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Posted on June 04, 2019 by Kaylyn Maher
Whether you’re a parent or a soon-to-be high school graduate, the rising tuition cost of colleges and universities is overwhelming. There’s often a gap between the amount of funding a student receives and the cost of their chosen school, adding to the stress of the college experience. Many of you are all too aware of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) process. For some though, the federal borrowing limits will be too low, or you just won’t qualify. In those cases, private student loans may be a good option for you. Offered by private lenders, these loans can be used for tuition, books and supplies, or living expenses. Before you apply for a private student loan, you should ask yourself a couple of questions:
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Posted on April 02, 2019 by Jake Ward
April is National Credit Union Youth Month! There is not a better time to talk to your kids about money, encourage them to save, and open them a youth savings account if you haven't already!
I've had the privilege to talk to students of all ages about money, cash, cheddar...you get it. The biggest takeaway is that a lot of kids are left in the dark in terms of some basic financial concepts. I am shocked by the number of teenagers who have not had a bank account or know if they have one.
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Posted on February 28, 2019 by Brooke Keck
Buying a house is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make. It can be scary—not just because you don’t want to have buyer’s remorse with such a huge purchase, but also because it’s a complex process with lots of terms you’ve never heard before. Suddenly people are talking about "points" and "closing costs" and "escrow." Worse—they’re looking at you like you know what they’re talking about! Here’s the good news: we have a great mortgage team at R.I.A. FCU and we want to help you. Let’s start with a few basic tips:
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Posted on February 01, 2019 by Jake Ward
Last year, more than 70% of Americans got a refund on their federal income taxes. Are you one of the many who’s expecting a tax refund this year? There are a lot of smart choices that you can make with your refund. Let’s go over a few:
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Savings
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Real World: Dollars and Sense
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Personal Finance
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Posted on January 15, 2019 by Jake Ward
If you’re reading this, it’s either because you’re getting married, or a loved one is and you’re helping to pay for the wedding. Either way, congratulations! There are few life events happier than a wedding. At some point, though, you may find that the stress of wedding expenses clouds some of the joyousness of the occasion. It doesn’t have to be that way! Here are a few tips to help you manage that wedding budget and reduce your stress level.
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Savings
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Real World: Dollars and Sense
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Personal Finance
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Posted on January 02, 2019 by Jake Ward
Experts will tell you that you should have 3-6 months of living expenses saved up in case of an emergency. That’s great advice and definitely something to aspire to. But for many people, that goal is just too far-reaching, and can be so overwhelming that they’re discouraged from saving at all. If that’s you, then we encourage you to start with a smaller savings goal. For example, did you know that the typical loan from a payday lender is $300-$400? But if you have to borrow from a payday lender, the fees you pay to borrow the money can equal an annual percentage rate of 300-400%. That can be extremely difficult to overcome, especially for people living paycheck to paycheck. So if you are currently one of approximately 25% of Americans with little to no savings, now is a great time to change that! We encourage you to set a savings goal, even a small one that will keep you away from payday lenders. Once you develop a habit of savings, it will get much easier. Trust me.
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Savings
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Real World: Dollars and Sense
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Personal Finance
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Posted on November 14, 2018 by Jake Ward
The holiday season is in full swing! Everyone is carrying out their favorite traditions – family time, decorating, and volunteering to name a few. But the holiday season also means that you’re typically dishing out more money for gifts, travel, and other expenses. This season can become costly, and therefore stressful, really quick. Check out our best practices for holiday spending so that your bank account doesn’t take a big hit.
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Posted on October 01, 2018 by Jake Ward
October 18th is International Credit Union Day! This day was established in 1948 to reflect on the credit union movement’s history, promote its achievements, and to share member experiences.
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