Like going to the gym or eating a healthy diet, saving money is one of those concepts that’s simple to grasp but weirdly challenging to put into practice. We understand its benefits. We agree that it’s essential to our wellbeing. We know that it’s something we should be doing. But paycheck after paycheck, it’s the same routine: after the bills have been paid and the regular expenses have been looked after, there just isn’t quite enough left over for our savings goals.
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
I’ll never forget the night my husband Earl popped the question.
We were on a business trip and staying at a beautiful hotel in San Francisco. After a whirlwind day, we stood on the hotel balcony overlooking the city, talking about all we’d accomplished together. All of a sudden, Earl got down on one knee, told me how much he loved me, and asked me to be his wife. I immediately said yes. In my excitement, I didn’t realize that Earl proposed without giving me a ring.
A quick tip from Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
When you’re dreaming of buying your first home, it may seem like it’ll take years to save up enough money for a down payment. But there is a way to get help with your housing down payment.
The secret: down-payment assistance programs. Continue reading
Vincent, an American Sign language (ASL) Elementary School Teacher, has been a Member since 1997 and loves the products he has with SchoolsFirst FCU. When Vincent and his wife, Dorene, found themselves in a difficult situation, they turned to their Credit Union for help. Continue reading
There’s nothing like holiday travel season for spending time with friends and family. But while you’re on the road, make sure your home and hearth is kept safe and secure so you don’t encounter any unpleasant surprises upon your return.
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
Open enrollment season is in full swing, and that means you have the next month or so to decide what to do about key benefits your employer provides. Some people dread open enrollment season, because they think they have to painstakingly pore over mounds of healthcare paperwork, and then spend days upon days trying to figure out what to do.
Choosing a career is tough. Whether you’re a new grad or considering a career change, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when tasked with selecting your next gig. And why shouldn’t it? It’s an enormously costly decision, in terms of both time and money. Continue reading
When you go on vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is your finances. The SchoolsFirst FCU Mobile Banking app is a great travel companion, because it helps make managing your money easy, fast and secure. Here are some tips to make your vacation a breeze:
Although you may find it difficult to think about purchasing life insurance when you’re young and healthy, you should consider it for two reasons: first, this will likely be the time when a policy is most affordable; and second, this will likely also be the time when your absence can have the greatest financial impact on your family. If you have dependents or provide your family’s sole financial support, a life insurance policy can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved ones will be taken care of if you’re unable to do so.
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By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
As a homeowner, if you’ve build up equity in your property, and you need to tap that equity for any reason, you may be wondering: which is better—a HELOC or a home equity loan?
Both financial offerings give you a way to convert the equity in your home into usable cash, yet HELOCs and home equity loans differ in key ways. Continue reading