Empowering Your Teen with the Right Checking Account

Teenagers are at a critical stage of their lives where they are beginning to navigate the complexities of personal finance. Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and tools empowers them to make responsible decisions and build healthy financial habits.   One pivotal step in this journey is selecting the appropriate checking account for your teen. Teaching teens money management skills goes beyond the latest bells and whistles in the financial world. It starts with real-world, hands-on guidance from you with an account that won’t punish them for minor mistakes.   Key Features to Consider in a Teen Checking Account  When deciding which…

May 21, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

Teenagers are at a critical stage of their lives where they are beginning to navigate the complexities of personal finance. Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and tools empowers them to make responsible decisions and build healthy financial habits.   One pivotal step in this journey is selecting the appropriate checking account for your teen. Teaching teens money management skills goes beyond the latest bells and whistles in the financial world. It starts with real-world, hands-on guidance from you with an account that won’t punish them for minor mistakes.   Key Features to Consider in a Teen Checking Account  When deciding which…

Is an Auto Loan Preapproval Necessary?

There is no doubt it can be exciting when it is time to purchase a new car. Your car reflects you and your personality, so exploring different models and features is fun. With all the excitement in the air, it’s easy to be drawn to the dealership to see the vehicles up close and schedule a test drive. However, that’s one of the first and biggest mistakes when it comes to car-buying.   Dealerships will use every sales trick and tactic they know to close the deal right then – whether you are ready to buy or not. This scenario can…

May 21, 2024Borrowing Basics No Comments

There is no doubt it can be exciting when it is time to purchase a new car. Your car reflects you and your personality, so exploring different models and features is fun. With all the excitement in the air, it’s easy to be drawn to the dealership to see the vehicles up close and schedule a test drive. However, that’s one of the first and biggest mistakes when it comes to car-buying.   Dealerships will use every sales trick and tactic they know to close the deal right then – whether you are ready to buy or not. This scenario can…

Affordable Summer Adventures for the Whole Family

Every day the summer sun shines is another opportunity to create cherished memories with your family. For those with children home from school, the quest to find affordable family entertainment takes the spotlight.   Luckily, we put together eight ideas to help bring your family together and create unforgettable experiences without breaking the bank. Prepare for a summer that blends budget-consciousness with family memories that will last a lifetime.  Explore Your Backyard  With all the posts on social media today, it can often feel like the only way to enjoy yourself is to escape to some exotic land. It’s easy to…

April 18, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

Every day the summer sun shines is another opportunity to create cherished memories with your family. For those with children home from school, the quest to find affordable family entertainment takes the spotlight.   Luckily, we put together eight ideas to help bring your family together and create unforgettable experiences without breaking the bank. Prepare for a summer that blends budget-consciousness with family memories that will last a lifetime.  Explore Your Backyard  With all the posts on social media today, it can often feel like the only way to enjoy yourself is to escape to some exotic land. It’s easy to…

Your Guide to Choosing a Low-Rate Credit Card

Credit cards are one of the most popular payment methods today. Whether managing monthly cash flow, making large purchases, covering unexpected expenses, or earning valuable rewards, credit cards are the go-to payment method for most.   They’ve become so commonplace that people often forget credit cards are loans. And with any loan, the most important factor is the interest rate. However, due to heavily advertised rewards programs, the rate is rarely the deciding factor when choosing a credit card. This oversight leads many to become entangled in high-interest debt that’s difficult to manage and ultimately drops their credit score.  Whether you’re…

April 18, 2024Wallet Wins No Comments

Credit cards are one of the most popular payment methods today. Whether managing monthly cash flow, making large purchases, covering unexpected expenses, or earning valuable rewards, credit cards are the go-to payment method for most.   They’ve become so commonplace that people often forget credit cards are loans. And with any loan, the most important factor is the interest rate. However, due to heavily advertised rewards programs, the rate is rarely the deciding factor when choosing a credit card. This oversight leads many to become entangled in high-interest debt that’s difficult to manage and ultimately drops their credit score.  Whether you’re…

Creditworthiness: What It Is & Why It Matters

Navigating the world of finance can sometimes feel like deciphering a complex code, especially when faced with industry jargon. For example, creditworthiness. What exactly does it mean, and why is it such an important measure of your financial health? We’re here to help demystify creditworthiness so you can better understand its significance in securing loans and other financial products.   What Is Creditworthiness?   Creditworthiness refers to an individual’s ability to repay borrowed funds and fulfill financial obligations. It’s essentially a measure of trustworthiness in terms of managing and repaying debts, reflecting how likely you are to repay creditors. Lenders use it…

April 18, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

Navigating the world of finance can sometimes feel like deciphering a complex code, especially when faced with industry jargon. For example, creditworthiness. What exactly does it mean, and why is it such an important measure of your financial health? We’re here to help demystify creditworthiness so you can better understand its significance in securing loans and other financial products.   What Is Creditworthiness?   Creditworthiness refers to an individual’s ability to repay borrowed funds and fulfill financial obligations. It’s essentially a measure of trustworthiness in terms of managing and repaying debts, reflecting how likely you are to repay creditors. Lenders use it…

Defying Deception: Protect Yourself from Financial Scams

In today’s digital world, financial predators could be lurking around every virtual corner. Scammers live to prey on our deepest fears and capitalize on our resulting panic. Whether it’s a fraudulent email claiming your account has been compromised or a phone call insisting you owe unpaid taxes, fraudsters employ the same psychological tactics to induce fear and coerce you into immediate action.   Understanding how these predators and their tactics operate is the key to protecting yourself. In this article, we’ll reveal common aspects of financial scams and how to safeguard your accounts and money.  Fear & Scams Go Hand-in-Hand  Fear…

April 18, 2024Security Center No Comments

In today’s digital world, financial predators could be lurking around every virtual corner. Scammers live to prey on our deepest fears and capitalize on our resulting panic. Whether it’s a fraudulent email claiming your account has been compromised or a phone call insisting you owe unpaid taxes, fraudsters employ the same psychological tactics to induce fear and coerce you into immediate action.   Understanding how these predators and their tactics operate is the key to protecting yourself. In this article, we’ll reveal common aspects of financial scams and how to safeguard your accounts and money.  Fear & Scams Go Hand-in-Hand  Fear…

The Power of Auto Preapproval

The Power of Auto Preapproval  Ready for a new ride? Whether you want a change or your current car is showing signs of wear and tear, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. You’re not alone. With so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s a game-changer you might not have considered: an auto loan preapproval. At PEFCU, we call this an Express Pay Draft. It’s like having a golden ticket to a car shopping paradise, giving you the freedom to explore without stressing about your budget. So, if you’re even slightly tempted by…

April 16, 2024Borrowing Basics 2 Comments

The Power of Auto Preapproval  Ready for a new ride? Whether you want a change or your current car is showing signs of wear and tear, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. You’re not alone. With so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s a game-changer you might not have considered: an auto loan preapproval. At PEFCU, we call this an Express Pay Draft. It’s like having a golden ticket to a car shopping paradise, giving you the freedom to explore without stressing about your budget. So, if you’re even slightly tempted by…

Making the Most of Financial Windfalls

What would you do with an extra $1,000? What about $10,000? Or $100,000?   You’ve probably spent time daydreaming about what you would do if you suddenly received an unexpected financial windfall. Maybe it’s a significant work bonus, an inheritance, a lawsuit payout, or even a surprisingly large tax refund.   As you begin to envision what you could do with the extra money, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. Your heightened emotions can quickly get the best of you, leading to frivolous spending. However, managing financial windfalls like these wisely requires far more than impulsive decision-making. While it…

April 15, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

What would you do with an extra $1,000? What about $10,000? Or $100,000?   You’ve probably spent time daydreaming about what you would do if you suddenly received an unexpected financial windfall. Maybe it’s a significant work bonus, an inheritance, a lawsuit payout, or even a surprisingly large tax refund.   As you begin to envision what you could do with the extra money, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. Your heightened emotions can quickly get the best of you, leading to frivolous spending. However, managing financial windfalls like these wisely requires far more than impulsive decision-making. While it…

Key Benefits of Direct Deposit

Are you using direct deposit yet? If not, there’s virtually no reason not to make the switch. The term simply refers to your employer or other income source depositing your paycheck electronically into your account. This is a very secure process, and one that is being used by millions of people every day.  In fact, many people see direct deposit as one of their top money management tools. Your employer can usually help you set it up within a few minutes, and once in place, you never have to think about depositing another paper check again.  Why Direct Deposit Your…

March 29, 2024Wallet Wins No Comments

Are you using direct deposit yet? If not, there’s virtually no reason not to make the switch. The term simply refers to your employer or other income source depositing your paycheck electronically into your account. This is a very secure process, and one that is being used by millions of people every day.  In fact, many people see direct deposit as one of their top money management tools. Your employer can usually help you set it up within a few minutes, and once in place, you never have to think about depositing another paper check again.  Why Direct Deposit Your…

Why You Need a Preapproval

One of the most powerful tools when it comes to buying a new or pre-owned vehicle is a preapproval. With a preapproval, you’ll have the upper hand when it comes to negotiating with dealerships, you will be protected against unnecessary add-ons, and you will stay within your budget.  What Is a Preapproval?  Nowadays, you can stop by practically any dealership and buy a vehicle without applying at your financial institution first. While this might be more convenient for some people, it could also cost you quite a bit of money.  To get preapproved, all you have to do is apply…

March 29, 2024Wallet Wins 1 Comment

One of the most powerful tools when it comes to buying a new or pre-owned vehicle is a preapproval. With a preapproval, you’ll have the upper hand when it comes to negotiating with dealerships, you will be protected against unnecessary add-ons, and you will stay within your budget.  What Is a Preapproval?  Nowadays, you can stop by practically any dealership and buy a vehicle without applying at your financial institution first. While this might be more convenient for some people, it could also cost you quite a bit of money.  To get preapproved, all you have to do is apply…