Black History Month

In 2021 we discussed the rich history of the Black community’s relationship with banking. You can read that blog here: A Celebration of Black History. This year, we’re highlighting some of the major players in the history of the cooperative banking movement.   First, let’s talk about Thomas Patterson, the founder of Piedmont Credit Union. Piedmont CU was one of the first (if not THE first) African American Credit Unions in the United States. Thomas Patterson was a farmer in North Carolina. He wrote about the struggles of being a farmer, while Jim Crow laws were prevalent, in an article published…

January 28, 2022We Are PEFCU No Comments
Black History Month

In 2021 we discussed the rich history of the Black community’s relationship with banking. You can read that blog here: A Celebration of Black History. This year, we’re highlighting some of the major players in the history of the cooperative banking movement.   First, let’s talk about Thomas Patterson, the founder of Piedmont Credit Union. Piedmont CU was one of the first (if not THE first) African American Credit Unions in the United States. Thomas Patterson was a farmer in North Carolina. He wrote about the struggles of being a farmer, while Jim Crow laws were prevalent, in an article published…

4 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Equity 

How is home equity calculated? Basically, it’s your home’s current value, minus the amount you owe on it. The equation would look something like this:  The current value of your home: $200,000  – Remaining mortgage balance: $125,000  = Home Equity: $  75,000  But, building home equity takes time. Each month, a portion of your mortgage payment goes toward the loan principal. You build equity as your principal decreases, which usually occurs over many years. If you want to speed up the process so you can build equity faster, here are four things you can do.  Make a Larger Down Payment The…

January 18, 2022Future Planning No Comments
4 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Equity 

How is home equity calculated? Basically, it’s your home’s current value, minus the amount you owe on it. The equation would look something like this:  The current value of your home: $200,000  – Remaining mortgage balance: $125,000  = Home Equity: $  75,000  But, building home equity takes time. Each month, a portion of your mortgage payment goes toward the loan principal. You build equity as your principal decreases, which usually occurs over many years. If you want to speed up the process so you can build equity faster, here are four things you can do.  Make a Larger Down Payment The…

Why You Should Try the 50/30/20 Budget

Creating a budget can often seem so complex. The more complicated it seems, the less likely you may be to make the effort. But you need some type of budget to help keep your spending in check and to ensure progress toward your short- and long-term financial goals.   If you’re new at creating a budget — or have been putting it off for fear of messing it up because you don’t fully understand what it is you’re supposed to do — consider the simplified 50/30/20 budget instead.   Why Is the 50/30/20 Budget So Popular?  Shakespeare once said, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” It rings true today — especially when it comes to creating a budget.   The 50/30/20 budget is…

January 11, 2022Wallet Wins 1 Comment
Why You Should Try the 50/30/20 Budget

Creating a budget can often seem so complex. The more complicated it seems, the less likely you may be to make the effort. But you need some type of budget to help keep your spending in check and to ensure progress toward your short- and long-term financial goals.   If you’re new at creating a budget — or have been putting it off for fear of messing it up because you don’t fully understand what it is you’re supposed to do — consider the simplified 50/30/20 budget instead.   Why Is the 50/30/20 Budget So Popular?  Shakespeare once said, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” It rings true today — especially when it comes to creating a budget.   The 50/30/20 budget is…

Shop Smarter: Best Times to Buy

We’ve scoped out the best times of year to buy some higher-ticket items so that YOU can save money throughout the year and stay on budget. Each month is listed with items that are most likely to be priced the best they will be all year, plus we’ve included the holidays when you’ll find major sales. Make sure to plan your shopping calendar and your budget accordingly!  January  Electronics: There are typically sales AFTER Christmas to encourage additional purchases after the holidays. You’ll probably find that some of your favorite electronics are on sale.  Fitness Equipment: Retailers know that people make resolutions to…

January 10, 2022Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments
Shop Smarter: Best Times to Buy

We’ve scoped out the best times of year to buy some higher-ticket items so that YOU can save money throughout the year and stay on budget. Each month is listed with items that are most likely to be priced the best they will be all year, plus we’ve included the holidays when you’ll find major sales. Make sure to plan your shopping calendar and your budget accordingly!  January  Electronics: There are typically sales AFTER Christmas to encourage additional purchases after the holidays. You’ll probably find that some of your favorite electronics are on sale.  Fitness Equipment: Retailers know that people make resolutions to…

4 Tips to Pay Off Your Holiday Credit Card Debt

If you’re struggling with holiday credit card debt, it might feel like you’re drowning in quicksand. The more you fight to get out of this high-interest debt, the deeper you get, it seems.   But there’s a lifeline! There are practical things you can do to pull yourself out of credit card debt, once and for all. These four real-life tips can help you out:   1. Stop Using Your Credit Cards. You must understand and accept that unpaid credit card debt is bad for you financially and must be corrected. If you’ve been using your credit cards to fill in financial gaps, now is the time to break the habit for good and vow never to return.    This sounds much simpler than it is.  Do these three…

December 27, 2021Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments
4 Tips to Pay Off Your Holiday Credit Card Debt

If you’re struggling with holiday credit card debt, it might feel like you’re drowning in quicksand. The more you fight to get out of this high-interest debt, the deeper you get, it seems.   But there’s a lifeline! There are practical things you can do to pull yourself out of credit card debt, once and for all. These four real-life tips can help you out:   1. Stop Using Your Credit Cards. You must understand and accept that unpaid credit card debt is bad for you financially and must be corrected. If you’ve been using your credit cards to fill in financial gaps, now is the time to break the habit for good and vow never to return.    This sounds much simpler than it is.  Do these three…

9 Things to Consider When Buying a Car 

9 Things to Consider When Buying a Car  Whether you’re in the market for your first car, or it’s just been a while since your last vehicle purchase, you may have some questions. We put together a list of nine things you should keep in mind as you prepare to buy your car.   1. Set Your Budget  Consider how much you want to spend on your vehicle. If you’re taking out an auto loan, think about how much you want to spend on your monthly payment. Don’t forget to include tax, tags, and auto insurance in the cost. Here is an easy-to-use auto loan calculator…

December 27, 2021Borrowing Basics No Comments
9 Things to Consider When Buying a Car 

9 Things to Consider When Buying a Car  Whether you’re in the market for your first car, or it’s just been a while since your last vehicle purchase, you may have some questions. We put together a list of nine things you should keep in mind as you prepare to buy your car.   1. Set Your Budget  Consider how much you want to spend on your vehicle. If you’re taking out an auto loan, think about how much you want to spend on your monthly payment. Don’t forget to include tax, tags, and auto insurance in the cost. Here is an easy-to-use auto loan calculator…

Hacks to Keep Your Financial Resolutions

Every January, it’s the same deal: You resolve to save more money, pay off your debts, and get your financial situation in order. Then February comes along, and you’re back to your old habits. If you’ve broken New Year’s resolutions in the past, you’re not alone. The vast majority of people give up on their resolutions within the first month of the year.  But this year can be different. With a few adjustments to your thinking and a few small hacks, you can make sure that your resolutions actually stick.    Start Small  If you usually start the year off with a big goal, only…

December 27, 2021Wallet Wins No Comments
Hacks to Keep Your Financial Resolutions

Every January, it’s the same deal: You resolve to save more money, pay off your debts, and get your financial situation in order. Then February comes along, and you’re back to your old habits. If you’ve broken New Year’s resolutions in the past, you’re not alone. The vast majority of people give up on their resolutions within the first month of the year.  But this year can be different. With a few adjustments to your thinking and a few small hacks, you can make sure that your resolutions actually stick.    Start Small  If you usually start the year off with a big goal, only…

PEFCU Holiday Club Account 

We get it; the holidays just ended. We’re sure the last thing you want to think about is the hustle and bustle of the next holiday. But here’s one reason why you should: PEFCU Holiday Club Account. Taking just a few minutes to open this account could save you some serious $$ next December.   Here’s the scoop: When you open a PEFCU Holiday Club Account, you’ll have all year to save the money you need for the next holiday season. With this account, you get to decide the frequency and amount of your deposit. To make it easy, we even offer convenient distribution of your payroll direct deposits.  For example, assume the annual percentage yield (APY) is 0.05% (this is subject to change each Tuesday). If you start depositing $10 from each…

December 20, 2021Future Planning, Wallet Wins 7 Comments
PEFCU Holiday Club Account 

We get it; the holidays just ended. We’re sure the last thing you want to think about is the hustle and bustle of the next holiday. But here’s one reason why you should: PEFCU Holiday Club Account. Taking just a few minutes to open this account could save you some serious $$ next December.   Here’s the scoop: When you open a PEFCU Holiday Club Account, you’ll have all year to save the money you need for the next holiday season. With this account, you get to decide the frequency and amount of your deposit. To make it easy, we even offer convenient distribution of your payroll direct deposits.  For example, assume the annual percentage yield (APY) is 0.05% (this is subject to change each Tuesday). If you start depositing $10 from each…

Hacks to Keep Your Financial Resolutions   

Every January, it’s the same deal: You resolve to save more money, pay off your debts, and get your financial situation in order. Then February comes along, and you’re back to your old habits. If you’ve broken New Year’s resolutions in the past, you’re not alone. The vast majority of people give up on their resolutions within the first month of the year.  But this year can be different. With a few adjustments to your thinking and a few small hacks, you can make sure that your resolutions actually stick.   Start Small  If you usually start the year off with a big goal, only…

December 20, 2021Future Planning No Comments
Hacks to Keep Your Financial Resolutions   

Every January, it’s the same deal: You resolve to save more money, pay off your debts, and get your financial situation in order. Then February comes along, and you’re back to your old habits. If you’ve broken New Year’s resolutions in the past, you’re not alone. The vast majority of people give up on their resolutions within the first month of the year.  But this year can be different. With a few adjustments to your thinking and a few small hacks, you can make sure that your resolutions actually stick.   Start Small  If you usually start the year off with a big goal, only…

Tips for Lowering Stress During the Holidays 

While holidays are a time for cheer and spending time with family, many also experience heightened levels of stress. With all that has happened this year, you may find yourself more overwhelmed than usual as the holidays approach.   However, even in these unsettling times, there are things you can do to help reduce your stress during the holidays. Below are some tips to help you get through the holidays as stress-free as possible.   Ask people to pitch in when you host holiday events. Instead of providing all the food yourself, ask others to prepare and bring a dish to help out. If you have guests that don’t cook, consider asking…

December 2, 2021Wallet Wins No Comments
Tips for Lowering Stress During the Holidays 

While holidays are a time for cheer and spending time with family, many also experience heightened levels of stress. With all that has happened this year, you may find yourself more overwhelmed than usual as the holidays approach.   However, even in these unsettling times, there are things you can do to help reduce your stress during the holidays. Below are some tips to help you get through the holidays as stress-free as possible.   Ask people to pitch in when you host holiday events. Instead of providing all the food yourself, ask others to prepare and bring a dish to help out. If you have guests that don’t cook, consider asking…