Live Better by Centric CU

April is Youth month at Centric Federal Credit Union! We are RAWRing with excitement to celebrate the kiddos in our lives and find fun ways to teach them about money and banking. Throughout the month of April, we are sharing fun, budget-friendly ideas to keep your kids entertained as the weather warms up. From Boredom Busters to summer camp, we teamed up with Macaroni Kid to learn what fun there is to be had in our community.

When spring rolls in, the weather warms, plants begin to blossom and grow, and many people start taking their relationships to the next level. Our social media feeds fill with engagement pictures, and our schedules become busy with celebrations and wedding dates. If you are one of the happy couples planning on saying “I Do,” all of the celebrations and wedding planning can cause you to forget to plan for what life will be like after the big day. Engagement season is a great chance for you and your partner to learn how to best communicate with each other and plan ahead for what you want your future to look like.

Homeownership tends to be one of the big financial goals we all have, but it can sometimes seem like more of a burden then a blessing. Renting is a great option for people who know that they are not ready to commit to living in one place for an extended period of time. If you are ready to plant some roots but don’t think you are financially ready for it, you can set up a pre-qualification meeting with a mortgage loan originator who can tell you what financing options are available for you. 

As a new year rolls in, we all have a habit of setting resolutions for things we want to change. Instead of resolutions, we should be setting goals for ourselves. Goals have a tendency to stick for longer than the first month of the year. Resolutions make us feel like if we fail then we can’t start back, but goals remind us that we aren’t striving for perfection but progress. From your financial situation to physical health, wellness goals can help you build the life you want. 

Tax filing time can seem like a nightmare when it comes around, but you can make it a little easier if you prepare ahead of time. From making a checklist on what you will need to keeping things organized throughout the year, filing your taxes can be made manageable. When you are ready to file your taxes, you want to be sure you also have a plan for what you will do with your money if you get a refund. Taxes can seem like a foreign language; but if you research and ask the experts, you can file without worries.

* Centric FCU does not give tax advice; please contact a financial advisor for more detailed information.

Your credit score says a lot about you and how you handle your money. Financial institutions, insurance agents, phone companies, and others will take a look at this score when deciding if they can trust you with their service. Knowing what factors into a credit score and how you should manage your debt can help you boost your score and increase your buying power.

The magic of the holidays is quickly blowing in, and we are all needing to prepare for the festivities. The biggest thing we have to prepare is our budgets. Budgets change during the holiday season because life is simply different during this time of year. Preparing before the rush of the holidays can take away stress and thinking outside of the box can keep costs low. You can keep the holidays magical and budget friendly if you take the time to plan before you spend.

Mobile banking has become a necessity in today’s world. Being able to control your money from anywhere at any time has become more important than ever before. Whether from your phone or online, you can do so much more than just check your account balances. From controlling your debit and credit cards to depositing a check from anywhere, mobile banking gives you the access and control of your money that you want.

What is debt? Debt is money owed or borrowed. Many might say there is such a thing as good debt and bad debt. What’s the difference? This podcast addresses this common question and more. Often times managing our debt can be overwhelming, but putting the right steps in place to manage your debt well will absolutely lead to debt freedom. Listen as methods and tips are shared to help you reach your goals! 

What is debt? Debt is money owed or borrowed. Many might say there is such a thing as good debt and bad debt. What’s the difference? This podcast addresses this common question and more. Often times managing our debt can be overwhelming, but putting the right steps in place to manage your debt well will absolutely lead to debt freedom. Listen as methods and tips are shared to help you reach your goals!