Jan 19, 2018

Five Steps to Take Before Buying a Used Car

It's an exciting experience to buy a used car—especially when you finally find the make, model & color you want—at a price that looks like a good deal. However, before you get caught up in the process and sign the paperwork, here are five steps you should take. Do your research Don't make a final decision the first time you visit a dealership or private seller. First, look up the vehicle online and, if applicable, the dealer. Use NADA or similar guides to check the value and read what others who own the same type of car are saying. You…

Jan 12, 2018

Take Control to Achieve Financial Well-Being

Good financial health doesn't just happen—you must take an active role to have stability and success. But gaining control of your money isn't as difficult as it may seem. Here are four simple things you can do: Follow a budget You don't need a complex algorithm from a popular financial website—find a budget that works for your lifestyle. It could be an Excel spreadsheet, allocating cash envelopes to each family member, or just using a pen & paper. America First's money manager is a free online tool that intuitively tracks, provides a plan to deal with debt, and automatically categorizes…

Jan 05, 2018

Stay Healthy, Save Money

You probably know someone who’s sick because we’re right in the middle of cold & flu season. And since illness usually means spending hard-earned cash on doctor visits and medications, staying healthy can save you money. Here are some tips: Keep things clean First and foremost, wash your hands regularly—especially before eating. Experts recommend using soap & warm water for 20 to 30 seconds, then thoroughly drying. Carry hand sanitizer for when you don't have quick access to a faucet. But even when you think your hands are clean, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible,…

Jan 01, 2018

Keeping your IRA Options Open

We provide the perfect product if you'd rather pay taxes on your retirement fund immediately. America First offers: Roth IRA accumulators Roth IRA certificates Roth dedicated savings accounts Open yours today & maximize the earnings.

Jan 01, 2018

Products that Can Provide for Your Complete Economic Well-Being

America First Financial Solutions offers products to help you achieve your personal objectives, including: Saving for a home Providing resources for your family’s education Planning a comfortable retirement Maximizing your IRA And more Make a personal appointment today. Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (CFS), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal. Investment representatives are registered through CFS. The credit union…

Jan 01, 2018

Resolve to Stay Safe Online

Although protecting yourself against scams and identity theft is a never-ending proposition, the new year brings an opportunity to place a renewed emphasis on cybersecurity. To follow are some tips that can help: Check in for free at annualcreditreport.com and look for any suspicious activity. If you detect something, call us at 1-800-999-3961 or send an email to fraud@americafirst.com. And be sure to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Consistently check your accounts with free online & mobile banking. Don’t respond to phishing emails or telephone scams that seek your account & PIN or other financial information. Get…

Jan 01, 2018

Our Promise is to Strive for Continued Excellence in Financial Services

By John B. Lund,Â President and Chief Executive Officer As a new year begins, itâ€™s an appropriate time to reflect on the organizationâ€™s accomplishments during the previous months, as well as set goals and objectives for those to come. I made a list of personal benchmarks for myself and, so far, Iâ€™ve been reluctant to ask my wife what she thinks that checklist should really contain! Your credit union performed very well in 2017. Several milestones were achieved, including the attainment of over $9 billion in total assets and more than 900,000 members. America First is the 11th largest credit union…

Dec 29, 2017

Five Financial Resolutions You Can Keep

The new year is when people make all sorts of commitments to better themselves financially. However, if you've set your sights too high and come up short time and again, it can be difficult to consider realistic goals. Nevertheless, here are five financial resolutions anyone can keep. Evaluate Your Financial Health Do you know your net worth? That's the amount of your assets minus liabilities. Once you calculate this figure, you'll have a clear picture of where you stand and how to outline achievable & realistic resolutions. It’ll also provide insight into monetary shortcomings and where you can make improvements.…

Dec 22, 2017

Financial Wisdom from Christmas Movies

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…

Dec 15, 2017

How to Prevent Holiday Overspending

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…