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…

Gen X: Securing Your Future Without Guilt

For members in their late 40s, 50s, and early 60s, your financial life is probably beginning to feel much more complicated. You may be earning more than ever before, finally seeing the payoff from years of hard work. At the same time, your children are likely setting off for college or entering adulthood. And your parents may be reaching the point where they need more support as well.  This combination can stretch your finances in ways you didn’t expect. It also creates a difficult question: “How do you take care of the people you love without putting your own future at risk?”  In this article, we’ll walk through why this stage matters so much, how to think about your priorities, and practical ways…

June 7, 2026Future Planning No Comments

For members in their late 40s, 50s, and early 60s, your financial life is probably beginning to feel much more complicated. You may be earning more than ever before, finally seeing the payoff from years of hard work. At the same time, your children are likely setting off for college or entering adulthood. And your parents may be reaching the point where they need more support as well.  This combination can stretch your finances in ways you didn’t expect. It also creates a difficult question: “How do you take care of the people you love without putting your own future at risk?”  In this article, we’ll walk through why this stage matters so much, how to think about your priorities, and practical ways…

One-Minute Reads: Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane season is here, and preparation goes beyond stocking up on water and batteries. Taking a few financial steps now can help reduce stress later if a storm impacts your area.  Start by making sure you have access to your accounts through mobile and online banking. Save important passwords securely and confirm your contact information is up to date so you can receive account alerts and updates when needed.  It’s also a good idea to build a small emergency fund for unexpected expenses like gas, groceries, hotel stays, or temporary repairs. Even setting aside a little at a time can make a difference during hurricane season.  Finally,…

June 1, 2026One Minute Reads No Comments

Hurricane season is here, and preparation goes beyond stocking up on water and batteries. Taking a few financial steps now can help reduce stress later if a storm impacts your area.  Start by making sure you have access to your accounts through mobile and online banking. Save important passwords securely and confirm your contact information is up to date so you can receive account alerts and updates when needed.  It’s also a good idea to build a small emergency fund for unexpected expenses like gas, groceries, hotel stays, or temporary repairs. Even setting aside a little at a time can make a difference during hurricane season.  Finally,…

The Untold Truth Behind “Finfluencers”

If you spend time on social media, you’ve probably seen the rise of the “finfluencer.” These creators fill your feed with quick tips, flashy graphics, and personal stories about money. They offer advice that feels accessible, entertaining, and free. For many young adults, this kind of financial content feels far more relatable than sitting down with a professional advisor.  But here’s the challenge. Facts can get buried under bright editing and confident delivery. When a video goes viral, it’s often because it sparks excitement – not because it presents balanced or personalized guidance. And that leaves many people trusting advice that was never meant for their unique financial life.  In this…

May 26, 2026Wallet Wins No Comments

If you spend time on social media, you’ve probably seen the rise of the “finfluencer.” These creators fill your feed with quick tips, flashy graphics, and personal stories about money. They offer advice that feels accessible, entertaining, and free. For many young adults, this kind of financial content feels far more relatable than sitting down with a professional advisor.  But here’s the challenge. Facts can get buried under bright editing and confident delivery. When a video goes viral, it’s often because it sparks excitement – not because it presents balanced or personalized guidance. And that leaves many people trusting advice that was never meant for their unique financial life.  In this…

Student Loans 101: Understanding the Basics

Enrolling in and attending college is a major life milestone. For many applicants, student loans play a key role in making higher education affordable and attainable. While borrowing funds can help you achieve your academic goals, it’s important to understand how student loans work so you can make informed decisions now and feel confident about making payments later.   In this article, we’ll help you understand the basics of different types of student loans, how to manage your loans while in school and after graduation, and how to balance student loan payments with the rest of your budget. With smart borrowing and careful planning, you can set yourself up for success through graduation and…

May 19, 2026Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments

Enrolling in and attending college is a major life milestone. For many applicants, student loans play a key role in making higher education affordable and attainable. While borrowing funds can help you achieve your academic goals, it’s important to understand how student loans work so you can make informed decisions now and feel confident about making payments later.   In this article, we’ll help you understand the basics of different types of student loans, how to manage your loans while in school and after graduation, and how to balance student loan payments with the rest of your budget. With smart borrowing and careful planning, you can set yourself up for success through graduation and…

10 Ways to Offset Rising Gas Prices

10 Ways to Offset Rising Gas Prices  Gas prices are climbing again. Global conflicts, supply disruptions, and the lingering effects of inflation are driving up fuel costs. And many households are feeling the financial impacts right away.   Unfortunately, fuel is not a luxury expense. It’s how you get to work. It’s how your kids get to school and practice. It’s your weekly grocery runs, doctor visits, and errands. When a gallon of gas suddenly jumps, it might not look too dramatic on the sign at the corner. But over the course of a month, that increase can quickly pressure your budget.  The goal is not to eliminate the expense. It’s to understand it, adjust for the extra cost, and stay in…

May 10, 2026Wallet Wins No Comments

10 Ways to Offset Rising Gas Prices  Gas prices are climbing again. Global conflicts, supply disruptions, and the lingering effects of inflation are driving up fuel costs. And many households are feeling the financial impacts right away.   Unfortunately, fuel is not a luxury expense. It’s how you get to work. It’s how your kids get to school and practice. It’s your weekly grocery runs, doctor visits, and errands. When a gallon of gas suddenly jumps, it might not look too dramatic on the sign at the corner. But over the course of a month, that increase can quickly pressure your budget.  The goal is not to eliminate the expense. It’s to understand it, adjust for the extra cost, and stay in…

Tips to Keep Spring Home Projects Affordable

Tips to Keep Spring Home Projects Affordable  As spring approaches, many homeowners start eyeing repairs or upgrades that they put off during the winter months. The return of warmer weather and cool breezes tends to inspire a focus on home improvement projects. Whether it’s replacing outdated fixtures, tackling overdue maintenance, or planning a larger renovation, the credit union can help you tackle your spring project list with ease.   Before diving into the work on your to-do list, taking time to map out a plan and budget can ensure your entire process goes more smoothly. Choosing the right financing option to fund your projects helps you minimize borrowing costs while…

May 5, 2026Wallet Wins No Comments

Tips to Keep Spring Home Projects Affordable  As spring approaches, many homeowners start eyeing repairs or upgrades that they put off during the winter months. The return of warmer weather and cool breezes tends to inspire a focus on home improvement projects. Whether it’s replacing outdated fixtures, tackling overdue maintenance, or planning a larger renovation, the credit union can help you tackle your spring project list with ease.   Before diving into the work on your to-do list, taking time to map out a plan and budget can ensure your entire process goes more smoothly. Choosing the right financing option to fund your projects helps you minimize borrowing costs while…

Savers vs. Spenders: Finding the Right Balance

Savers vs. Spenders: Finding the Right Balance  When it comes to money, most people tend to fall into one of two camps. You probably recognize the two types immediately. There’s a coworker who quietly maxes out their retirement contributions, keeps a healthy emergency fund, and rarely makes impulse purchases. Then there’s the friend who celebrates every raise with a new gadget, weekend trip, or expensive night out.   While both people might earn roughly the same paycheck, their financial lives look completely different. Some people struggle because they spend too much and can never seem to get ahead. Others save aggressively but constantly turn down experiences they can afford.   The real goal is not to choose between saving and spending. It’s learning how to…

April 28, 2026Wallet Wins No Comments

Savers vs. Spenders: Finding the Right Balance  When it comes to money, most people tend to fall into one of two camps. You probably recognize the two types immediately. There’s a coworker who quietly maxes out their retirement contributions, keeps a healthy emergency fund, and rarely makes impulse purchases. Then there’s the friend who celebrates every raise with a new gadget, weekend trip, or expensive night out.   While both people might earn roughly the same paycheck, their financial lives look completely different. Some people struggle because they spend too much and can never seem to get ahead. Others save aggressively but constantly turn down experiences they can afford.   The real goal is not to choose between saving and spending. It’s learning how to…

The 15-Minute Financial Cleanup

Between credit card bills, rent or mortgage payments, everyday expenses, and those surprise costs that always seem to pop up at the wrong time, managing money can feel like a lot. It’s easy to assume the solution is a major overhaul or a perfect budget that takes hours to maintain. But most of the time, the stress comes from a few small trouble spots that can be cleared up with quick, simple fixes.  Instead of spending days reorganizing your finances or trying to build a rigid plan that doesn’t quite match real life, a few minutes of focused cleanup can make things feel more manageable.…

April 21, 2026Wallet Wins No Comments

Between credit card bills, rent or mortgage payments, everyday expenses, and those surprise costs that always seem to pop up at the wrong time, managing money can feel like a lot. It’s easy to assume the solution is a major overhaul or a perfect budget that takes hours to maintain. But most of the time, the stress comes from a few small trouble spots that can be cleared up with quick, simple fixes.  Instead of spending days reorganizing your finances or trying to build a rigid plan that doesn’t quite match real life, a few minutes of focused cleanup can make things feel more manageable.…

Smart Car Buying Without Losing Freedom

For many young adults, buying a car is one of the first major financial decisions they’ll make on their own, and it’s a significant milestone. A car makes it easier to commute to work, visit friends, take road trips, and move through daily life on your own schedule.   At the same time, this stage of life tends to move quickly. One year, you might be graduating or starting your first full-time job. A few years later, you could be relocating, traveling more, or saving for new goals. While a car gives you freedom, the wrong loan can quietly take some of that flexibility away by locking you into larger payments for…

April 15, 2026Borrowing Basics No Comments

For many young adults, buying a car is one of the first major financial decisions they’ll make on their own, and it’s a significant milestone. A car makes it easier to commute to work, visit friends, take road trips, and move through daily life on your own schedule.   At the same time, this stage of life tends to move quickly. One year, you might be graduating or starting your first full-time job. A few years later, you could be relocating, traveling more, or saving for new goals. While a car gives you freedom, the wrong loan can quietly take some of that flexibility away by locking you into larger payments for…

Service With Purpose: March 2026 Community Recap

March was a shining month of Service with Purpose at PEFCU, filled with teamwork, compassion, and powerful community impact across Florida! From supporting local families and seniors to protecting our environment and championing youth education, our associates showed what it means to lead with heart. Check out snippets from each of the exciting ways our associates showed up in March. GROUNDBREAKING FOR EDUCATION Community Pillar: Education & Mentorship Monday, March 30, 2026 PEFCU delegates proudly celebrated the groundbreaking of the Barnett Family Junior Achievement Discovery Center in Polk County, Florida. As the first facility in the nation to bring all…

April 2, 2026Community Engagement, We Are PEFCU No Comments

March was a shining month of Service with Purpose at PEFCU, filled with teamwork, compassion, and powerful community impact across Florida! From supporting local families and seniors to protecting our environment and championing youth education, our associates showed what it means to lead with heart. Check out snippets from each of the exciting ways our associates showed up in March. GROUNDBREAKING FOR EDUCATION Community Pillar: Education & Mentorship Monday, March 30, 2026 PEFCU delegates proudly celebrated the groundbreaking of the Barnett Family Junior Achievement Discovery Center in Polk County, Florida. As the first facility in the nation to bring all…