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 for children who deserve bright futures and good families.
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By Michael Barnhardt, District Manager, Marine Credit Union In just a few weeks (or less), approximately 11 million Americans will be receiving a tax refund. The average tax refund received in 2019 was just shy of $3,000. Like many, you may be planning how best to spend your refund. We have some advice on how…
By Jason Kaufman, District Manager, Marine Credit Union Why wait to start planning ahead for those inevitable financial burdens that seem to come up every winter and holiday season? Even though we just got done with one holiday season, consider planning ahead to cover holiday expenses at the end of this year. Think about not…
By Josh Moore, District Manager, Marine Credit Union The holidays can be expensive, especially the gifts. Black Friday deals have come and gone, but you still have shopping to do, so now what? Use these tips to help you get through the final weeks leading up to the holidays. Use Cash – It might be…
By Jason DeGarmo, District Manager– Fond du Lac, Marine Credit Union Amazingly enough, personal finance has not become a required curriculum in high schools or colleges and young adults are left to fend for themselves when it comes to managing their finances once they enter the real world. Use these tips to help get you…
By Jason Kaufman, District Manager, Southeast This time of year, many workplaces ask us to review our benefits and make any changes necessary for the following year. Aside from your health, dental and vision benefits, employers usually provide the opportunity to save for your future in various ways. One employee benefit that can help you…
By Mary Jo Healey, Market Manager, Iowa It’s that time of year – students in caps and gowns are marching down the aisles of high schools and colleges around the country to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance.” It’s also the time of year many of those same graduates start getting serious about their finances.…
By Jason DeGarmo, Vice President & District Manager, Fond du Lac As the weather gets warmer, it’s a perfect time for some spring cleaning – on your personal finances. Here’s how to do a deep clean: Set or Reset Your Financial Goals – This is a great time to establish and re-establish your financial goals.…
Thinking of purchasing a home? Many dream of achieving this goal, but not everyone knows how to make it reality. Take the guessing out of the process by following these easy steps. Understand Your Credit Score: While it may seem simple, this step can easily be overlooked. Start your home buying process by checking and…
“I am buying what’s on my grocery list and nothing more.” A shopping list is a great way to save money; however, they aren’t the easiest to stick to. Don’t allow your cravings to be tested with impulse purchases, taking you farther away from your saving goals. Take control of your purchases by creating and…
Though financial hardships are an inevitable part of adulthood, many issues can be prevented early on. When it comes to financial success, the earlier you start, the better. Teaching your children valuable lessons about money will prepare them for future triumph. Not sure where to start? Begin by proactively practicing these tips: Encourage Money-Making Opportunities:…
Automating your budget allows you to systematically fulfill long-term goals. Having a plan takes the stress out of finances, while still allowing you the freedom you desire. Open the Right Accounts: Certain accounts compliment an automated budget more than others. Finding a checking and savings account that is fee-free and does not require direct deposit…
Lucky enough to receive a tax return? Congratulations! Before making any impulsive purchases, follow these five steps to make the most out of your return: Decrease Your High-Interest Debt: Once you’ve received your full tax return, start by reducing your debts. Making an extra payment on your high-interest loan is a great place to start. These…
By Jason Kaufman, District Manager – Milwaukee, Marine Credit Union A simple interest loan may be perfect for your financial situation. Here are the facts: On a simple interest loan, the interest is added to your loan each day instead of each month. The more times you pay towards your loan in a month, the…
Vacations are supposed to be relaxing. But how can you relax when you’re stressed over your credit card balance because you didn’t plan (and save) ahead of time? Here are some tips that will help you prepare for your vacation, at least financially: Start a vacation fund. – Open a separate bank account. Set up…
Heading off to college is exciting! Maybe you’re in a new town, have new friends and trying new experiences all at the same time. But you know what’s not exciting? Debt from school loans. It may not seem like a big deal now. You don’t have to pay those back for another four years, right?…
In the past two years, I started a new job, my wife started a new business, we had two beautiful little girls and moved across the country. Needless to say my wife and I needed some alone time. When we decided it was time for a vacation, we didn’t really know where we wanted to…
Although it’s cold outside right now, it’s actually a smart time to start your planning for spring and summer family vacations. By getting a jump on plans, you can turn your financially strapped “staycation” into an unforgettable experience. Consider these smart saving tips: Set a price point and do your research. Make sure to identify…
By Mary Jo Healey, Market Manager in Des Moines, Marine Credit Union Saving habits can start at a very young age. Help your child create those habits now so they are set up for financial success later in life. They’re never too young. Once a child receives their social security number, they are eligible to…
Take your kids with you to your bank or credit union. If you model a healthy relationship with your financial institution, your kids will grow up feeling comfortable and knowledgeable about the resources inside a bank or credit union. Making a point to say hello and interact with lenders or tellers teaches even young kids…
By Ken Brossman, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager – La Crosse, Marine Credit Union Credit cards, car loans, mortgage loans, school loans, the list can go on and on, right? Carrying debt is a burden that restricts your disposable income and puts restraints on your ability to save and spend. So pay off your…
A budget is essential to financial success. Use these tips and start today! Make it easy. It’s important to have a budget to make your financial life easy and manageable. Use a free, online budget management tool to input your net take home pay, bills and monthly payments. Simple as that, you have a budget. Now…
Money management can be an intimidating for some and a breeze for others. It’s different for everyone depending on your living situation, employment and family life. Use these tips to get yourself started down the road of money management. Your financial situation can change at the drop of a hat. Review your budget biannually to…
Technology has made shopping easier and quicker than ever before, especially on heavy shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Keep these downfalls in mind when online shopping: Shipping and handling costs – Companies may advertise low, low prices on their products, until it’s time to check out (when you are less likely to…
By Mary Jo Healey, Market Manager in Des Moines, Marine Credit Union The holidays can be expensive, especially the gifts. So why not plan for it year-round?! Saving a small amount periodically throughout the year can make it very easy and much less stressful at the end of the year. Spend holiday occasions enjoying time…
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. If you’re going to have a checking account, make it work for you! Here are a few things to consider: Mobile capabilities How often are you on your phone? There…
By Ken Brossman, District Manager – La Crosse, Marine Credit Union What is a CD? A Certificates of Deposit, or CD, is a savings vehicle used to earn a higher rate of return on funds that you’re not planning on using for a certain period of time; for example three months to five years. They…
Everything is done online now, right? Many businesses offer online payments for their customers. A customer can log into the business’s website and pay their bills electronically in a secure portal. For the past decade, many financial institutions have slowly begun to offer electronic bill payments or online bill pay. This feature allows customers to…
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 you enjoy the process and know what to expect. Check Your Credit – Credit scores will range anywhere from 300 to 850. Always review your report to check for accuracy. If…
By Ken Brossman, District Manager – La Crosse, Marine Credit Union Home equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you owe on the mortgage (or mortgages, if you have a home equity loan or HELOC). Let’s look at an example: The day you purchase your home Five years…
You landed your first full-time job, and more importantly for your wallet, your first steady paycheck. Congratulations! You may be thinking, “Now I can pay rent, my phone bill, credit card bill, school loans…” and the list goes on. You’re probably not thinking about savings accounts. Something your parents may have taught you early on…
By Ken Brossman, District Manager – La Crosse, Marine Credit Union A low credit score can be difficult to rebuild, but your ability to adjust your habits can definitely help. It may take some discipline, but the outcomes for you and/or your family will be worth it! Follow these tips to get the ball rolling:…
Buying a car, whether new or used, can be stressful. Where do I start? How do I narrow it down? What questions do I ask? What if they rip me off? Do I get the extra warranty? Keep in mind these four tips when buying a used car: Identify a budget. A monthly car payment…
At any point in life, your living situation may change due to a move in your career, family obligations, or just the need for a new adventure. Whether short or long term there is a decision to be made: buying or renting. Better tax deduction eligibilities are available for homeowners. You may be able to claim…
You’re thinking about making some changes at home. Your bathroom tiles are falling off the wall. Your family is too big for your kitchen table. Your teenager wants to move into the basement. Where do you start? Make a list of projects and rank them by priority. The list should include each (realistic) project cost, timing…
