Wallet Wins

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…

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…

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…

Every year around the holidays, we put a large focus on our personal finances. Everyone is looking for deals and ways to save money. We’re budgeting for holiday gifts and planning family get-togethers. While you’re giving thanks for everything you have, we have some money-saving hacks that you can put into action right away!   Shop early, and shop sales.  Many grocery stores, like Publix, start their holiday sales early. Take advantage of those holiday sales as early as possible, as well as regular weekly sales.  Also, sometimes buying store-brand products can save you some money without sacrificing quality. In fact, many Publix branded items are produced by leading national brands.   Remember, every penny adds up!   Have a potluck…

Each industry has its own unique terminology, and insurance is no different. Below are 20 common insurance terms and definitions you may encounter when researching coverage for yourself, your family, or your personal assets.  Deductibles: A deductible is an amount you (the policyholder) agree to pay the insurance company before covering any losses. Along with your standard deductible, you’ll come across other types of deductibles for various losses, such as:  Earthquake  Flood  Wind  Hurricane  Hail  Collision Comprehensive  All-Peril Co-Pays: A co-pay is a form of coinsurance that is typically a flat fee you pay before receiving access to any medical treatment.…

At PEFCU, we aim to provide our members with financial education so you can live your best financial life. August 14 is National Financial Awareness (NFA) Day. It’s a great day to consciously think about your finances and make sure you’re on the right track. The origins of NFA Day are unknown, but the goal of it is to help people develop and instill good financial practices that will solidify their current financial status and serve them through retirement.  Taking control of your finances can seem overwhelming, but everyone has the capacity to learn sound financial principles and save up. Just making small changes to our daily habits can…

You don’t think it will ever happen to you — and then it does. You lost your wallet. And you didn’t even realize it was missing until you needed it the most.  You may naturally want to panic, but simply stay calm and take these ten steps:  Call Your Debit Card Issuer If your wallet is lost or stolen, this should be your first step: Call the financial institution that issued your debit card so that you can stop anyone who may have it from doing a lot of damage. If your PEFCU Visa® Debit Card is missing, you can call our Member Contact Center at (800) 226-6673…

Brought to you by KOFE, Knowledge of Financial Education The financial crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on people’s finances and lives overall. Parents, in particular, have faced some monumental challenges—from how to balance homeschooling with remote work to how to manage childcare as they’re called back to the office. In response to these challenges, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 expanded the Child Tax Credit, offering advance payments that are set to begin July 15. If you are a parent with qualifying child dependents in your household, these advance payments may provide crucial funds that…