Banking

5 Major Benefits Of Joining A Credit Union

Credits unions are often a hazy concept to people who have either never heard of them, or to people who buy into the idea that credit unions aren’t real banks. When it comes down to it, the major banking institutions want people to believe that credit unions aren’t real banks – or else people would start flocking to credit unions. However, the truth is that credit unions can often be a welcome alternative to the big banking experience and some credit unions, like 1st Financial Federal Credit Union, can offer benefits and advantages that the big banks just can’t offer. Here are five major benefits of joining a credit union.

You matter. When you start an account with a credit union, you essentially become a member. While big banks have multiple stock holders and executives, a credit union only has the people banking with their institution. This means that when you walk into a credit union, you get treated with the utmost respect and the money you have invested in your accounts is respected too – often with no hidden fees. Most big banks are riddled with hidden fees.

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Money Saving Tips

Why Is Saving Money So Hard?

tips to help you save moneyI was thinking about saving money these days and the reason why I think it is so hard for most people. One reason is, of course, media and advertisements that have everyone thinking that we have to have the next best thing that comes out. But there is something else that plays a big part in our inability to save money: I believe that we all think too large these days.

Back when I was a kid there was a saying, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” We picked up pennies with joy because we could get two pieces of candy for a penny. I know that the penny does not mean anything anymore, and there are even discussions about doing away with the penny. The day that happens I will be heartbroken! It may sound silly, but I grew up in a time when there was still a lot of value to the penny. This, I believe, is where our downfall starts.

Start Saving Now – No Matter How Little You Have

We think that if we do not have $100 or more to put in savings that it is not worth putting in anything. But just like the piggy banks I had as a kid filled up in just a few months with pennies, our bank accounts could look a whole lot better over a few months if we just put even $20 in for every paycheck. How about we change the slogan to, “A dollar saved is a dollar earned”? To many of us, that is also too small a denomination to matter. I say we should give it a try.

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Household

First Time Home Buyers – 5 Home Repair Budgeting Tips

home maintenance tipsBeing a homeowner is certainly a great accomplishment. It symbolizes independence, security and having a piece of the American Dream. It also means that when it comes to the maintenance, repairs and renovations required for your house, being that you’re responsible for all of its needs, we’re sure you’re constantly in search for ways to take care of your home without breaking your budget in the process.

If so, you’re in luck. We have provided you with five of our favorite home repair budgeting tips for first-time buyers below:

Conduct an Energy Audit

One reason why a lot of people find themselves spending more money on house repairs than they would like to is because they aren’t aware that something is wrong in their house until it is too late. Take their plumbing, for example. If there is a pipe that’s leaking in their basement that they aren’t aware of, it might take an electrical short or even flooding for them to realize it. One way to stay abreast of what’s going on in your house is to conduct an energy audit. That will show you how to test your appliances, check for water and air leaks and even inspect your insulation. For tips on how to do your own energy audit, visit Energy.gov and put “DIY energy audit in the search field”.

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Investing

Looking For A Home With Good Resale Value: 5 Things To Consider

home buying tipsWhen buying a home, most people are concerned with how a given property will suit the needs of their family. Some are concerned with square footage while others are seeking proximity to particular schools within a district. Some want a view while others prefer to have restaurants and shopping nearby. But one thing that few homeowners take into account when buying a home is the potential for resale value to increase. We all know that we will gain equity in property over time, provided we make our monthly mortgage payments, maintain the structure and grounds, and hold out for a seller’s market. But there’s no getting around the fact that certain home purchases are bound to show a greater return on investment over time for a variety of reasons. So here are just a few things you’ll want to think about when it comes to your home purchase and your prospects for future sale.

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Money Saving Tips

Money Saving Tips For The New Year Ahead

money saving tips for the new yearWith the global recession still firmly in place, money and finance is a hot topic at the moment meaning that more people than ever are looking for ways to be able to get ahead of their debts this year and create a ‘nest egg’ that they can use for anything from simply keeping it for a “rainy day” right up to starting a business or buying a house.

With the cost of living seeming to constantly increase and wages seeming to be sitting firm at the moment, we have come up with a number of ways that you can try to get a handle on your spending habits and start getting the upper hand on your financial constraints.

As we enter into the new year, we know that many of you that are reading this will be finding this month one of the hardest to budget for due to the recent festive period that seems to have everyone clutching their purse strings that little bit tighter, so here are our tips for saving money in 2014.

Don’t Panic!

Although you might be entering the first month of the year with possibly the tightest budget that you have had for the past few months, there is no need to panic as you aren’t the only ones that are in this situation, there are millions of others that are in the same situation.

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