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Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Honoring His Words

By: American Heritage 01.12.23 3 minute read Culture

Each January, we celebrate the wisdom and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., whose fight and vision for a better society left a lasting mark on the nation and still inspire many to this day. Though his “I Have a Dream” speech is perhaps his most famous, King gave over 2,500 speeches in his lifetime and was full of powerful truths and beliefs that can guide us toward more meaningful, impactful living today.

To celebrate MLK Day 2023, we have gathered some of our favorite actionable Martin Luther King quotes to help you honor everything he did for our country.

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6 Ways to Save Big With Post-Holiday Sales

By: American Heritage 12.27.22 2 minute read Holiday Savings & Budgeting

If you didn’t snag all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals you were hoping for — or if you didn’t receive everything on your own wish list over the holidays — don’t worry. There are a ton of awesome shopping deals to be had after Christmas. With some planning, patience, and strategic shopping, you can score deep discounts from both big-box stores and mom-and-pop businesses trying to reduce their inventory and make room for new items in the new year. Here are some savings you can look forward to after Santa returns to the North Pole.

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Becoming More Mindful About Money

By: American Heritage 12.22.22 3 minute read Savings & Budgeting

Planning any New Year’s resolutions for 2023? Along with goals like eating healthier and exercising more, money-related resolutions are common. If you’ve committed to tackling debt or saving more in the coming year, that’s great news.

Here’s how you can take this goal even further: Try becoming more mindful about your money. It’s a personal change that could really pay off, and not just financially.

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What We’re Thankful for This Year

By: American Heritage 11.23.22 3 minute read Holiday Culture

The brisk changing of the seasons and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday gives us a chance to look back at the year and reflect on the things we’re most grateful for. Here at American Heritage Credit Union, 2022 has brought us many new experiences, relationships, and opportunities to advance our mission in the communities we serve.

Here are some memorable highlights:

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What’s the Best Way to Pay for the Holidays?

By: American Heritage 11.10.22 3 minute read Savings & Budgeting

The holidays are right around the corner, and you likely already started your holiday shopping. As much as you’d like to give your loved ones everything on their wish list, the cost of gifts, decorations, travel, and other holiday festivities can really add up. However, with a little bit of planning and responsible spending, you can celebrate the holiday season and keep your budget intact.

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Scare Off Scammers With These Halloween Security Tips

By: American Heritage 10.13.22 3 minute read Holiday Security

Ghosts, goblins, witches, and vampires – everyone knows All Hallows’ Eve is full of creepy creatures. But the scariest of them all may be scammers who try to trick you into revealing your sensitive personal information. Millions of Americans have their identities stolen or compromised each year, and dealing with the aftermath of identity theft and fraud is no treat.

In honor of both Halloween and Cybersecurity Awareness Month, check out these tips to stay safe online and protect yourself from cybercriminals.

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Celebrating Credit Unions Worldwide

By: American Heritage 10.06.22 3 minute read Policy & Economy

When you think of credit unions, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind?

Maybe it’s the great deal you got on your auto loan or the great rate you earn with your savings. Maybe you think of your credit union’s strong ties with its community.

All these things are hallmarks of the credit union experience. But your local credit union is also part of something much bigger. It’s a worldwide movement.

You might be familiar with some of the things that make credit unions unique. They’re democratically controlled, not-for-profit financial cooperatives that are owned by their members. Instead of being driven by profits, credit unions are built on the philosophy of “people helping people” and focused on supporting their members’ financial well-being.

It’s an idea that goes way back. In feudal Japan, lending cooperatives helped members pool money to access interest-free short-term loans. By the late 1800s, the earliest examples of modern-day credit unions were springing up across Europe. In both cities and rural communities, these cooperatives helped everyday people participate in a banking system for the first time.

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Want to Use Your Home Equity? You’ve Got Options.

By: American Heritage 09.15.22 3 minute read Home & Mortgage

You already have lots of reasons to love your home. Here’s one more: Your home is also one of your most powerful financial tools — because of your home equity.

Your equity is the portion of your home that you own (as opposed to your mortgage lender). If you’ve been making mortgage payments for some time, you’ve probably built significant equity. And thanks to home equity financing options, you can take advantage of your investment without selling your place.

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Does Money Buy Happiness?

By: American Heritage 09.08.22 2 minute read Culture Savings & Budgeting

Money can’t buy happiness — is that even true?

When it comes to wealth and well-being, great minds think differently. Arthur Schopenhauer once declared, “Money alone is absolutely good,” while Seneca the Younger cautioned, “Money has never yet made anyone rich.” Perhaps a balanced perspective is needed — and as the legendary financial commentator Louis Rukeyser once quipped, “The best way to keep money in perspective is to have some.”

Indeed, while most research confirms that the constant pursuit of riches leads to diminishing returns, achieving financial stability can definitely make life better. Probably the best-known study on this topic, conducted by Nobel laureates Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton, found that Americans’ emotional well-being rises with annual income up to about $75,000, at which point more cash doesn’t equal more laughter or less stress.

Meanwhile, other researchers have discovered that the relationship between money and happiness has less to do with how much you make than what you make of it. Wondering what financial habits are most likely to bring you joy? Here are five smile-inducing strategies to consider:

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Budgeting Tips to Stay Ahead of Inflation

By: American Heritage 08.04.22 3 minute read Savings & Budgeting

If you did a double-take the last time you checked out at the store or paid at the pump, you’re not alone. Right now, inflation is in overdrive, and people are feeling the pinch in their wallets. Inflation may be out of your control, but you can act to take the sting out of rising prices.

But first, let’s look at a few basics.

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