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Perspectives, Financial and Otherwise,
from SCU Credit Union

2/14/2024 | Education

Make the right mortgage moves with SCU Credit Union

When you get your mortgage from us, you’ll always know where to go with questions. That’s because we service every home loan we make. Whether you’re making a payment or asking a question, you’ll work with the same friendly team throughout your loan.

12/1/2023 | Education

Streamlining Your Finances: A Guide to Linking SCU Credit Union Cards with Apple Pay and Google Wallet

Discover the future of effortless transactions with SCU Credit Union! In this quick guide, learn how to seamlessly link your SCU Credit Union Debit Mastercard and SCU Credit Union Visa Credit Card to Apple Pay and Google Wallet. Enjoy the convenience of contactless payments, enhanced security features, and real-time transaction alerts. Upgrade your payment experience today and embrace a new era of digital financial freedom with SCU Credit Union.

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9/28/2023 | Education

What You Need to Know About Government Shutdowns

Government shutdowns can have devastating consequences, impacting everyone from government employees to local communities. Learn about the effects of a government shutdown and how SCU Credit Union can help you in the event of a shutdown.

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9/21/2023 | Education

Protecting Yourself from Debt Collection Scams

Scammers are capitalizing on financial worries, using threats and manipulation to coerce victims into paying non-existent debts. Don't let fear and deception lead you into their traps. Learn how to spot these scams and safeguard your finances with our latest blog post.

9/7/2023 | Education

What Do I Need to Know About the Recent Student Loan Changes?

With student loan payments set to resume in October, you're probably wondering what you need to know. Our latest blog post addresses your questions and provides essential information on dates, helpful links, and crucial next steps to take.

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7/31/2023 | Education

Should I Make A Credit Card Balance Transfer?

When used responsibly, credit cards offer convenience, security, and numerous financial benefits. However, if not managed carefully, they can lead to a cycle of high-interest debt. For individuals facing mounting credit card debt and struggling with high interest rates, a credit card balance transfer can be a game-changer. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of credit card balance transfers and how they can help you regain control of your finances.

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7/13/2023 | Education

Beware of Counterfeit Stamp Scams

The United States Postal Service recently raised the price of a First Class stamp from 63 cents to 66 cents. Due to this, there has been an influx of counterfeit stamp sellers posting ads on social media, offering discounts of up to 50% off the face value of a stamp. Learn how to protect yourself in our latest blog post.

7/12/2023 | Education

What Makes a Credit Union Different?

As a member of a Credit Union, you're also an owner/shareholder. Without outside shareholders or investors trying to maximize profits at the expense of our members, credit unions can conduct business based on the best interest of the membership. Read more to see more differences between banks and credit unions.

5/26/2022 | Education

Tips for Preparing a Post-College Budget

Graduating college is a major accomplishment that comes with huge life adjustments. The most important of all is setting aside a budget to pay for all of your expenses. Here are some useful tips to navigate the first steps of managing your post-college finances.

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5/20/2022 | Education

Don’t Get Caught in a Grandparent Scam

Grandparent scams exploit the special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren and take advantage of a a potentially vulnerable population. Stay safe by learning how these scams play out and steps you can take to avoid them.

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2/23/2022 | Education

Steps to Financial Wellness: Creating a Budget

A well-designed budget can provide you with a sense of financial security and freedom. But sticking to a budget can be easier said than done. Check out these helpful tips and tricks to setting a monthly budget.

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6/17/2021 | Education

Be Careful Posting Your Grad Photo Online

Congratulations! You’ve made it to graduation! While you’re celebrating your milestone, though, be careful about sharing your grad photos, school and year online. Scammers can use that info to hack into your accounts and ruin your party by stealing your identity. We’ve got the info so you can celebrate and be safe!

Read on to learn more.

5/20/2021 | Education

The Benefits of Using Mobile Payments

Read on to see the benefits of using mobile payments!

5/6/2021 | Education

Timeline of a Home Purchase

Read on to learn more about the timeline of a home purchase!

9/16/2019 | Education

A Guide to Opening Your First Credit Card

Opening your first credit card is one of the rites of passage into genuine adulthood, but with so much conflicting information, it can all get confusing fast!

Read on to get our guide and all of our do's and don'ts for opening a credit card.

9/9/2019 | Education

Your Complete Guide to Identity Theft Protection

Are you worried about #identitytheft? If you’re not, you should be! Millions of people fall victim every year, but you can stay safer with some simple steps. We’ve got a list of simple steps you can take to keep yourself out of the thieves’ crosshairs!

Read on for all of our tips on how to avoid identity theft.

9/2/2019 | Education

5 Must-Have Gadgets For Students

You’ve already got your laptop, tablet and, of course, your smartphone. What more can you need for school? Check out our list of 5 super-convenient gadgets that every student should know about.

Read on for our full list!

8/19/2019 | Education

11 Ways To Save On Back-To-School Shopping

Don’t drop your sunblock, but it’s almost #backtoschool time again! You don’t need to spend yourself into debt just because everyone else seems to be doing it. Instead, take a proactive, mindful approach when shopping for the new school year and spend hundreds less than the national average. Let Sharon Credit Union show you how!

Read on to learn all of our hacks on how tou can save on back-to-school shopping.

8/12/2019 | Education

10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud

If you spot a scam, tell someone and then tell the FTC. Your reports help the FTC and other law enforcement investigate scams and bring crooks to justice. Sharon Credit Union came up with 10 things you can do to avoid fraud and recognize situations in which you are a target to scammers so that you can be better prepared to report fraud.

Read on to discover the 10 things you can do to avoid fraud and learn about how you can catch and prevent fraud attempts.

8/5/2019 | Education

9 Ways For Kids to Make Money

The best way to teach a child financial responsibility is by encouraging them to earn and manage money on her own. As August begins and kids get bored, there are many opportunities for them to pull in some extra money.

Read on to learn all of the ways kids can make some extra money this summer.

7/29/2019 | Education

12 Things To Do Before Your Summer Getaway

We’ve got a list of hints and tips that will save you time, money and most importantly aggravation before, during and after your getaway! Whatever your plans, here’s a list of things to take care of before you leave

Read on to see our whole pre-vacation checklist!

7/22/2019 | Education

7 Steps To A Mid-Year Financial Checkup

It's time for a mid-year financial checkup! Take a look at your monthly budget and see if it needs any adjustments, and try to factor in any large expenditures coming up. Give yourself a financial checkup before the summer gets away from you.

Read on to learn all 7 of our steps to a mid-year financial checkup!

7/15/2019 | Education

3 Ways Your Credit Union Can Help Fund Your Summer Vacation

Is the beach calling? Are the kids carving mouse ears out of soap? It’s vacation time! Let Sharon Credit Union help you make your dream trip a reality!

Read on to find out how Sharon Credit Union can help fund your summer vacation.

7/8/2019 | Education

4 Parking Lot Scams to Look Out for This Summer

So, you watch for #scams on your computer, in your mail and in stores, but have you ever heard of parking lot scams? They’re as old as cars, come in four major guises and are everywhere during the summer.

Read on to make sure that you have the right information to stay safe!

 

 

7/1/2019 | Education

6 Ways to Finance a Home Renovation

Home renovations are a great way to make your old house feel new again. Whether it be a renovation just for the sake of change, or a necessary change due to an unexpected emergency, Sharon Credit Union may be able to help. We are suggesting 6 Ways that Sharon Credit Union could finance your home renovations and providing options that are attractive and sutiable to different member needs or financial situations.

Read on to find out how Sharon Credit Union could help finance your home renovations.

6/24/2019 | Education

7 Money Myths You Need to Stop Believing Now

We all grow up hearing the same financial advice: Spend less, save more and invest early. While most of these words of wisdom ring true, there are lots of widespread money management tips that are actually false.                                                           

Read on for 7 money myths that might be causing you more financial stress than benefit.

6/12/2019 | Education

How To Enjoy A Busy Wedding Season Without Going Broke

It’s #wedding season, and all those invites can really drain your wallet if you don’t shop smart! From saving on clothes and gifts to traveling on the cheap, check out our tips!

Read on to find out how you can attend the celebrations without breaking your wallet.

6/11/2019 | Education

6 Ways to Save Money on Gardening Equiptment and Supplies

Want to reconnect with the earth and do some gardening? We’ve got six hacks that will save you big money!

Read on to learn how you can afford the garden of your dreams!

5/24/2019 | Education

8 Ways to Spot a Home Improvement Scam

If springtime has you wanting to spruce up your home, beware of home repair scams! The scammers will take your money then do shoddy work, leave the work unfinished or simply never show up at all.

Read on to learn how you can avoid being a victim and spot a scammer right way!

5/24/2019 | Education

7 Ways to Avoid Getting Scammed on Craigslist

Almost always, spring cleaning means extra stuff to sell, and whether you’re looking for bargains or looking to sell, Craigslist is likely to factor into your plans. Just be sure you don’t get scammed! Be sure you know what CL does and doesn’t do. (Tip: It does NOT offer buyer protection. That’s a scam.)

Read more to keep yourself protected!

11/21/2018 | Education

5 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score

Looking to improve your credit score? Here are 5 tips!

1. Pay your bills on time. If you find this to be a challenge, consider signing up for automatic payments.

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11/13/2018 | Education

Staying Safe Online

A compromised computer can put you at risk for money loss, phishing scams or even complete identity theft. Read on for steps you can take to keep yourself safe online.

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10/23/2018 | Education

Credit Card Fraud in Fives

No one wants to be the victim of credit fraud. Aside from the stolen money you may never recover, victims of fraud can be faced with an enormous hassle. That hassle involves the closing of accounts, putting a fraud alert on your credit and a huge ding on your credit history, which can be difficult to fix. 

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10/10/2018 | Education

Why Does My Mortgage Lender Need So Much Information

Exhaustive research into the financial, personal and credit history of home loan applicants is not unique to credit unions. Every home lender will request similar information for processing the loan. 

Why are lenders so nosy? 

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9/13/2018 | Education

6 Steps for Creating and Keeping Strong Passwords

Your passwords are the keys to your life. And when it feels like there’s another big security breach every week, you want to be sure those passwords are strong and safe. 

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9/12/2018 | Education

All You Need to Know About Buying a Used Car

If you’re in the market for a deal on used wheels, follow the steps below for a smoother ride!

Step 1: Crunch the numbers

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8/7/2018 | Education

How Many Credit Cards Should I Own?

Hopefully, you’re working hard to keep a high credit score by using your cards and paying on time. You may be wondering, though, if more is better. Is several credit cards and more available credit a good idea? Or, are too many cards a liability to your score? 

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7/3/2018 | Education

7 Ways to Spot a Loan Scam

Your credit’s trending the wrong way and you’re desperate for a loan. Unfortunately, though, it seems that no reputable institution is willing to work with you – and the few that are offer very unforgiving terms. 

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6/26/2018 | Education

Debit Card Safety

How do you pay for your purchases? It may be instinct for you to pull out any piece of plastic without thinking, but your random card of choice might not be the safest way to pay. Let’s explore when and how to use your debit card. 

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6/14/2018 | Education

Daily Worth

If you’re a young parent trying to make sense of the stock market in between grocery shopping and PTA meetings, you likely don’t have the time or headspace for the in-depth articles on sites like Investopedia and Bankrate. And yet, mommy-brain notwithstanding, you don’t feel comfortable plunking down your money without first reading up on your investment of choice. 

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5/15/2018 | Education

5 Things You Can Do Today To Help Your Future

Your primary reason for attending college is to jumpstart your career, of course. But, did you know there are many other things you can do now to help secure your future?

Here are just 5 things you can do today that will improve your after-college life:

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5/9/2018 | Education

Online Resources for College Students

Keeping up with all your classes, reports and exams is no simple feat. And while we can’t make your classes easier, we can help lighten your workload with this awesome list of online resources for college students. Take advantage of all the internet has to offer!

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4/3/2018 | Education

Teaching Your Kids Saving Smarts

For the responsible adult who thinks about being prepared for the future, savings are a fixed expense that is built into the monthly budget just like car payments and insurance.

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2/13/2018 | Education

6 Common Tax Mistakes To Avoid

It’s that time of year again! Get ready to break out the calculator and pencils; dig out the enormous pile of receipts, tax forms, and pay stubs, and get to work. Whether you choose to go it alone, use a tax-prep computer program or hand it all over to an accountant, start with checking out our handy list of common mistakes people make on their tax returns.

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2/6/2018 | Education

Will Amazon Go Destroy The Face Of American Retail?

You’ve picked up your last item, and you’re ready to check out. But if you thought choosing the right blend of K-cups was a tough decision, that’s nothing compared to the choice you’ll have to make now. Do you go to the aisle with the most carts that has the fastest cashier?

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1/31/2018 | Education

7 Common Life Insurance Myths Debunked

Many of us let popular misconceptions about life insurance convince us that we don’t need it. Read on to see how seven of the most widespread life insurance myths are easily debunked.

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1/30/2018 | Education

Financial Planning For College: How To Get The Most Out Of The FAFSA

If you’re the parent of a college-bound high school student, you’ve probably already started receiving junk mail with pictures of big, impressive stone facades on the outside and big, appalling price tags on the inside.

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1/29/2018 | Education

FAQs About Share Secured Loans

Wondering about share secured loans? Here’s all you need to know about this unique product that can provide a low-interest rate plus credit building and repair:

1.) What are share secured loans?

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1/24/2018 | Education

The Brain/Money Connection

We know that stress impacts our health in various ways, but did you know the brain is also physically affected by stress? Neuroscientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have found that chronic stress triggers long-term changes in brain structure and function. And nothing spells stress like money dilemmas!

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12/27/2017 | Education

Ready, Set, Go...to College

It may seem like yesterday when you were sending your child off to preschool. And now you’re preparing him for college!

The process of a child leaving home is a major milestone that is made extra complex because of the emotions it generates.

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12/5/2017 | Education

Everything You Want to Know about Bitcoin (…But Were Afraid to Google)

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is a form of money that is entirely digital. The U.S. has dollars, Europe has Euros and the internet has bitcoins. The fact that bitcoin is digital isn’t all that interesting – because, in reality, an estimated 92% of all money is digital.

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11/29/2017 | Education

Beware of Banking Scams

There’s been a recent uptick in banking scams where criminals pose as representatives of the victim’s financial institution, thereby obtaining sensitive information. The scammers use the credit union’s social media account or likeness to appear authentic.

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11/14/2017 | Education

The iPhone X and Decoy Pricing

Retailers often manipulate our spending habits. For instance, every time you shop, your choices are likely influenced by pricing tactics like BOGO, anchoring and high-end pricing.

And then there’s the tactic favored by Apple: decoy pricing.

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10/3/2017 | Education

The Dos and Don'ts of Credit Repair

Looking for ways to improve an unfavorable credit score? Look no further! Our handy guide will help you get on the road to improving your score.

Do: Determine your actual credit score

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8/30/2017 | Education

Do Your Kids Have Virtual Shopping Smarts?

Did you know that 73% of millennials questioned in a Bazaar Voice survey do all their shopping on their smartphones? It’s not surprising. The world of commerce is constantly becoming more digitized as retailers focus on improving their online presence to cater to cyberspace shoppers.

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7/12/2017 | Education

Putting Your Affairs In Order: 7 Steps To Make Sure You’re Prepared

They say there are only two guarantees in life: death and taxes. 

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6/14/2017 | Education

How To Be Smart About Student Loans

There is one thing you can start doing this year to take away a lot of stress in your 20s.

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5/25/2017 | Education

Memorial Day Celebrations, Yesterday And Today

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day began following the Civil War.

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5/10/2017 | Education

Regulation D: How Does It Affect Me?

Feeling Limited? Blame It On Regulation D.

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4/21/2017 | Education

Put Your Trust In A Trust: 4 Reasons Trust Accounts Make Sense For You

A trust is a private contract that is living.  

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4/11/2017 | Education

Buying A Home In Today's Economy

The only thing certain about today’s economy is that it is uncertain.

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4/5/2017 | Education

Traditional Electricity Production vs. Solar Electricity Production

It is important to know how your current electricity is being produced.

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3/22/2017 | Education

Women's History Month: Women In Finance

Because March is Women’s History Month.  

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2/15/2017 | Education

Leasing vs. Buying A Car

Here are some things to think about before making that decision.

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1/24/2017 | Education

Do's And Don'ts When Preparing Your Taxes

You need to be aware of some potential pitfalls that you could easily fall into. 

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11/16/2016 | Education

Credit Cards Or Debit Cards - What's The Smartest Swipe?

Which one should you use? The answer depends largely upon your lifestyle.

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9/12/2016 | Education

Beware The Boom: Diversify Your Portfolio To Protect From The Bust

There’s always a “next big thing” in investing

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8/29/2016 | Education

Turning Back to School Shopping into a Personal Finance Lesson For Your Kids

Most parents regard back to school time with a mix of emotions.  On one hand, you’re sorry to see your kids go.  Summer has been a great time to tackle projects together, build memories, and have fun.  On the other hand, it’ll be nice to have the whole house awake and moving before noon again!

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