Money Matters
Your Credit Union Newsletter
The 2×2 System is where you set aside two hours on the calendar two times a month to complete a predetermined financial task. This modest but consistent effort can help you sustain financial health and build wealth in bite-sized chunks. Read more.
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The interest rate roller coaster may finally drop this year. If you feel rates will decline soon, the time to begin taking action to buy office space is now. There is still abundant office space, with the U.S. vacancy rate hovering at 20 percent, motivating sellers to cut their losses and giving you more bargaining power.*
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Inflation has increased the price of food, housing, and healthcare. Even those making six figures are living paycheck-to-paycheck. In a recent study, 80% of U.S. employees reported at least “some level of financial stress,” with 27% experiencing “high or overwhelming” stress.* As an agency owner, addressing employee financial stress can improve your team’s lives and dramatically impact your firm’s growth.
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Inflation has hit all our wallets. The price of food, gas, and housing have risen significantly. And while the inflation rate has recently dropped slightly, we’ve all taken steps to make our money go further, including cutting many of life’s luxuries. From canceling streaming services to cutting out coffee from our favorite coffee house to not going out to eat, all are great ways to make your monthly budget stay in the plus column. Read more.
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Inflation has fallen dramatically over the past two years. While the current rate of 3.3% at the time of this writing is higher than the Fed’s goal of 2.0%, it’s a far cry from the 7% of December 2021.* While the recent drop is good news for many, with high gas prices and the continued climb of housing costs (up 5.4% over the previous year) and medical care, it’s little wonder many people are feeling stressed about their finances.** Research has found that 80% of workers report feeling financially stressed. With 27% experiencing “high or overwhelming” stress. Read more.
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Summer’s here, and in addition to longer days, vacations, and barbecues, this also means the holiday season is just around the corner. I’m only half joking. The pace of life is so hectic that before we realize it, the New Year’s Eve ball will drop in Times Square. According to one large study, the average American is so busy that they have under five hours of free time for themselves a week. I know the feeling. The study also found that six in ten of us regularly put off basic tasks like cleaning and banking for lack of time. Read more now.
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For many young people, summer is a time to put away their textbooks and pick up a summer job. In 2023, 55% of young people between 16-24 years of age were employed across the U.S. during summer.* Read more.
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The 2×2 System is where you set aside two hours on the calendar two times a month to complete a predetermined financial task. This modest but consistent effort can help you sustain financial health and build wealth in bite-sized chunks. Read more.
Continue Reading
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, total household debt rose by $184 billion to hit more than $17 trillion in the first quarter of 2024. Balances on auto loans increased $9 billion to $1.62 trillion. And while credit card balances fell in the first quarter, which is common after the end-of-year holidays, nearly 9% of credit card balances moved into delinquency.*
As troubling as these figures are, what most of us care about is our level of debt and how to bring it under control. Managing how much interest you’re paying plays a significant role in lowering your household debt. Read more.
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Summer should be a carefree time filled with sun, fun, family getaways, and barbecuing with friends. However, remember, scammers and fraudsters never take a vacation. They understand that while you’re focusing on having a good time, you may be less vigilant about protecting your account, debit, and credit card information. To help keep your guard up, here are three common scams to watch out for and actions you can take to help protect your personal information and funds throughout summer and all year long. Read More.
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