The table’s been cleared, the football game is on, and the fridge is packed with leftovers. Thanksgiving may be over, but tomorrow’s turkey sandwiches are something to look forward to. But while Thanksgiving leftovers are something to savor, financial leftovers like high-interest debt aren’t nearly as satisfying.
If you have loans or credit cards, you’re already familiar with interest - it’s the price you pay for borrowing money. While interest is a normal part of almost every loan, it’s only natural to want to minimize how much you pay. Fortunately, you have more control over how much interest you pay than you might think.
Life has a way of throwing financial curveballs when you least expect them. A car repair or medical bill can strain your budget, but when the challenge comes from something beyond your control - like the government shutdown - it can feel even more unsettling. Fortunately, there are steps you can take right now to protect your finances during this uncertain time.
When the plates are cleared and the house starts to quiet down, Thanksgiving tends to leave us with a deep sense of gratitude. It’s the kind that makes you stop and think about the people who fill your life - and how much they truly mean to you. It’s also when you realize just how much you’d do to keep them safe and their futures secure.
Thanksgiving should be a time to celebrate the people and traditions that matter most. With a thoughtful plan, a little creativity, and the right financial tools, you can host a gathering that’s both heartwarming and affordable. These same habits can also help you manage the rest of the holiday season with confidence and peace of mind.
You may be doing everything right to protect yourself from online threats - creating strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links, and monitoring your accounts regularly. But what about your children? From school tablets to gaming consoles and social media apps, kids are growing up in a fully connected world. While technology offers incredible learning opportunities, it also opens doors to risks they may not recognize.
When most people think about IRAs, they picture market-based accounts. While those can be excellent tools for long-term growth, don't overlook the value of Savings and Certificate IRAs at the credit union. With guaranteed returns and predictable growth, they are perfect to offset other market-based retirement accounts and they provide ultimate peace of mind.
Most people agree that life insurance is important, but it’s one of those topics that often gets pushed aside. Many think it’s something only older adults or parents with young children need. In reality, life insurance is a form of financial protection that can make sense at nearly every stage of life.
Every year, millions of people discover their personal information has been compromised or stolen. Sometimes, it’s the work of a faceless cybercriminal. Other times, it’s someone much closer than you’d ever expect. Either way, the impact is the same - stress, financial loss, and the uneasy feeling of wondering who has access to your data.
The holidays are the happiest time of the year. Between the gifts, food, travel, and time spent with family and friends, it’s hard not to love the holiday season. But alongside the cheer, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and spend more than you planned – leading to a post-holiday debt hangover that lingers well into the new year.
