Healthy Finances
Spring is always a popular time for house hunting, and of course, for home loan (mortgage) shopping. Although there are a variety of home financing options available, there are two basic types of primary or first mortgages. The type of mortgage loan that best fits your needs can depend on…
What determines your credit score? What’s the difference between a credit report and a credit score? Why does it all matter, and what can you do about it? If you’re like most people, answering these questions can be a bit difficult and confusing at first. But sorting through the basics…
When you think of the holidays, chances are you think about giving. From gifts and goodies to warm wishes and good deeds, people seem more considerate and willing to help others this time of year. As member-owned, nonprofit cooperatives, credit unions are founded on the premise of “people helping people,”…
What does someone who is just starting their first job have in common with a person who is about to retire? They should both be saving for retirement. It goes without saying that the younger you are when you begin saving for retirement, the more money you’ll have when the…
Have you ever wondered why some people are good at managing money while others just can’t seem to get the hang of it? While in today’s economy, the reasons can have a lot to do with things outside our control (job losses, fluctuating energy expenses, medical emergencies, etc.), it seems…
Chances are, if you’re 18 or older, you either know about credit cards, or you have one or more. They can offer convenience and security when traveling or making online purchases, or at times when you don’t want to worry about carrying cash. While credit cards can be great financial…
Who wants to be a millionaire? Perhaps a more relevant question is: Who doesn’t? While it may seem like it can only happen to lottery winners, becoming a millionaire is a real possibility if one starts saving and investing at a young age. Even if you’re older, you can still…
Summer in Wisconsin: a time filled with sunny days, chirping birds and vacationers hitting the road. Whether you’re at home or on the road this summer, most credit unions and banks offer a variety of convenient ways to do your banking and get the money you need without taking the…
According to CNN Money’s Money 101, “the average American household with at least one credit card has nearly $15,950 in credit card debt.” Rather than racking up interest charges on your credit card, why not save and earn interest on your savings? The power of compounding Compounding or compound interest…
For the average American, buying a home is one of the biggest investments they will ever make. Even with a sizeable down payment, most people finance at least a portion of the cost, usually in the form of a home loan (mortgage). If you’ve ever applied for a mortgage, you’re…
Spring is in the air, a time synonymous with buying a car, boat, ATV or other vehicle. If you’re in the market for a vehicle loan, here are a few things you’ll want to consider to increase your chances of getting approved and receiving the best rates possible. Creditworthiness –…
If you’re a credit union member in the Fox Cities area, you likely know about many of the great money-saving benefits credit unions offer, like lower rates on loans, lower and fewer fees, and lots of easy-to-use account access tools. If you have an account with a credit union, you…
If you were going to build a house, you would need a house plan. This plan would tell you the size of the house and how big each room would be. It would tell you where the windows go and how high to make the ceilings. You would see where…
One concern voiced by many people is that money seems to evaporate from their checkbook. Where does it all go? If you’re plagued with this dilemma, you might want to consider grandma’s old envelope system. Putting reasonable, predetermined amounts of cash into envelopes labeled for groceries, gas, entertainment, personal care…
