Your Guide to Savvy Car Shopping

When you set your sights on buying a new car, a whirlwind of emotions can arise. On the one hand, you’re excited to find and cruise away in your new ride. But on the other hand, you know it’s a big decision that could significantly impact your finances for several years.   That’s why it’s crucial to do a bit of homework before you ever step foot onto a dealer lot. A little prep can help to reduce the price of the vehicle, secure better financing options, and put you into a better financial position overall.   In this article, we’ll highlight…

August 19, 2024Uncategorized No Comments
Your Guide to Savvy Car Shopping

When you set your sights on buying a new car, a whirlwind of emotions can arise. On the one hand, you’re excited to find and cruise away in your new ride. But on the other hand, you know it’s a big decision that could significantly impact your finances for several years.   That’s why it’s crucial to do a bit of homework before you ever step foot onto a dealer lot. A little prep can help to reduce the price of the vehicle, secure better financing options, and put you into a better financial position overall.   In this article, we’ll highlight…

Tips to Improve Your Loan Approval Odds

Applying for a loan often feels daunting to many – but have no fear. You can employ several strategies to improve your chances of being approved. Whether you’re looking to finance a new car, buy a home, consolidate debt, pay for education expenses, or borrow for another need, preparing your finances beforehand can make all the difference.   Here are some tips to help you increase your likelihood of being approved for your next loan – and how to secure more favorable loan terms.     Determine What You Can Afford   Knowing how much you can afford to borrow before applying for…

August 14, 2024Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins 1 Comment
Tips to Improve Your Loan Approval Odds

Applying for a loan often feels daunting to many – but have no fear. You can employ several strategies to improve your chances of being approved. Whether you’re looking to finance a new car, buy a home, consolidate debt, pay for education expenses, or borrow for another need, preparing your finances beforehand can make all the difference.   Here are some tips to help you increase your likelihood of being approved for your next loan – and how to secure more favorable loan terms.     Determine What You Can Afford   Knowing how much you can afford to borrow before applying for…

Gen Z: Leading the Way to Sustainable Money Choices

As climate and environmental concerns continue to grow in popularity, Gen Z has quickly become the face and champion of this great movement. While everyone is concerned with the upkeep and preservation of the environment, this generation is leading the way in incorporating alternatives to become more eco-friendly.   Their dedication is encouraging many businesses and organizations to change how they manufacture products, deliver services, and operate daily. These changes also include how people can interact with and spend their money through more environmentally friendly methods.   In this article, we’ll reveal the impact consumer choices have on the environment, how simple…

August 5, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Gen Z: Leading the Way to Sustainable Money Choices

As climate and environmental concerns continue to grow in popularity, Gen Z has quickly become the face and champion of this great movement. While everyone is concerned with the upkeep and preservation of the environment, this generation is leading the way in incorporating alternatives to become more eco-friendly.   Their dedication is encouraging many businesses and organizations to change how they manufacture products, deliver services, and operate daily. These changes also include how people can interact with and spend their money through more environmentally friendly methods.   In this article, we’ll reveal the impact consumer choices have on the environment, how simple…

Knowing your Credit Score

We’ve added another helpful mobile and online banking feature to make it easier for you to monitor your credit score.  Credit Monitoring is a new feature that allows members to access their credit score, full credit report, credit monitoring, financial tips, and education…all for FREE and without impacting your credit score.   To start using this feature:  Log in to PEFCUMobile or PEFCUOnline. Navigate to the “Credit Monitoring” tab on the menu.   Agree to the terms and conditions and opt-in. Once you’re there, you’ll be amazed at how much you learn from checking your score. You will be surprised at how much control you have over your financial life—and it is…

August 5, 2024PEFCU Perks No Comments
Knowing your Credit Score

We’ve added another helpful mobile and online banking feature to make it easier for you to monitor your credit score.  Credit Monitoring is a new feature that allows members to access their credit score, full credit report, credit monitoring, financial tips, and education…all for FREE and without impacting your credit score.   To start using this feature:  Log in to PEFCUMobile or PEFCUOnline. Navigate to the “Credit Monitoring” tab on the menu.   Agree to the terms and conditions and opt-in. Once you’re there, you’ll be amazed at how much you learn from checking your score. You will be surprised at how much control you have over your financial life—and it is…

Are Credit Unions FDIC Insured? – One Minute Reads

If you’ve ever wondered whether credit unions are FDIC insured, the short answer is no. However, credit unions have their own equivalent protection through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).  The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insures deposits at banks, ensuring that your money is safe up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. Credit unions, on the other hand, are insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). This coverage also protects deposits up to $250,000 per individual depositor.  So, while credit unions aren’t FDIC insured, the NCUA provides a…

August 1, 2024One Minute Reads, Uncategorized No Comments
Are Credit Unions FDIC Insured? – One Minute Reads

If you’ve ever wondered whether credit unions are FDIC insured, the short answer is no. However, credit unions have their own equivalent protection through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).  The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insures deposits at banks, ensuring that your money is safe up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. Credit unions, on the other hand, are insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). This coverage also protects deposits up to $250,000 per individual depositor.  So, while credit unions aren’t FDIC insured, the NCUA provides a…

Preventing Lifestyle Creep from Overtaking Your Finances

Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about how you will spend your next pay raise or bonus? Maybe you plan to make repairs on your home, begin saving for your child’s future college expenses, or want to eliminate high-interest credit card debt.   However, before you know it, those funds are gone, and your goals remain incomplete. Where did all this new money go? It’s a phenomenon called lifestyle creep. We’re here to help you understand its causes and consequences and how to avoid it.  What is Lifestyle Creep?  Lifestyle creep, also known as lifestyle inflation, is when your general spending…

July 25, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Preventing Lifestyle Creep from Overtaking Your Finances

Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about how you will spend your next pay raise or bonus? Maybe you plan to make repairs on your home, begin saving for your child’s future college expenses, or want to eliminate high-interest credit card debt.   However, before you know it, those funds are gone, and your goals remain incomplete. Where did all this new money go? It’s a phenomenon called lifestyle creep. We’re here to help you understand its causes and consequences and how to avoid it.  What is Lifestyle Creep?  Lifestyle creep, also known as lifestyle inflation, is when your general spending…

How to Use Compound Interest to Build Wealth

You’ve probably come across the term “compound interest” when considering savings and investment options. But what exactly is compound interest, and how does it impact your wealth-building strategy?  Compound interest is a powerful tool that can appear minimal at first, but when coupled with time, it can tremendously impact your savings journey. Together, we’ll explore this concept, explain how it works, and reveal ways to leverage its power to build wealth and secure your financial future.  What Is Compound Interest?  When you invest money, the financial institution will often pay you interest (an amount for holding your money at their…

July 15, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
How to Use Compound Interest to Build Wealth

You’ve probably come across the term “compound interest” when considering savings and investment options. But what exactly is compound interest, and how does it impact your wealth-building strategy?  Compound interest is a powerful tool that can appear minimal at first, but when coupled with time, it can tremendously impact your savings journey. Together, we’ll explore this concept, explain how it works, and reveal ways to leverage its power to build wealth and secure your financial future.  What Is Compound Interest?  When you invest money, the financial institution will often pay you interest (an amount for holding your money at their…

Summertime Scams are Coming in Hot

Temperatures are rising, and summer fun is here. But that’s not the only thing heating up. Scammers know that vacation season places people in unfamiliar locations, has them looking for ways to save money, and more – providing ample opportunities to enrich themselves.  Amid the excitement of your summer plans, don’t forget to stay vigilant about protecting yourself and your finances. Whether you’re globetrotting this summer, coming home from college to work and relax, or planning an epic staycation, here’s a glimpse at some of the more common summertime scams – and ways to keep you and your money safe. …

July 1, 2024Security Center No Comments
Summertime Scams are Coming in Hot

Temperatures are rising, and summer fun is here. But that’s not the only thing heating up. Scammers know that vacation season places people in unfamiliar locations, has them looking for ways to save money, and more – providing ample opportunities to enrich themselves.  Amid the excitement of your summer plans, don’t forget to stay vigilant about protecting yourself and your finances. Whether you’re globetrotting this summer, coming home from college to work and relax, or planning an epic staycation, here’s a glimpse at some of the more common summertime scams – and ways to keep you and your money safe. …

Save MORE on Back 2 School Purchases 

Save on back-to-school shopping by taking advantage of these tax-free shopping days in your state!   Florida: 8/1/2025 – 8/10/2025 South Carolina: 8/1/2025 – 8/3/2025 Tennessee: 7/25/2025 – 7/27/2025  Virginia: 8/1/2025 – 8/3/2025 Plus, July 15 through September 15, 2025, when you receive a personal loan from PEFCU, we’ll donate $10* to Kiwanis of Lakeland to support their Stuff the Bus campaign! If you have additional questions about our products or services, give us a call at (800) 226-6673. Approval is based on creditworthiness.    For every personal loan funded between July 15, 2025 and September 15, 2025, Publix Employees Federal…

June 27, 2024Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments
Save MORE on Back 2 School Purchases 

Save on back-to-school shopping by taking advantage of these tax-free shopping days in your state!   Florida: 8/1/2025 – 8/10/2025 South Carolina: 8/1/2025 – 8/3/2025 Tennessee: 7/25/2025 – 7/27/2025  Virginia: 8/1/2025 – 8/3/2025 Plus, July 15 through September 15, 2025, when you receive a personal loan from PEFCU, we’ll donate $10* to Kiwanis of Lakeland to support their Stuff the Bus campaign! If you have additional questions about our products or services, give us a call at (800) 226-6673. Approval is based on creditworthiness.    For every personal loan funded between July 15, 2025 and September 15, 2025, Publix Employees Federal…