Why are Share Certificates (CDs) Becoming So Popular?

Share certificates (like CDs at banks) are investment accounts that yield higher returns than traditional savings accounts. They offer a spectrum of financial perks with very little downside. Keep reading to find out if adding a share certificate to your savings plan is right for you.  What Is a Share Certificate?  Most credit unions offer three primary savings and investment accounts:   Traditional share (savings) accounts   Money market accounts   Share certificates   Among the three, share certificates generally offer the greatest yields. However, there is a tradeoff in exchange for earning higher dividends. With a share certificate, your money is locked in,…

February 1, 2023Wallet Wins No Comments
Why are Share Certificates (CDs) Becoming So Popular?

Share certificates (like CDs at banks) are investment accounts that yield higher returns than traditional savings accounts. They offer a spectrum of financial perks with very little downside. Keep reading to find out if adding a share certificate to your savings plan is right for you.  What Is a Share Certificate?  Most credit unions offer three primary savings and investment accounts:   Traditional share (savings) accounts   Money market accounts   Share certificates   Among the three, share certificates generally offer the greatest yields. However, there is a tradeoff in exchange for earning higher dividends. With a share certificate, your money is locked in,…

Uncommon Uses for a Personal Loan

Whether online, in-store, or via phone, credit cards remain one of the top payment choices among consumers. However, though credit cards are convenient, they are not always the best financing option – especially for larger ticket items. Commonly overlooked, personal loans are typically a much smarter choice that offer a slew of financial perks credit cards don’t. Discover why they are so beneficial and some of their lesser-known uses.  What is a Personal Loan?   A personal loan can be used for just about anything. These short-term loans offer flexible repayment periods, typically ranging between six months and four years. As…

February 1, 2023Borrowing Basics 2 Comments
Uncommon Uses for a Personal Loan

Whether online, in-store, or via phone, credit cards remain one of the top payment choices among consumers. However, though credit cards are convenient, they are not always the best financing option – especially for larger ticket items. Commonly overlooked, personal loans are typically a much smarter choice that offer a slew of financial perks credit cards don’t. Discover why they are so beneficial and some of their lesser-known uses.  What is a Personal Loan?   A personal loan can be used for just about anything. These short-term loans offer flexible repayment periods, typically ranging between six months and four years. As…

Galentine’s Day Ideas That Don’t Break the Bank

February 13 is officially Galentine’s Day! This year marks the 23rd anniversary since Leslie Knope coined the holiday on the TV show Parks & Recreation. Leslie liked to celebrate by taking her friends out for brunch and buying them all gifts, but we’ve got some fun ideas to help you celebrate with your friends while staying on budget.  Charcuterie Night  Host a BYOB (Bring Your Own Board) Charcuterie Night. Ask each of your friends to bring a themed charcuterie board of their choice for a fun tasting night. Examples could include fruit board with different fruits and dips, French fry…

February 1, 2023Wallet Wins No Comments
Galentine’s Day Ideas That Don’t Break the Bank

February 13 is officially Galentine’s Day! This year marks the 23rd anniversary since Leslie Knope coined the holiday on the TV show Parks & Recreation. Leslie liked to celebrate by taking her friends out for brunch and buying them all gifts, but we’ve got some fun ideas to help you celebrate with your friends while staying on budget.  Charcuterie Night  Host a BYOB (Bring Your Own Board) Charcuterie Night. Ask each of your friends to bring a themed charcuterie board of their choice for a fun tasting night. Examples could include fruit board with different fruits and dips, French fry…

Looking Back On 2022: A Year of Giving

Happy New Year, PEFCU fam! I hope you enjoyed your holidays by winding down and relaxing with your loved ones. The last few weeks of 2022 felt like a whirlwind, but alas, here we are in 2023 with promises of new beginnings and a brighter tomorrow! 😊   As you may recall, PEFCU launched its NEW community outreach program in April of 2022, and it took off like wildfire! After looking at the stats, I was personally blown away at all that PEFCU has accomplished in so little time, and so it brings me great joy to be able to share…

January 5, 2023We Are PEFCU No Comments
Looking Back On 2022: A Year of Giving

Happy New Year, PEFCU fam! I hope you enjoyed your holidays by winding down and relaxing with your loved ones. The last few weeks of 2022 felt like a whirlwind, but alas, here we are in 2023 with promises of new beginnings and a brighter tomorrow! 😊   As you may recall, PEFCU launched its NEW community outreach program in April of 2022, and it took off like wildfire! After looking at the stats, I was personally blown away at all that PEFCU has accomplished in so little time, and so it brings me great joy to be able to share…

Is a 0% APR Balance Transfer All It’s Cracked Up to Be? 

You’ve probably already heard the sweet siren song of the promotional 0% balance transfer rate. The trick is to decide whether offer an offer like this can work out for you without getting confused.  Follow these tips—and watch your step! This path might not be as enticing as it seems.  Crunch the Numbers  When you look at offers like this from big banks and credit card companies, it comes off as pretty tempting. After all, what could be better than paying no interest for several months on your debt? However, most credit card companies are not in it for your…

December 29, 2022Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments
Is a 0% APR Balance Transfer All It’s Cracked Up to Be? 

You’ve probably already heard the sweet siren song of the promotional 0% balance transfer rate. The trick is to decide whether offer an offer like this can work out for you without getting confused.  Follow these tips—and watch your step! This path might not be as enticing as it seems.  Crunch the Numbers  When you look at offers like this from big banks and credit card companies, it comes off as pretty tempting. After all, what could be better than paying no interest for several months on your debt? However, most credit card companies are not in it for your…

Why You Should Consolidate Debt in the New Year

The holiday season has come and gone. While you can’t put a price tag on the memories, you might feel the burden of the debt accrued from making those memories. If you’re a bit anxious about paying back your holiday debt, there’s a relatively easy solution – debt consolidation.   Consolidating debt may sound complicated and more intimidating than slowly paying down your current balance. However, the process is easier than you might think, and it could save you a significant amount of money long term. It’s a win-win!   What is Debt Consolidation?  Debt consolidation is transferring one or multiple loans…

December 29, 2022Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments
Why You Should Consolidate Debt in the New Year

The holiday season has come and gone. While you can’t put a price tag on the memories, you might feel the burden of the debt accrued from making those memories. If you’re a bit anxious about paying back your holiday debt, there’s a relatively easy solution – debt consolidation.   Consolidating debt may sound complicated and more intimidating than slowly paying down your current balance. However, the process is easier than you might think, and it could save you a significant amount of money long term. It’s a win-win!   What is Debt Consolidation?  Debt consolidation is transferring one or multiple loans…

Setting New Year’s [Financial] Resolutions as a Couple 

As the new year begins, people take the opportunity to start fresh. It’s a time to change habits and resolve to be better in the coming year. Living healthier, spending more time with family and friends, and bettering one’s financial position are consistently the top resolutions each year.   Even though you may have the best intentions, it can be challenging to stick with your resolutions throughout the year – especially regarding financial goals.   Accomplishing your goals becomes much easier when you do it with your partner. You get to work as a team to hit your target. That includes…

December 29, 2022Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Setting New Year’s [Financial] Resolutions as a Couple 

As the new year begins, people take the opportunity to start fresh. It’s a time to change habits and resolve to be better in the coming year. Living healthier, spending more time with family and friends, and bettering one’s financial position are consistently the top resolutions each year.   Even though you may have the best intentions, it can be challenging to stick with your resolutions throughout the year – especially regarding financial goals.   Accomplishing your goals becomes much easier when you do it with your partner. You get to work as a team to hit your target. That includes…

It’s Time for a Financial Fresh Start in 2023

It’s that time again. The potential for new beginnings, a fresh start, the opportunity to reevaluate your budget, and financial goals in 2023. While resolutions can be difficult to keep, you can make simple changes that will put you on track to smart money moves this year.  Think about your budget   A new year is a great time to consider your spending habits. This will help you make an accurate budget that reflects your lifestyle. What do you spend the most on? What do you want to put money toward? Sit down and plan what to save and spend money…

December 29, 2022Wallet Wins No Comments
It’s Time for a Financial Fresh Start in 2023

It’s that time again. The potential for new beginnings, a fresh start, the opportunity to reevaluate your budget, and financial goals in 2023. While resolutions can be difficult to keep, you can make simple changes that will put you on track to smart money moves this year.  Think about your budget   A new year is a great time to consider your spending habits. This will help you make an accurate budget that reflects your lifestyle. What do you spend the most on? What do you want to put money toward? Sit down and plan what to save and spend money…

Tips to Increase Your Credit Score

A high credit score makes it much easier to be approved for loans, make large purchases, take on financial assets, and even rent an apartment. If improving your credit score is on your “to-do” list, we have some tips that will lead to significant improvements in your score within a matter of months.   Steps to Increase Your Credit Score  Check for Errors. While you may think it’s unlikely that your credit report will contain errors, it’s more common than you may think. Regularly reviewing your credit report is essential. Take a moment and download a FREE copy of your credit…

December 1, 2022Wallet Wins 1 Comment
Tips to Increase Your Credit Score

A high credit score makes it much easier to be approved for loans, make large purchases, take on financial assets, and even rent an apartment. If improving your credit score is on your “to-do” list, we have some tips that will lead to significant improvements in your score within a matter of months.   Steps to Increase Your Credit Score  Check for Errors. While you may think it’s unlikely that your credit report will contain errors, it’s more common than you may think. Regularly reviewing your credit report is essential. Take a moment and download a FREE copy of your credit…

4 Popular Scams & How to Protect Yourself

Every day, technology becomes more prevalent in people’s lives. From working and traveling to shopping and socializing, it seems people are always connected today. But this nonstop reliance on our devices also creates a haven for fraudsters.  While online scams have been around for ages, new technologies bring additional means for fraudsters to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Scammers have even gone to such lengths as impersonating government officials or creating fraudulent marketplaces allowing them to capture your financial information.   The best way to protect yourself from becoming a fraud or identity theft victim is to understand how these scams…

December 1, 2022Security Center 1 Comment
4 Popular Scams & How to Protect Yourself

Every day, technology becomes more prevalent in people’s lives. From working and traveling to shopping and socializing, it seems people are always connected today. But this nonstop reliance on our devices also creates a haven for fraudsters.  While online scams have been around for ages, new technologies bring additional means for fraudsters to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Scammers have even gone to such lengths as impersonating government officials or creating fraudulent marketplaces allowing them to capture your financial information.   The best way to protect yourself from becoming a fraud or identity theft victim is to understand how these scams…