Don’t Get Hooked by a Phishing Attack If you have Internet access, you may be under attack--a phishing attack, that is. This high-tech scam involves ...
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November 2, 2006 Set Goals

Successful credit management helps you achieve your goals. Before we focus on credit cards, let’s look at the bigger picture. What do you want for you and your family?

To help you answer this question, first inventory what you have and what you owe.
By completing this financial inventory, you’ll have a snapshot of where you are financially. Use the link on the coach to calculate net worth.
Now that you know where you stand with your finances, what do you want to achieve? Short-term goals are those you hope to accomplish in a year or less. Long-term goals may take longer. Try sorting these common goals.

Short Term

• Buy a TV or stereo.
• Pay off credit cards.
• Build an emergency fund.
• Pay for a vacation.
• Buy a car.

Long Term

• Buy a home.
• Save for children’s college education.
• Buy a vacation home.
• Quit second job.
• Retire early.

Now think about your own goals.

For more information like this please go to our Financial Resources page and click on Anytime Advisor.
April 6, 2008 It's possible to have too many credit cards. Experts recommend having no more than one or two major credit cards, a charge-only card, and a store card if you shop seomwhere frequently. Having more than that can make you look credit-hungry to lenders (which could hurt your credit score) and experts advise that it's difficult to keep track of more than three or four cards. Source: "Card Sharp," Real Simple. (December 2007.)
September 26, 2007 Did You Know? Due to a recent Federal Reserve change, merchants are no longer required to give customers a receipt for a transaction of $15 or less. You might notice this the next time you visit your local coffeehouse or fast food place. No worry, it’s easy to track your purchases through Online Banking.
November 2, 2006 Home Buying Process

There are several steps to finding and buying a home. Your challenge is to put the home buying steps in the correct order.

1. Determine what you want.
2. Visit CU to learn what you can afford.
3. Find a real-estate agent.
4. Identify a house to pursue.
5. Negotiate the price.
6. Have the house inspected.
7. Apply for a mortgage.
8. Lender will get an appraisal.
9. Purchase homeowner’s insurance.
10. Close the deal.

Great work! Now you can determine what you’re looking for in a house.

Set Priorities

A house may be the most expensive purchase you’ll make, but it’s not flexible. You can’t return it for a full refund after a week if you decide it doesn’t suit you. This purchase requires a great deal of thought.

More information like this can be found on our Financial Resources page and click on Anytime Advisor.
October 13, 2006 Protect yourself from Identity Theft! Never give out personal information in emails, unless it is from a trusted source.
October 13, 2006 Protect your good name by checking your credit report at least once a year.
December 13, 2006 Don’t Get Hooked by a Phishing Attack If you have Internet access, you may be under attack--a phishing attack, that is. This high-tech scam involves three components: Spoofing is creating a replica of an existing Web site. Spamming is unsolicited, or “junk” e-mail. Phishing is the act of using spoofing and spamming to lure unsuspecting victims, hoping to deceive you into disclosing your Social Security number, credit card and checking account numbers, passwords, or other sensitive information. The Federal Trade Commission recommends the following tips to help you avoid getting hooked: 1. If you get a pop-up or e-mail message requesting personal or financial information, don’t reply or click on the link in the message. Legitimate companies won’t ask for this information. 2. Be cautious about opening attachments or downloading files from e-mail messages. 3. Never send personal information via e-mail. Look for a closed padlock at the bottom of your browser window, or a URL that begins with “https”--the “s” stands for secure. However, some phishers forge these security icons. 4. Review statements for accuracy as you receive them. If they’re late, call the company to confirm billing address and balance. 5. Use antivirus software and keep it up-to-date. Run a firewall, particularly if you have a broadband connection. Take advantage of free software “patches.” 6. Report suspicious activity to the FTC at www.ftc.gov, and forward suspicious messages to spam@uce.gov. Copyright 2004 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice. For use with members of a single credit union. All other rights reserved
February 27, 2007 Save your loose change. Putting aside fifty cents a day over the course of a year will allow you to save nearly $200.
February 27, 2007 Keep track of your spending. At least once a month, use credit card, checking, and other records to review what you've purchased. Then, ask yourself if it makes sense to reallocate some of this spending to an savings account.
February 27, 2007 Never purchase expensive items on impulse. Think over each expensive purchase for at least 24 hours. Acting on this principle will mean you have far fewer regrets about impulse purchases, and far more money for your savings.

  
 


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