Category: Financial Education

Few things get you into the season’s spirit faster than a good holiday movie. But beyond being festive, these films can also be educational. Here are some financial tips to take from eight classic Christmas flicks. A Christmas Carol The Story: Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) is a miserable miser whose life is changed on Christmas Eve when he is visited by three spirits. The Lesson: There isn't anything wrong with saving, but there's also nothing wrong with spending…if you do it responsibly. It’s okay to reward yourself for reaching short-term benchmarks, for example, to achieve long-term goals. Jingle All the…

The magic of the season tends to end abruptly when your credit card bill arrives. If you have a habit of overspending during the holidays, here are some tips to help you avoid the Christmas sticker shock once it's over. Plan Early The best way to stop overspending is prior planning. Make a shopping list that includes how much you're going to spend on each person. When you start looking for gifts, take your time and keep an eye out for coupons and special promotions. You'll prevent the high cost of expedited delivery if you need something shipped quickly. Begin…

It's always important to stay on top of your loans. Regularly missing payments can negatively affect your credit & harm your financial well-being. Nevertheless, there are times when extra cash for unforeseen expenses or emergencies is needed, which is why America First offers a service where you can skip certain loan payments once a year with no adverse consequences. How It Works When you skip a payment, it doesn't go away completely. You're still required to pay the full loan balance, but it's deferred until the end of the term. And it won't be reported as late or make you…

While paper checks aren't very common, most people use checking. In these accounts, money is subtracted when a transaction occurs. If there are no available funds and you attempt a purchase, it triggers an overdraft & your card will be declined. If you have overdraft protection on your account, a financial institution will cover such a transaction and the purchase will go through, avoiding the inconvenience & awkwardness of being declined. Understanding this service and using it wisely can prevent a potentially destructive financial cycle. Opting In At America First, checks, automatic debits, and other payments or withdrawals you authorize…

November is celebrated as a time of gratitude—a period to reflect on what we have before the focus shifts toward getting or giving what everyone wants. However, being thankful throughout the year not only improves our well-being, it benefits us financially. Appreciate belongings When you first move away from home, resist the urge to have everything your parents provided while you were growing up. It took them time to save up for things like a nice home, washing machine & dryer, and top-tier appliances. Enjoy the struggle of simpler days instead of immediately putting yourself in debt. As you become…

Most amateur filmmakers don't have the budget of even the cheapest Hollywood project, but if you're aspiring to create your own great cinematic experience, here are some tips to help you financially. Pre-production If you've got a good story to tell, the film might practically write itself. Focus on creating versatile characters, interesting settings, engaging dialogue, and other original themes. Run your script by a few close friends and family to see what they think and incorporate useful feedback. A well-written screenplay is the backbone for a successful movie and all it costs is your time. When it comes to…

From America First's humble founding in 1939 at Fort Douglas to opening three branches on Hill Air Force Base, our credit union has a long, rich history with the U.S. Armed Forces. And one of the ways we can show appreciation, in small measure, to our veterans is with these offers for those serving in the military. Join us! If you’re not a member of America First, gain $100 by becoming one. All you need to do is: Open your savings - with a $1 deposit, you gain such benefits as free online & mobile banking to help you better…

Everyone knows you'll save money by making lunch & dinner instead of eating out. However, it's still important to shop smart when you go to the grocery store. Here are some ways to spend less. Save By Planning You can definitely save money with proper preparation. Creating a weekly meal plan, for example, will focus your efforts and prevent impulse buying. You can even check online for coupons or in your mailbox for supermarket circulars and use sale prices to set your menu. Get on a schedule, too, so you don't find yourself grocery shopping every day. Once you decide…

Believe it or not, there are some people who have their Halloween costume picked out before the Fourth of July. For others, finding something spooky to wear is a last-minute scramble on the afternoon of October 31. If you're reading this, it's probably because you're one of the latter and you need some quick inspiration. Here are some ideas for easy DIY costumes you can make on a budget. Swamp Creature Buy some inexpensive green and black plastic tablecloths from your local dollar store. Slice them into strips to wear on your head, shoulders & waist to become a mossy…

Credit unions began forming in Germany during the mid-19th century. Due to famine and crop failure, Herman Schulze-Delitzsch organized a cooperatively owned bakery & mill so local citizens could buy bread at discounted prices. The operation was so successful that, in 1850, he applied the same idea to the financial sector and created what he called the people's bank. Another German named Friedrich Raiffeisen established the Heddesdorf Credit Union in 1864 to give nearby farmers livestock and farming equipment purchasing opportunities. Raiffeisen based the group on philosophies of self-governance, stating that once you defeat dependency, you can fight poverty. Expansion…