get your financial situation in order. Then February comes along, and you’re back to your old habits. If you’ve broken New Year’s resolutions in the past, you’re not alone. The vast majority of people give up on their resolutions within the first month of the year.  But this year can be different. With a few adjustments to your thinking and a few small hacks, you can make sure that your resolutions actually stick.   Start Small  If you usually start the year off with a big goal, only…

Tips for Lowering Stress During the Holidays 

While holidays are a time for cheer and spending time with family, many also experience heightened levels of stress. With all that has happened this year, you may find yourself more overwhelmed than usual as the holidays approach.   However, even in these unsettling times, there are things you can do to help reduce your stress during the holidays. Below are some tips to help you get through the holidays as stress-free as possible.   Ask people to pitch in when you host holiday events. Instead of providing all the food yourself, ask others to prepare and bring a dish to help out. If you have guests that don’t cook, consider asking…

December 2, 2021Wallet Wins No Comments

While holidays are a time for cheer and spending time with family, many also experience heightened levels of stress. With all that has happened this year, you may find yourself more overwhelmed than usual as the holidays approach.   However, even in these unsettling times, there are things you can do to help reduce your stress during the holidays. Below are some tips to help you get through the holidays as stress-free as possible.   Ask people to pitch in when you host holiday events. Instead of providing all the food yourself, ask others to prepare and bring a dish to help out. If you have guests that don’t cook, consider asking…

8 Guilt-Free Ways to Save Money During the Holidays

Article brought to you by:   At some point, you have to stop putting it on your credit card “and paying it off in January.” Just say no!   I used to think it was so strange when my mom joked, “Let’s just skip everything this year, OK?” How could she even dream of it!   But as a relatively functioning adult with my own bills and credit card balance to think about, I find myself agreeing with her. I may be too young still to be this cynical, but I also haven’t been this stressed since … last December.   No matter how many…

November 30, 2021Wallet Wins No Comments

Article brought to you by:   At some point, you have to stop putting it on your credit card “and paying it off in January.” Just say no!   I used to think it was so strange when my mom joked, “Let’s just skip everything this year, OK?” How could she even dream of it!   But as a relatively functioning adult with my own bills and credit card balance to think about, I find myself agreeing with her. I may be too young still to be this cynical, but I also haven’t been this stressed since … last December.   No matter how many…

Tips for Shopping Early this Holiday Season 

Fall is here, which means the winter holidays are right around the corner. Anyone could feel a little overwhelmed during the holiday season, leading to procrastination, shopping anxiety, or delayed gift-picking. But the holidays are meant to be full of fun and love, so minimizing your stress is the best strategy for thoroughly enjoying the holidays.   Below are a few tips that will help you be “on your game” by shopping early this year!    1) Create a Gift List   While it can be fun to buy gifts for everyone you know, smart holiday shopping starts with creating a list of your closest relationships. Once you make the…

November 5, 2021Wallet Wins 1 Comment

Fall is here, which means the winter holidays are right around the corner. Anyone could feel a little overwhelmed during the holiday season, leading to procrastination, shopping anxiety, or delayed gift-picking. But the holidays are meant to be full of fun and love, so minimizing your stress is the best strategy for thoroughly enjoying the holidays.   Below are a few tips that will help you be “on your game” by shopping early this year!    1) Create a Gift List   While it can be fun to buy gifts for everyone you know, smart holiday shopping starts with creating a list of your closest relationships. Once you make the…

Beware of Common Holiday Scams

While fraud can occur at any time of the year, unfortunately, it becomes more popular during the holidays. This could be due to the hustle and bustle of the season and the fact that more people are shopping, especially online.   Here is a list of the most common holiday fraud schemes with tips on how to protect yourself.   3 Common Holiday Fraud Methods & Scams  Here are some of the most common holiday frauds and scams:   Skimming is carried out by using electronic devices to secretly scan and store debit card and credit card PINs and numbers. This tactic is commonly used on fuel pumps at gas stations.  SMiShing (SMS phishing) is…

November 5, 2021Security Center No Comments

While fraud can occur at any time of the year, unfortunately, it becomes more popular during the holidays. This could be due to the hustle and bustle of the season and the fact that more people are shopping, especially online.   Here is a list of the most common holiday fraud schemes with tips on how to protect yourself.   3 Common Holiday Fraud Methods & Scams  Here are some of the most common holiday frauds and scams:   Skimming is carried out by using electronic devices to secretly scan and store debit card and credit card PINs and numbers. This tactic is commonly used on fuel pumps at gas stations.  SMiShing (SMS phishing) is…