Get on all those summer road trips by getting an auto loan.
Nicole Cypers shares details on how a loan can help you get a more reliable car.
For more information, visit www.americafirst.com.
Get on all those summer road trips by getting an auto loan.
Nicole Cypers shares details on how a loan can help you get a more reliable car.
For more information, visit www.americafirst.com.
It’s that time again: family vacations, day excursions, maybe even the trip you’ve been planning for years. And there’s no better way to pay for these opportunities than with your America First Visa® cards.
But before you leave, please inform us so we can safeguard your resources.
Call 1-800-999-3961 or log in to free online banking. Use the Other Services tab and look for the Visa traveling form in the bottom-left corner.
You can also visit this link for further information about protecting your finances.
It makes good financial sense to routinely check & update your America First beneficiaries. You designate who will receive your resources and it’s important to ensure your payable-on-death and individual retirement account (IRA) information is correct.
Many life changes can affect who you want to benefit from your accounts. If you’re newly married, had a child, been divorced or experienced the loss of immediate family member, it’s important to review these individuals.
Payable-on-death designees have rights to funds after all account owners and joint owners have passed. For IRAs, both primary and contingent beneficiaries may be added with corresponding percentages.
For help with beneficiary designations or if you have questions, please contact us or stop by your local branch.
For many, summer vacation planning is done according to a reasonable budget. You research flights, accommodations & destinations; you book the lower-priced alternatives; and you weigh the cost against your savings accumulated specifically for this purpose.
Then you arrive and financial responsibility goes out the window. You’re soon spending without limits and paying no heed to the costs of extras & incidentals. Before you embark this year, here are some tips to consider:
Visit us here for more information about achieving financial health.
Not too long ago, when a restaurant check was brought to a group of friends, everyone would chip in with cash. In fact, many people today still think they need bills to pay people back. But you can now send money online to friends and family with any of the following simple and secure options.
PayPal is probably the most well-known peer-to-peer payment system, with over 197 million active accounts. And while many use it to make purchases online, you can also transfer money to someone else with it. If the sender and recipient both have PayPal accounts with a financial institution, there aren’t any fees unless you’re sending funds to another country. Venmo is owned by PayPal and offers many of the same services. Plus, it allows you to post payments with commentary to your social feed, which your friends can see.
If you have a Google account, you have access to Google Wallet, letting you send money online to other people via email addresses or phone numbers. There are no fees and it can be used for occasional commercial transactions, but corporations and non-profit organizations cannot receive money through Google Wallet.
Paying with Popmoney is easy. All you need is the recipient’s email address or mobile number. You can also send personalized greetings for special occasions like birthdays, weddings or graduations. Future-date payments are available for rent and other bills. Going to Popmoney.com costs $0.95 per transaction. But for America First members, Popmoney is free!
Did you know you can do more than send funny GIFs in Messenger? Transferring money is easy once you have a debit card attached to your Facebook account. Just open a conversation with a Facebook friend, click the dollar sign symbol at the bottom of the chat window, enter the amount you want to send, then select Pay. Use the same button to request funds. You can also create a PIN to add an extra layer of security.
Send some money along with your pics using SnapChat. Attach your debit card to the account, swipe right on a friend’s name — just as you would to chat with them — and type a dollar sign and the amount. This will make the green Snapcash button appear, giving you the ability to send money online to any of your contacts. If funds aren’t claimed within 24 hours, they’re returned to the sender.
So the next time you need to split a lunch tab or pitch in for a gift, there’s no need to pull out your wallet or run by an ATM. Use one of these services and take care of it with your phone.
The summer season is officially underway and at America First Credit Union, they’re celebrating with low-rate auto loans all season long with their “The Sweet Taste of Summer†campaign.
Nicole Cyprus joined us to explain what makes this campaign so “sweet”:
For more information about “The Sweet Taste of Summer,†visit americafirst.com.
The “Sweet Taste of Summer” campaign from America First Credit Union has kicked off. Members have the opportunity to win loan payments up to $300 and interest-free auto loans daily. Also, meet this month’s Give Back winner!
This segment is sponsored by America First Credit Union.
Farmers’ markets are a great way to find fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and more in your neighborhood. They allow you to interact directly with the grower, which can also mean lower prices for delicious produce. If you’ve never been to a farmers’ market before, or if you’re only starting to attend, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your time there.
Get to know the local fruits and vegetables in your region and find out what grows in which season. This will help you identify the freshest produce. For example, you may see apples in April that you know have been in cold storage since October. Knowing when and what farmers grow locally will also allow you make a shopping plan beforehand for the best buys.
Meal planning before you shop is always a good idea, because it helps you save money. Figure out what you want to buy, but leave some room for a few unplanned purchases, just in case you find a new or unusual vegetable that you would like to try.
Hit up the ATM before you go. Having cash on hand will make it easier to make purchases at farmers’ markets. Don’t expect every vendor to have a mobile credit card reader. Carry small bills and some change to make exchanges go more quickly. Plus, cash can help you with bargaining, as well.
Go as soon as the market opens if you want to get the best produce. Items like meat and seafood, for instance, sell out very quickly. Going early will also help you avoid the large crowds. However, if you want the best deals, you should go at the end of the day. That’s when vendors are trying to sell off inventory instead of having to pack it up and transport it home.
Bring your own bags. Some, but not all of the vendors will offer a bag, but those bags are usually small and flimsy. Experienced shoppers will bring a backpack or small, wheeled cart to keep their hands free for things like squeezing produce.
Buying in bulk can save you some money. Many vendors are willing to give you a good deal if you’re willing to offload a crate of strawberries rather than just a baggie full, for example. Eat as many fresh fruits and veggies as you are able, and then freeze, dehydrate or can the rest.
There’s usually more than one vendor selling an item. Don’t buy everything from the first booth you see. Shop around. Try samples, if available. Once you’ve made the rounds and weighed your options, you’ll be able to make an informed decision based on price and taste.
Talk to the farmers. They can help you pick out the best items and teach you how to determine ripeness. Discuss how to best prepare their produce, as well. You may find a new recipe that you love.
And finally, stash a cooler in your car if you plan to shop a while or have a long drive home. This will help the produce maintain freshness from the farmers’ market to your kitchen table.
Happy shopping!