Unsubscribe & Save: Breaking Up with Your Subscriptions

We all have them. We know they cost a small fortune. Yet, instead of canceling subscriptions, we find ourselves subscribing to even more. Businesses across all industries have found creative ways to cash in on this profitable business model – and consumers can’t resist clicking “subscribe.”  While you and your wallet know it’s time to break up with some of your subscriptions, it’s not always as easy as it sounds. The following guide will shed light on the financial toll these monthly fees take on your budget and walk you through how to regain your hard-earned money. But first, let’s…

August 1, 2023Wallet Wins No Comments
Unsubscribe & Save: Breaking Up with Your Subscriptions

We all have them. We know they cost a small fortune. Yet, instead of canceling subscriptions, we find ourselves subscribing to even more. Businesses across all industries have found creative ways to cash in on this profitable business model – and consumers can’t resist clicking “subscribe.”  While you and your wallet know it’s time to break up with some of your subscriptions, it’s not always as easy as it sounds. The following guide will shed light on the financial toll these monthly fees take on your budget and walk you through how to regain your hard-earned money. But first, let’s…

How to Buy a Home When Rates Keep Rising

Whenever you watch the news or read the latest headlines, someone claims that homeownership is no longer attainable due to rising interest rates. But is it true? Or is it just another thing to hype in the day’s news cycle?  While interest rates are rising because of inflation, homeownership is still achievable today. Not only that, but interest rates remain historically low and affordable. The distaste for the real estate market today stems from a decade of extremely low rates – set off by the housing crisis that began in 2007. To understand what is happening in the current market,…

August 1, 2023Borrowing Basics No Comments
How to Buy a Home When Rates Keep Rising

Whenever you watch the news or read the latest headlines, someone claims that homeownership is no longer attainable due to rising interest rates. But is it true? Or is it just another thing to hype in the day’s news cycle?  While interest rates are rising because of inflation, homeownership is still achievable today. Not only that, but interest rates remain historically low and affordable. The distaste for the real estate market today stems from a decade of extremely low rates – set off by the housing crisis that began in 2007. To understand what is happening in the current market,…

Preparing for a Home Makeover

Your home is more than simply a house. It’s where you create memories with your family, entertain your friends, and relax after a hard day at work. As time passes, you want your home to keep up with your changing life and style.   Perhaps you want to finish your basement to provide more privacy for your teens. Or you want to upgrade your kitchen and back patio for entertaining guests. Maybe you’re able to work from home and want to keep your “work” and “home” separate with a designated office.   Remodeling your home is an excellent way to extend the…

July 31, 2023Future Planning 2 Comments
Preparing for a Home Makeover

Your home is more than simply a house. It’s where you create memories with your family, entertain your friends, and relax after a hard day at work. As time passes, you want your home to keep up with your changing life and style.   Perhaps you want to finish your basement to provide more privacy for your teens. Or you want to upgrade your kitchen and back patio for entertaining guests. Maybe you’re able to work from home and want to keep your “work” and “home” separate with a designated office.   Remodeling your home is an excellent way to extend the…

Top Financial Advice for Teenagers

It’s an exciting time being a teenager. You’re becoming more independent, and the time is getting closer for you to step out into the world on your own. The best thing you can do is to get a good financial head start. There are certain financial moves you can make now as a teen that will have a tremendous impact on your financial well-being. Here are some top financial tips for our teenage credit union members:  Create a Budget Creating and following a budget is one of the best skills to develop as a teenager. As you’re getting older, you…

July 10, 2023Future Planning No Comments
Top Financial Advice for Teenagers

It’s an exciting time being a teenager. You’re becoming more independent, and the time is getting closer for you to step out into the world on your own. The best thing you can do is to get a good financial head start. There are certain financial moves you can make now as a teen that will have a tremendous impact on your financial well-being. Here are some top financial tips for our teenage credit union members:  Create a Budget Creating and following a budget is one of the best skills to develop as a teenager. As you’re getting older, you…

What is a Credit Utilization Ratio & Why Does It Matter?

Building and maintaining an excellent credit score should be a top priority for every adult. A good score can create opportunities and generate significant financial savings in our world where loans and credit are commonplace. Everyone from lenders, landlords, and even some employers use your score to gauge your financial trustworthiness.   While many factors go into determining your credit score, a quick and simple way to gauge your creditworthiness is through your credit utilization ratio. Lenders use this figure to measure how much risk is involved when lending you money – ultimately, it plays a role in how much you’ll…

July 10, 2023Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments
What is a Credit Utilization Ratio & Why Does It Matter?

Building and maintaining an excellent credit score should be a top priority for every adult. A good score can create opportunities and generate significant financial savings in our world where loans and credit are commonplace. Everyone from lenders, landlords, and even some employers use your score to gauge your financial trustworthiness.   While many factors go into determining your credit score, a quick and simple way to gauge your creditworthiness is through your credit utilization ratio. Lenders use this figure to measure how much risk is involved when lending you money – ultimately, it plays a role in how much you’ll…

7 Financial Moves to Make Your First Year of College

If starting college is your first time living away from home, then there’s probably a lot on your mind. Setting out on your own means more independence and all of the responsibilities that come with it, which can be both exciting and daunting. One thing you want to keep in mind as you’re starting the transition is your finances.   Learning to manage your money early will set you up for more financial freedom later on and lead to less stress. There are steps you can take before you leave for school to secure your finances and moves you can make…

July 10, 2023Wallet Wins 2 Comments
7 Financial Moves to Make Your First Year of College

If starting college is your first time living away from home, then there’s probably a lot on your mind. Setting out on your own means more independence and all of the responsibilities that come with it, which can be both exciting and daunting. One thing you want to keep in mind as you’re starting the transition is your finances.   Learning to manage your money early will set you up for more financial freedom later on and lead to less stress. There are steps you can take before you leave for school to secure your finances and moves you can make…

How To Support Nurses in Your Community

Happy Nurses Week!  Nurses are an essential part of our healthcare system, providing vital care to patients and their families. They work tirelessly and selflessly, often in challenging and stressful environments. At PEFCU, one of our main pillars of focus is Health and Wellness, and as members of the community, we can show our appreciation and support for nurses in many ways:  Say, “Thank you” – A simple thank you can go a long way in showing appreciation for the work nurses do. It is a small gesture, but it can make a huge impact on a nurse’s day.  Send…

May 2, 2023Community Engagement No Comments
How To Support Nurses in Your Community

Happy Nurses Week!  Nurses are an essential part of our healthcare system, providing vital care to patients and their families. They work tirelessly and selflessly, often in challenging and stressful environments. At PEFCU, one of our main pillars of focus is Health and Wellness, and as members of the community, we can show our appreciation and support for nurses in many ways:  Say, “Thank you” – A simple thank you can go a long way in showing appreciation for the work nurses do. It is a small gesture, but it can make a huge impact on a nurse’s day.  Send…

Love Your Car but Not the Payments?

When you purchased your vehicle, you probably didn’t buy it on a whim. Instead, you researched vehicles to find the one that best matched your lifestyle. Perhaps you needed an SUV for your growing family. Or you wanted a car with excellent gas mileage for commuting. Regardless, your car reflects you and your personality!  But what about the payments? Buying a new car is exciting, and it’s easy to get distracted. Then, months later, you realize the payments might be more than you prefer. Luckily, lowering your auto loan payment is pretty easy through a process called refinancing.   What Is…

May 1, 2023Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments
Love Your Car but Not the Payments?

When you purchased your vehicle, you probably didn’t buy it on a whim. Instead, you researched vehicles to find the one that best matched your lifestyle. Perhaps you needed an SUV for your growing family. Or you wanted a car with excellent gas mileage for commuting. Regardless, your car reflects you and your personality!  But what about the payments? Buying a new car is exciting, and it’s easy to get distracted. Then, months later, you realize the payments might be more than you prefer. Luckily, lowering your auto loan payment is pretty easy through a process called refinancing.   What Is…

Autism Acceptance Month 2023

April is #AutismAcceptanceMonth. PEFCU’s Core Values include Care and Inclusivity. We strive to live these values every day by celebrating each person’s uniqueness, like fingerprints. This month, we will be sharing stories from PEFCU associates and their families about their experience with Autism.   Amanda & Sawyer Amanda Notheis, a Loan Operations Specialist at PEFCU, wanted to share her son Sawyer’s story. Sawyer is seven years old and was diagnosed with Autism about 2 years ago. Amanda describes Sawyer as high-functioning, which means he can still carry on a regular lifestyle and attend a mainstream school, but he is extremely sensitive…

March 20, 2023We Are PEFCU No Comments
Autism Acceptance Month 2023

April is #AutismAcceptanceMonth. PEFCU’s Core Values include Care and Inclusivity. We strive to live these values every day by celebrating each person’s uniqueness, like fingerprints. This month, we will be sharing stories from PEFCU associates and their families about their experience with Autism.   Amanda & Sawyer Amanda Notheis, a Loan Operations Specialist at PEFCU, wanted to share her son Sawyer’s story. Sawyer is seven years old and was diagnosed with Autism about 2 years ago. Amanda describes Sawyer as high-functioning, which means he can still carry on a regular lifestyle and attend a mainstream school, but he is extremely sensitive…

Land Loans: Everything you need to know.

What is a land loan?  Land loans are used to buy property without a home on it. Sometimes these are confused with construction loans, which are for people who want to build a house. The difference is that land loans are typically used by people who want to build a home in the future but may not want to jump into building and financing a home immediately.  Types of Land Loans   Unimproved Land Loan: a loan for large plots of land with no structure on them, and without a current source of water, or septic/sewer.  Improved Land Loan: a loan…

February 24, 2023Borrowing Basics, Future Planning 3 Comments
Land Loans: Everything you need to know.

What is a land loan?  Land loans are used to buy property without a home on it. Sometimes these are confused with construction loans, which are for people who want to build a house. The difference is that land loans are typically used by people who want to build a home in the future but may not want to jump into building and financing a home immediately.  Types of Land Loans   Unimproved Land Loan: a loan for large plots of land with no structure on them, and without a current source of water, or septic/sewer.  Improved Land Loan: a loan…