In this new series, we take a look at the inner workings of the Credit Union and meet some of the champions who help our members in every facet of their financial lives. This month, we met up with experts Devon Yoak and Christian Suarez, who are working together to bring a new project to life. This project, known as VANA, our Video Advisor service, is an exciting new communication channel for members near and far.
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Cash gifts are the perfect solution for the ones on your list who have it all. More flexible than a gift card, giving cash allows the recipient to make the important decision of how to spend it. Generally regarded as last-minute or impersonal, cash gifts can be a welcome relief among closer, familial relationships. Everyone has an idea for what they would do with an unexpected check or winning lottery ticket, so why not give the freedom of choice?
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‘Tis the season to be careful. Amidst the holiday deals, package deliveries, and charity donations, danger lurks. No one wants to ruin their holiday cheer with a headache and a disputed credit card charge, but a little caution goes a long way. Due to current world circumstances, many are choosing to do the bulk of their shopping online this year. While avoiding the crowd can keep you safe in one way, you still need to protect yourself on the web. Here are some common scams you can expect to see this holiday:
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The holidays are a season of charity and generosity. With this spirit of giving, it is easy to overindulge and buy a gift for everyone in our lives. Though we never want to discourage kindness, overextending your finances for the sake of the holidays isn’t a wise financial decision. We've compiled some resources and tips to help navigate this potentially challenging holiday season:
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A credit card balance transfer makes a high-interest credit card balance (or balances) more manageable by transferring that balance to a new credit card with a lower interest rate. For added savings, some balance transfer offers include a lower introductory rate for a limited amount of time or sometimes even the life of the balance. Balance transfers can help you get out of debt faster and make multiple payments easier to manage.
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Just in time for October, the CDC has put forth a list of ways to join in the autumn activities while keeping your friends and family safe. We’ve taken the highlights and expanded upon them to inspire this year’s fun:
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School transitioning to online-only or a hybrid environment last semester may have caught you and your students off guard. Going from a dedicated classroom environment to staying home, distractions and all, can affect a student’s morale, grades, and mental health. Add in parents and siblings who may also be working or learning at home, the school year and summer vacation blending together, the absence of a teacher’s watchful eye, and you have a recipe for a poor learning experience. With many local school districts planning to utilize online classrooms – at least through the first marking period – students can anticipate learning from home this fall. Use this extra time to prepare for the upcoming school year to achieve bigger successes and stay more on track with the following ideas:
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When selling your home, you want the process to go as smoothly as possible with the help of a trusted team to guide you. Naturally, you’ll want to get the most value for your property, too, for future investments or home purchases. Like purchasing a home, selling your home will include various fees. Most sales are completed with the assistance of a real estate agent or broker. These agents make their money by earning commission on each sale and only get paid once a home has sold. This commission is paid by the seller during closing. Also known as the broker fee, the commission covers the work that the agent does during the selling process, such as marketing the home, negotiating with potential buyers, attending inspections and appraisals, closing the sale, and more. In recent years, the average commission has remained between 5-6% and is typically split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent for their various services. In order to maximize your profits when selling, then, avoid paying too much for these fees. For an idea of how much you can save, check out the following chart:
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So, this summer isn’t going exactly the way you could have expected. Maybe your plans have changed, trips and events have been canceled, and now the point of the season seems lost. Still, there are ways to spend the warmer months making memories and having fun, even if things feel a little unconventional! Here are 5 ideas for how to stay busy this summer:
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