Blog

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. 

Saving for Your Education: Understanding a 529 Plan

By: John Lutz 05.29.25 4 minute read

Education is a right deserved by all citizens. But as foundational as education may be, it might not be accessible at all levels for everyone, especially for higher education. While you may be familiar with student loans, grants, and scholarships, there are other paths you can seek to save for your goals. One of these options is an educational savings account, commonly known as a 529 Plan.

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Managing Your Finances & Your Mental Health

By: John Lutz 05.15.25 4 minute read

Do you often find yourself stressed over finances? If you do, you’re not alone. In a 2023 study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, around 57% of Americans consider finances to be the biggest stressor in their lives. With many throughout the world living paycheck-to-paycheck, these findings aren’t too surprising. So what can you do to manage both your finances and your mental health?

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Is a Personal Loan Right for You?

By: John Lutz 04.15.25 4 minute read

Life is full of ups and downs. Milestone events like weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and birthdays are exciting moments of growth and love. But then there are the curveballs that life throws, such as unexpected medical emergencies or major car or home repairs. While these events vary significantly in terms of emotion, they are similar in at least one way—each costs money.

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Ask the Experts: Gigi

By: John Lutz 03.31.25 3 minute read

We know how busy life can be. Accessibility and convenience are key when it comes to several aspects of your life, especially your finances. You want to have peace of mind knowing you can easily access your accounts and receive the support you may need with your banking. Here at American Heritage, we recently introduced a new tool to help in these matters.

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Don't Tax My Credit Union

By: John Lutz 03.27.25 4 minute read

You may have noticed a lot of recent discussion regarding taxes on credit unions. Lawmakers and the current administration are currently discussing tax reform. As a piece of that discussion, they’re looking at changing the credit union federal income tax status. As a member of a credit union, this isn’t just a tax on your financial institution—it’s a tax on you.

Credit unions pay billions in state and local taxes each year. If Congress moves ahead with this revision and taxes the profits on credit unions, this will directly affect you as a member. These profits are returned to you in the form of fewer fees, better rates on loans, and higher dividend earnings.

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How to Budget and Save Wisely with American Heritage Credit Union

By: John Lutz 02.27.25 4 minute read

When did you last deposit money into your savings account? Do you have a budget in place to help pay off your credit card? This week is National America Saves Week, so now is the perfect time to consider these questions and more! National America Saves Week marks a time to explore savings account options, evaluate your budget, and work towards reducing your debt.

Beginning in 2007, National America Saves Week was introduced by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) to encourage Americans to save money and work towards financial stability and wellness. While it may sometimes be difficult to take a hard and in-depth look at your finances, this week presents an excellent opportunity to set yourself up for financial success in 2025 and beyond!

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Top 5 Things to Do in Philadelphia In Winter 2025

By: John Lutz 02.06.25 3 minute read
 

Have you and your family been searching for that perfect budget-friendly activity this winter? There are plenty of fun, educational activities and venues to explore around Philadelphia. And as an added plus, none of these events will break your wallet! Some even provide a discount for American Heritage members.

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Understanding Identity Theft and How to Protect Yourself

By: John Lutz 01.30.25 4 minute read
 

Identity theft, as well as other types of fraud, are far too common. In fact, more than 230,000 reports of identity theft were received by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone. But as with any type of fraud, you can protect yourself by understanding hacker’s methods and the ways in which you can protect yourself and your personal data.

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Understanding Your Credit Score & How to Improve It

By: John Lutz 01.23.25 4 minute read

If you’ve ever applied for a loan or a credit card, chances are you have had your credit score looked at. Lenders assess your credit score as a measure of the kind of borrower you are—how likely you are to pay them back, keep up with monthly payments, etc. But what exactly is a credit score, and what factors impact whether you have a good or a poor score?

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