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BUYING A HOUSE
CREDIT SCORES
DEBT CONSOLIDATION
FINANCIAL EDUCATION
FINANCIAL PROTECTION
IDENTITY THEFT
MONEY MANAGEMENT
OUR STORY
Planning for Death
November 1, 2024

PLANNING FOR DEATH

Nobody likes thinking about death, but planning ahead can make a big difference for the loved ones you leave behind. It’s not just about emotional…

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October 15, 2024

SPOTTING AND STOPPING SPAM TEXTS

In our digital world, where we rely on our phones for everything from banking to shopping to catching up with friends, spam and scam texts…

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Extra Income Options
September 18, 2024

BOOST YOUR SAVINGS: IDEAS FOR INCREASING YOUR INCOME

Looking to boost your savings? Finding ways to earn extra income can be a game-changer. Here, we're sharing do-able options for earning additional cash that…

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Data Breaches
August 28, 2024

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM DATA BREACHES

In the digital age, everything is made just a little bit easier. You can hop online or pull up an app to order lunch, shop…

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Kids Money Habits
August 14, 2024

WAYS TO HELP YOUR KIDS BUILD BETTER MONEY HABITS

Do you remember how you first started learning about money? Was it by setting up a lemonade stand? Selling homemade items? Or maybe just watching…

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Credit Report
July 24, 2024

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT REPORT

Maintaining your credit requires regular monitoring and proactive management. In this blog, you'll meet two friends, Oliver and Jesse, who take different approaches to managing…

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July 11, 2024

AMAZON PRIME DAY SCAMS

Amazon Prime Day is a great time to find amazing deals on various products. This is also a great opportunity for scammers to do what…

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Elder Fraud
July 1, 2024

ELDER FRAUD

Every year, countless elderly Americans become victims of various financial scams including but not limited to romance, lottery, and sweepstakes scams. Scammers establish trust with…

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Family Saving for a Share Certificate
June 18, 2024

WHAT IS A SHARE CERTIFICATE?

When it comes to saving money, everyone wants to find the best way to maximize their earnings while ensuring their funds remain secure. One attractive…

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Password Manager
June 11, 2024

LEARN HOW TO USE A PASSWORD MANAGER

Imagine this: you receive an alert from your credit union about a failed online banking login attempt. Alarmed, you contact them and learn that someone…

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Rewards Checking
May 29, 2024

MY PRIZE CHECKING REWARDS YOU FOR EVERYDAY SPENDING

Imagine a world where banking is magic. You rub the lamp of financial opportunity, and with each stroke, you unlock rewards beyond your wildest imagination.…

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ARM vs. FRM
May 13, 2024

ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES VS. FIXED RATE MORTGAGES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

In the world of mortgages, there are two primary options that borrowers often consider: adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) and fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs). If you're in the…

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Talking to a creditor.
May 2, 2024

HOW TO TALK TO CREDITORS AND DEBT COLLECTORS

It's happened to all of us: the due date on a bill creeps up and the balance in our checking account doesn't quite cover the…

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Gift Card Fraud
April 4, 2024

GIFT CARD SCAMS

Gift card fraud is a rising issue for people everywhere. Scammers use tricks like phishing and draining to take advantage of weaknesses in gift card…

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Marine Credit Union
March 13, 2024

IS A CREDIT UNION MEMBERSHIP FOR ME?

Managing your money and finding reliable options for financial institutions can often feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been to a bank or credit union.…

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Estate Planning
February 27, 2024

ESTATE PLANNING

It's easy to put off estate planning and consider it a task for later in life. You might be intimidated by the thought of getting…

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Card Skimmer
February 13, 2024

PROTECTION FROM CARD SKIMMING

People use their debit cards for everything from buying groceries to getting gas. The convenience of having debit/credit cards eliminates most needs for cash. But…

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January 25, 2024

THE FINDING HOME PROGRAM EMPOWERS FAMILIES

Finding HOME is a comprehensive 12-18 month program that offers free financial education, behavior counseling, and housing support to empower families on their journey towards…

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Smart ATM
January 10, 2024

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF BANKING: FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF SMART ATMS

Maybe you can picture yourself in this scenario: you wake up with a long list of errands, one being a trip to your credit union…

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Home Buying Checklist
December 19, 2023

10 STEPS FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS: THE HOME BUYING PROCESS

Buying a home is a big milestone in many people’s lives. But especially for first-time homebuyers, understanding how to buy a house can be overwhelming…

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Holiday Tips
December 7, 2023

13 HOLIDAY TIPS FOR TOTAL WELL-BEING

The holiday season, often seen as the most wonderful time of the year, can also bring a significant amount of stress and anxiety for many…

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Checking account that get's it
November 15, 2023

CHOOSING A CHECKING ACCOUNT THAT GETS IT

Imagine a checking account that’s easy, and convenient. It has features that help you better manage your money, it helps you out when you’re in…

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Overcoming Homelessness
November 7, 2023

OVERCOMING HOMELESSNESS: YOUR PATH TO A BRIGHTER FINANCIAL FUTURE

Individuals and families who have found themselves homeless face a challenging journey back to stability. It's not easy to figure out how to get out…

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Student Loan Repayment
October 19, 2023

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT SIMPLIFIED

After a historical hiatus throughout the pandemic, borrowers now face federal student loan repayment. Evaluating your full financial picture and making a repayment plan goes…

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Marine Credit Union Foundation Golf Outing
October 4, 2023

MCU FOUNDATION ANNUAL GOLF OUTING

Marine Credit Union works hard to help members with their financial needs, but some needs can’t be met with loans or savings accounts. We started…

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Facing Homelessness
September 13, 2023

FACING HOMELESSNESS: WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW TO PREPARE

Many individuals and families who have experienced homelessness have gone on to lead fulfilling lives. Preparing for homelessness and regaining housing stability and financial security…

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Identity Theft Facts
August 15, 2023

HOW TO REPORT IDENTITY THEFT

Our digital lives make things easier, but they also provide opportunities for identity thieves. Thieves can commit fraud using our names, Social Security numbers, credit…

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medical debt
August 1, 2023

MEDICAL DEBT

Medical debt is a concerning financial situation faced by many individuals and families. Unexpected medical expenses can lead to substantial financial strain, impacting credit scores…

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Financial Wellness
July 5, 2023

FINANCIAL STRESS AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

In today's fast-paced world, managing our finances effectively is a daunting task. Maintaining our finances is actually crucial for our overall well-being. Financial wellness and…

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Digital Wallet
June 19, 2023

WHAT IS A DIGITAL WALLET?

In today's fast-paced digital world, carrying around a physical wallet filled with multiple cards seems outdated. Although most people still use physical cards and wallets,…

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May 4, 2023

HOW DOES REFINANCING WORK?

Refinancing is the process of replacing an existing loan with a new loan that has different terms, often with the goal of obtaining a lower…

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HELOC
April 21, 2023

HOW TO USE A HELOC LOAN THE RIGHT WAY

If you're a homeowner, you can be proud of the equity you've built in your home. You've worked hard to manage your mortgage and make…

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Car buying process
March 29, 2023

CAR BUYING MADE SIMPLE

Buying a car can be a daunting task, especially if you are a first-time buyer. With so many options available in the market, it can…

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Tax Scams
March 14, 2023

TAXPAYERS BEWARE: FIVE COMMON SCAMS TO AVOID

At this time of year, criminals love to impersonate IRS agents. Scammers use the anxiety many of us feel surrounding our taxes to trick us…

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Understanding Overdraft Protection
February 7, 2023

UNDERSTANDING OVERDRAFT PROTECTION: MINIMIZE FEES, MAXIMIZE SAVINGS

Sometimes, despite your best efforts (or intentions!) to stick to a budget, you might find your checking account a little short. Maybe you ran into…

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Is it Cheaper to Build or Buy a House?
November 30, 2022

IS IT CHEAPER TO BUILD OR BUY A HOUSE?

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a current homeowner dreaming of a new abode, you may have visions of owning wide open space full of…

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November 15, 2022

TIPS FOR SAFE HOLIDAY SHOPPING

The holiday season is upon us, and that means it's time to get your shopping on. While we all love getting great deals on Black…

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free checking that works for you
October 28, 2022

CHECKING ACCOUNTS THAT WORK FOR YOU

When it comes to managing your money, there are a lot of different products, services, and support you can use. And while everyone's goals are…

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Basics Of Buying Land
October 17, 2022

THE BASICS OF BUYING LAND: 6 STEPS TO OWNERSHIP

A lot of people dream of staking claim to their own piece of land. The open space comes with all sorts of possibility, giving you…

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Lending with Compassion
September 21, 2022

COMPASSIONATE LENDING & COLLECTING

Getting a loan. For many, the thought conjures up conflicting feelings. On the one hand, it elicits hope and excitement at the prospect of fulfilling…

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Online identity thief
July 21, 2022

SPOTTING FRAUDSTERS, SCAMMERS, AND IDENTITY THEVES ONLINE

Aside from the monetary losses caused by online scams, falling victim also has the potential to damage your credit score, hurt your chances of getting…

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Financial Fitness Yoga
March 28, 2022

FINANCIAL FITNESS AND INSURANCE

Spring always brings a new wave of motivation! The great hibernation is almost over as people become more active. Maybe winter derailed your New Year’s…

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Apartment getting remodeled
October 21, 2021

BOOST YOUR PROPERTY VALUE WITH THESE REMODELING PROJECTS

The housing market is hot right now, and many people realize now is the time to get as much for your home as possible. Buyers…

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Reach For The Stars
October 6, 2021

REACH FOR THE STARS: HOW TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL WELLNESS POST-PANDEMIC

The pandemic has affected many businesses’ and individuals’ finances, leading to significant losses as opportunities became scarce. In fact, 44% of people whose financial situations got…

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Woman showing distrust on laptop.
September 20, 2021

DISTRUST IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

hen it comes to putting trust in banks/credit unions with your money or financial plans, there may be a lot of hesitation-- Who do I…

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Savings increasing
July 2, 2021

TAKE CONTROL OF MANAGING YOUR BUDGET

Saving money can often be a challenge. We’re wired to take care of our needs now, and worry about later… well, later. However, saving money…

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Couple paying off debt
May 20, 2021

TIPS AND STRATEGIES TO PAY OFF YOUR DEBT

redit cards, car loans, recreational vehicle loans, mortgage loans, school loans… the list can go on and on, right? Carrying debt is a burden that…

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Family smiling in front of home
March 6, 2021

3 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ANSWER BEFORE YOU BUY A HOUSE

These are just a few points to consider when you are thinking of purchasing a home. Before making your final decision, please consult a home…

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Opening a checking account at branch
March 5, 2021

MAKE YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT WORK FOR YOU

A checking account is a checking account, right? WRONG! Checking accounts have become a “staple” of banking, but you have more options than ever before.…

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Majel Hein and Daughter
March 1, 2021

FINANCIAL LITERACY COUNSELING: A CALLING FOR MAJEL HEIN

Majel Hein was the first Financial Literacy Counselor to come on board at the Marine Credit Union Foundation to create and manage our Finding HOME…

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Couple paying off debt
March 1, 2021

JON’S JOURNEY TO FINANCIAL STABILITY

Working with Majel, Jon established a working budget for his household. “If we ever have questions, she always gets back to me in a timely…

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Family buying home
February 15, 2021

BUYING A HOME IS EASY AS 1,2,3,4,5,6!

Buying your first home can be an overwhelming process if you don’t know where to start or what to expect. Following these steps will help…

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Couple looking into the back seat of a car
February 12, 2021

CONSIDER THE LENGTH OF YOUR AUTO LOAN

When it comes to auto loans, the shorter the term, the better. That may be an obvious statement, but there could be a few things…

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Make Your Tax Return Work For You
February 12, 2021

MAKE YOUR TAX RETURN WORK FOR YOU

In just a few weeks (or less), many Americans will be receiving a tax refund. The average tax refund received in 2020 was just shy…

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Calculator, Wallet, Piggy bank, and Budget.
February 3, 2021

TAKE SOME STRESS OUT OF MANAGING YOUR MONEY

Does the thought of budgeting make you cringe? You are not alone! Put yours on autopilot this spring with these 5 steps.

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House sitting on dollar bills
October 9, 2020

USE YOUR HOME EQUITY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

While some of us have put a spending freeze on our personal budgets, others are interested in making some home improvements or going back to…

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Woman putting money into a piggy bank
October 2, 2020

THE FAQS OF CERTIFICATES

What is a Certificate? A Certificates (banks call them Certificates of Deposit, or CDs) is a savings vehicle used to earn a higher rate of…

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MCU Staff posing for a photo
June 23, 2020

A MISSION STATEMENT THAT SPARKED A MOVEMENT

The mission was already there – it needed to be carved away like a sculptor removing the excess material that distracted what was underneath all…

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bill james family portrait
June 23, 2020

BLESSED BY THE GIFT OF ADOPTION

Years ago, after Bill and Cathy were married, they felt passionate about growing their family, not only biologically but also to provide a forever family…

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Mo with friends
June 23, 2020

DIGNITY, RESPECT FOR ALL – A FAMILY LEGACY

Meet Mo. Mo works on the Marine team as a bilingual mortgage representative. He is an ITIN Certified Lender, which means he is uniquely qualified…

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