Credit Union Blog

It’s never too early to start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions, especially after a busy month of holiday spending! For some, this might mean making goals to eat healthier, stop smoking, read more books, or lose some weight. For others — it’s all about saving money. 

Big credit card corporations spend an enormous amount of time and energy marketing their products in ways that seem cost-effective to consumers. Offers such as promotional discounts, rewards, zero-interest balance transfers, and even cash-back appear to be an excellent way to gain a benefit. But too often, everyday people get tripped up and have a monthly balance you can’t quite pay off. It’s important for consumers to be wary of rising credit card debt that may result from your excitement about taking advantage of perks.

Securing a credit card and utilizing it each month can be a tremendously effective strategy to build a robust credit score. While other borrowing and repayment options are also part and parcel of a diverse financial portfolio, using a credit card to build credit may just get you the most bang for your buck. That’s because swiping plastic involves new purchases and regular repayments. The overall view of credit agencies about people who make timely payments is that you are a trustworthy borrower and financial planner. Building credit with a credit card positions you for more lucrative loan products.

When people are looking for a credit card, there are a lot of factors that need to be considered. While many people are familiar with how important it is to consider interest rates, annual fees, and penalties, it is also a good idea to take a look at the rewards that the card offers. Credit card companies make money when their customers swipe their cards. Therefore, they will often offer rewards to incentivize the customer to use their card.

Consumers can almost tell what time of year and month it is by the seasonal sales advertisements. We live in an age where there are literally “shopping holidays” such as Black Friday. We all know that one occurs the day after Thanksgiving, and the savings can be huge. Other industries also promote certain times to buy. Real estate tends to be hot during the summer months because families often want their children to start fresh at the beginning of the school year.

Dealerships are one of the last strongholds of pure price negotiation. Negotiating a price on a new truck, however, isn't like deciding on a price with a private seller; the dynamic of negotiating at a dealership is much different. A truck salesperson deals with hundreds of negotiations every year and they really know their stuff, while the average person shopping for a new truck only does so once every several years. 

While casual dress codes are gaining ground in the workplace, job applicants shouldn't put away their power suits just yet, according to research from global staffing firm Accountemps.

For many people, texting is the favored – and sometimes only – way to connect with friends and family. Now research from Robert Half Technology suggests that it may also be a common communication method between employers and job candidates.

More and more travelers are returning home missing something of significance, according to a national survey on traveling with jewelry conducted by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group.

Meals on Wheels America is expanding a research program showing how Meals on Wheels drivers can use a mobile app to alert care coordinators about observed changes in homebound meal clients' physical or mental health, social needs or home environment.