Nov 01, 2017

Assistance in Achieving Financial Health

America First Financial Solutions, provided through CUSO Financial Services, LP (CFS*), makes available a variety of products that complement those offered by the credit union. Dedicated CFS advisors work with you to develop an economic roadmap that includes: 401k and thrift savings rollovers Life insurance & long-term care Higher education planning Retirement planning Call 1-800-999-3961 for a no-cost, no-obligation appointment or send your request to affsolutions@cusonet.com. *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,…

Oct 31, 2017

5 tips to help you stick to a budget

America First recently concluded its 13th Annual Community Food Drive.Â The food drive, held at all branch locations throughout Utah and southern Nevada, collected 18,400 pounds of food. This equates to over 15,000 meals for those in need. Nicole Cypers from America First Credit Union talks more about it: Our employees loaded all food donations into trucks which were then distributed to local food pantries and food banks. Thanks to all the America First Credit Union employees that participated. The holidays are upon us and as Utahâ€™s largest credit union, theyÂ know the importance of giving back to others. Theyâ€™ve recently launched…

Oct 27, 2017

Last-Minute Halloween Costumes on a Budget

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…

Oct 24, 2017

October Give Back Winner 10/24/17

It's not always easy doing the right thing,Â but it does haveÂ its rewards. The community has gotten stronger after recentÂ events and there's one group that works nonstop to help. Meet this month's 'Give Back Winner' from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. This segment is sponsored by America First Credit Union. Source

Oct 20, 2017

Credit Union History Steeped in Cooperation

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…

Oct 13, 2017

Stay Warm & Save on Heating Costs

As the weather turns colder, heaters are kicking on and many folks find themselves paying higher energy bills. However, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature doesn't have to cost a lot. Here are some tips on how to stay warm and still save money on heating costs. Dress Appropriately Don't rely just on the furnace to keep toasty in the winter—dress in warm clothes. Wear socks or a comfy jacket and you won't have to turn the temperature up as high. Use cushy blankets while watching TV on the couch and put thick comforters & sheets on your bed.…

Oct 12, 2017

High 5: “For the Kids” delivers food to families in need

Too many Utah kids go to bed hungry. The statistics are startling. But one organization is doing its best to change that. Source

Oct 06, 2017

Fraud Prevention: Creating Strong Passwords

If your password is 123456, qwerty or, even worse, password, you should probably stop reading and change it now. Despite all the security hacks and data breaches in today's world, many people still use easy-to-guess logins, putting their information & identities at risk. Creating strong passwords is your first line of defense against hackers, so here are some tips to get started. Make it easy (for you)—Passwords you can't remember are useless. Choose keywords or phrases you can easily memorize. But don't make it so simple that someone else could quickly figure it out. Make it unique—Don't use the same…

Oct 03, 2017

Answering your money questions: When Should I Refinance My Car?

The season of giving is upon us and America First has recently launched its 13th Annual Community Food Drive. As a credit union, theirÂ philosophy is â€œpeople helping peopleâ€ and itâ€™s important to themÂ that theyÂ serve others â€“ not just during the holidays, but throughout the year. Through Saturday, Oct. 21, all branch locations throughout Utah will accept donations of non-perishable food items to distribute to local food pantries and food banks.Â Since its inception in 2004, the annual community food drive has collected more than 150,000 pounds of food. According to the Utah Food Bank, one in six Utahans and one in…

Oct 01, 2017

Fall Maintenance for Your Finances

When the seasons change, many of us have a home maintenance checklist that’s important to work through before winter arrives. The same is true for your finances, so here are a few fall to-dos: Insurance—These months usually present the opportunity to review your employer-sponsored benefits as open enrollment periods occur. Take a look at your health care, life & disability insurance, and related plans & see if your coverage levels need to be raised or lowered according to your changing life circumstances. Health saving accounts—Review your contributions and determine if it’s a good time to start increasing your deposits. These…