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Level-up your financial literacy by taking advantage of our free blog! Enjoy topics ranging from money lifestyle tips to fun local activities for the whole family. 

Managing Your Money in Difficult Times

By: American Heritage 04.16.20 3 minute read

Things are different now, and new economic uncertainties and financial pressures are a reality for many people. We understand, and we want to help ease the financial stress you may be feeling. Even in the face of an economic recession, there are some practical steps you can take now to help boost your financial security and feel better prepared for whatever tomorrow brings.

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Spending More Time at Home? Use it to Teach Your Kids About Money

By: American Heritage 04.09.20 2 minute read

Your kids may be spending more time indoors these days, but that doesn’t mean they have to miss out on opportunities to learn and grow. April is National Financial Literacy Month and National Credit Union Youth Month, so it’s a great time to increase your child’s financial literacy. And doing so doesn’t have to be boring: There are lots of ways to make learning about spending, saving, and borrowing fun and interesting for kids of all ages. Here are a few of them:

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5 Best Ways to Use the Equity in Your Home

By: American Heritage 03.05.20 3 minute read

Sometimes, big plans come with a big price tag. Tapping the equity in your home can provide the funds you want, but is this always the smartest way to pay? It all depends on your goals. Today we’re looking at some of the best ways that homeowners put their home equity to work. But before we look at these examples, let’s start with the basics:

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Taxes 101: Brush Up on These Key Terms Before You File

By: American Heritage 02.13.20 3 minute read

Taxes. They’re one of the two certainties of life, according to former Philly resident Benjamin Franklin. And with the arrival of tax season comes the inevitable arrival of tax jargon – terms that would have even Mr. Franklin scratching his head. Whether you’re new to filing taxes or just need a refresher, we want to help you file with more confidence and less confusion. Understanding the basic tax terms and concepts will be key to filing your return quickly and accurately – and without overpaying. So, before you file your 2019 tax return, make sure you know these nine essential terms.

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Debunking 9 Common Credit Union Myths

By: American Heritage 01.30.20 3 minute read

If you’re a member of a credit union – or thinking about joining one – you’ve probably heard a well-meaning friend or relative tell you something negative they “heard” about credit unions. Unfortunately, the public sometimes gets its facts wrong about credit unions, even though our movement has millions of members worldwide. Credit unions have been around for more than 100 years, but there’s still a lot of confusion about the difference between a credit union and a bank, how credit unions work, and the benefits we offer our members. Credit unions and banks provide the same types of services, but certain characteristics set credit unions apart. Here’s the biggest difference: While banks are for-profit companies that need to earn profits for their stockholders, credit unions are not-for-profit organizations owned and operated by members. Their earnings go right back to members in the form of lower rates on loans, higher dividends on savings, fewer fees, and great service. Because each credit union member owns a share of the organization, they have equal voting rights in decisions that might affect the credit union. Members aren’t customers; they’re the boss.

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3 Tax-Advantaged Ways to Save for College

By: American Heritage 01.23.20 3 minute read

You want your child to enjoy the best opportunities, in their future career and throughout life. Supporting their higher education is one of the best ways to help make this happen. After all, it’s no secret that people who hold college degrees have a better chance of landing higher-paying jobs and earning more over their lifetime. Yet college costs are soaring: Over the last 40 years, the price of tuition and fees has increased by more than 1,100%. Not even healthcare costs have increased that quickly. Unfortunately, very few students earn enough in scholarships to cover their full education. While student loans are important, you don’t want your future college grad shouldering too much debt and struggling to make ends meet years after they’ve graduated.

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Build a Better Retirement with IRA Certificates

By: American Heritage 01.10.20 3 minute read

Saving for retirement is one of the most important things you’ll do with your money. But there are a lot of different ways to save for retirement. Choosing the best option can be confusing. If you’re looking for a simple solution that offers both steady earnings and protection for your funds, an IRA certificate could be right for you.

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