Making Money Personal

Your credit score is essential. It drives your financial opportunities and impacts how good a rate you’ll get for mortgages, personal loans, and auto loans.    Most of us know about our credit score and are likely looking for ways to improve it, so knowing what impacts it the most is the first step in improving our credit outlook.   Links: View the Investopedia article Get started with LoanPay and make a payment today! Watch these video tutorials on  Setting Up Your LoanPay Account Setting up AutoPay Making a One Time Payment Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.    If you’ve followed our previous episodes or read any of our articles, you probably already know that a credit score is determined by several different factors.    In order to keep your score in good shape, it’s critical to understand the different factors contributing to that number and how to maintain them properly.    A lot of this maintenance is our responsibility, so when we decide to work with a lender to borrow money, we should make sure our credit scores have been properly attended to.    According to Investopedia, all three bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, factor the following weights into their credit scores.    The two lowest percentages are each weighted at 10% and are 1) any new credit you get and 2) the types of credit you have or credit mix.   Then there’s the length of your credit history, weighted at 15%.    The total amount owed is a higher weighted factor at 30%. Finally, your payment history comes in as the highest factor at 35%.    So, if you want to properly nurture your credit score, you need to pay attention to each of these categories and keep special note of the higher-weighted ones. Most importantly, you need to ensure you make your payments on time.     Have you or someone you know missed payments in the past? If so, that likely impacted the credit score.    I’ve missed a few payments before because I got busy in life, and my distracted brain completely forgot that a payment was coming due. Then, the due date came and went before I realized that I had forgotten to pay. This is a big problem and something we need to be on guard against. Something as simple as not paying attention to the calendar can cause this problem.   If you’ve had this happen in your own experience, or you know someone it’s impacted, it’s important to note how it can affect you. And the real danger here is the price you pay for it. Not only do you get charged late fees, but it gets reported back to the bureaus and factored into your credit score.    If you find you’re struggling to remember to make your payments, there is something you can do about it to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Take the time to set up automatic payments. Your financial institution likely provides a tool within mobile or online banking to schedule recurring loan payments. For example, Triangle Credit Union allows members to do so through the LoanPay platform. This tool lets people plan their loan payments in advance, customize the payment amount, set a payment frequency, and even set the duration they want the payments to run.    If you’re determined to not let your score suffer from hits due to missed payments, then take a few minutes and set up autopay for payment peace of mind and a healthy credit score.   If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page, and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on social media to share your thoughts.     Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.

Are you often worried or discouraged about economic factors or current events? Not surprisingly, current events can substantially impact how we behave with money. Many people react to news or events with coping mechanisms, one of which involves overspending. Fortunately, there are ways to keep current events from impacting your mindset and, ultimately, your money.   Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  If you've heard of Doom Scrolling, the term describes when people mindlessly scroll through newsfeeds and social media feeds, glued to negative headlines. It tends to evoke feelings of anxiety or depression.  Another term has popped up recently describing a similar phenomenon called Doom Spending. This term describes a person's tendency to mindlessly spend money to cope with stress or anxiety, particularly stress or anxiety due to current events or economic factors. It's a type of emotional spending or even retail therapy. And because so many shopping apps make it easy to scroll through thousands of items, many people may run to those apps to scroll through products and shop for all kinds of things to offset negative feelings.   Doom Spending poses many problems for those who fall into it. It's dangerous and can wreak havoc on your finances by derailing your financial plan and interfering with your ability to establish beneficial money habits.  It can also cause you to make financial decisions you may regret in the future, as well as missing out on wealth-building opportunities as they arise.  If you're susceptible to Doom Spending, you may find yourself shopping through an endless scroll and blowing a bunch of money to help you feel better.   Remember that your feelings start with what you choose to focus on. Don't focus on all the negative. Remember that headlines tend to be sensationalized and promote what will most likely get a reaction out of you. Scientifically, headlines with negative messaging get more engagement than those with positive messaging.  If you're engaging in doom spending to cope with stress, here are a few things you can do to guard against it.   Change your routine. If you're scrolling most often at a particular time of day, say late at night before bed or on your way home from work, you might find that this is the time you feel more likely to spend.  Turn off the media and take a break from your phone. Keep it away from the nightstand, or swap it with a book instead. If you spend too much time on the couch with your phone or in front of the TV, try taking a walk instead to get away from the devices.   Develop a method to stay on top of spending. Take charge of your money. Set a budget, make a list on paper or your phone, or use a money management app to track your weekly spending.  Knowing how much you're spending is the first step to taking charge of your finances. If you don't know it, you can't control it, and you won't succeed at managing it properly.   Put your mental energy into reaching financial milestones. Part of the reason people spend money mindlessly is to feel better. But you can also get those feelings when you achieve milestones. Set a savings goal for yourself, like saving your first $1,000 in an account, having a certain amount of money in a retirement account, or paying off some debt. Focus on building a solid financial position rather than slipping into doom spending.   Budget some of that money for positive purposes. Cut down on impulsive behavior and mindless shopping by planning to spend your money on beneficial things. If you're feeling anxious and emotionally worn, then put some of that money into things that will help bring you mental rest. Instead of spending it on the accumulation of stuff, set some money aside for a unique experience or leisure event tha

Buying a vehicle is one of the most significant purchases you'll make, so ensuring it's protected is very important. Guaranteed Asset Protection coverage, or GAP, and Mechanical Repair Coverage, also referred to as MRC, are essential in protecting your new vehicle. Keep listening to learn more about these coverages and how to make them work for you.   Links:  Learn more about the benefits of GAP coverage and MRC Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.      First, let's take a look at GAP coverage. Did you know a newly purchased vehicle depreciates the second you drive it off the dealer's lot? Within the first year, most cars will lose up to 20% of their value. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident or stolen and not recovered, you could end up owing more than the vehicle is worth.   GAP coverage is designed to reduce or eliminate the difference between the insurance settlement and the loan balance. This protection can save you tons of money from sudden out-of-pocket expenses. In comparison, standard auto insurance will only pay up to the value of your vehicle. GAP coverage will protect you from the difference.    So, how do you obtain GAP coverage? There are several options. First, you can sign up for GAP when you purchase your new vehicle with an auto loan. Triangle Credit Union offers GAP coverage as an additional option to their auto loans. Second, your auto insurance may also offer GAP coverage for your vehicle.    Now, let's look at Mechanical Repair Coverage, or MRC. This coverage can help limit unexpected, covered repairs as your vehicle ages, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in repairs. MRC includes many benefits, such as car rental reimbursement, 24-hour roadside assistance, and car key replacements. It will even cover travel expense reimbursements when a covered breakdown occurs 100 miles or more from your home and your vehicle is held overnight at a repair facility.  With vehicles already being a significant expense, it makes sense to be fully covered in case something goes wrong. GAP coverage and MRC can save you thousands of dollars, so if you're thinking about buying a car, you might want to consider getting one or both. Luckily, they're available as add-on options for your new or existing auto loan from Triangle Credit Union!    One final note. GAP and MRC are also available to purchase out of pocket for those who don’t have a Triangle auto loan or don’t want it as a loan add-on. If you want this valuable coverage for an existing loan, stop by your nearest branch to get started!   If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Also, remember to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts. Finally, remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Facebook and LinkedIn.     Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.

When it comes to money, there are so many ways to learn vital lessons and techniques that help us make wiser financial decisions. Whether you're someone who likes to learn about financial topics for fun or tends to learn from experience, becoming financially literate is a goal most of us should strive for. In this episode, we're discussing financial literacy and its crucial role in our lives and society.  Links:  Financial literacy stats sourced from this article. Test your knowledge with the Investopedia Financial Literacy Quiz! Explore and download our When Dollars Make Sense workbook for kids! Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Financial Literacy Quiz answers: Which of these is NOT part of determining your credit score? Marital Status When you invest in an employer's traditional 401(k) retirement savings plan, your contributions are taxed when you withdraw them during retirement. What causes inflation? Increases in wages, price of raw materials, taxes, and/or a decrease in productivity Which of these is NOT a stock market index? New York Stock Exchange What Does Annual Percentage Rate (APR) Mean? APR is the rate you pay in interest on money borrowed. True or false: Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is the interest you earn over the course of a full year on money deposited. True Which home loan allows first-time homebuyers to put down just 3.5%? Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage

Car buying is a fun and exciting journey. You have a lot of options to explore and decisions to make.   Of all the many factors considered when purchasing a new or used car, determining how much to put down is an important decision that affects all aspects of the financing process.  Links:  Check out Triangle's competitive auto rates for new purchase or refinance. Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  When it comes to purchasing a car, one of the critical decisions you’ll face is how much to put down as a downpayment. Whether you’re eyeing a brand-new model or considering a reliable used car, understanding the significance of down payments can help you make an informed choice. In this tip, we’ll explore why down payments matter and provide practical tips for finding the right balance.  Why is the amount of your down payment important?   First, it can lower your interest rates: A substantial down payment can significantly impact the interest rate on your auto loan. Lenders view a larger down payment as a sign of financial stability and are more likely to offer you a favorable rate. Lower interest rates mean less money paid over the life of the loan.   Second, it can reduce your monthly payments: By putting more money down upfront, you decrease the amount you need to finance. As a result, your monthly payments become more manageable. This financial breathing room can be especially helpful if you’re on a tight budget.  Third, it helps you avoid negative equity: Negative equity occurs when you owe more on your car loan than the vehicle is worth. A sizable down payment helps prevent this situation. Since cars depreciate rapidly, starting with equity can protect you from being “upside down” in your loan.  Fourth, it improves your loan approval odds: If you have less-than-perfect credit, a substantial down payment can enhance your chances of loan approval. Lenders may be more willing to overlook credit issues when they see a significant upfront investment.  If you’re wondering how much of a downpayment is ideal, there are some recommended down payment percentages for new and used vehicles.    When purchasing a new car, it’s wise to aim for a down payment of at least 20% of the purchase price.   You’re likely to get better rates. With 20% down, lenders are more likely to offer competitive interest rates.  It provides an equity cushion. Starting with equity provides a buffer against depreciation.  It can help lower your monthly payments. A smaller loan amount means you’ll pay less every month.  When purchasing a used car, a down payment of 10% is a good starting point.   It helps with affordability. Used cars are generally less expensive, so a smaller down payment still provides a reasonable equity cushion.  It helps save on interest. Even with 10%, you’ll likely secure better rates than with no down payment.  It helps you avoid negative equity. Starting with some equity helps protect against depreciation.  While the recommended percentages are helpful, the best down payment is one that aligns with your financial situation. If you’re trying to determine how much to put down on your auto purchase, consider the following steps.  Assess Your Budget: Calculate how much you can comfortably afford without straining your finances. Remember that a down payment is just one part of the overall cost of car ownership.  Evaluate Your Savings: Look at your savings and determine how much you can allocate toward the down payment. If you don’t have a much as you like, set up a dedicated savings account to build up those funds specifically for the car purchase. Factor in Trade-Ins: If you’re trading in your current vehicle, its value can contribute to your down payment. Get an appraisal to know its worth. Shop Around for Loans: Compare lo

Building sound money habits at a young age can set you up for financial success through the rest of your life. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help young people learn and build financial skills that are also fun and rewarding.  Links:  Explore Visa's Practical Money Skills website Financial guide book: How to Money: Your Ultimate Guide to the Basics of Finance Learn about investing with The Stock Market Game Explore financial resources for every age at MyMoney.gov Learn more about Triangle's Teen Club account with debit card! Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Financial literacy is important for people of any age. Without a fundamental understanding of money, it’s difficult to build effective habits that will last throughout the many different stages of life.  The earlier in life people learn about and practice important money skills, the better.   Teens are right at the point where money habits start to become relevant and important. They’re likely to get their first job, buy their first car and enjoy their growing independence. Their access to money provides them with the ability to spend more on what they want and need in life. But even though they may have money coming in, they may not know where to look for help when managing their finances.   According to a 2021 Greenlight survey, 74% of teens surveyed said they didn’t feel confident in their personal financial knowledge and 73% wanted more financial education.   The challenge for most people at any age is to find the right resources that provide effective education and training.   If you’re a teen or maybe a parent of a teen looking for some ways to encourage and build financial skills, here are 5 resources that can help your teen learn about money.  The first one is the website called Practical Money Skills hosted by VISA. It’s designed to teach people of all ages about financial education and covers topics such as credit, banking, debt, identity theft, budgeting and more. It also offers a collection of activities, tools and videos for teens to explore as well as a variety of money games designed for different age ranges.   The second is to use a financial guide. If your teen enjoys reading, you can check out the book How to Money: Your Ultimate Guide to the Basics of Finance. This book was listed on Investopedia as the best overall money book for teens. It’s a useful beginner’s guide to most money topics that teens can start to explore like starting your first budget, navigating student loans and scoring your first job. It’s also available as an audiobook, so if your teen isn’t much of a physical reader, they can still explore the material from their phone or computer.   For investment education, the third resource is to try The Stock Market Game. If your teen is interested in the stock market, or you want them to learn more about the stock market, to gain experience or understand it a bit more, there’s a fun tool to explore the ins and outs of the market without using real money.  This is an online trading simulator, set up as a game, that builds familiarity with how the stock market works to help you build confidence in investing. It’s designed to be fun and once you set up an account, it provides fake money that you’ll use to try your trading strategies.  If your teen likes practical, hands-on tools like checklists, calculators and other resources, then check out this fourth resource, MyMoney.gov. It’s managed by the Financial Literacy and Education Commission and provides an abundance of Youth Resources specifically designed for young people ranging from young children to highschoolers. If your child or teen likes to explore games, there a many on this site to explore. It also links to the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection B

A library card opens the door to a vast world of free resources, from books and e-books to movies and educational courses, eliminating the need to spend on entertainment and learning materials. In this tip, we share the many benefits library cards may offer, some of which might surprise you.    Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.    If you're searching for ways to save money on things you use every day, look to your local library. Having a library card offers more benefits than just access to books. A library card is a simple way to access digital learning platforms, streaming services, and other surprising benefits.   Note that the breadth of services offered varies by library, but don't hesitate to look because you'll likely find something worth signing up for.    Here are some free platforms and tools your library card might provide access to.    1. eBooks and audiobooks. Most library cards provide access to a database of eBooks and audiobooks for the many people who prefer to read with an e-reader or listen to their books.    2. Museum passes and attractions. Libraries often provide discounts on tickets or even free passes to local museums and attractions.    3. Online learning platforms. Many library cards offer access to online education platforms, where users can explore all kinds of training courses, craft tutorials, and even language learning.   4. Genealogy research. Explore your heritage without the hefty price tag. With a library card, you may have access to popular ancestry platforms to explore genealogy records and family history databases.   5. Home improvement and DIY tools. Some library cards allow users to borrow tools and equipment for home improvement and other DIY projects.  6. Cameras and electronics. Your library card may provide access to cameras, tablets, and other electronic items for digital projects.    7. Streaming services. Many libraries offer access to streaming services and other online entertainment platforms to watch movies and TV shows and even view recorded stage performances and concerts.    A library card is an excellent resource for accessing unique and valuable resources at low or no cost. It's a ticket that enables you to connect with your community by providing access to opportunities and many resources for enrichment, relaxation, and personal growth.    If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org, and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal FB page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.    Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.    Have a great day!

We're at the beginning of a new season, the perfect time to establish a new habit or plan for the coming months. If you need a few ideas for some money-saving tips this season, we have some for you to try out.   Links: Try one of these savings challenges for a fun way to track and save money Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Spring is a time of refresh and renewal, with many using this season as a springboard for new goals and intentions for the coming year.    There are many areas in our lives where renewal is needed and welcomed. If you're ready to say goodbye to winter's long, stale season, it's time to welcome the refreshing and energizing season of spring.  Like many areas of our lives, our money habits can also become stale. Here are a few strategies to refresh your finances.    #1 Try a financial challenge to test your discipline and meet a goal.   To save extra bucks over the next few months, try a savings challenge, such as the 100-envelope challenge, the five-dollar challenge, or even a nickel challenge.   Challenge yourself to a new financial habit. Try a no-spend month, where you don't spend any excess money for 30 days. Maybe take a break from online shopping for a few weeks. If you're brave, try to avoid using your credit cards for a month and pay with only a debit card or cash.    #2 Try spring cleaning your devices.    Clean out your email inboxes. If you get an overabundance of emails trying to get you to shop for their latest styles or products, give yourself a break and unsubscribe. If you're like me, you get multiple emails daily from companies offering new deals or discounts designed to get you to purchase. Go through and unsubscribe to stop getting those tempting messages pressuring you to shop.    Go through your phone and uninstall shopping apps that you find yourself scrolling through to stave off boredom. Also, turn off push notifications to reduce the temptation to spend money.    #3 Set up a time for a monthly financial check-in   Set up a time once a month to review your finances and budget.   Take time to determine how much money you're bringing in.    Take note and track how much money you spent over the last month on food, activities, and other expenses.   The closer you pay attention to your income and expenses, the better control you can adjust as needed.    #4 Take time to shop around for better pricing.   Take note of everything you're paying regularly, such as your cell phone bill, internet bill, insurance, and streaming subscriptions.   Take note of how much you're currently paying for each item, and then explore other providers or vendors and compare pricing.    When you're ready, reach out to your existing provider to try and negotiate a better price for your existing plan. They may offer an adjustment to lower the bill to keep your business.    If you're ready to refresh your finances this season, there are many ways to get started. Try a few or all of these ideas to start your spring off motivated and ready to rock!   If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page, and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on social media to share your thoughts.    Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.    Have a great day!

You may have heard that a popular fast-food chain wound up in some hot water a few weeks ago over rumors they were planning to implement surge pricing on their menus. For obvious reasons, people were upset because they didn’t want to see hikes in even more prices. But were the rumors true, and is this pricing structure something we’ll see more of in the future?  Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   If you happened to pick up on the recent news story, Wendy’s received some backlash over a rumor that they were planning to implement surge pricing.  Although the restaurant responded by saying the rumors were false and the message misconstrued, the topic brings forth an even greater discussion about what surge pricing is and how it affects us as customers.  So, what is surge pricing, and what does it mean for your money and spending habits?  Surge pricing, sometimes referred to as dynamic pricing, is when a business changes the prices of their goods and services depending on the measure of demand during certain periods of time or due to certain factors.   Even if you’re not familiar with this pricing structure, you’ve likely experienced it in your own life. It’s not new. The growing debate about it now is whether we’ll start to see it more frequently.  Some examples of surge pricing you’ll recognize are:  Historically, airlines and hotels. It’s commonly known that companies in these industries raise prices during popular travel times like weekends and holidays.   You’ve likely seen it at movie theaters. Ticket prices tend to be higher on the weekends to accommodate for the larger crowds than during the slower days of the midweek.   Most recently ride share companies like Uber and Lyft. If you’ve used either of these apps, you’ll notice at times when you’re looking to book a ride that they’ll charge more for rides during bad weather or other periods of high demand.  Surge pricing affects customers and even potential customers because it ultimately means you’ll pay more for items or services during certain time windows. If you’re looking to book a trip to New York City for New Years Eve, you’ll likely be paying more for your travel and lodging than if it were just a random weekend in the middle of the year.   Much of this is out of our control and we don’t have a lot of influence over what businesses charge for their products or services, but there are a few things we can do to minimize the effect surge pricing can have on our spending.   First, awareness is key. Knowing when prices are higher is the first step to avoid paying the maximum price for a good or service. Pay attention to when the prices are the highest and try to plan around it. If it means rescheduling that vacation to a different time of year or choosing to fly a different day of the week, it may be worth considering to save yourself some cash.   Set up notifications for price drops or specific discounts that might land you a better deal. This can come in handy particularly on hotel rooms or plane tickets. You can also try using price comparison apps and tools to take a few moments to review pricing from different companies before making a purchase.  And of course, consider doing business with different service providers or businesses. If you’re no longer happy with the prices for the service, there may be another one out there you can take your business to.   A debate over surge pricing is starting to grow with some arguing that it will soon be the future of pricing and that we might start seeing it pop up all over the place.   Many argue that as businesses adopt newer technology and particularly AI tools that they’re more likely to use those tools to introduce payment structures with greater flexibility. Their pricing could be more in tune wit

Arguments are common in relationships, especially when it comes to finances. If you're tired of bickering about money with your spouse or partner, then keep listening. In this episode, we discuss a few reasons why couples often fight over money, and we'll share some specific ways you can work together to reach common financial ground.  Links: Check out any upcoming webinars for budgeting and debt reduction strategies or watch on demand on our YouTube playlist Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union

How satisfied are you with your overall financial health? When was the last time you even checked it? If you’re not sure where you stand financially, assessing your existing financial situation is an important place to start. Stay tuned to learn more about the steps you can take to improve your financial health and wealth.  Links:  Triangle's Financial Assessment tool Check out our Budgeting 101 webinar  Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript: This is Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  According to research with online financial experts, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to assess your financial health and future. Many people recommend doing an assessment right at the beginning of the year because it’s a pivotal time to start fresh. But if you feel a bit behind because you haven’t done it yet, the good news is that there is no bad time to do a financial assessment.   So, where should someone start with a financial assessment? Here are a few steps to take to get started.   The first step in a full financial assessment is your monthly spending. Does your income meet or exceed your expenses? How will know if you don’t do a budget! To learn more about budgeting, we encourage you to check out our YouTube channel for our Budgeting 101 webinar. This webinar provides all the information you’ll need to start a budget, including a dynamic Excel spreadsheet that is easy to navigate and fun to use.  Second, we recommend looking at your income. How much did you earn last year? Is your salary in line with and competitive with similar jobs in your area? If not, a candid conversation with your employer may be in order. As you prepare for this discussion, make sure you do your research and provide collaborating documentation for your presentation. While this type of meeting may be uncomfortable for you and your employer, more employees are sharing their concerns and salary information—not to be negative, but to stay competitive.    Third, make sure your financial checkup includes a credit check. You can access your credit report for free through annualcreditreport.com. Examine your report closely to ensure there are no discrepancies, especially credit card balances. Identity theft often starts with credit card fraud, so your close examination can guard against fraudulent activity.  Last, assess your financial progress with savings goals, wealth-building investments, and retirement. Triangle offers a variety of financial planning tools including a new financial wellness assessment tool that provides an immediate snapshot of your shortcomings and recommend steps to improve them. This assessment takes less than 5 minutes, but the outcome is worth it! Check it out at trianglecu.org.   A solid financial position is essential for a healthy and secure future. An annual assessment can help you make intelligent decisions about your financial health today and prepare you for a wealthy tomorrow.  If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

Being healthy should always be a priority, and taking care of yourself is very important. However, things happen, and you may become sick or injure yourself. Healthcare, which many need, can often be expensive and even unaffordable to some. Here are some ways to save on healthcare. Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.    If you’re looking for ways to save on healthcare, we have tips for you!  First, choose a healthcare plan that works for you. Low-deductible plans have higher monthly premiums but will cover more of your health costs. This plan suits those with health issues who need regular care. High-deductible plans have lower monthly premiums, but you must pay more out of pocket. This plan is suitable for those who rarely need medical care. If you have a high-deductible healthcare plan, you should enroll in a Health Savings Account, or HSA for short. HSAs are great for saving money for medical expenses, medical bills, and higher deductibles and any money you contribute to an HSA are tax deductible, or if made through payroll deductions, are pretax which lowers your overall taxable income. Ans your funds grow tax free in the HSA. When you need to make a withdrawal, if it is used to pay for a medical or dental expense (as dictated by IRS rules), you will not pay taxes on that money.  The HSA limit for 2024 is $4,150 for individuals, and families can contribute up to $8,300.   HSA is a great way to reduce your tax base and it covers expenses in your high deductible health plan. For example, our medical plan has a $2,500 individual deductible annually. Rather than paying a high premium, I personally would rather put the money I pay in premium into an HSA and use a high deductible plan.  Second, check your past usage of your healthcare plan. If you are using it sparingly, you're most likely over-insured. If you're paying more out of pocket, you're underinsured. If you have medical insurance through your employer, check with your HR or Benefits Administration Department – they should be able to offer some advice in this area.  Third, if possible, only go to healthcare providers covered by your health coverage. Choosing healthcare providers who are in-network is cheaper than selecting those who aren't in-network. This is because in-network providers have a contract with your health plan and can charge you lower rates.    Fourth, if you take medications, there are a few ways to save money on your next prescription. If you're taking a name-brand drug, ask your healthcare provider if you can switch to a generic. Generic drugs should have the same ingredients but at a lesser cost. You can also ask your healthcare provider if a less expensive medication can treat you.    Fifth, if you have a procedure, ask your healthcare provider if you can do it at an outpatient surgical center rather than a hospital. Outpatient clinics are typically 45 to 60 percent less expensive than a hospital. This is because outpatients are smaller businesses with less overhead and are generally cheaper to run. Also, you typically won't be spending the night and will only be there for the day, substantially cutting the cost of being in a hospital.     Lastly, participate in preventative care. Eating well and exercising will make you healthier and less likely to become ill. If you are sick, the doctor will likely catch it before it becomes too severe.     If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Also, remember to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts. Finally, remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Facebook and LinkedIn.   Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Be sure to check out our other tips

How do you know it’s the right time to buy a new car? Are there signs to recognize the need for an upgrade or replacement? If you’re on the fence about whether to start looking for a new car, there are a few things to consider first before jumping into the process.   Links:  View the Consumer Reports article for more information  Check your car’s value with Kelley Blue Book   Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  Learn more about Triangle Credit Union   Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  To buy or not to buy. That is the question.   Most of us have a car. We use our cars every day. For many people, it seems they’re getting a new car every other year. But for others, determining the right time to replace an existing car can be challenging. Have you been mulling over it for a while or rather lured into it by that recent commercial for a brand-new luxury model?   If we want to make the right decision when it comes to buying a new car, it’s important to make sure we’re making it from a reasonable perspective rather than an emotional perspective.   How do you know it’s time? What are some of the signs you’re ready for a trade in? According to an article by Consumer Reports, there are a few reasons why someone might start their search for a new car. These are: you want to save money, you’re concerned about safety, or you want more features in general.   We’ll start with the first one, Saving money:  Cars always cost something to run. You’ll pay for fuel, maintenance, repairs and insurance – the list can keep going. Is your car getting too expensive for you? Are you dishing out hundreds or thousands of dollars for repairs every year? This might be the time to consider trading it in.   But is paying the price of a new car worth trading in the existing one? The sticker price of a car is in the tens of thousands where repairs could be in the hundreds, maybe thousands. Do the math, compare your car’s value by checking Kelley Blue book .com and compare that with the amount of money you’ve been spending in repairs.   If the value of the car is less than the amount of money it’ll cost to repair, then it’s most likely time for a trade in. If the car is only in need of low-level repairs or maintenance that doesn’t cost too much or you could even do yourself, then it may be wise to keep it around for a few more years.   The second one to address is if there are concerns about safety.  If the car can’t get you reliably from point A to point B then it’s time to start looking for a new one. But even if an older model is still reliable, it’s also important to review the quality of the safety features of that car.  Newer models have upgraded safety features like blind spot alerts, backup cameras, refined airbag technology, frame design, and braking systems with improved capabilities to keep passengers safe. Older models lacking those designs might not be as trustworthy in accidents or situations.  Consider the safety of your existing vehicle to determine whether it’s still meeting all the safety needs of your family. If safety is important to you, then upgrading to a newer car may give you better peace of mind because you’ll know your car is equipped to protect everyone traveling in it.   The third reason you may consider a new car is just for more features in general:  Older vehicles provided many things that seemed cutting edge back in the day but have now pretty much gone obsolete. Today, there may still be an occasional car with crank windows, a cassette player and even an ash tray.  But many of today’s drivers have no need for those features and are now interested in other things like new GPS capabilities, voice commands, built-in navigation, and other automatic features. As new models roll out, manufacturers are adding newer and more sophisticated technology to improve the driving experience.  If you

Identity theft can be expensive. It costs you not only time to fix, but money and resources too. When it comes to keeping your information secure, even the newest technology still has weaknesses, and it’s up to you to stay aware of what those weaknesses are.   Links: Learn more about KnowBe4 Security Awareness  Protect your identity with Triangle's Better Checking account with IDProtect Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   This tip comes from an article provided by KnowBe4 Security Awareness and training.  We’re going to explore the future of connected devices, how these devices may impact cybersecurity, and what you can do to stay safe.  New innovations in technology are being developed at a rapid rate. But new technology comes with new risks. Let's go over some examples of how technology will change in the future and ways you can stay safe.   5G Cellular Networks  You may think a cellular network is only used for cell phones, but it can also be used for GPS devices, wifi hotspots, logistics tracking, and more. 5G stands for the fifth generation of cellular networking. In short, 5G is a dramatically faster and more stable way to connect to the internet.  While this is great for connectivity, it could be a major struggle for cybersecurity. Current security monitoring methods may not be strong enough for the speed and amount of traffic created on a 5G network.    The Internet of Things  The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a network of connected devices designed to work together using an internet connection. A common example of this is the use of “smart” devices in the home. Smart devices connect and communicate with one another using your wifi network. IoT is being used and developed across a number of industries, from healthcare to logistics.  Each device within an IoT network is a potential risk. As more devices are connected to one another, an organization’s attack surface grows. Meaning, there are more targets for cybercriminals to attack and more points of entry to protect. As these networks grow, it is essential that cybersecurity measures grow with them.    Safety Tips for Now and Later  Stay Informed No matter what the future holds, it is always harder to fool an educated person. Follow trusted news and media outlets for the latest updates in technology and cybersecurity.   Be Suspicious As technology changes, cybercriminals will find new ways to attack. If something doesn’t look or feel right, report it. It is better to be safe than sorry!   Time Travel to the Past Maybe technology isn’t quite there yet, but you can use classic communication to outsmart cybercriminals. For example, if you receive a suspicious email, reach out to the sender by phone to verify that it’s legitimate.    If there are any other tips or topics you would like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

Debt is a familiar burden most Americans face daily. Whether the debts are small or large, many are becoming fed up and joining a movement to pay off debt and reach financial freedom. If you’re one of those looking for a way out of debt, it’s time to put together a debt payoff strategy to set you up for success.  Links: Get your budgeting tools on our TCU University resources page Watch our pre-recorded financial freedom webinar for a more in-depth explanation of this debt payoff plan Check out our upcoming events for new webinars and workshops Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Getting out of debt can be overwhelming. Staring at a large number, wondering how in the world you’ll be able to pay it off, is enough to make anyone want to give up and say, “Never mind.”   But debt and the burden it brings does not have to haunt you forever.    With a simple, five-point plan, you can tackle that debt burden and finally get onto a path that will eliminate it forever.  This plan breaks the debt payoff journey down into manageable, actionable steps to stay on track to meeting your goal.    Step one: Acknowledging you have a problem   Debt is no different than any other personal challenge we face. Once we determine the problem affecting us, then we get the resolve to do something about it. Is your debt affecting your mood? Your relationships? Your health? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s a burden in your life that has to go. Be honest about where you are now and where you want to be.   Acknowledge all your debts. Then list them all from credit cards, personal loans, student loans, medical bills, car payments, everything. With it all out front and visible, it’ll be easier to assess how much work you’ll need to put in to pay it off.  With the debt problem illuminated, it’s time to move to the next step.   Step two: Resolve to do something about it   This step is where you take ownership. You’ve admitted you have a debt problem, and now it’s time to do something about it.   This step involves finding all the information needed for a proper strategy. Seek out resources that provide education and insight into solving your problem. If that’s a trustworthy friend or professional, a webinar, online course, book, or even blog, take that first step of resolving to commit to this journey.    Step three: Create your plan   This step is all about laying out the strategy you’ll follow, and the very first step in this plan is to create a budget. Know your income and expenses and put them all onto a budget sheet. This process organizes your money into categories so you can see all the money coming in and going out. If you need access to a budget sheet, we’ll link to one in the show notes you can download and use.  Within the budget process, determine to put any extra income towards debt. That means you'll need to pause additional spending on fun and other frivolous things for some time. Put all your remaining money towards that debt pile to reach that debt-free goal sooner.    It’s also essential to choose the order in which you’ll pay your debts off. Many people use one of two popular debt payoff structures for this – the debt avalanche or debt snowball.   The debt avalanche method involves paying off the highest-interest debt first, eventually working down to the lowest-interest debt. The debt snowball consists of tackling the debt with the smallest balance and then working up to paying off the largest balance.    The principles of both plans are the same. Tackle one debt with any extra money while paying the minimum balance on other debts. Once one debt is paid, use that money that you had been paying to pay off debt to the next one—keep doing this same process until all debts are paid off.  Step four: Execute your

Caring for our community has been part of Triangle's DNA since we incorporated 85 years ago. Community means so much that we added it as one of our core values. Through volunteerism, donations and sponsorships, Triangle supports over 50 charitable organizations that help our communities for those who need a helping hand. Stay tuned to hear from local charities, how they help others, and how you can help with a simple vote in our Share 'Cuz You Care campaign. Links: Learn more about the three organizations featured in the episode: Harbor Care, Nashua, NH The Upper Room, Derry, NH Webster House, Manchester, NH Visit our Share 'Cuz You Care campaign page to vote DAILY for the nonprofit you'd like to see win the top donation of $1,000 from Triangle Credit Union.  Learn about Triangle's financial planning resources  Check out other financial resources and blogs at TCU University View episode transcript.

How often do you talk with your spouse or partner about money? Are you even on the same page when it comes to finances? The truth is, if you’re married or in a serious relationship there are some important financial topics you should discuss.   Links:  For budgeting resources check out: You Need a Budget (YNAB) Ramsey Solutions Triangle Credit Union webinars  Learn about Triangle's financial planning resources  Check out other financial resources and blogs at TCU University Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   If you’re in a relationship, there’s a good many things you need to work together on, and finances aren’t any different.   For some people finances are that sort of thing that most don’t want to discuss at all. I mean, it can turn a civilized conversation into a knockout drag out fight.  But, the reality is that some of these topics should be talked about, and for many people, sooner rather than later.   Here are six financial topics couples should discuss:  The first topic couples should discuss is budgeting.   For most couples, particularly married couples, this is a must. The purpose of this is to work together to determine how much you make and where it’s all going every month.   If you’re new to this, get started by watching some videos, attending a webinar, or reading some books. Then, armed with the knowledge of how to properly set up a budget system, take some time, sit down and do your budget. Make it a date. Try ordering takeout or cook a special meal to make it feel more of a fun event rather than a chore.  If you need some help, check out resources like You Need A Budget (YNAB), Ramsey Solutions, and Triangle Credit Union webinars, available to watch on YouTube.  The next topic couples need to discuss is savings and retirement.  Like the last one, this one also applies more to married couples, but for single people however, it might not be a bad idea to get an idea of where your partner stands when it comes to spending. It’ll give you a peek into how compatible you two really are.  When discussing spending, ask each other what you’re saving for, both as a couple and as individuals. Determine whether you have an emergency savings account and how much you’ll need to fully fund it. Having a proper savings plan ensures that your financial future will be secure.  Are you both planning to retire and when? Make sure you’re discussing retirement goals and how working to reach those goals affects your savings rate now. If you’re going to build your financial future together, you need to give it the best foundation possible by having a healthy emergency fund, good savings habits and a well-planned retirement strategy.   The third thing to discuss is goals.   If you have wishes and goals, your partner likely does too. You need to talk about what those goals are and how they affect your finances in both the near future and distant future.   Start with short term goals. As a couple, do you want to save for a downpayment? How about paying off a credit card? Or perhaps paying down a set portion of your student loans?  When it comes to long term goals, look a little farther out. Depending on where you are in life, do you want to finally own a home? Get completely debt free? Maybe buy a second home? Plan a once in a lifetime vacation?  The best way to achieve goals is by determining where you want to be or what you want to achieve as a couple, laying out the steps you’ll need to get there and work hard and keep focus to meet that goal at its appointed time. Set up a timeline, determine milestones and remember to celebrate once your goal is reached.  The fourth topic to discuss is whether you’ll have separate or joint bank accounts.  If you’re not married, then keeping accounts separate is the better plan.  If you’re married, the typical choice is to combine finances. Though there are many cases where husbands and wives continue to manage their own money, in many ways

Building wealth might seem complicated and hard to master, but there’s one financial habit when done effectively, that can put you on a path to building wealth in no time. In this tip, I’m going to share one simple money rule that changed the way I view my paycheck forever.  Links: The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason Get your dollars earning more for you with CDs, IRAs and Online Savings Learn how Triangle's financial professionals can help you set up an investing plan that will build wealth! Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  When it comes to building wealth, it’s easy to get discouraged when after years we don’t seem to be any farther along than when we first started.   We then jump to conclusions about ourselves with thoughts like, “I don’t make enough”, “I can’t afford to save”, or “I don’t have enough time”.   But surprisingly, building wealth has less to do with how much money you make and has more to do with how much you save.   If you want to be wealthy, if you want to amass a fortune, I’m going to share a brief segment from a little parable you may have never heard before. It comes from the book, “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason.   This book was first published in 1926 and it shares important financial principles in the form of parables set during the time of ancient Babylon.  The first parable addresses how your perspective on the money you make and how you choose to use it determines whether you’ll grow wealthy.   Here goes:   Arkad, known to be the richest man in Babylon, started as a humble scribe and now as an older man, owns a legendary fortune that rivaled even the very king.   In the parable, Arkad speaks with a young man who wants to know the secret to building a fortune.   Arkad responded by simply saying, “I found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of all I earned was mine to keep.”  The young man was a bit confused at the short reply and responded, “Is that all? But all I earn is mine to keep.”   Arkad replied, “Far from it. Do you not pay the garment maker? Do you not pay the sandal-maker? Do you not pay for the things you eat?... What have you to show for your earnings of the past month?... You pay to everyone but yourself. You labor for others.”  This first exchange illuminates the reality that much of the money we earn is spent. Much of it goes to bills and necessities as well as other things we desire or want to experience.   Arkad’s first point is important because we need to recognize that when we’re spending money, we’re paying other people and that money isn’t ours to keep.  So what does that leave for us? How can we build wealth if we don’t have any money to build wealth with?  At this point, Arkad continues the lesson by saying, “Every gold piece you save is a slave to work for you. Every copper it earns is its child that also can earn for you. If you would become wealthy, then what you save must earn, and its children must earn...”   Arkad sums his lesson up with this simple message.  “A part of all you earn is yours to keep.... Pay yourself first.”  Arkad’s simple, yet profound advice, though fictional, is a simple strategy to building wealth over time.  When we spend everything we make, we’re contributing to making others rich rather than building our own wealth. We’re paying everyone but ourselves.   Faithfully set aside a portion of your income for yourself every time you get paid.  Then, find a way to get that money to make more money. Use savings accounts like online savings, CDs, IRAs with good interest rates and talk to a financial professional to set up quality investment accounts that will get those dollars earning more in the background.  Before closing I’ll leave this final message from Arkad. He says, “Wealth like a tree, grows from a tiny se

Hunting for a new car doesn’t have to be a hassle. It should be fun and enjoyable. Fortunately, this time of year is a good time to find that perfect car and, with a little advanced planning, score a fantastic deal and a great rate.  Links:  View auto rates, get pre-approved, and start your search with our AutoSmart tool. Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   If you’re in the market for a car, you’ll have a lot of decisions to make. You’re probably hunting through car listings or scoping out nearby dealerships to pop by and maybe take a few cars for a test drive.   But did you know that the process of buying a car starts before you even sit in that driver’s seat?   If you’re ready to take advantage of the upcoming car deals this time of year, you’ll want to take certain steps to make sure you get a great price.    First, establish your budget then go ahead and shop the prices. - Determine your budget by crunching numbers to find an affordable price. Use some online payment calculators to get an idea of how much your monthly payment will be.  With your ideal price in mind, start scoping around for good deals.  This time of year, President’s Day is a spectacular deal day, particularly for car buying. It’s usually the first deal weekend of the year for most car sellers so they’re going to be extra eager to share attractive pricing on not only new models but also on popular cars you’ve been dreaming to own.  Before you visit the dealer, scope out the car or cars you’re interested in a few weeks before President’s Day so you can keep an eye on pricing and take advantage of any deals that pop up over President’s Day weekend. Remember to keep that budget in mind.     Second, make sure you know your credit score and check your report. Prepping your credit is an ideal way to set yourself up for getting a great price for the car you want. Your credit eligibility is an important factor to getting the most from these special deals because it largely determines how much you’ll get approved for and at how low a rate.   Review your credit score and report. If you’re not happy with what you see, start taking steps to fix it. Make sure you make all your payments on time and keep any balances well under your credit limits. Doing this will help demonstrate that you’re responsible with your credit and will likely score you a lower rate.     The final thing to getting the car you want at a great price is to get pre-approved BEFORE you head to the dealer.   Whatever your reasons for buying a car, whether it’s your first ride, or you’re ready for an upgrade, if you’re planning to take out a loan for your vehicle, you’ll want to be prepared with the financing that is best for your budget and you do this by pre-qualifying for the loan.  Prequalifying tells the dealer that you’re already set up with financing. It will help you shop with confidence because you already know the amount you’ve been approved for. That confidence also comes in handy when you negotiate pricing with the dealer, because your budget remains fixed due to the pre-approval.   Pre-qualifying can also move the process along much faster because it cuts down on your time spent at the dealership. Once you decide on the vehicle you want, you simply return to the credit union and get your check to complete the purchase.   If you’re wondering how to get pre-approved, it’s pretty straightforward.   You can get started online or stop by your local branch. Once you’re in the system, a representative will get in touch with you to work through the next steps.   Once your preapproval is established, it’s time to shop. When visiting the dealers, inform them that you already have a pre-approval with your credit union. When you’ve selected your vehicle, you’ll then bring the purchase an

Have you ever wanted the convenient experience of an ATM with all the benefits of going into your local credit union branch? With an Interactive Teller Machine, or ITM for short, you can do anything you’d do at an ATM, plus get access to other features that are usually only available in a branch. Learn how you can make this technology work for you!  Links:  Watch this video to learn more about ITMs!. Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  An ITM is essentially banking in a box. One of the most convenient features of an ITM is the ability to call for assistance from a live teller. Not a machine or artificial intelligence, the teller is a real person who is ready to help you with all your banking needs. This feature is only available during business hours, so don’t expect to have any late-night chats with your local teller. But if you visit during the available hours, a live teller can video chat with you to help you through your transaction or answer any questions about your accounts.   That’s not all ITMs can do. Like an ATM, ITMs let you deposit and withdraw cash, check account balances, and transfer money. You can also make loan or credit card payments and cash checks at an ITM, which you can’t do at an ATM.  ITMs give you the ability to do almost anything you’d do at the teller line and provide better service through features that ATMs have lacked for years. For example, ATMs are usually limited by set cash denominations with most distributing only $20 bills. With an ITM, you're offered an assortment of denominations to choose from so if you want a $50 bill, or a bunch of $1s, you can select the quantity of each when you take out cash. This can come in handy, especially if you need smaller bills like $5s but don’t have time to run into the branch.  Today, more and more people are doing their banking while on the go. This is where ITMs fit in for those of us living a busy lifestyle. If you’re in a rush, ITMs can sometimes be a quicker alternative to waiting in line at the bank or credit union. If there’s a long line to get to the tellers, just look for the ITM and do your transactions there. Many financial institutions also offer drive-up ITMs, which allows you to use the ITM from the comfort of your vehicle.   With all these features, the ITM truly is banking in a box. An ITM allows you to bank your way, offering the perfect blend of self-service banking and in-person assistance.  If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts And remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Facebook and LinkedIn.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

If you don't have a New Year's resolution, we've got one for you. In this episode, we'll be sharing tips on how to take charge of your credit score in 2024.  *For the most accurate and up to date disclosures about the products or services mentioned in this episode, visit our website at trianglecu.org Links: Learn how to check your credit score with Triangle's Better Checking account Learn more about Triangle's Teen Club account and the teen builder loan Check out more information from this Forbes article about how to improve your credit score Check out the credit score simulator from NerdWallet to see how certain adjustments might affect your score Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union

We are in a value-added age for consumer products and services, and the financial industry is no exception.  Checking accounts, for example, provide many bells and whistles, including identity protection for you and your family. Stay tuned to learn how to protect yourself and your money. Links: Learn more about Triangle's Better Checking account Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  With so many online banking services available today, consumers are no longer relegated to banks or credit unions at the end of the street. How does one decide which financial institution or product is right for them? Often that decision is decided by the value-added benefits of the financial product. As an example, let’s explore the value-added features and benefits of a checking account.  According to one financial blogger, value-added checking can take a standard checking account to new levels and adds a bit of a mission-focus.   At Triangle, our mission is to protect you and your money. For over 85 years, Triangle has maintained the strictest financial safety and soundness standards, so how does our Better Checking account, with IDProtect™, safeguard you and your money?   First, enrollment for identity theft protection is automatic. As soon as you open a Better Checking account, you have protection that covers you and your eligible family members, including elderly parents and dependent children, up to age 25, living in your household.  Second, IDProtect™ provides state-of-the-art detection and monitoring services around the clock. Time is of the essence in discovering identity theft, since the quicker it is discovered, the easier it is to recover from it. Identity monitoring is a critical component in discovering identity theft quickly in order to limit the amount of damage done.   For example, credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you have and how you pay your bills. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. IDProtect’s ™ Credit File Monitoring service alerts you to these key changes.  Monitoring your credit report and score can be a tedious task, but it is imperative to keep a watchful eye out for fraudulent activity. With Better Checking, members rest easy with credit file monitoring and have access to a 3-in-1 credit report every 90 days.  Because lenders use credit scores to determine who qualifies for a loan, the interest rate they’ll get, and the credit limit, it’s important to monitor your credit score and keep track of changes and setbacks.  Third, Better Checking’s IDProtect™ offers recovery and resolution with a dedicated case manager.  Becoming a victim of identity fraud is a frightening, frustrating experience and it can happen to anyone at any time.  IDProtect™ is here to help during such a difficult time. Should you become a victim, a dedicated fraud specialist will be assigned to manage your case. Experienced recovery professionals will handle the recovery process until your identity is completely restored. Plus, IDProtect™ provides identity fraud expense reimbursement to cover expenses associated with restoring your identity.  Triangle Credit Union’s Better Checking, with IDProtect™, is available for those who are 18 and working or residing in the Hillsborough, Merrimack, Belknap, Rockingham, and Cheshire Counties of New Hampshire, as well as the Franklin, Worcester, Middlesex, and Essex Counties of Massachusetts. There is a nominal monthly fee of $4.99.  For a full list of features and value-added benefits, including identity protection for you and your qualifying members of your household, visit trianglecu.org/checking.   If you have any questions about today’s topic or suggestions for future topics, p

What resolutions have you made this year? Did you decide it’s time to start making some financial changes? Financial resolutions aren’t for the faint of heart, and if you’re gearing up to make this year one of your best for financial discipline then there’s nothing better than a no-spend challenge to put yourself to the test. Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   The New Year has finally come and if you’re like many other people you’re likely sitting down to plan out some resolutions. When it comes to resolutions, people often choose to start a new diet or exercise routine while others set financial goals.    One goal you may want to consider participating in is a no-spend challenge.    A no spend challenge can last for a week, a month or even a year!   The purpose of a no spend challenge is to cut back on frivolous spending and have a better grasp of your financial habits.    How does a no spend challenge truly work?   Although the name suggests it, it’s impossible to not spend any money for a whole month.    You need to make sure you have your four walls—food, utilities, shelter, and transportation—covered.    Note: When we say food we mean groceries, not restaurants. Transportation refers to gas, public transportation, or anything else that is necessary to get you where you need to go    Once the four walls are taken care of, you are not allowed to spend money on anything else.    When’s the best time to start a no spend challenge?   This month, January, seems like the best month to start a no spend week or month for a few reasons:    January follows the holiday shopping season and on average, Americans spend approximately $997.73 on holiday shopping each year. Starting a no spend challenge in January is a great way to let your bank accounts and credit cards breathe a bit.   You might have received some restaurant or store gift cards over the holiday season that you can use during the challenge. This is essentially free money since it won’t be coming out of your accounts.   No spend challenges are easier to participate in when the weather is cold or snowy since poor weather conditions typically mean staying indoors, thus you are less tempted to go out and spend money.   How Do You Prepare?   Before you begin this challenge, it’s important to plan out all your meals, snacks, desserts, etc. to ensure they fit into your grocery budget for the duration of the challenge. Be resourceful and take inventory of your pantry, freezer, and fridge, that way you know exactly what you have.  To help yourself with online shopping, delete all shopping apps (Target, Amazon, Walmart, etc.) from your mobile devices. It may also be helpful to set up a filter on your email that will send marketing emails to a hidden email folder, that way you aren’t tempted to shop those deals. One of the benefits of a no spend challenge is the money you save. Write down your plan for those saved funds. This will serve as a reminder and a motivator of your goals if you struggle during the challenge.   Obviously, if an emergency arises, that does not break the no spend challenge.    A no spend challenge may seem a bit daunting if this is a new idea for you, but once completed it is very rewarding.    If at first you don’t succeed, don’t be too hard on yourself and don’t be afraid to try again! We’re rooting for you.    If there are any other tips or topics you would like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

The new year has just begun! It’s the perfect time for a refresh, and the beginning of a new journey.  If you’re ready to get kicking this new year with a resolve to tackle your finances, now is the perfect time to scope out some reliable resources and learn effective strategies to accomplish whatever goal you seek to achieve this year.  Links: Books: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey  I will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi The Millionaire Next Door – by Thomas J Stanley The Simple Path to Wealth – J.L. Collins The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel YouTube Channels Ramit Sethi I Will Teach You To Be Rich - YouTube Dave Ramsey The Ramsey Show Highlights - YouTube  Graham Stephen Graham Stephan - YouTube  Khan Academy (Economics and Finance) Khan Academy - YouTube  Next Gen Personal Finance Next Gen Personal Finance - YouTube  Financial apps You Need a Budget (YNAB)  EveryDollar Good Budget Pocket Guard  Use Triangle Credit Union's app for iOS or Android for Money Management tools Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   To improve and learn, you need to find credible resources. Today, there are so many different avenues to find anything you have an interest in.  This might be the year you want to increase your net worth, get your finances more organized, save more money, or get out of debt.   Fortunately, there are so many resources and tools available that cover any financial topic.   Here are some top resource categories with specific examples you should explore this year for financial knowledge, practice, and motivation.   The first one for all the readers out there is to select some finance books that explore popular themes to help you not only understand money but also how to lay out strategies for organizing it.  Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey  I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi  The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J Stanley  The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel  This is just a short list of the many books out there covering finance topics. Doing a simple Google or Amazon search will bring up additional suggestions for you to explore. Also, if you prefer to listen to audiobooks, most of these are available in audio format.   Keep in mind, many authors also write articles on their social media and websites so explore their profiles for more insight, news, and other advice they may be sharing.  For anyone who likes to watch videos and tutorials, another resource is to seek out financial videos from good teachers and experts.  If this is your preferred learning method, YouTube can be a great resource. Many financial institutions and professionals host videos and discussions on their own channel where you can pick up some useful tips, advice and learn all about a variety of topics.   Explore the YouTube channels of some of these popular creators.  Ramit Sethi I Will Teach You to Be Rich - YouTube Dave Ramsey The Ramsey Show Highlights - YouTube Graham Stephen Graham Stephan - YouTube Khan Academy (Economics and Finance) Khan Academy - YouTube Next Gen Personal Finance Next Gen Personal Finance - YouTube  Don’t forget to also explore your financial institution and financial planner’s social channels for videos and posts sharing insight and advice.   The last resource you will want to use is a personal finance app.  It’s one thing to know what you need to do financially but another to make it work. Using a good mobile app or two will give you the tools to work a budget, set up goals, manage cash flow and pay off debt.   There are a few top-rated ones out there so browse the app store and see what you can find. Right off the bat here are a few of the popular ones to start your search.  You Need a Budget (YNAB) - This app helps you track spend

The holidays are almost over, but surprisingly, many deals are just beginning. Post-holiday sales are very common and taking advantage of these savings is a great way to start the New Year. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you get the best deals.  Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  The first deal you should look out for is for anything that is seasonal, or holiday related. For example, holiday decorations. You will probably be taking down your holiday decorations soon, or maybe you already have, so it’s way too early to put them back up. However, buying holiday decorations now is a great way to save money. Stores want to get rid of their holiday decoration stock so there will be plenty of good deals out there on all kinds of holiday items. It’s the perfect time to replace any festive lights that may have gone out or even buy yourself a new artificial tree for next year.  Seasonal and holiday related food will also go on sale. Certain brands, especially candy, will usually offer limited supplies of festive themed food. Deals like these can be found wherever you buy groceries. Just make sure to check the expiration date first, as you don’t want to buy too much and not be able to eat it all before it goes bad.  Holiday themed wrapping paper, cards, and gift bags will also go on sale. Before you grab these deals, try and remember how much wrapping paper you used this past season and take inventory of what you have left. That way, you have a rough estimate of how much you will need for next year. What you don’t need is an over-abundance of holiday themed wrapping paper that you only use once a year.  Another deal you should look for during post-holiday sales is on winter clothes. In January, retailers turn over their merchandise, which means that winter clothing will go on sale or clearance to make room for next season’s clothing.   The next deal to look for is anything fitness related. One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to exercise more, and retailers will take advantage of this by offering great sales. Exercise equipment, clothing, and more will be on sale to help people become healthier in the new year. You will definitely be able to find a discounted rate on gym memberships, so if you don’t have the space for exercise equipment, you can go there instead.  The final deal you should look out for is on toys and games. Stores will often overstock these products in preparation for holiday shopping.   If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Facebook and LinkedIn.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

It’s that time of year! Time for family and friends, get-togethers, yummy food and sharing. It is also a time of reflection and a time when we consider others more often than ourselves. One way we do that is through charitable giving. Links: Charitable organizations to look into: Make a Wish, Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Soup Kitchens Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Charitable Giving is a wonderful way for individuals and corporations to donate or “give” either to individuals or to organizations, particularly, those that support their values and organizations whose mission it is to help people either directly or indirectly. Some examples are, Make-a-Wish, Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Soup Kitchens, and so many others. Or donating to fund a scholarship or donating goods for a fundraiser. Unsurprisingly, December is the month in which most charitable giving occurs. Last year, according to nationalgivingmonth.org, Americans gave $410.2 billion, with 31% occurring in December alone. With stats like these, it’s clear that we are a generous people. Charitable giving is often tax deductible. And though it is about others, this can be an incentive for individuals and businesses and in the end, it goes to help and support others anyway. If you are anything like me, you notice the increase in requests whether it is the famous bell ringing to the different requests in the various places we visit. This proliferation of need can be daunting so here are a few helpful hints. #1 Decide ahead of time what you will give. By setting a “budget” for giving it helps you prepare yourself just as you would when purchasing gifts for family and friends and helps you avoid that uneasy feeling of not giving to everything. The burden of need falls on all of us and no one can do it alone. Giving should be cheerful and without obligation or compulsion. #2 Give thought to whom you would support. Giving is a privilege and giving wisely benefits you, as the giver, too. If you have ever wanted to give but are unsure about the company and what it stands for, do some research before giving. This way you can give according to your principles, ideals, and beliefs and avoid any hesitation or “givers remorse”. #3 Be creative in your giving. While charitable giving is most often associated with money, there are other ways we can give, this would be our time and talent. This time of year, there are plenty of opportunities to give by sharing your time. You can volunteer to serve; you can volunteer to spend time with others who may feel alone this time of year. Your talent could literally be something you’re good that you “give” or share with others like performing or reading to kids or something similar. Sharing your treasure is awesome but don’t overlook your time and talent either! Well, that’s it for this MTT, all of us at TCU hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday season. Be encouraged to give and seek the joy in doing so. If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Bye!

It's the holiday shopping season and you're likely neck deep in the hustle of picking out the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. But with prices rising across the board, you might be struggling to keep your spending from getting out of control. In this episode, we share a few practical tips and tools to save money on your gifting this year.  Links: See 2023 Holiday Outlook trends Learn about the protective benefits of a Better Checking account Leran more about Triangle's Purchase Rewards program Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

Being financially healthy takes attention and discipline. But you can’t determine where you’re going if you don’t know where you currently are. That’s why this time of year is the perfect time to do a financial review. Links: Check your credit score from any of the top three credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian, Equifax Get a free 3-in-1 credit report every 90 days with a Triangle Better Checking account Learn more about Triangle's Financial Planning services Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   As 2023 comes to an end, it’s a great time to think about your financial goals and plan for the New Year. Taking some time in the next month or so to look ahead at your budget, credit, and investments is the best way to help you define your financial objectives, recognize your financial success and failures of the previous year, and make improvements in the New Year.  Set aside some time in the next month to look over these three important financial categories and determine how you stand.   First is your Budget  Think about your budget over the past year. What things worked for you? Did you find it easy or hard to stick to your budget?   Reviewing your budget helps you determine your financial status by looking over your assets like income, savings, and retirement contributions. Ask yourself if something changed in your finances. Did you get a new job? Did you buy a new car? A new house? All new financial changes should be factored into your budget so you can update it accordingly.  Next, you’ll want to look over your liabilities such as loans, credit cards, and monthly expenses including your mortgage and utility bills. Ask yourself if any of your expenses went up. Did you pay off a credit card? Did you get a new loan? Sign up for new subscriptions? Take note of all these changes to determine how many new or increased expenses you’ll have going into the new year.   After reviewing your assets and monthly expenses, you can now determine where to make improvements such as removing certain expenses or subscriptions, paying off credit cards or increasing retirement contributions.  Next, Monitor and Review Your Credit  Do you know what your credit score is? If not, do you know how to find out?  Your credit score helps lenders determine your credit worthiness when it comes to borrowing money for things like a car or house. If you intend to take out a loan at some point, you’ll need a credit score, and a good one at that. The higher your score, the more likely you’ll get a lower rate. Which means you’ll have a lower monthly payment. Take time to look over your credit score and determine if it needs improvement.   There are many resources available to check your score, like the top three credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax and Experion, if you have a credit card, many credit card companies provide it, and you can also get it through a Triangle Better Checking account with ID Protect.   Once you know your credit score, set new financial goals towards your credit. Reevaluate ALL your credit cards and determine which ones you want to continue using, which ones to remove, and which ones you need to focus on paying off. Determine which ones to keep or remove by reviewing the perks of the credit cards and weighing any cons like interest rates.     Lastly, Review Your Retirement Savings and Investments  Saving for retirement in an individual retirement account (IRA) or a 401(k) is one of the best ways to prepare for your future. Do you have a retirement account? How much have you been saving? Do you know if you’ll have enough saved when you’re ready to retire?     As you review your annual financial plan, look at your retirement accounts and check their balances.   If you have multiple accounts, consider whether you should roll any old

The holidays are here, and it can be difficult to keep track of how much money you spend during this shopping season. If you’re worried about overspending this time of year, keep listening for a few practical tips to stay on the right financial track.   Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  If you want to avoid spiraling out of financial control due to the holiday spending frenzy the best thing you can do to keep control is to start with a budget. Creating a budget will give you more control over how much you spend by helping you strategize how best to distribute your money. The budget structure of your monthly income should be divided into three categories; needs, wants, and savings. You should portion your monthly income into each category at the following percentages: fifty percent towards needs, thirty percent towards wants, and twenty percent towards savings.  Establishing a reasonable budget that reflects your monthly payments limits how much you spend as well as how much you want to save. A budget allows you to set expectations for yourself when it comes to spending wisely as well as saving for future purchases and your emergency fund. Let's dive into how to avoid overspending by limiting your spending, balancing your budget, and saving money.  Limitations of Spending  Think about your monthly payments that need to be made, whether it’s for a loan or a credit card, so you can set a limit on your holiday spending and day-to-day expenses from what you have left from your monthly income. Once you have that limit set, it’s important to keep track of all your purchases so you can keep your budget balanced and avoid overspending.  Balance Your Budget  Because your monthly spending can increase due to the holidays, you can adjust your budget a little while keeping it balanced. Simply change your income allocations from 50/30/20, that’s 50% needs, 30% towards wants and 20% to savings to something like 50/40/10, 50% needs, 40% wants and 10% savings. Slightly adjusting your breakdown can keep your budget balanced by ensuring you’re still covering bills and purchases, without completely neglecting an important category like savings.  Save Up for Back Up  Saving money through a budget can be rewarding and provides financial security. But savings only works when you stick with it. The purpose of saving is to make sure you have funds available for future expenses. That could be an emergency fund so you have money set aside to cover an emergency, or it could be a separate savings account for a big vacation or purchase, like a house. Putting a portion of your monthly income into a savings account is critical to staying on financial track throughout the year and helps you reach your long-term goals.   This is a busy and hectic time of year, making it particularly difficult to avoid spending more than planned on gifts, travel and other holiday expenses. Making sure you set up a proper budget with set allocations gives you control over your money and keeps you from spending way too much during seasons of spending, like the holidays.  If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

If your holiday shopping is in full swing, your head is probably buzzing with all the to dos and events filling up your schedule. But, during this time it’s also important you keep your guard up because fraud can lurk behind even the cheeriest holiday ad or email.   Links: Check out other common holiday fraud tactics Learn more about ID Protect with Triangle's Better Checking Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Holidays are a busy time for most of us. We’re wrapped up in the excitement of gift giving, shopping, hosting, prepping, there’s just so much to keep in mind when you’re maximizing your holiday experience.   While we’re shopping for the perfect gift, hanging up the Christmas lights or baking cookies for the fam, someone else is busy this time of year, and they’re not filling out cards or sending letters to Santa. They’re fraudsters and they’re trying to steal your money.  Fraud increases significantly during the holiday season and its prevalence should make you pause before opening that incredible new deal that just popped up in your inbox.  You’re probably thinking, oh come on, one more thing to have to worry about this season? Yes! When it comes to keeping your identity safe, you can never be too busy.   Don’t let the thieves rob you of your holiday cheer this year. Here are a few of the more popular fraud tactics you should keep in mind while celebrating the holiday season.  Fake Charities – What better time to prey on the generosity of people than during the holiday season? Bad actors abound and you can bet they’ll try preying on your generosity by posing as a charity to get you to hand over a donation, no matter the amount. When giving to charities, stick with the ones you trust. Visit their site directly to make your donation instead of clicking on a link. Lookalike online stores – These are common on social media and can be extremely convincing. Fraudsters put together a fake website and then create attractive ads that promote incredible deals to get you to click. They post those ads on social media and link back to their site where you select your item and can even complete a purchase. Oftentimes, people who fall for this find out it’s a scam when they never receive their item. Be careful when you see sites offering great deals. Even if it looks legit or appears to be a brand you recognize, check the URL to verify it’s the actual brand’s site, and always make sure to check the website for contact information and a return policy. If they don’t have either, then it's a huge red flag the site is fraudulent. Phishing scam emails – If you’re like me, your email inbox is overflowing with deals, offers and other holiday specials. But, where the emails abound, fraudsters are likely to be present. Keep a close eye on the emails you receive and beware of deceptive ones camouflaged to look like reputable sites. Keep a sharp eye out for urgent messages, spelling or grammar errors and other red flags. Hover over all URLs before clicking to make sure they link back to the brand site and don’t open any attachments or click any links before making sure they’re legitimate.  Fake tickets for travel or other events. Who doesn’t want to save on their next big vacation or favorite star’s uber expensive music tour. If you’re a travel or experience aficionado, you’re likely to be watching for discounts and offers for traveling or other experiences. But beware because this is another way scammers try to trick you. You may see offers for deeply discounted travel or concert deals through email or social media. They can also come as fake sweepstakes where you’re notified that you won an all-expenses paid trip to the destination of your dreams or a free cruise to a tropical paradise, but you don’t remember entering. Again,

Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays because it’s not about costumes or presents, it’s about taking time to give thanks and be with family and friends you love. While that is what we would like to think, Thanksgiving has become somewhat of another stressful holiday that can fill you with financial, mental, and emotional anxiety. Stay tuned as we countdown ways you can alter your Thanksgiving feast and family time to make this holiday the best one ever! Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast. I love Thanksgiving primarily because my mom is a fantastic cook and even though I’ve been adulting for 40 years, she still hosts our family with all the delicious fixins! I won’t say getting to her house for Thanksgiving is the easiest because she and my dad live six hours north of our home in NH. As you can imagine, the most stressful issue for us is getting there! My husband and I have two adult daughters: one with a job and one in college in NC. What was an easy arrangement for us to all get in the car years ago, has now become quite an ordeal. Now we have three people who have to get time off and getting the also have to get our girl home from university without breaking the bank. We know we aren’t alone when it comes to holiday stress so here are ideas you can incorporate into the final countdown to Thanksgiving: 7 Days Out – if you haven’t extended your invites yet, you need to do that today! You don’t need formal invitations or a special email—a phone call or a text will do. When you think about those invitations, really stop to consider who’s going to be at your table. In addition to the who, you also want to consider how many simply because a crowd can cause chaos. Too many people can lead to a hectic and stressful situation so don’t put yourself in that position. Invite those who can comfortably fit at your table. And don’t forget the single aunt or neighbor who may not have anyone to share this special day with—extending the invitation will make their day a special one. 6 Days Out – Clean out your fridge and make room for all the groceries you’re about to buy because it’s time to think about your meal: what will you serve for an appetizer, main entrée, sides, and dessert? Once you have the menu, then you’ll want to prepare your grocery shopping list. We all tend to over prepare or buy when it comes to food so be considerate of your budget and don’t go overboard. There are meal planning tools online (and we’ll share those in our show notes). If you are on a budget, don’t be afraid to ask your family and friends to bring a side dish to share. Whenever I get an invitation to a party, I always ask, “what can I bring?” with the expectation that I do need to bring something! Try to stick to your list when you go shopping—if you do buy extra groceries just make sure you can afford them and you have room to store them! You will find grocery stores offer big sales during Thanksgiving week so if your budget allows, plan to pick up a little extra, but don’t go over budget! Check the sales flyers before you leave your house and don’t forget the condiments! 5 Days Out – Plan your table. There is something about a festive table to set the mood. Add some holiday decorations as a centerpiece. If you’re looking for ideas, a simple Pinterest search will present you with some amazing suggestions. Table décor is beautiful and will be appreciated by your guests, but it is not necessary so if your budget doesn’t allow for it, you can pass on this one. I have a co-worker who just told me she will have thirteen people for Thanksgiving which is about the cutoff for real or paper plates. She’s opting for paper and that is a great option as well—super easy clean up and there are gorgeous prints and patterns to choose from in al

In this very special episode, we have some great news to share. We're introducing for the very first time a brand new host, Kevin Shepard who just joined our podcast team. In this episode, we're gonna chat with Kevin about what he's excited to share on this podcast and how you can enter a special raffle that we're running to celebrate this occasion.  Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript   Kickoff with Kevin Contest! Join us in celebrating our new podcast host, Kevin Shepherd! We’re welcoming him to our Making Money Personal podcast team and wanted to celebrate this exciting news with you by raffling off some gifts!   To celebrate Kevin, we’re giving away three $50 gift cards to specific businesses selected by Kevin himself.  Entering is easy— Email us at TCUpodcast@trianglecu.org  with a welcome message to Kevin along with the gift card of your choice and you’ll be entered*!  Entries will be accepted until Thursday, November 30, 2023.  View official contest rules.

In a world of consumer convenience, nothing is easier than using a mobile wallet. If you’re ready to make it easier to buy, stay tuned.   Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Mobile Wallet use is on the rise and here is some staggering data. As of July 2023, there were 3.4 billion mobile wallet users in 2022, growing to a projected 5.2 billion in 2026. An estimated 54% of e-commerce payments will be made via mobile wallets by 2026. Almost half (49%) of global online transactions were made with a mobile wallet in 2022.   A mobile wallet is an application on your mobile device that stores credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and even some event tickets on smartphones and smartwatches.   Mobile wallets allow you to make quick, secure and convenient payments with just a tap on a contactless card reader.   Mobile wallets are more secure than a physical card because when you pay, your phone communicates with the terminal using near-field communication technology which provides encryption and other protections when data is transferred.   Your credit card number is also replaced with a randomly generated digital ID, referred to as a token, which means your card number is not being transferred at the point of payment.  Although the payments from a mobile wallet are safer than a physical card, you still need to take precautions in case your mobile device is lost or stolen.     While mobile wallets are a more secure payment method, there are always some ways to boost the safety of your mobile wallet—here are our tips:   Keep your phone locked. One of the first steps is to enable a lock on your phone with a numerical/alphabetical password, a swipe pattern or biometric authentication. Biometric passwords are the most powerful because they require a fingerprint or face scan to unlock your phone.   If you choose to use a password, use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to make it more difficult for a thief to guess. If you choose a swipe combination, always make sure you enter your password confidentially as you can never be too sure who might be watching you.   Make sure the mobile wallet app you are using is from a trusted source. Most new smartphones will come with a mobile wallet app preinstalled on the phone such as Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, etc. If your phone does not come with a preinstalled mobile wallet app and you’re interested in using one, make sure you download an app from your phone’s app store that is created by a trusted brand.    Don’t use public WiFi. Public Wi-Fi can be found in most restaurants, retail stores, shopping malls, and more. Although convenient, public WiFi is easy for thieves to hack, making your information easy to obtain. Cybercriminals can track your activity online, get into your accounts and even see payment information.   If your mobile device is lost or stolen, make sure to immediately contact your financial institution and put a hold on your cards and account, just in case.   Taking a few extra steps to ensure the security of your mobile wallet will give you extra peace of mind this holiday shopping season.   If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Like and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday, and make sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.  Have a great day!

There are so many tips and tricks out there to save money and maximize purchase power. When inflation is on the rise and we feel like we’re spending more for less, it’s best to explore new ways to save ourselves some money on items we’re planning to purchase already. Luckily, there’s one thing everyone should do to save on purchases.  Links: Learn more about how to get started with Purchase Rewards Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   These days more and more people may be cutting back on extra purchases to save money.   If you’re one of them, you’re likely trying to find ways to stretch your dollar.   You may have cut back on frivolous purchases, started making more meals at home, traveling less and shopping the sales or clearance aisles.  But if you’re still feeling the pinch, there’s a money saving method you may have not considered using.   I’m talking about Purchase Reward programs. Purchase rewards programs help you maximize your purchase power by saving you money on anything you buy.  Who wouldn’t want to get a portion of their money back on their purchase? It’s almost like buying stuff on sale.   It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, or how much money you make; everyone should be using purchase rewards programs.  You may already be thinking, but I’m already getting cash back and with my credit card. That’s a great way to earn on purchases, but most credit card programs just bank points for you to use down the line, while others allow you to use points for cash back or statement credits, but that’s after you’ve purchased your item and redeeming points is dependent on you.   Purchase rewards programs are a little bit different.   These give you cash back automatically on your purchase. Instead of earning points that get banked for later use, which can be forgotten, rewards programs automatically return a portion of your purchase price back to you.   If you’re interested in this easy and automatic money-saving opportunity, don’t look to your credit card or a special promo program, look to your debit card.  Some financial institutions offer Purchase Rewards through your debit card so you can earn money back on purchases made from certain online merchants.   For example, Triangle’s debit card offers a purchase rewards program that provides all kinds of discounts with some going up to 10% back on purchases from certain vendors.   This is phenomenal benefit for anyone working a budget because not only do you save money, the other benefit is that you’re using your debit card, so you’re not racking up a credit card balance that could charge you expensive interest.   If you have a Triangle debit card, it’s easy to set up right through your online or mobile banking,   Just log in, register and within minutes you can explore and activate rewards from vendors within the program.   There are hundreds of offers with vendors spanning categories from clothing, automotive, wine, hotels, food, electronics, restaurants and more.   Once you activate the offer, use your debit card with that vendor and get cash back to save yourself some moolah.  Now's the perfect time; the holidays are ramping up so check out purchase rewards and have fun exploring vendors for your holiday gift planning or maybe even a little something special for yourself.  If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

It’s Halloween time. The time when many people chat about ghost stories, urban legends and share other spooky tales.   In this tip, we’ll share a few spooky stats of our own--only these are financial.   Links: Check out more frightening financial stats from Forbes. Open a savings account to start building your emergency fund Learn more about Triangle's wealth management solutions Check out our Financial Freedom: Your Path to Debt Free Living webinar Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   With a little Internet searching you can find all kinds of stats on the financial situations current Americans find themselves in.   Some of these stats are positive, while others are a little more negative, even frightening for some.  Being in good financial shape is paramount to living a life where you don’t have to be haunted by debt or frightened by unexpected expenses.    In this tip we’ll share a few frightening financial facts out there that many Americans are facing right now but will share some suggested solutions because the good news is that with the right planning, these can be avoided.   Frightening fact #1 – 56% of Americans can’t afford a $1000 expense.  If you’re in this situation, things can get scary if an expense pops up that you’re not expecting. It could be a spontaneous car issue, a broken phone, a sudden medical bill, or immediate home repair.   This can be frightening because the panic and distress of an unexpected situation can be compounded by the stress of not having the money to cover the cost.   Don’t let one of these almost inevitable situations derail your financially. You can avoid this freaky financial situation by making sure you set up an emergency fund.   It doesn’t have to be a lot initially. You just need to set up a buffer so in case something unexpected happens, you can cover a portion or all of it without freaking out.  Try to save $500 or even $1,000 to begin. Having that money available for emergencies will make a world of a difference in how you’ll face your next emergency - with either peace or panic.   Frightening Fact #2 – Roughly 37% of Americans haven’t done any retirement planning.  The reason this can be frightening is because to maximize your retirement savings you need to have a plan, and the earlier you plan, the more you’ll have. If you don’t have a plan at all you run the risk of missing critical years to build up retirement savings and may not have enough to retire by the time you reach that age.  Planning for retirement is a critical action to take if you dream of not having to work one day but it can be confusing or intimidating on how to start.   This is where working with a financial advisor or planner can be critical.   They will help you determine how much you will need in retirement, how much you will need to save now to reach that goal and can help you adjust your plan as you age or life changes.  If you’re ready to get started, Triangle has wealth management services to help you no matter what your age or how much money you have.  Frightening Fact #3 – Average household credit card debt is up from last year.  According to a 2023 WalletHub survey, the average US household has roughly $10,170 in credit card debt. This is up from $8,942 last year.   This can be frightening because stress and anxiety increase due to the financial pressure of growing debt. Purchase power goes down and opportunities to build wealth decrease severely impacting your ability to move your finances in a positive direction.   If you’re in this situation, you’re not alone. Others are likely going through the same things as you. There are many reasons why household debt is increasing, much of which could be due to rising prices and inflation.   But your finances are still your responsibility and if

Let’s face it: most of us are looking at ways to cut costs or find value to make our dollars stretch further these days, but we don’t want to sacrifice our health care. In this tip we examine a new way to reduce healthcare costs. Links: Learn more about KnowBe4 awareness and services Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: This is Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal Podcast. By now, you’ve probably heard about Telehealth. If you haven’t, do a quick Google search and you’ll find that Telehealth is sometimes called telemedicine; it’s a service that lets your health care provider care for you without an in-person office visit. Telehealth is done primarily online with internet access on your computer, tablet, or smartphone—it’s basically a virtual office visit. As a consumer and a parent of two young adults in college, we have used Telehealth in the past and it’s worked out great. We simply called the Telehealth number on the back of our healthcare card. When we called this number, we did not speak with our primary care physician. We speak with a care provider, which can be a doctor, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse). We basically explained our issue or symptoms, and a brief history of any ongoing medical problems. After the discussion, there were some recommendations. Now, for serious medical issues, if you call a Telehealth provider, you most likely be directed to the Emergency Room or local urgent care for additional evaluation and care. It has been our experience, as a family, that most medical care requires an antibiotic, which the care provider can prescribe and call in for you at your local pharmacy. For our family, we have enjoyed telehealth services and the positive experiences have been: (1) we have never had to wait online to speak with a care provider, (2) we don’t incur the costs of a co-pay or office visit, and (3) we have received the care we need. This is a fantastic scenario for our one-off medical problems, but for ongoing or major medical care, we see our regular care provider. In the instance your regular care provider does use Telehealth services, there are some guidelines for safeguarding your personal information from cybercriminals. According to online security experts at Knowbe4Alert, you will want to: Keep Your Device Up to Date Whether you connect to telehealth using a smartphone or a computer, make sure the device is up to date with the latest security patches. This includes updating all applications, not just the ones used for telehealth purposes. Each app is a potential point of entry for cybercriminals. If the bad guys gain access to your device in any way, then your sensitive medical information will be at risk. Use an Advanced Login Telehealth services typically require users to create a username and password. If the service offers Multi-factor Authentication (MFA), use it! MFA requires you to enter your password and then enter another form of verification, such as a code sent via text message. If MFA isn’t offered, we recommend using a password manager to generate and securely store complex passwords. Connect with a Secure Network Never use a public Wi-Fi connection for telehealth services. You never know who could be watching and tracking your activity. When connecting from home, be sure to set up a strong password for your router. Default router passwords are often public knowledge or easy to guess. For the most secure network, connect to a virtual private network (VPN), which encrypts web traffic to protect your information. Be diligent about your online activities as well as your health! If you have any questions or comments, or ideas for more money tips, email us at TCUpodcast@TriangleCu.org. For more great content, subscribe to the Making Money Personal podcast wherever listen to podcasts, and follow us on Facebook. Tha

As a small business owner, it's important to align yourself with organizations who support you and your growth. If you're ready to take your business to the next level, you'll want to listen in. We chat with Tracy Gillick, Outreach Specialist for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business New Hampshire program and Dina Akel, CEO and Owner of Vieira Luxe, on how this no-cost education program can help business owners expand and grow their business.  Links: Learn more about the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) program Contact Tracy Gillick, Outreach Specialist for Goldman Sachs 10KSB Email tgillick@ccsnh.edu Call: 603-206-8189 Contact Dina Akel, Owner and CEO of Vieira Luxe   Explore online: vieiraluxe.com Call: 781-923-0656 Visit the shop: 100 Main Street, Suite #4, Nashua, NH 03060 Own your own business? Learn all about Triangle Credit Union's business services Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

For many people today, it seems checks are becoming more and more a thing of the past. In fact, there are many people who don’t know how to write one.  With the changing tools in banking and newer tech like digital payment and transfer capabilities, is there any real need for checks anymore?   Links: Contact us with any questions about getting started with Remote Deposit Capture Watch our Remote Deposit Capture tutorial on YouTube Read the article about recent check usage stats Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal Podcast.  Contrary to popular belief, check use is not dead. Believe it or not, people are still writing and issuing checks.   According to data from the Federal Reserve Board, roughly 11.2 billion checks were used in 2021.  This stat might leave you wondering who even uses checks and why?   Most of us use digital payment services that process payments for anything from groceries to paying back a friend for last night’s dinner.  Services like Cash app, Venmo, PayPal and others are great for their convenience and swift transfer capabilities. You don’t have to wait long for the money to show up in your account so there’s no mystery why these apps are rapidly making check usage a thing of the past.  But, even with the growing usage of those popular payment tools, checks are still being used.   In fact, studies have shown that when people do use checks they’re using them mainly for larger purchases, particularly for rent payments, sometimes utilities or things like a car downpayment.   The good thing is that even though checks aren’t as popular as they used to be banking tech has continued to update the process of how we interact with and deposit checks to keep up with the times.  Originally checks would be written out to the receiver, physically brought to a teller at the bank and deposited in-person. But now, with tools like remote check deposit, you don’t even have to get off the couch to deposit your check, if you ever do receive one.  This will save your not only time by avoiding a trip to the bank but also money by saving yourself on gas or other transport costs.  Remote Deposit doesn’t cost anything at all. All you need is a mobile phone or computer, Internet connection and an online/mobile banking account.  To access it, log into the account and select Remote Deposit.   Follow the prompts to sign your check, take pics, or if you’re using a home computer, scan the check,  then upload it all within a few seconds.  If you’d like to see an example of how it’s done, watch our tutorial video on YouTube for a step-by-step demonstration. The link will be in the show notes.   In summary, checks haven’t disappeared entirely just yet and even though you all in on digital payment tools, you may still wind up receiving a paper check. If do, skip the trip to the bank and deposit it from home, or on the go with remote check deposit.   If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and make sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

Throughout our lifetime, finance plays a huge role—from counting pennies in preschool to making a mortgage payment on a house. Finances can be overwhelming, but with the help of financial literacy tools you can build self-confidence in understanding the concepts of money management, debt prevention, and financial security.   Links: Watch our Budgeting 101 Webinar Watch Financial Freedom: Your Path to Debt Free Living webinar Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Financial literacy resources overall offer advice to analyze, prioritize, and accomplish your financial goals.  Let us break down why financial literacy is significant today:  Learning Budgets and How to Save Money  Saving money and creating a budget is the starting point in financial literacy. These tools provide a financial picture and explain the process of building a budget so you have a better understanding of how much you earn (income) impacts how much you spend (expenses). From charts to articles, financial literacy resources can provide a budget structure for you to prioritize and track your spending to make sure the budget remains healthy and balanced. Financial literacy resources will also offer suggestions towards important savings such as retirement and developing an emergency fund as well as saving for a bucket list vacation.  If you’re new to budgeting and need a little guidance, watch our Budgeting 101 webinar available on our YouTube channel for an overview, explanation, and demonstration of how to work your very first budget.  Understanding Credit, Payments, and Debt Prevention  Once you understand budgeting and saving, you will learn more complex subjects like credit cards and loans. Financial literacy resources provide guidance and tips on various interest rates towards loans, how to make those payments, and avoid or pay off debt. Financial literacy resources apply the prior practices of saving money towards paying off any existing debt.  If you’re looking for a practical way to start paying down your debt, watch our Financial Freedom: Your Path to Debt Free Living webinar on our YouTube channel to get a step-by-step presentation on how to structure your very own debt payoff plan.  Recognizing & Protecting Yourself from Fraud  Lastly, financial literacy resources provide alerts regarding constant fraud and detecting suspicious behaviors that come from fraudsters using emails, phone calls, and text messages. Financial articles provide important information on ways to keep your financial accounts safe such as checking your credit report, card transactions, or contacting your financial institution to confirm alerts and messages are from your financial institution and not from those trying to steal your identity. These kinds of communications are not only beneficial for you, but for your financial institution to be aware of these fraudulent attacks and spread the word with their organization and all their members.  Financial literacy tools are educational resources that help you understand how to manage your money, make payments on time, and prevent financial fraud. More than likely, your financial organization provides articles, learning programs, or even games for the younger audience. Financial literacy resources can also provide different calculators to determine certain payments and yearly terms on things such as mortgages, loans, and debt consolidation. These resources advance your financial decisions and provide ease throughout your financial journey.  Triangle Credit Union has dedicated a website for financial education and resources known as TCU University. You will find finance-related blogs, podcasts, YouTube videos, webinars, and events. To learn more about subjects like money management and debt prevention, visit triangleuni

As banking technology continues to advance, the focus of many institutions is on providing top quality interactions with greater flexibility and control for you, the user. With the implementation of Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), the goal is to provide more services and convenience while still maintaining human interaction and engagement.  With ITMs, you get the best of both worlds: the flexibility and convenience of self-service banking with the human service and interactions you may prefer. Stay tuned to learn more about the benefits of self-service banking.  Links: Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Today’s banking tech (also known as financial or fin tech) is amazing. You can do so many banking transactions on your phone or computer.  But what if you need to do something different that you can’t do online? You can call, visit a branch, or now, use an ITM, which is the next generation of ATMs.   Okay, so they’re not the newest tech, they’ve been out since the 2010s, but they’re beginning to build momentum in the banking world. As of 2022 only 41% of consumers have used an ITM, and 56% don’t even know what one is.   If you’re not sure what an ITM is or why you’d use one, here are a few things they do like an ATM and some additional capabilities for improved service.   Like an ATM, all ITMs give you the capabilities to:  Check account balances  Deposit cash and checks  Withdraw cash  Transfer money  But ITMs are more like upgraded ATMs and their greatest benefit is you can speak directly to a live person who can answer questions and provide many of the same services you can expect at the teller line  You can make loan or credit card payments  You can cash checks  You can withdraw money without a debit card  You can ask specific questions about your account information  You can even ask their favorite food or what they did last weekend.  When would you need to use an ITM? The short answer is any time you use a regular ATM or your branch drive-up and teller line service. Here are some examples:  Use an ITM when you need cash in different denominations  If you need different types of cash for a yard sale, budgeting purposes, or any other reason you don’t need to go to the teller line for that.  ITMs can give you different options to choose from and can dispense smaller and larger bills depending on the machine.  Use and ITM if there’s a long line in the branch  If you’re at a branch and there’s a long line to get to the tellers, look for an ITM and pop over there.  You’ll be able to do most transactions you’d do at the line, but all self-service.  Many branch lobbies have an ITM right inside the building, so if you don’t want to wait for the next teller, step over to the ITM for faster service.  Use an ITM if you’re on the go but don’t want to get out of your car  With ITMs you can avoid going in the branch and use the machine like you would a regular drive-up.   If you’re in a rush, need teller service, but don’t want to park to go into the branch, drive right on up to an ITM and you can still do the transactions you need with service from a live person.  ITMs save you precious time and offer you more capabilities by offering a robust self-service banking experience with the ability to connect with a live person if needed.  Next time you visit a branch or pass by an ITM, give it a try. You’ll love the experience.   If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and make sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Hav

You probably already know that having a savings account is important. You can save up your money for your next big-ticket purchase, retirement, or an emergency fund. But did you know that there are loads of benefits to using an online savings account? Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of online savings and what to look for.  Links: Learn more about the benefits of an Online Savings account Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  To begin with, not only does an online savings account keep your money safe, it can also help you build wealth. Financial institutions will often pay you interest for keeping your money with them. The interest rate, which is a percentage, will be multiplied by how much money you have in your online savings account. The financial institute will then add that amount of money to your savings.   You’ll also want to look at the annual percentage yield, or APY. The APY is how much money you will make on your balance, with compounding included.  In other words, when you are looking for a place to keep your savings, you’re going to want to compare different financial institutions’ online savings rates and APYs. The higher the interest rates, the more money you will make. Online savings typically offer a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account so if you’re looking to earn a higher yield, try an online savings account.  Keep in mind that rates are subject to change and are usually based on the Federal Reserve, so you will want to keep a close eye to see if your rate decreases; if rates decrease, you may want to consider switching where you keep your money.  Another benefit of online savings is simple convenience. You can access your funds quickly within your online or mobile banking and can transfer money to and from other accounts instantly. All you need for access is a device and an internet connection. This is especially useful if you have an emergency and need to move some money fast. You don’t need to wait in line at a bank or on hold on the phone.  Having your money in an online savings account isn’t just convenient, it’s secure too. If your financial institution is FDIC-insured, your money is safe in case the institution fails. It is insured up to $250,000 per account. If you bank at a credit union, your money is insured for the same amount through the NCUA. Since it’s a strictly online account, it’s also secured through encryption, as well as multi-factor authentication, which makes it more difficult for fraudsters to steal your money. Online savings accounts are just as secure as your other financial accounts.  One thing you’ll want to look out for when shopping are the online savings account fees and minimum balance requirements. Some financial institutions have monthly maintenance fees or fees if your balance drops below a certain amount. These fees can take away any interest you might have earned in your savings. Look for a financial institution with no fees on savings. You also want to check the minimum deposit requirements. Some online savings accounts can require a minimum amount of money to open the account, which can range anywhere from $100 to $5,000.   Our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, offers an online savings account with no monthly maintenance fees and only requires a minimum of $100 to open the account.   If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram pages and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great d

Business Funding and planning can be a stressful part of running a business. If you're new to the business world or a seasoned owner looking for more resources to expand your enterprise, this episode is for you. In this episode I chat with Tuesday Perkins from the Small Business Administration about the many ways they work to provide the best tools and opportunities for anyone looking to start or grow a business.  Links:  Learn more about Small Business Administration and it's resources for NH businesses Search the SBA calendar of events Contact Tuesday Perkins at tuesday.perkins@sba.gov or call her at (603) 225-1404 Learn more about Triangle Credit Union's Commercial and Business Services Check out some of these other podcast episodes about business resources: Starting Your Business Relationship Boosting Your Business Resources with SCORE Why You Need a Business Exit Plan Steps to Start Your Own Business Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

Banking technology has evolved immensely over the years. What once began in the 1980’s with dial-up services to access accounts on your home computer has developed into the extensive, and somewhat essential, online and mobile banking we use today. Links:  Learn more about Triangle's Online Banking and Mobile Banking tools Watch our Remote Deposit Capture tutorial Learn more about our Mobile Banking app and it's features Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Online Banking refers to transactions conducted through a financial institution's website via a web browser on any device with an internet connection (for example-- a computer, tablet, or smartphone). With online banking, you do not need to download an application which is why it’s a simple and popular option for many.   Mobile Banking is typically conducted through a financial institution’s mobile app, however many FIs also offer some mobile banking capabilities through SMS texts.  Online and Mobile banking is convenient for those who want to manage their finances from home or on-the-go. Both provide:  Account Information  Transaction History  Fund Transfers Bill Pay Card Management Budgeting Tools and more!   Online Banking and Mobile Banking offer similar tools and features to keep your banking experience easy and convenient. If you’re new to online or mobile banking here are a few of the features you should consider setting up and using right away.  Text Alerts. For those who don’t have a smartphone, text alerts allow credit union members to receive notifications directly to their phone with an SMS text when large deposits or large withdrawals are made, weekly account balance updates, or when their account balance falls below a specific amount, to name a few. To sign up for these notifications, log into your online banking account (on your computer) and enter your phone number.   Remote Deposit Capture. Through your financial institution’s mobile app, you can use remote deposit capture to deposit a check without stepping a foot into a branch. RDC typically only takes a minute or two which makes it a popular option for those with busy lifestyles. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can still deposit checks from home through your online banking account using a scanner.    Push Notifications. Similar to text alerts, push notifications can be enabled to alert you when specific actions occur on your account. These can include spending transaction notifications, low balance, large deposits or large withdrawals, etc. To enable push notifications, log into your bank or credit union’s mobile app and toggle these notifications on.   Both mobile and online banking allow you to manage your money in ways that work best for you. If you haven’t created your online or mobile banking account yet, what are you waiting for? Take control of your finances today!  Set it up now at trianglecu.org.  If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

If someone offered to pay you earlier than expected, wouldn’t you be ecstatic? If you have Direct Deposit with your employer, then you may have the option of getting paid up to two days earlier! Listen to this tip to learn more. Links: Learn more about Triangle's checking accounts with Early Paycheck Download the direct deposit form to get started Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: This is Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal Podcast. I know, getting paid up to two days early from your employer sounds too good to be true, but it is, in fact, true and here’s how it works: Most companies send payroll information up to two days before funds arrive. If your credit union offers Early Paycheck (or a similar product/service), the credit union can release your paycheck into your account early. To take advantage of this, there are three requirements that must be available to you: (1) You must have a direct deposit service set up with your credit union, which means your employer must offer direct deposit. If you’re not sure that your employer offers direct deposit, ask your HR department or manager if this is available to you. If Direct Deposit is available, sign up as soon as possible. There are many benefits of Direct Deposit that will be presented later—at the top of list is Early Paycheck. Setting up Direct Deposit is simple. Fill out a Direct Deposit form, which you can get either from your credit union or employer. All forms pretty much have the same information but look a little different. You will need your routing number of your financial institution (this can be found on their website), the account number where you want your paycheck deposited (this is usually a savings or checking account), and a voided check. (2) Your credit union or financial institution must participate in the early payment or paycheck option to have funds available for you. Availability of your payroll funds is based on the release of payment information. Sometimes there can be issues with the electronic transfers, so keep in mind that you may run into delays on occasion. If these issues are ongoing, you should contact your HR/Payroll Department or the credit union for additional information. (3) Your company’s payroll must be on board with transferring the payroll files electronically. Many companies have third party services that process payroll for their employees. Payroll companies, like ADP, are consistent about processing and sending files in a timely manner. Now that you know how it works, let’s go over some benefits of Early Paycheck with Direct Deposit:  First, it’s all about cash flow. The sooner you have access to your paycheck, the better—whether that means you use it to pay bills or your best friend for picking up the dinner tab last night!  Better cashflow usually makes it easier to manage your money because you know when funds are available to you. This is tremendously valuable when you are on a budget. Direct deposit makes your life so much easier! Your paycheck is automatically deposited at your credit union so you don’t have worry about remembering to deposit your check yourself!  Plus, electronic fund transfers are safe and secure. You don’t have to think about where your paycheck is or losing it! You also have access to your funds faster.  When the electronic transfer is received and applied, your payroll funds hit your account without any hold restrictions, which means you can use your money as soon as it is deposited.If your employer offers Direct Deposit, take advantage of this huge time saver! For those who may not have Direct Deposit available, we recommend Remote Deposit Capture (RDC). Most institutions require registration for this service, but once RDC is turned on, use your mobile banking to deposit checks from anywhere. RDC is convenient. Just endorse your check (be

When it comes to payment options you may think that credit cards are the most popular ways to pay.  But you may be surprised that that’s not actually the case. If I told you debit cards are the top used payment method for Americans would that surprise you?   Links: Look into more credit/debit card statistics and trends Read more about American household debt statistics Learn more about our debit card features and benefits as well as Identity protection with our Better Checking account Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  I think it’s safe to say that we all love to spend money and we certainly have a lot of options to choose from when we do so.   When it comes to paying credit and debit cards are the top preferred methods. But, which one do people use more?   According to a 2023 Forbes survey, 54% of Americans use a debit card as a primary payment method. That same survey stated that only 36% use a credit card (physical or virtual).  Why are debit cards so popular? Well, there are few reasons why people haven’t yet abandoned the debit card when they make purchases.  Debit cards are more accessible. Because they're not dependent on a credit score, they’re available to people with lower or no scores at all. Even if your credit isn’t in great shape, you can still get one because all you need is a checking account. This makes them especially useful to teens and young people who haven’t established any credit yet. Debit cards give many people convenient access to their funds so they can pay online and in stores without needing cash or dare I even say it... a check. One little caveat to remember though is that debit cards do not help you build credit so you’ll need to explore other options if you’re looking to establish or boost your credit score.  Debit cards are just as convenient as credit cards. You can add to your phone’s wallet, use them in online checkouts and now the newest cards enable you to pay at contactless terminals. And just like many credit cards, you get access to card controls to turn it off and on, set up notifications when you make a purchase and set up travel alerts when you’re ready to venture across states or out of the country. You can still get rewards. Everyone loves to gush about the cool rewards they get through their credit cards, but with a debit card you can get rewards too. Your debit card likely participates in a rewards program that gives you a percentage of cash back or other special offers just for using it with certain vendors. At Triangle, we offer a Purchase Rewards program where you can earn a percentage back when you activate the vendor offer and use your card with that vendor. Debit cards don’t charge an annual fee. Popular credit cards that offer attractive rewards and offers typically come with an annual fee. The better the offers, usually the more expensive the fee. If you have one of these cards, you may be spending anywhere from $95 a year to over $400 a year. Debit cards don’t charge you anything to use them so you don’t have to worry about that annual surprise charge. Debit cards are quick to replace. If you lose it, break it or anything happens to it it’s really easy to get a new one. At Triangle we have Debit on Demand which offers instant issue cards. If you need a new card just walk into a branch and within a short time you’ll walk out with a brand new one. Try doing that with a credit card. And the last reason is probably the biggest one. Debit cards don’t contribute to debt. According to a Motley Fool survey, Americans are carrying over $17 trillion in debt, with just over 1 trillion of that being credit card debt. TransUnion reported that on average, individual card holders are carrying around $5,700 in credit card debt. If you’re debt averse or trying not to ge

If you’re with a big bank that requires you to carry a hefty balance in your checking to avoid a maintenance fee, is it time for you to move your money? Listen to this tip to learn how switching to a credit union can save you from the struggle and annoyance of high bank fees. Links: Learn more about Triangle's checking accounts with no minimum balance Learn about Triangle's credit union mission and core values Read the Reuter's article about Bank of America's excessive fees  Read the Investopedia article about the Benefits of Using a Credit Union For more financial education tips and resources visit TCU University! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union   Transcript: I was recently in a meeting and one of our branch managers mentioned there were several new account openings at her branch during the week. When branch staff asked these new members how they heard of the credit union, their answers varied. Some provided feedback that they saw us at some community events, and another responded one of their family members had referred us to them. What was interesting is that while they had varied reasons for how they heard about us, their answer to the next question was the same. Her question was: why are you moving from your current bank to the credit union? All three answered: I’m tired of the high minimum balance requirement on my checking account. They moved their money—if you’re with a big bank that requires you to carry a hefty balance in your checking to avoid a maintenance fee, is it time for you to move your money too? This is Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast. A minimum deposit for a checking account is not uncommon. Most financial institutions require a minimum deposit to open an account—whether that money is deposited into a savings or a checking. It’s this initial funding that establishes your account and relationship with the financial institution. According to Forbes, you usually need to make an initial deposit between $25 and $100 to open a savings or checking account. For other deposit products, such as Certificates of Deposit or Money Markets, the minimum to open those accounts is higher and varies depending upon terms. For higher yield deposit accounts, such as Money Markets or Online Savings, the minimums are traditionally higher. The issue most consumers have with high minimums rarely involves these types of deposit products. The frustration most people have is not about the initial minimum deposit, it’s about the required minimum balance in the checking account to avoid the monthly maintenance fee; sadly, this amount, for some big banks, has increased to unreasonable levels. Most consumers are looking for excellent value. That’s why people bank at credit unions—typically there are fewer fees, or low fees and competitive rates for both deposit and lending products. If you go back to our three new members, they were all facing increased minimum daily balance requirements with their checking because the balance on their regular checking, which was not high yield checking, increased to $1000. This means their checking account minimum increased to a level they weren’t comfortable with (and for some consumers, a balance that is unaffordable), which is why they decided to move their money. So, what happens if your balance falls below $1000? The short answer is you will be hit with a monthly maintenance fee, which opens up a whole other concern. Big banks are notorious for imposing big fees. Bank of America (BOA) was fined $250 million, earlier this month, for a series of financial violations, including junk fees. According to Reuters, “Bank of America reaped hundreds of millions of dollars by charging multiple fees to customers who did not have enough funds in their accounts from February 2018 until February 2022, the CFPB said in a statement. Consumers could not reasonably expect or understand they would be hit with $35 fees each time

What matters to you matters to us as a campaign that our sponsor Triangle Credit Union introduced earlier this year. In an age of identity fraud and high stakes scams, we're going to dive into identity protection with Triangle's Product and Service Specialist, Jennifer Carter. Stay tuned to learn how Triangle is protecting their members and why your financial institution should too! Links: Learn more about our Better Checking account with Identity Protection Learn more about why you should consider identity protection for you and your family in our past podcast episode: Why You Should Consider Identity Theft Protection  Log into your ID Protect account at idprotectme247.com Explore more financial education resources at triangleuniversity.org Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

If you want to boost your business’s brand recognition and get more attention from potential clients or customers, you’ll need to put some effort into marketing. You may think that marketing isn't possible without a hefty budget, but that can’t be farther from the truth. There are ways to market your business in a cost-effective and budget friendly way.   Links:   Explore some of these popular tools and websites to market your business on a budget: Canva Envato Fiverr Wix Squarespace Wordpress Vistaprint Custom Ink For more financial education tips and resources visit TCU University! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  When it comes to marketing your business, it doesn't have to be expensive or complex to reach new potential customers. Marketing can make business owners feel intimidated and hesitant to take the next step. However, with certain sources, marketing your business couldn’t be much easier and once you have a plan, promoting your business will get better over time. Let’s look at 7 elements to help market your business on a budget.  Consistent Branding Having good, consistent branding will help your business become more recognizable to current and potential customers. If you're just starting your business, you may not have branding guidelines established yet. If you’ve been in business for some time, you probably already have your brand logo, colors, and fonts in your marketing materials. These marketing materials are your website, social media platforms, print and digital materials, promotional items, and business emails.  If you want to create your logo on your own, there are free websites and applications available to you. Canva and Envato are two platforms that allow you to customize or create free logos for your brand. These platforms also provide templates for your marketing materials including website, social media, and print/digital materials. If you’re new to creating branded content, this is a great way to dive into it while keeping your branding consistent.  If creating a logo and other branding material isn’t for you, you can also hire a graphic designer to create your logo and marketing materials for a low cost. Fiverr is a great resource to find graphic designers that will create a logo and other marketing materials for you. If you choose to use Fiverr or something similar, make sure you choose someone that has a design style you like and stay firm on the finalized designs to ensure they deliver what you’re looking for.  Create a Website When it comes to marketing your business, creating a website is a great place to start. Your website does not have to be too complex; it can simply provide basic information about your business, product or service, the team, and your contact information. As your business grows, you can advance your website by including a blog, Q&A, or even a shop page to sell your product.  When considering the domain, or URL, for your website, make sure it matches or is close to your business’s name. For example, for a business called Dover Cold Brew Company, the domain name should be www.dovercoldbrewcompany.com, www.dovercoldbrewco.com, or www.dovercoldbrew.co.  Take some time to think about what you want your website to look like and the story you want to tell. Websites don’t need to be completed. For a small business, 3-5 pages should be plenty. Make sure you focus on the products or service you’re selling and how potential customers can get in touch with you.  Once you have an idea about the content you want to put on your website and the domain name, you will need to decide which platform you will build your website with. Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress are three popular website-building sites. These sources are great for business owners that are  looking to promote their products and service without the hassle of coding the web pa

Have you ever run out of something and wished you had bought more when you were at the store? Buying in bulk can often fix this problem. You get more bang for your buck, with bulk prices generally being cheaper than buying the same amount of the item individually. Plus, you also have a bigger supply and won’t have to go shopping as often. However, there are some items that you do not want to buy in bulk as they just aren’t worth it. Here are some items to put on your bulk shopping list, and some you should remove.  Links:  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   First on our bulk shopping list is food. Food can be tricky when buying in bulk, as it can expire if you don’t eat it fast enough. Canned goods are a great food to buy in bulk. When buying them in bulk, the prices are typically 30% percent cheaper than buying them individually. Always check the expiration date on the cans first, as you don’t want to buy a whole bunch of them if you don’t think you can eat them all before they expire.   If you have a big freezer, buying meat in bulk is a great idea. If you go to a local butcher store, you can get large quantities of meat for cheaper prices than you find in a grocery store. However, you may want to get a vacuum sealer to avoid freezer burn.   If you drink coffee once (or twice) a day, you should also buy that in bulk. Buying individual bags, pods, or drinks can quickly add up over time. Buying it in bulk is cheaper, especially if you drink a lot.  Pasta is another food you should buy in bulk. Pasta doesn’t take up a lot of space in your pantry, plus when it is sealed properly, it can last up to two years.  While not for you to eat, pet food is a great investment when buying in bulk. Chances are you feed your pet the same thing every day, so you know that you will have to keep buying it. Buying pet food in bulk allows you to save money on pet expenses and keep your pet happy.  However, there are definitely some foods that you should not buy in bulk. One example of this is fresh fruit. Fresh fruit doesn’t last very long, and chances are you won’t be able to eat all of it before it expires. Buying fruit in smaller quantities allows you to eat all of it before it expires. Plus, when buying fresh fruit in bulk, you most likely won’t inspect the fruit to see if it’s good to eat. If you still plan on buying fruit in bulk, try buying frozen fruit, as it will last longer.  Another food you shouldn’t buy in bulk is nuts. Although it is tempting since they are a lot cheaper to buy in bulk, the high fat content in nuts can make them turn rancid faster. Similarly, spices are another item to not buy in bulk, as they begin to lose their flavor after 6 months. A good rule of thumb is if the food has a close expiration date, don’t buy it in bulk.   Moving on from food, paper materials are always a great purchase in bulk. Tissues, toilet paper, and paper towels are a great investment, as you will always need them, they don’t go bad, and they are cheaper when you buy them in bulk.   Likewise, all cleaning supplies are great and cheaper in bulk. This can include laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, toilet cleaner, and even toothpaste.   However, if there’s an item that you can buy in bulk but don’t use very often, don’t buy it. Just because it might be cheaper in the long run, doesn’t make it worth it. Remember, you still have to store all of this stuff at your house. Only buy what you know you will use.  If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.

For many of us, our pets are a part of our family. They bring us excitement and comfort that we enjoy for many years. But pets also come with costs.   With all the costs you need to dish out for pets, like grooming, food, supplies and more, another expense to consider is pet insurance. With the costs already associated with owning a pet, is it worth paying for pet insurance too?   Links: Explore more about the pros and cons of pet insurance  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  When it comes to affording the things we want in life, our pets likely sit close to the top of our list.   But as pet owners often learn, having a pet comes with responsibilities that can take up a lot of resources. One of these responsibilities is keeping your pet’s health which may wind up costing you money in vet bills and care.   The reality is that pet bills can be expensive.   It can be devastating when your pet faces a crisis that may leave you struggling to decide between your pet’s life or your financial health.  Let me tell you a story. A friend of mine got a new puppy and within weeks of getting this little bundle, the puppy had a serious emergency and my friend had to rush him to the emergency vet. The vet was able to save the puppy’s life, but my friend was left with a bill for over 60K for all the costs associated with the care and treatment.   Regardless of whether you think that’s enough or too much money to spend on an animal, before you pass any judgement, ask yourself how much you’d be willing to pay for your animal and whether it would be worth paying for coverage in case a situation like this arises.  There’s no right or wrong answer on whether to buy pet insurance, but if you’re serious about dishing out money for expensive care and treatment, it may make sense to purchase pet insurance.  If you choose the right option, it can give yourself a healthy financial buffer to avoid getting buried in pet medical bills.   There are three types of pet insurance coverage you should be aware of.   The first is accident-only. This covers only accidents and includes any testing, procedures and medications related to the accident. It can cost roughly $130/yr for cats and $239/yr for dogs.  The second is accident and illness. This one includes everything covered in an accident-only policy. It also covers common and serious illnesses your pet may endure as well as certain hereditary conditions. It covers any testing, procedures and medications related to anything from accidents to illnesses and can cost roughly $342/yr for cats and $583/ for dogs.  The third is routine wellness. This covers routine and preventative care as well as wellness care like routine checkups, vaccines, flea and heartworm prevention. It does NOT cover illnesses and accidents and is considered more of an optional add-on to existing plan coverages   If you’re considering pet insurance, here are a few ways to determine if pet insurance is worth it for not only your finances but also your four-legged friend.   Pet insurance does depend on a few things.   It depends on the type of pet you have and it’s specific needs. Larger animals like dogs will generally cost more in premiums than smaller animals like cats. In many cases, companies do not cover animals other than cats or dogs so you may have to do some hunting to find a company that might cover your specific pet.   It depends on how much are you comfortable spending on pet expenses. Sometimes a $1,000 bill is doable, but is a $10,000 bill worth it? If you don’t want to pay for pet insurance, you may want to put some money aside for your pet in case something does happen. Determine your financial limit then set up a sinking fund specifically for pet costs so you can cover any unexpected issue that may occur.  It’s depends on how old your pet is. The age of your pet will determine how muc

Have you been burdened by an ever-growing credit card balance? According to CNBC, the average American carries around $5,733 in credit card debt. Some have more, others less. But almost everyone wants it gone.   Believe it or not, there’s a simple method to reversing that growing credit card debt. It’s not the easiest method, but once you perfect it, you can kiss all that accumulating debt goodbye.   Links: Learn more about Triangle's Checking Account and how to get your debit card Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the making money personal podcast.   How many credit cards do you have?  If you’re like me, you probably have at least two or three.   Do you pay them off regularly?   I’ve been one to pay my card balances regularly, but with increasing costs of goods and the occasional impulse purchase, a couple small vacations and a few home repairs, those balances grew faster than I was able to keep track of.   So I started the credit card juggling act.   If one card balance was coming due, I’d simply start putting charges on a different card. I’d pay off the card balance that came due but continued to add other cards in the mix until I was juggling four separate cards with revolving balances all due at different times of the month.   Talk about a headache. Not to mention how confusing it can get trying to make sure I had enough money in my bank account to cover each balance as it came due.   I crunched a lot of numbers, studied calendars, set up notifications to keep myself on track. And the credit card carousel went around and around and around.   As I worked my way through these financial gymnastics month after month, I started to realize my balances weren’t going down. Instead, my debts were accumulating week by week. As a result, I needed to do more math and pay even closer attention to the charges I was making.   But they were necessary expenses. Or so I thought. Aside from groceries the other highest expense category was dining out. And we all know that hasn’t gotten any cheaper over the last year.   That’s when I decided, in order to keep my financial health in check, I needed to make a change. And I’m glad I did.  If you’re riding that carousel too and juggling credit cards month over month, accumulating debts and getting stuck paying interest every month, then it’s time for you to make that change too. With some planning and discipline, it’s entirely possible and I’ve been able to eliminate my credit card debt doing this.  This is one simple change even you can make and you’re likely already holding the key.   The key I’m talking about isn’t a fancy debt consolidation loan or balance transfer, though sometimes those help, this one is common, convenient and doesn’t cost a thing. It’s your humble debit card.   As my revolving credit cards kept digging me deeper and deeper into debt, I realized it was time to break out that dusty debit card sitting forgotten at the bottom of my wallet.   This little card was going to save my accounts from sinking deeper into debt.   Now that I had the tool, the next thing was to come up with a strategy on how I would use it to pay down the debt.   This is where the planning and discipline came in.   The plan was simple. Any and all new charges had to be put on this card. No more credit cards allowed.  The practice was a little harder to implement.   All of my charges went on debit card.  I didn’t add any new charges to my credit cards. Yes, I had to say goodbye to earning points and miles, but for the sake of financial security, it’s the better choice.   I cut back on things I was purchasing. I’d scope out the deals, avoid impulses, stopped buying extra things online. Essentially stretched my dollar a little bit more.   I had to keep a close eye on my checking account because once that number went too low, I could no longer spend any more. All I could spend was what I had.   Then a

If you’ve been crunching those numbers lately trying to figure out how you’ve been spending your money you might have come to the realization you need to cut some expenses.  With a quick review and a few simple hacks you can cut back on unnecessary spending and free up some cash.  Links: Resources and statistics mentioned in this tip: Interesting coffee facts Stats on the cost of dining out Forbes survey results on the cost of streaming services RunRepeat survey results for the cost of gym memberships Find how much handyman and home jobs on AllBetter app might cost you Learn how much you could save shopping secondhand or used items  Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Saving even a little bit of money these days can make a world of a difference for your finances.   Here are a few places you can look to start if you’re ready to cut back on your spending.    Number 1: Consider cutting out that regular cup of coffee.   If you’re used to buying your daily cup of joe, you may be spending more than you realize.   As of 2023, the average cup of coffee in the US costs $3.28. If you’re a regular drinker, that means you spend roughly $10 – $16 a week depending on how often you purchase your coffee. And that doesn’t even include tip.   If you’re buying your morning brew 3 times a week that means you’ll be spending roughly $520 a year on coffee. If you buy one every day of the week, then you’re spending around $832 a year on your coffee.   If you don’t like the thought of spending half a grand to almost a grand on coffee a year, then there’s an easy fix for you. Simply cut back buy buying less frequently or make your own coffee at home.    A cup of homemade coffee can cost between 18 - 27 cents. That’s a big difference from buying one from your favorite coffee shop.     Number 2: Dial back on dining out. This one is pretty obvious. Many of us spend more than we realize on dining out.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American dines out 5.9 times per week and the average household spends roughly $3,500 a year on it. That’s around $291 a month.   Are you comfortable affording that?  If that seems like too much for you to afford, then it’s time to take a closer look at how much you’re spending on food you don’t cook at home.  If you’re not ready to cut it out entirely, because it provides some relief from a hard day’s work, try cutting back on the number of times you go out, choosing cheaper establishments, or cutting out expensive options when you do go out like alcoholic drinks, apps or desserts.     Number 3: Cut back on streaming services, or other subscriptions.  If you’re like me, you’re probably paying for more than one streaming service every month. According to a 2023 Forbes survey, the average person is subscribed to 2.8 streaming services with some subscribing to five services at a given time.   The survey also showed that the average person spends $39 a month on streaming services which can add up to $486 a year and it also showed that 47% of people are paying for streaming services that go unused.  If you find you’re paying too much simply cancel some and stick with the one you like the most or cancel all and opt for free TV instead. You’ll likely have to endure commercials, but that can be a small price to pay for the money you’ll save over time.      Number 4: Lose your unused gym or fitness memberships.   Gym memberships can be costly.  According to a 2021 survey done by RunRepeat, the average cost of a gym membership is around $37.71 a month. That comes to about $452 a year.   The saddest part of this is that most people don’t end up using the membership as often as they planned, with many not using it at all. Even if you’re only paying $10 a month fee, it’s still a waste.   Pay attention to how much you’re dishing out for your fitness and if you find you

Real Estate Investing was once out of reach for many of us, but not so much anymore. In this episode we talk with Mariana Silva, local Realtor, real estate investor and owner of Invest Realty Group, on the strategies she's used to build her impressive real estate portfolio and how you can too.  Links:  Visit Invest Realty Group's website Follow Invest Realty Group's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube Pages Contact Mariana Silva  Learn more about Triangle mortgages Follow Making Money Personal on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

Starting and running a small business is an exciting but often intimidating venture. If you’re gearing up to start your own small business, it’s important to make sure you have the right business professionals on your team, especially when it comes to your money.  Links:  Resources and tools from the SBA Learn more about Triangle's Business banking products and services Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast  Launching your new business can be quite a challenge. Determining your product offer, doing market research, and building a brand are all important hurdles to jump. And of course, there’s the funding part. Determining whether you’ll bankroll it yourself or take out a loan is an important question you’ll face when starting a business.   Fortunately, having the right business team on your side will make a huge difference when it comes to funding.   If you’re a new small business owner, you may not know where to begin when it comes to getting a loan for your business.   There are many financial institutions to choose from but what should you consider when choosing a financial institution for your business?   Look for an institution that has a relationship with the Small Business Administration or the SBA. This reflects the credibility of the financial institution and opens doors to all kinds of additional resources and lending tools they’ll be able to assist with.   Also, when it comes to business funding, look especially for affordable rates and low fees, both of which credit unions have a strong reputation of offering.   The next thing to look for in building your business relationship is the convenience and responsiveness of your lender.   Every business is unique. For some business owners, this may be as simple as easy access to a retail branch, but for others it may be more important to secure that trusted relationship with a financial partner and loan officer.    The right financial partner for you will offer the best products and services for your business while also being approachable and responsive. Smaller financial institutions, like Triangle Credit Union, are perfect for business owners who prefer a local, full-service commercial loan department to take care of all their needs.    Another thing to look for when building your business relationship is to have a dedicated loan officer that will be right by your side while your business grows.   Loan officers will take the time to get to know you and your business goals while also providing suggestions for products and services that will provide the most benefit for your business.  They also bring a large amount of business experience and can connect you with other professionals that can provide business services beyond financial needs like business exit planning, accounting, and legal services.   If you’re excited to launch your new venture and are ready to move forward building your business relationship here are a few simple things you can do to prepare for that first business meeting.  If you’re looking for financial backing, the first step is to contact the Commercial Loan Department at Triangle Credit Union or your chosen financial institution. You’ll be connected with a Commercial Loan Officer who will conduct a discovery interview to understand what your needs are.    During this interview, you will be asked about the history of your business, the current financial trends, the current ownership structure, and what the financial needs are for your company.    Depending on the loan products that you’re looking for, you will typically need to provide at least 2 years of federal business taxes and personal taxes as well as a set of recent financial statements.    If your business is brand new, there will not be any financial history to examine. Therefore, the lending decision will rely heavily on personal collateral, perso

Summer is in full swing! School is on summer break, and you might be getting ready to take a vacation. With all the events going on in the summer, it can feel like you’re constantly spending money, but it doesn’t need to be that way. We have 5 tips to saving money in the summer while still enjoying fun activities! Links:  Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  1. Don’t stop budgeting We understand-- when the weather gets warmer, it’s hard to keep up with your budget. However, it’s important to stay with your budget, even in the summer months, so that you don’t stray away from your financial goals. Use the longer days to your advantage. Once a week, wake up slightly earlier than usual, make your coffee, and grab your budget. If you have a deck or patio (and the weather is nice), take a step outside and enjoy nature while you deal with your finances. It may sound simple but you’re more likely to keep up with your budget if you make it enjoyable. 2. Go on a picnic A picnic is a simple and easy activity that can be extremely fun and low cost for you and your family (or even your friends)! Pack some sandwiches, snacks, and beverages, bring some lawn games and don’t forget the blanket! Not only is this a great way to spend a few hours with your loved ones on a sunny day, but it won’t cost as much as it would going out to lunch. If you can do this once or twice a month during the summer, you’ll be able to cut back on your eating out spending while getting some sun at the same time. 3. Make your party a potluck If you’re planning on throwing a party this summer, consider asking your invitees to bring a dish. This will cut down on your costs significantly. Making your upcoming party a potluck also ensures that your guests have something they enjoy eating. This is a great ice breaker if you are inviting people who may not all know each other, and you may even end up with new recipes to try another day. Making your party a potluck can ease the mental and financial stress that often accompanies party planning and allow you to enjoy the time with your friends and family. 4. Check your local library/town website for free community events Your local library will have information on free events happening in your city or town. These events can include children’s movie nights in the park, free festivals, free concerts and much more! Many libraries also offer discounts to local restaurants, zoos, and amusement parks which will also help you save money. If you need help keeping track, check out your town’s website for a calendar of events and more information. 5. Budget your vacation Many people choose to take family vacations in the summer, especially if they have children since kids are on break during the summer. Vacations can be costly but that doesn’t mean they need to be. You can still go on the summer vacation you desire without breaking the bank. Check out our blog “How to Budget for Your Summer Vacation” at triangleuniversity.org for more tips on saving money for your summer vacation. If you have any additional tips or would like us to cover a specific topic, email us at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. For more great content, make sure you follow us on Facebook! A special thanks to our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union and as always, thank you for listening.

Marketing your business can be challenging. There are so many tools out there not to mention the various strategies you'll need to develop in order to ensure your efforts bring results. In this episode, Terri and I are chatting about the top ways to measure your marketing and discuss some of the different tools you can use to boost revenue and expand your business reach.  Links:  Track website data with Google Analytics Track email and other marketing channels with Constant Contact View, schedule and track multiple social channels with Hootsuite Tools to do competitive analysis and other types of marketing research: SEMRush, BuzzSumo, Brand24, Social Status Learn more about Triangle business services for other business and commercial needs Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

Have you been exploring the Internet to find easy and fast ways to make extra money on the side? If you’re currently hunting for these opportunities, there are a few precautions you'll need to take first because some of the side hustles you’re considering might be scams.   Links:  Dog walking and pet sitting opportunities: Rover, Wag!, petsitter.com Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Now more than ever, people are trying to make more money. There are many motivations to do so: some want to pay off debt, while others want to put more into savings and invest more to prepare for retirement; the list goes on and on.   Many of these motivated people are earning more money with “side hustles.”  Side hustles are added forms of employment that differ from someone’s full-time job. These aren’t typically the same as part-time jobs because side hustles offer more freedom, flexibility, and control that one might not be able to get with other opportunities.   There are various options when it comes to side hustle; for those who are considering taking one on, please research these opportunities thoroughly to avoid getting scammed!    Some job scams are easy to spot. The jobs are promoted as quick and easy ways to make large sums of money which easily raise some red flags.   Unfortunately, there are some scams that are cleverly disguised as side hustles and before people realize, they have already been taken advantage of.   Job Scams You Should be Aware Of:   Mystery Shopping: While some mystery shopping jobs are legitimate, there are companies that will try to scam you. Once you sign up, they will send you a check to deposit into your account then instruct you to head to a specific store to test out their money transfer service by transferring part of that money back to them. Unfortunately, the checks turn out to be fake. By the time the bank realizes it, you’ve transferred your own money and are also on the hook for the rest of the money you deposited.   Medical Billing: It seems like a simple enough job—working from home entering data and handling medical billing. Once you’re “offered a job”, you’re asked to pay upfront for supplies, special software, or specific training or certifications. The scam is: after you complete these requirements, there are no medical billing jobs for you to do.   Multi-Level Marketing: Often referred to as MLM, Direct Sales, or Network Marketing, these types of companies all have the same business model, which is to sell products and recruit others to do the same. The promise of time and financial freedom can be too wonderful to resist but the truth is, only 25% of people in MLMs make a profit; of that 25%, only 3% make more than $25,000/year. You may be enticed to join a network marketing company, but the reality is you won’t make the money you’re promised.   Not all side hustles are scams though. There are many legitimate jobs you can begin today to make some extra money.     Side hustle ideas that are NOT scams:  Dog Walking/Pet Sitting: If you’re passionate about animals, dog walking or pet sitting are great ways to make extra money in just a few hours. Pet owners are always looking for reliable people to take care of their pets—and that includes walking and setting up specific play times or watching them over night. If you know people who have pets, you can reach out to them and offer your pet sitting services. Another way to build clientele is through apps such as Rover, Wag! or PetSitter.com.   Food/Grocery Delivery Driver: Food and grocery delivery have become increasingly popular since the pandemic and this is a great way to earn some money when it fits into your schedule. Typically, these services offer quick and easy sign up. If you live in a city, you can deliver on bike or a scooter. Although the compensation structure differs between companies (some

As credit card fraud continues to impact people year over year, it’s important to keep your cards and information as secure as possible.   Fortunately, there are some very simple and easy things you can do to keep your cards, physically and virtually, out of thieves’ hands.  Links:  Learn more about Triangle credit cards and their benefits Learn more about Google virtual cards through Google Pay Learn more about Triangle's Better Checking account and it's identity protection benefits. Already registered? Log into idprotectme247.com to access your benefits and register cards. Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Of the types of identity theft out there, credit card fraud comes in at #2 on the list of most common types of identity theft just below government docs and benefits fraud (according to a 2021 FTC survey).   Card fraud can happen to anyone using their cards physically in-store or virtually online.   May steps have been taken to make physical card transactions more secure like EMV chips and contactless card functions which shelter your transaction behind layers of encryption and security.   But, even with those new technologies, thieves still find ways to try to steal your info. Things like card skimmers at gas stations or RFID scanners can still be used by thieves when you’re out in public.  Using your card online can be even trickier, because you could accidentally use your card on a fake website, or your info may get picked up in a data breach and sold on the dark net for someone else to use.   Luckily, the growing awareness of credit card theft has led to many actions and tools you can use to keep your cards as secure as possible.    Here are 6 things you can do to heighten card security.  Number 1: Use an RFID protection sleeve or wallet. Cards can still get skimmed if you’re in public and someone gets close enough to scan it with a certain device. Protecting your card in an RFID protection sleeve or wallet will shield your card if you’re ever in crowded places where someone could try to steal your information.   Enable card controls and turn off unused or rarely used cards.  The ability to turn your card on and off can make a world of a difference when you think your card number may have been stolen. Check your card apps or websites to see if you have card controls and turn off any unused or rarely used cards. This will ensure that even if someone gets ahold of it, your card cannot be used.   Add your card to your phone’s mobile wallet and leave your physical card at home. Paying with your phone is super convenient and really secure. If you want to keep your cards safe from theft, add them to your phone and pay with the added convenience as well as security. Try not to lose your phone, but even if you do, your digital wallet is protected by biometric or PIN security making it hard for criminals to get access.  Make sure you have notifications enabled with your card. This means you’ll receive a text message every time your card is charged with information on where it’s been used and the dollar amount charged. It’s a great feature to have because if you get an alarming notification of a charge you didn’t make you can act immediately.  Do not save your credit card information in online checkouts. Use a payment processor like PayPal or Venmo or use a virtual card. If available, you can enable them through your card provider. Companies like Capital One and even Google can give you an option to enable a virtual card when you checkout.  Register your cards with an identity protection service like ID Protect. If you have a Better Checking account you’re halfway there and have access to this valuable tool. If you’re registered with IDProtect simply log into idprotectme247.com and set up card registration within your profile. If your identity ever gets compromised, you’ll need to

It’s quite common to use the terms financial advisor and financial planner interchangeably, but did you know that there are differences between the two? Both can guide you on your financial journey, but there are some key differences between them. If you’re looking for someone to take a look at your finances, but are not sure if you want a financial advisor or a financial planner, here’s what you need to know.  Links: Learn more about Triangle's wealth management services Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  First, let’s take a look at what a financial advisor is and what a financial planner is. A financial advisor usually helps clients with one-off investment planning and other financial matters. They evaluate your financial situation, where you want to be in the future, and give advice to help you build wealth. Financial advisors are usually required to have passed licensure and certification exams to give advice. Financial advisors usually charge an annual fee for their services which can range from 0.5% to 1% of your assets that they manage. Some financial advisors may also charge commissions on products they sell, like mutual funds or annuities.  These commissions can be as high as 6%.  A financial planner typically creates a holistic plan that will help you and your finances in the future. They take everything into account, from savings and investments to retirement and estate planning. Financial planners are usually certified, the most prevalent being Certified Financial Planner, or CFP for short. Many financial advisory firms have certified financial planners on staff. If a financial planner is giving investment advice, they need to register with the Securities and Exchange Commision first. Financial planners charge fees for their services, and depending on the services, the fees can be monthly, quarterly, annually, or project-based. Like financial advisors, financial planners can also receive commissions on the products they sell.  So how can you decide if a financial advisor or if a financial planner would work best for you? Both can help you with your finances, but it all depends on your circumstances and what you want to do with your finances. A financial advisor is great for short-term projects and investments. If you are already comfortable in your financial situation and are just looking for extra guidance, a financial advisor is the way to go. A financial planner is great for developing a long-term, comprehensive plan for your future. If you are going through any major life changes such as going to college, buying a house, getting married, having a baby, or retiring, it might be a good idea to talk with a financial planner.   Before you pick the financial advisor or financial planner that will help you with your finances, there’s a few things you should look for. First, make sure that they are licensed and check their credentials. Ask them about their experience with finances and make sure that they would be a good fit for you. Make sure you understand what services they will provide and how much it is going to cost you. Remember, if you don’t feel comfortable with what they have to say, you don’t have to choose them. This is your financial future.   If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

Is the convenience of buy now pay later checkout options all that it’s cracked up to be? Keep listening to learn the pros and cons of buying now and paying later.  Links:  Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   When online shopping, you might have noticed an option to check out with Afterpay, Klarna, or Affirm. These are the most well-known Buy Now, Pay Later providers.   Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is a way to finance purchases so that you can pay for them in weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly installments rather than paying in total at the time of purchase.   This system is similar to layaway where purchase payments are split up into more manageable amounts; however, unlike layaway, with BNPL, you get your products upfront and make the payments after.   Every Buy Now, Pay Later servicer operates a little differently. Some will require 25% of the cost upfront with the remaining 75% split between 3 payments over the following 3 weeks, while others allow for zero-down payments.   If you’re considering Buy Now, Pay Later, weigh out the pros and cons first to see if you should avoid it or not.  Pros of BNPL: 0% Interest Rate: Many BNPL providers offer a 0% interest rate which allows you to pay the total balance without accruing any extra interest.   Easier Approval: Typically, BNPL doesn’t require a hard credit check so compared to credit cards, getting approved for a Buy Now, Pay Later program is much easier and doesn’t affect your credit score.  Cons of BNPL: Multiple BNPL Agreements: Every time you use Buy Now, Pay Later (even if you use the same provider with multiple purchases) you will need to set up new agreements with their own terms and payment due dates which can make it difficult to keep track of all your purchases.   Making Purchases You Can’t Afford: By splitting a purchase up into smaller amounts, you may get the impression that the total cost is not as much as it actually is. Although the individual payments are affordable, the problem arises when you finance multiple purchases at the same time. If you're not careful, these payments can add up to more than you’re expecting.   Potential to overdraft: Having frequent automatic payments scheduled to come out of your checking account has the potential to lead to overdrafts.   Continued Payments Even with Returns: If you choose to return an item that you bought via Buy Now, Pay Later, you may still have to make payments for a bit. While you should eventually get your money back, it may take time for the merchant to let the lender know you returned the item. If the lender hasn’t been informed by the time your next payment is due, you will need to make the payment to avoid the lender marking it as a missed payment.   Whether you should avoid Buy Now, Pay Later is dependent on your financial situation and financial discipline.   BNPL is a great option as a one-time solution to finance a big purchase such as a piece of furniture that costs a couple hundred dollars. You’ll be able to easily keep track of the term and bi-weekly/monthly due dates since it is only one item.   However, BNPL could be detrimental to your finances if you get into the habit of financing all your purchases.   Overall, it’s important to make sure you’re aware of the pros and cons, understand how BNPL works, and make the decision that is right for you.  If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

Have you recently been discouraged about the amount of money you seem to be spending; you’ve asked yourself a few times now, “where is it all going?”  The fact of the matter is that you’re probably like many others asking these questions and trying to find an answer.  Links:  Watch our Budgeting webinar for tips on starting a budget Watch our Financial Freedom webinar to learn how to tackle pesky debt Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have you been looking over your accounts and wondering why it feels like you’re still struggling for cash? You’re not bad with your money, but it just feels like even in spite of your efforts, you just don’t have enough left.   The truth is, we’ve all been hit with rising prices. From food to rising taxes, utilities, and just overall expenses.  If you’re growing concerned about how your money is being spent, then you’re not alone.   Gallop.com reports that a recent survey showed 61% of Americans are saying that price increases are causing financial hardship.   If you’re paying attention to your expenses, you’re probably noticing that your dollar doesn’t seem to stretch as far as it used to.   Costs for everyday items, particularly food, are rising. Over the last year, groceries have gone up 7.1%, full-service restaurant costs have gone up 7.2% and takeout meals rose around 8.2% according to a CPI report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Some other things may have also increased like property taxes, utilities, gas and other expenses related to your lifestyle including vacation and travel costs.  If you feel like your finances are spinning out of control, you can take steps to minimize the effects of rising prices in your financial life.   You need to be in control, not controlled. If you’re ready to get back into good financial shape, here are some things you can do to get there.   The first is you need to take a deep breath, sit down and determine where your money has been going.   This means that you’ll need to review ALL your expenses. If it helps to go through all your receipts and statements, then do that. Breaking down your credit card statements and receipts can help you visualize how much of your money is going where.   Ask yourself specific questions like, where have you spent the most in the last month? What about the last few months? Are you dining out more? Spending more on apparel or home good items? Is it going to bill payments? Did you recently have an emergency or need to spend more on car repairs?  If you’re overspending in certain areas, it should be obvious here and you should be able to make an effort to dial back on your spending in that category. If it’s not so obvious, then you’ll need to reevaluate your budget.  The first and most important step to creating a proper budget is to evaluate your needs and your wants.   This might sound obvious, but you need to prioritize your needs to be sure you’re covering all your necessities before you start spending money on things you don’t need.  If you’re not sure what those are, the top necessities go in this order: Food, shelter, utilities and transportation.   Break everything else down after that. Make sure you’re making payments on any debts you have, saving money in an emergency fund or retirement account, and go down the list.   Be really honest with yourself about this. We all tend to want a lot of things but there are times in life when we need to make an honest decision to hold off on some of the things we want.   It doesn’t mean you’ll never get them. It may just mean you’ll need to have some patience and wait a little longer.  Changing times and adjustments in life will affect our money habits and our budget. It’s important that as things change you keep your budget updated as well. If you stay on top of those changes you’ll be better able to pivot and keep financial stre

If you’re shopping for a house, you’ve probably heard the term title insurance thrown around. But what exactly is title insurance? Do you need it? Get ready to have all of your title insurance questions answered.  Links:  Speak with a Triangle Mortgage Originator or learn more about our mortgage programs Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  To start off, title insurance protects you as the owner of the property against any previous liens, judgments, tax issues, or ownership questions that may arise after the deed is transferred to you.  Whether you purchase a home with cash or through a lender, you as the owner have the option to purchase title insurance.    There are two types of title insurance – owner's title insurance and lender’s title insurance. The first type of title insurance, owner’s title insurance, is a type of insurance protects the owner in the event that there are defects in a title on the property.  If the previous owner stopped paying for a service before selling the house to you, the service provider put a lien against your property which was not resolved prior to the title transfer. A lien is a legal right to a person’s property until the debt is paid and the lien is released.  In other words, if you don’t have title insurance, the previous owner’s debts are now your problem. While not mandatory, owner’s title insurance is a good idea to cover yourself and your property.   Owners’ title insurance is important thing to have, but how much is it? The price of title insurance varies depending on where you live and how much you paid for your new property. It can range from anywhere between $500 to $3,500. The other benefit of it is that it isn’t a recurring fee, so once you buy it, you’re all set for as long as you own the property.  The second type of title insurance is lender’s title insurance, which is mandatory. If you go through a lender or mortgage company, they will require you to get lender’s title insurance, so it protects them if the previous owner has any outstanding liens, judgements or past due taxes.    If you have any questions about title insurance or even buying a home in general, Triangle Credit Union has a team of mortgage originators ready to meet with you to answer any questions you have, and they’ll help you find the right mortgage for your situation.  If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

Searching for a home can be an exciting and stressful activity at the same time, especially with so many ups and downs in the market. In this episode we're chatting with Marianna Silva, Real Estate Professional and Owner of Invest Realty Group to discuss the current trends with the housing market and how today's buyers can make the most of it.  Links:  Visit Invest Realty Group's website Follow Invest Realty Group's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube Pages Contact Mariana Silva  Learn more about Triangle mortgages Follow Making Money Personal on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

When it comes to staying safe on the internet, you can never be too careful. Taking extra precautions to safeguard your accounts could be the most important action you can take in today’s digital world. Fortunately, there’s a highly effective solution that’s easy to implement for added layers of security.   Links:  Learn more about KnowBe4 security For MFA resources check out Google Authenticator and Authy. Learn how to protect your identity with Better Checking Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   If you’re concerned about the identity threats that lurk across the internet, you should take the necessary steps to keep your accounts as secure as possible. One of the more effective ways of keeping the bad guys from accessing your digital accounts is to set up multi-factor authentication.    This tip comes from an article provided by KnowBe4 security Awareness and Training Solutions.   Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is the process of verifying that you are who you claim to be when logging in to a device or an account. If you're listening to this from a work computer, you probably logged in to your computer - that's single-factor authentication. But single-factor authentication is no longer enough to keep your accounts secure.   If you want to increase protection of your accounts, you’ll need to digitally authenticate your identity.   You can do that a few different ways with these Identity Claim Factors:  Something you own. This is using a mobile phone or device that you have in your possession to prove your identity. Typically, the device provides a code via an application, text message, email, or voice call. You then enter this code, and for successful authentication, your code must match what is expected by the service you’re attempting to log in to. Something you know. This is something you’ve memorized or stored somewhere, such as a PIN. You must supply the correct PIN to log in to your device or service. Something you are. This factor is something about your physical body that cannot be altered, such as your fingerprint or retina. Biometric scanners or readers are used to confirm you’re physically the person that you’re claiming to be.   Why do I need it?  In our digitally-driven world, passwords are no longer enough to keep your information safe. These days, it takes minimal effort for hackers to break into, or social engineer their way into, accounts that are only protected by passwords. Adding an extra step to access your accounts, such as entering an authentication code, means that hackers would also need to have your phone to break in.  Create an additional layer of security and make it harder for criminals to access your data by using two-factor or multi-factor authentication.   If you have any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.  Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

When you’ve finally made the decision to sit down with a financial advisor, the next challenge you’ll have is to find one you trust. There are some questions you can make sure to ask a new financial advisor to feel confident you’ll be happy with their service.  Links:  Check advisor qualifications for free with the Form ADV or state regulator website Learn more about Triangle's wealth management services Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   When it comes to organizing your finances, you may have come to the decision to hire a financial advisor.   Financial Advisors, help you with higher level financial planning like investing for retirement or for income, helping you select an insurance plan custom tailored to your needs, helping you with long term savings plans like college planning for kids, and even helping you get ready for social security or Medicare.   A financial advisor is one of your champions and strategists to help you plan the future you want to live.  But you need to know you can trust them and you need to know what to expect over the course of your relationship. Different financial advisors work for different companies and their roles and expertise may vary according to how or where they work.   If you’re seeking a financial advisor for the first time, you can ask them any or all of these 7 questions to get a better idea of how they will work with you and help you strategize.   Ask if they are a fiduciary – If they are it means they are working in your best interest, not just to sell you products and services. As a fiduciary, they are legally obligated to act in the best interest of their clients.    Ask how they get paid. Some advisors get paid through fees, others, commissions. If you ask, you’ll know off the bat what to expect and the right advisor will be honest and transparent.  Ask them about their qualifications and other professional experience. What kinds of initials do they have after their job title and what do those mean? Check their professional designations to vet them and make sure they have the knowledge and skills to help you achieve what you want. They may also have professional experience like experience running a business or managing a company that can be helpful if you’re looking for some advice. If you want to research possible advisors, you can check their qualifications through a resource called Form ADV or you can check state regulator websites.   Ask them about their investment philosophy. This will give you an idea of how they will prefer to manage your investments. After taking time to get to know you and learn more about what matters to you, they’ll start recommending products or strategies. Find out if they favor one style of investing over another and determine if that style aligns with your own investing philosophy. You want to make sure you’re both on the same page, especially when the market takes that occasional downturn.  When you’re working with an advisor you trust, you can be confident that they’re working with your money the way you want them to.   Ask what your all-in costs will be. Financial services will cost you. You’ll want to have a clear idea of what fees and costs will be associated with your accounts. You’ll be paying for the advisor’s service but ask them about any other fees you should expect to pay so you can make sure you don’t lose more money in fees than you gain through their service.   Ask them what other services and resources they provide. Some advisors work independently, others work with an organization. This can play a role in what kinds of resources are available to you as a client. Do they offer online tools you can use to monitor your portfolio? What kinds of educational resources do they provide? Additional resources can help you feel confident and satisfied as your financial situation grows more comple

Establishing healthy financial habits begins at a young age. If you’re a teenager or have one at home you should be happy to know that credit unions provide excellent resources and tools to provide the best start for building a healthy financial future.   Links:  Learn more about our Teen Club benefits Read our blog: Building Credit as a Teen Learn more about our Shared Branching benefit. Learn more about our TruStage benefit Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Although many believe they are the same, credit unions and banks have different qualities and benefits.  Credit Unions are special because they are owned by their members. As a member, you own a share of the institution and have access to all the financial tools and resources to make your financial journey a success.   Whether you’re a Teen Club member who has graduated from our Kids Club, or just opened a new account, credit unions are a great choice for those who want a financial institution that grows with you.  Credit Unions have a lot to offer their members but there are 3 specifically that are most beneficial to teenagers.   1. Credit Builder Loan  With traditional loans, the borrower receives the money first and then pays it back monthly.   With a credit builder loan, the borrower does not receive the money immediately. Instead, the lender holds onto the total loan amount while the borrower makes monthly payments towards it. Once all the payments are made, the borrower receives the full amount.   With your Triangle Credit Union Teen Club Checking and Savings Accounts, you can be eligible to apply for a low fixed-rate 24-month personal loan up to $400 with a co-signer.   This personal loan is the perfect way to begin building credit as a teenager while also creating good financial habits and showing credit bureaus you can make payments on time.   2. Co-Op Shared Branching  Triangle Credit Union is part of a network of institutions allowing members the opportunity to conduct their banking transactions with Co-Op Shared Branches at over 5,000 locations across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam.  At a Co-Op Shared Branch, members can deposit cash or checks, make loan payments, transfer between accounts, and access notary services to name a few.   This is beneficial to you as a member because it allows you to travel, or even move, across the country without the hassle and worry of encountering fees should you need to visit a branch.   If you choose to attend college, Co-Op shared branching gives you the freedom to attend college out of state while still being a member of Triangle Credit Union.   3. Discounts with TruStage  As a member of Triangle Credit Union, you can get special discounts on auto insurance through the TruStage Auto Insurance Program.   Getting your license is an exciting time in your life and saving up to buy a new car is rewarding.   Protect your investment with auto insurance customized to fit your needs.   In addition to competitive rates, TruStage offers our members:   Claims-Free Discount—If you are claim free for 5 years, you can earn an additional discount on auto insurance.  Violation-Free Discount—Save more on your auto insurance when you’ve gone 3 years without a ticket.  Online Purchase Discount—Save up to 12% on a customized car insurance quote when you sign up online.   New Car Replacement—If your car is totaled within the first year, you’ll get enough to buy a new car (without worrying about depreciation)  Accident Forgiveness—Your rates won’t go up due to your first accident    These are just a few of the many services available to you as a Triangle Credit Union Teen Club member—and with a full array of financial tools and resources, we’re excited to be part of your financial journey.  If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.

Buying a home is a huge step in your life. If you’re new to the homebuying process, you’re probably learning a bunch of new terms and information. One of those terms you’re going to hear is PMI and if you’re curious about what it is and how it works, keep listening.  Links:  NerdWallet PMI Calculator Triangle's Mortgage Calculator Contact a Mortgage Originator  Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  When you’re looking into the costs of buying a home, you’re likely familiar with the interest rate, downpayment and even closing costs. But how familiar are you with the PMI that might be included in your monthly payment?   If you’re curious about what PMI is and whether or not you’ll have to pay it, here’s a little explanation.   PMI stands for private mortgage insurance that protects the mortgage lender if you stop making payments on the loan. If you have less than 20% of your own money into the transaction, then the Credit Union or lender will get PMI on the loan. If you’re able to put 20% or more down then you won’t have to pay PMI at all.   PMI is most often factored right into your mortgage payments which means you don’t have to make it a separate payment each month on top of your mortgage. In some cases, certain lenders might provide you a different option when it comes to paying PMI but most lenders require it to be wrapped into the mortgage payment.  As a homebuyer, you may not be thrilled to have to pay PMI with your mortgage. Who wants to pay a higher monthly payment? But believe it or not, there are actually reasons for PMI that benefit you as a buyer. Plain and simple, PMI makes it easier for you to buy the home. If lenders didn’t require PMI then they would require a much higher downpayment which would make it harder for first time homebuyers to qualify for the loan. PMI is not something to be afraid of because it allows you to put less money down when you finance.   Now, you might be wondering, if I buy a home with less than 20% down and have to pay PMI, will I be paying it for the entire duration of my loan? If I have a 30 year mortgage, will I be paying it every month for the next 30 years?   The good news is that you won’t have to. The PMI payment exists as long as you don't have 20% equity in the property. Once you have more than 20% equity in the property the PMI will automatically disappear.   So, if you’re looking to buy a home, but you don’t have the 20% downpayment, how much should you expect to pay in PMI?  The amount you’ll pay is based on many factors and is not a set number for everyone. If you’re trying to determine how much you’ll be able to afford, you can look into it beforehand to get an idea of what to expect to pay.   The amount depends on size of loan, your debt-to-income ratio, your credit score and the downpayment amount. Fortunately, there are PMI calculators out there you can use to get an estimate. There’s a useful one at NerdWallet.com and if you’re interested, check out the link in the show notes.   If you’re concerned about PMI or anything else related to financing your home, Triangle has a great team of Mortgage Originators available to meet with you and answer any questions you have.   You can visit one of our branches or set up a time to meet or email right from the mortgage portal on our website, trianglecu.org.   They’ll help you look through the different options available to you and find the one that will work best for your situation.   If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great da

Inflation is a popular word these days, leaving many of us feeling confused or concerned about the future of our money. In this episode, we're chatting with Triangle Credit Union CEO Scott MacKnight about what inflation is, and how we can make appropriate financial decisions to counteract its effects.  Links:  Get up to date finance and inflation information at Bloomberg Try Triangle's Money Management tool within online banking Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

As you browse a popular social media site or search the internet, you’re likely to come across a tempting ad selling something at an incredible price. You get excited and click the link because you don’t want to miss out on this rare opportunity.   Before you do anything, stop and investigate a bit more because you might be falling for a shopping scam.  Links:  Learn more tips on how to spot fake shopping sites Report a suspicious site with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Report a suspicious site with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Learn more about Triangle Better Checking with identity protection Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  80% of Americans shop online. That comes to a count of over 263 million people.   Online shopping is fun and convenient, plus you can find almost anything you want. Unfortunately, like other things associated with technology and the Internet, online shopping can also be a way for fraudsters and thieves to steal your personal information and money.   If you’re an avid online shopper, it’s important that you stay informed of these shopping scams, so you don’t fall for these fake stores trying to rob you.   A recent report from Experian has stated that online shopping fraud is rising. This is partly due to the growing volume of internet users and online shopping platforms we are accustomed to browsing on a daily basis.   Online shopping scams tend to be more common around busy online shopping days like Prime Day and Black Friday but are still very real threats that can pop up any time of year.   Scammers set up websites to deceive you into purchasing something from them. You may end up getting a shoddy product or you may not get anything at all.     How do these scams work?   They set up a storefront or website that looks very convincing and offers products that you might recognize from other sites or brands. They’re even known to copy professional photos and graphics to try to make the website appear as legitimate as possible.   These scammers then post an ad with a very appealing offer to direct you to the website. For example, it’s not uncommon for a scam to offer a luxury item at a ridiculously low price.   You may have come across some of these ads on social media or in browsers. They’re designed to get you to act quickly and purchase the item before you even realize the ad led to a dishonest site.   Luckily, if you’re aware of the ways to recognize these scams, you can easily keep yourself from falling for them. Here are a few tips on spotting a fake shopping site.  If you see a bad or mismatched domain name. If the domain is slightly different, it should be suspicious. Check the URL for added words or misspelled names. If the name should be Namebrand.com but instead reads like NamesBrand.com or NameBrandOnline.com then it’s most likely a lookalike site trying to trick you.   If there’s no S in HTTPs in the URL address string. Look at the web address in the top of your browser for the letters HTTPS. The S stands for secure and it means the site is encrypted. You should also see the little padlock icon at the front of the URL. If you don’t see an S then the site isn’t encrypted, and you shouldn’t give them any of your information.  If there’s no return policy. Look around the product information or description for the company’s return policy. If there isn’t one at all, on a site that looks like it should have one, that’s a big red flag.  If you get pushy popups asking for your financial information. Some sites set up annoying pop ups that ask you for your payment information while you browse. This is a serious red flag. Don’t give them your information and leave the site right away.   If you see luxury items for unbelievably low prices. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.   No credit card payment option. If the site requests immediat

Are you trying to find ways to cut your expenses this year but don’t really know where to start? The good news is you can start by recognizing the most likely places you’re overspending.  Links: Read this CNBC article for more categories you're likely to overspend Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  With costs going up on everything from utilities to groceries, most people are taking a closer look at where so much of their money is going.   It’s time to start evaluating your expenses and see where you’re most likely to be overspending.   A 2019 survey from Slickdeals.net, reveals some of the most common areas adults overspend.   If you’re ready to take back control of your spending this year, start by examining and adjusting your spending in any or all of these categories.   1. The first is online shopping. I know, big shocker right?   You can’t beat the convenience of online shopping, and you’ll often find better pricing for goods than if you were to go to a physical store.   The challenge with online shopping is the impulse factor. If you’re like me, you probably go online looking for one item, but then end up purchasing additional things you didn’t originally intend to purchase.   Things like apparel, electronics, footwear and pet care items are some of the most ordered online.  If you want to cut back in this category, try a few of these suggestions.  First, set a spending budget. You need to set a limit on how much to spend online.   Try switching your default payment method from a credit card to a debit card. This puts the responsibility on you to make sure you don’t spend more than you have. It’s critical that you keep an eye on your checking account, so you don’t overdraft your account.   Disable notification from shopping sites and apps and unsubscribe from promotional emails. Don’t let the apps tell you when to buy or what to buy. Silence them so you don’t get pressured into making an impulse purchase.  Uninstall shopping apps from your phone. If you constantly find yourself opening these apps, especially when you’re bored, it’s time to take away the temptation. You can always reinstall them later once you’ve grown more disciplined with your spending habits.    2. The second category adults overspend is on food. This includes both groceries and dining out. If you’re spending too much money on these then you should find a way to cut back.  It’s so easy to impulse purchase at the grocery store, dining out daily for lunches, and spending too much when going out. I also want to mention that ordering through delivery apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats are part of this category. They’ve made it all too easy to conveniently order food that comes right to your door. Not only are you paying for the food, but you’re also tipping the drive and paying a delivery fee. Cutting back on food consumption is a must in today’s hyper-convenient dining world.   How do you cut back here?  Make a shopping list and buy ONLY those items. This might sound simple but it’s not as easy as you think. Keep yourself limited to only the items you need to buy and nothing else.   Bring cash to buy your groceries.  This might seem archaic, but can you think of a better way to keep yourself from overspending? You can’t spend what you don’t have and if you don’t have the cash, then you’ll be forced to either tally up all your items or put things back that you can’t pay for.   If you’re used to buying lunches while at work, cut back on how many you buy. Instead of every day, bump it down to maybe once or twice a week and pack your own lunches for those days when you won’t buy lunch out.   Set a budget for dining out. Cut back on how many times you go out and learn to make more meals at home. You’re less likely to be upsold on specialty drinks apps and dessert and you’ll likely cut calories too.   3. The third cate

Have you ever wished that you could get your paycheck a few days early? With early paycheck, that is now possible! Here’s what early paycheck is and how it works.  Links:  Learn more about Triangle checking accounts that offer Early Paycheck with direct deposit Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Early paycheck is when your check is deposited into your account earlier than Friday. You may receive it as early as two days before payday. But how does this work? Well, direct deposit payments have an official payment date, which is the date employers intend the payment to be made.   Most businesses use a system called automated clearing house, or ACH for short, which processes electronic payments. When employees are signed up for direct deposit, businesses use the automated clearing house system to process the check payments.  The payroll file of direct deposits will then be sent to the corresponding employees’ financial institutions. The deposit will then go through the automated clearinghouse system. If your paycheck is deposited before payday, your financial institution is advancing the funds to you, knowing that they will receive the money when the funds become available.  If this sounds good to you, it’s easy to get your paycheck early! First, look to see if your financial institution offers early paycheck. It might be called something else, like early direct deposit, or something similar. If your financial institution doesn’t offer early paycheck and you really want it, don’t worry, there’s plenty of options to choose from. Look around at other financial institutions to see if they offer early paycheck. For example, it is included with both Triangle Credit Union’s Basic Checking and Better Checking Accounts.    Next, make sure that you are enrolled in direct deposit. You will need to provide your employer with your financial institution’s routing number and your account numbers for checking or savings, depending on which account you want your paycheck to go.  Then you’re all set! It’s that easy!   Early Paycheck also works for US government ACH payments like social security, so if you’re still waiting until Friday for a check but need it sooner for bills or other expenses, set up direct deposit and you’ll likely gain access to that money sooner.   Direct deposit gives you more benefits over a physical paper check. First of all, you get your paycheck on time, or early with early paycheck. With a physical paper check you would have to either pick it up in the office or have it mailed to you. Second, it eliminates the additional step of having to deposit the check, with either remote deposit using your mobile device or computer or physically going into your financial institute.   If you have questions on getting started, reach out to us via our website, give us a call.   If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

Buying a house is one of the most important purchases of your life, but it is also one of the most expensive too. This can be very distressing for some, but don’t worry – we're here to provide you with some ways to save money when buying your new house.  Links:  Check out current mortgage rates Chat with one of our Mortgage Originators Watch out First Time Homebuyer Workshop on YouTube to learn more about getting pre-approved and the right financing Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Before you buy your new house, there’s a few things you’re going to want to do to get started. First, figure out how much you can afford. Then, figure out what you want in a house. Things like house type, square footage, how many bedrooms do you need and how many bathrooms you need are all important. Other factors to consider include how nice the neighborhood is and how far away your house is from stores and things to do. If you have kids, you will also want to see if the school district is good. Of course, factor in that you still have to pay for all of this, so keep it within your budget.  Once you have a good idea of what you want in a house, it’s time to go out and find it! A good first step is to get a real estate agent who can walk you through looking for and buying your house. Houses that are generally cheaper include houses that have been on the market for a while and fixer-uppers. Owners of these houses generally just want to get rid of the house by this point and you may be able to negotiate a better deal. The only downside to going this route is that the house will probably need a lot of work. Houses that have been foreclosed on are also generally cheaper, so you can keep a look out for those.  You may also want to look into houses that aren’t currently on the market. If you know of anyone who might be moving soon, see if they are willing to sell. If you’re bold enough, you could also try door-knocking. This is where you find a neighborhood that you want to live in and go up to a house you’d like to buy and ask if they’d be willing to sell to you. Just be respectful of the residents, and don’t approach houses with a “no soliciting” or “no trespassing” sign.   Once you’ve found your dream home, it’s time to look at your finances and get a mortgage. Your credit score is a big factor when applying for a mortgage. Lenders use your credit score to determine your loan pricing and see if you will be able to pay back the mortgage. The better your credit history, the better rate you can secure. Even a small increase in your credit score can get you a reduction in your mortgage rate.   If your credit score isn’t as good as you’d like, a few ways to improve your finances to ultimately improve your mortgage application is to start paying off any existing debts. Paying down high-interest debt, such as credit cards, personal loans, and student loans, will positively affect your debt-to-income ratio, which is another key factor in mortgage eligibility. This also means that you shouldn’t open any new credit accounts or take out any new loans.  Adding money to your savings for a house is another way to get a better rate. Being able to make a down payment that’s a little more than the minimum can show lenders that you are reliable when it comes to saving money and may give you a better rate.   Buying a house can be stressful and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be! Talk with your friends and family about their experiences, they might have some valuable insight to offer. Your real estate agent and mortgage originator will also be able to guide you as you go on this new journey.  If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and look for our sponsor, T

In this short episode we chat with Triangle CEO and President Scott MacKnight about all the news surrounding Silicon Valley Bank and what it means for the financial industry as a whole.  Links:  Get updates and breaking news from Bloomberg Read Triangle's article with more information about what the Silicon Valley Bank news means for your Triangle account Visit the NCUA website for important information on how your funds are protected Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

Finding the right home can be a challenge. If you’re preparing to embark on the homebuyers’ journey, there are three things you can do to give yourself the best chance of finding and buying the home of your dreams.   Links: View our current mortgage rates Get in touch with one of our Mortgage Originators Learn more with our Securing Financing for Your New Home article  Listen to our other conversations with industry professionals about closing costs and home inspections Sign to attend one of our upcoming homebuying webinars or watch on our YouTube channel Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   When it comes to your first home search, if you have the right plan in place, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t be able to enjoy the home buying process with all the excitements and challenges it can bring.   With these three steps, you’ll have a great strategy and plan for when you’re ready to make your move.   Follow these three steps to find your dream home.  The first one is to Form Your Team   Deciding who is on your team goes deeper than just your lender and your real estate agent. When forming your team, you need to consider everything that is part of the home-owning process that might be more than just who ends up on the deed.    This could be a family member who is involved in construction that will end up helping you with tasks around the house. This could also be someone nearby who you will use for childcare occasionally. It’s important to bring these people into the conversations around the home you’re buying as they will be involved in certain aspects of the house.    Having meaningful conversations with your team allows you to gain a new perspective about the location and condition of the homes you’re looking at so you can make an informed decision on such a huge purchase. If you choose to purchase a fixer-upper, you will need to make sure you have the expertise to DIY the updates or have the funds to pay someone to help. These conversations will get everyone involved on the same page moving forward.    The second is to Secure your Financing   Looking at homes before you’ve secured financing is a dangerous game because you wouldn’t want to fall in love with a house you can’t afford.    Securing financing can be as simple as walking into your nearest Triangle Credit Union branch and sitting down with one of our mortgage originators to discuss your options.    Triangle’s Mortgage Originators will walk you through the process and connect with your realtor, or work with your existing realtor, to make sure you can get financing to purchase your dream home.    For more information, read our blog post Securing Financing for Your New Home where we discuss the process and list the documents you will need to get pre-approved.    The third is to Find Your Realtor, Find Your Home   We’ve all been on various real estate websites searching for our dream homes. We flip through photo after photo and imagine what our lives would look like if we purchased that home, but did you know that there is an easier way to find a home?    Realtors have direct access to listings before houses even hit the market so when you work with a realtor, they will be able to filter through properties you will be interested in and have you tour the home before those who use the apps even see it.    This can take some of the stress of home-buying off you and allow you to enjoy the home-buying process, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer.    Finding your dream home should be an exciting experience, not a stressful one. We hope these steps will put you at ease if you are in the home-buying process or getting ready to start. Do you have other first-time home buying questions? Attend one of our First Time Homebuyer Webinars to learn more information and to have your questions answered by the experts or watch one

Achieving your dream of owning a home isn’t out of reach. With all the financing options available, how do you determine which one is right for you? You may have been told that adjustable-rate mortgages aren’t the right option. But there are some surprising reasons why an adjustable rate could be the right option for you.   Links: Check out Triangle's mortgage rates Contact a Mortgage Originator to meet and discuss your options Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  If you’re hoping to own a home one day, one thing you’ll need to decide on is what type of financing you’ll choose.   Finding the right mortgage can be difficult and intimidating. There’s no one size fits all solution for financing your new home. One of the biggest questions concerning mortgage options is whether to choose a fixed rate mortgage or adjustable-rate mortgage (also known as ARM).  Though, many people immediately decide they want a fixed rate, because it seems safer, they may be overlooking the benefit that an ARM might provide them.   Ryan Campbell, Mortgage Originator at Triangle Credit Union mentions that many people start out with a negative view of ARMs. He says, “For many people, an ARM is a scary option. They may have heard from friends or family to avoid adjustable-rate mortgages at all costs. But this advice can often be misconstrued, because adjustables might give you the best option for your financing, with the smaller financial burden.” He followed it up with, “Don’t do a loan because someone else told you, do it because it works for you.”  Don’t dismiss ARMs before you’ve first considered the benefits.   Here are some of the surprising benefits of ARMs that you may have not considered and might make you warm up to the idea of using one to finance your house.   The first benefit is that you’re likely to get the best rate with a lower introductory payment.   Traditionally ARMs offer great terms and rates which tend to be lower than fixed rate options. This also means that the lower the rate, the lower your monthly payment could be. There’s also a chance you can get a longer-term mortgage with an adjustable rate meaning you’ll get a more attractive rate AND a longer term, making that monthly payment even more attractive. For example, Triangle offers a 40-year term adjustable rate mortgage option. This is a great offer because it means you can pay off your loan over 40 years instead of 30 ultimately lowering your monthly payment.   The second benefit is that there are caps to how high the rate can adjust.   If the word adjustable scares you because you know the rate can go up over time, you don’t have to fear too much. Adjustable-rate mortgages have caps set on how high the rate can adjust. Ryan explains that certain caps are put in place to ensure the rate only goes up a certain amount. It can’t go any higher or lower over the life of the loan. Don’t think that if rates adjust up, your rate will adjust out of control. Figure out whether you’ll be able to continue to afford your payments if your rate adjusts to the max cap, and if you can, then you’ll be prepared for when it does.   The third benefit is that there’s a chance depending on market conditions that they could adjust down.  Believe it or not, there have been times in history when rates have adjusted lower. If rates are better by the time yours is set to adjust, they restructure at a lower rate. Although this isn’t too common, it’s certainly something you may not have considered when you hear about adjustable-rate mortgages. Pay attention to the economic climate and who knows, you may get fortunate with a rate that adjusts down without having to refinance to get a lower rate.  Get the benefit of automatically adjusting to that lower rate without having to refinance  The fourth benefit is that there aren’t any prepayment penalties.  A lot of

How many times have you ever said to yourself or someone else, “I wish I knew this sooner?” When it comes to money, sometimes the hard lessons are best learned early. If you have kids, or work with kids, there are important financial lessons they can benefit from starting at an early age.   Links:  Learn more about setting up a Triangle youth account for kids and teens. Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Financial education is important for all ages. The earlier you understand important financial principles, the better off you’ll be as you grow up.   It’s never too late, but if you’re a parent, you may be thinking you can help spare your kids from making the same financial blunders you did.  Not to mention just getting a habit started early can make the difference in a child’s life when they become an adult.   There are important financial lessons you can teach your kids at a young age to set them up for financial success well into adulthood.   Teach them the importance of saving.   Saving is an important financial discipline that everyone should practice.  It gives you purchase power, the ability to help others and helps you provide for your needs and the needs of your family. Getting started earlier is always better so try to start instilling this discipline in your kids' lives early. There are a lot of different ways to do this, so choose which is the best way for you and your kids.  If your kids are old enough, you can start by implementing an allowance. If they get birthday or gift money you can encourage them to save some or all of it. You can also set up a system for them to make some money at home doing chores. If they’re still young, get them a piggy bank or make one with them so they can store all the cash and change they collect. If they are a little older, show them the envelope system as an early budget tool so they understand the process of dividing money up into portions for specific uses.  Finally, set up a Kids Club savings account for them so they can learn what a bank account is, how to deposit money, and use a coin machine.  Teach them the importance of working for money.   As a kid, when I was too young to work a job, my parents encouraged me and my siblings to do chores for cash. This made their lives easier and gave us the opportunity to understand the importance of trading certain working skills in exchange for money. Try organizing regular chores for your kids like vacuuming, cleaning, trash duty, car cleaning, yard work and others. It gives them the opportunity to collect cash for their own use and gives you a break from some of the common household chores.   When they grow old enough to have their own job, they will understand that trading time for money is productive and beneficial.   Teach them to build knowledge   Encourage them to learn about important money principles when they can. Find ways to get them engaged with money challenges, apps and other games that they might enjoy. Share age-appropriate financial resources like activity books, videos, games and more. There are a lot of finance professionals who create kids and teen related courses that your kids may be interested in and enjoy using.  Teach them the importance of giving  When I was young, my parents used the envelope system to teach me about budgeting. They made it clear that you can only do three things with money – save it, spend it and give it. This taught me that when we give money, we can make a difference in other people’s lives. It’s important to learn to spend and save money wisely, but it’s just as important to give money. Teach your kids why it’s important to give so they learn they have the power to use their money to benefit others. It can instill virtues like gratitude and generosity.   Teach them that personal finance is a journey that you’re also working on.  Depending on

How does your credit score factor into your life as a teenager? Are there ways to ensure you’ll have an acceptable credit score by the time you’re ready to borrow? In this tip, we’ll share a list of ways you can start building your credit score as a teen.  Links:  Visit Credit Karma to start watching your credit history Learn more about Triangle Teen Club accounts and their benefits Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Your credit history is something that follows you throughout your life, regardless of when you start building your credit. A great credit score can help you buy a car with a low interest rate or even an affordable house when the time comes.   The same sentiment can be said for poor credit. Poor credit can lead to financial hardships in the future by making it nearly impossible to borrow money if you were to need it.   The conundrum is: to build credit you typically need credit in the first place.  As a teenager, this can be frustrating because it may seem like you are just thrown to the wolves when it comes to your financial future.   We don’t want you to feel that way. You should start your financial journey feeling motivated and inspired, which is why we put together a list of the top 5 ways you can build credit as a teenager.   The first way is to use a secured credit card.  A secured credit card functions like a standard credit card; however, with a secured card, the credit line is based on the upfront cash deposit.   A typical cash deposit for a secured credit card is usually between $200-$500.   Since this card works like a traditional credit card, it’s important to note that interest will be charged on balances that are not paid in full each month.   A secured credit card is a great option for teens because the card does not typically require credit history when you apply for the card and once the credit is built up a bit, the secured credit card can usually convert to a regular unsecured credit card, which will allow you to continue adding to your credit history instead of losing it.   As a teen, a secured credit card will teach you the importance of making on-time payments, paying the credit card balance off in full to avoid interest charges, and teach you how to monitor your credit within the credit card app.   The second way is to become an authorized user.  If you are a teenager listening to this, sit down with your parent, guardian or relative to discuss becoming an authorized user on one of their credit card accounts.   Becoming an authorized user on a credit card is a great way to start building credit if you are not old enough or able to apply for your own credit card. Essentially, as an authorized user, you’re able to piggyback off their good credit; as they make on-time payments and keep their credit in good standing, your credit will increase as well.   If you are a parent, guardian or relative of a teen who could benefit from this, discuss this as an option, but make sure your teen understands how it works, and your expectations of spending limits and responsibilities for paying off any amounts charged.  It’s very important to have the guidelines set of how your teen will pay for the purchases they make every month so that monthly payments are made on time.   It is also very important to understand that this will affect both people’s credit so if the main account holder does not already have great credit, this might not be the right option for you.  The third way is to start working.  Getting a job as a teenager is an important step in the credit building process.  Income is one factor that contributes to qualifying for credit because credit card companies, auto loan providers and property owners use income, along with a credit score, to determine if you can pay the bill, loan or rent.   These servicers will understand that you will only be working

What kinds of value does community involvement provide and is there a benefit to getting involved in the your local community? Sure enough, there are many benefits, for both businesses and individuals that make community involvement worthwhile. In this episode, Terri and Liz talk about some of those benefits and more in this episode.  Links:  Learn more about the benefits of Helper's High Simon Sinek presentations on helping others: The Power of Kindness  Help Yourself by Helping Others View Triangle's upcoming events Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

How often do you worry that your payment information might get compromised when you use a credit or debit card? If you want to keep your personal information more secure when you’re at the checkout, consider using the contactless payment features most debit and credit cards offer for a safer and more convenient payment experience.   Links:  Learn more about contactless credit cards Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Contactless cards, also known as tap-to-pay, have become increasingly popular in the United States over the past 10 years but there are still people that may not be aware of what they are or how to use them.    Simply put—contactless payment or tap-to-pay refers to a form of payment using a debit card, credit card, or a payment enabled mobile phone or smartwatch that processes without needing to insert a chip or swipe a card.    This process uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in addition to near-field communication (NFC) for contactless payment transactions.    Here are a few of the top benefits of using a contactless card for payment.   The first benefit is that it’s more secure.     Contactless card payments are more secure than magnetic stripe card payments and just as secure as chip payments.   Each card has a contactless chip that creates a one-time code that changes with each transaction you make.    This one-time code accompanies your account number when you “tap” to pay.    Your other payment information (name, billing address and card verification code) is not transmitted using this method.    By using tap-to-pay, you are guarding your card from skimming devices that are used by hackers to gain access to your payment information.    Quick, Easy Transactions  Contactless payment options are up to 10x faster than using cash or swiping/inserting your card at checkout!   With contactless cards, you no longer need to worry about punching in your PIN on the point-of-sale terminal.    Quicker transactions reduce checkout times and shorter lines, which is a benefit to both the business and the consumer.   Loyalty Rewards and Benefits  Many businesses will have their loyalty accounts and reward systems set up to automatically sync with the tap-to-pay method that can be used with your contactless card or mobile wallet.    At Triangle Credit Union, we offer cashback at local and national merchants with our Purchase Rewards when you use the contactless feature during payment.    How To Use  Using contactless cards or tap-to-pay with your mobile wallet is simple and easy:  Look for the contactless symbol on the point-of-sale or card reader (this is the same symbol used on your Triangle Credit Union contactless enabled debit or credit card)  Hold your card within 2 inches of the card reader when prompted One you receive confirmation the payment was accepted (typically a check mark, green light or audible confirmation), that’s it!  If your Triangle debit card doesn’t have the contactless payment symbol in it, you’ll need to upgrade it. Triangle Credit Union offers Debit on Demand so you can have your card enabled with contactless chip technology in your hands in as little as 10 minutes!  Contact us today by phone or email to find out more on getting your new contactless debit card.   If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

According to a 2021 study, conducted by Ramsey Solutions, 41% of couples in the US argue about money, primarily due to the amount of debt they owe. If this sounds like your situation, and you want to know how to reach common financial ground with your partner, and qualify to win a $100 VISA gift card don't miss this episode.  Links:  Learn more about our Valentine's podcast giveaway and how to enter to win a $100 VISA gift card. Contest runs from February 14 - February 24, 2023.  Watch our Budgeting 101 webinar Watch our Financial Freedom: Your Path to Debt Free Living webinar Visit triangleuniversity.org to watch webinars, read articles and access financial tools and resources.  Transcript:  This is Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal Podcast.  Hi everyone! On today’s Money Tip Tuesday, we’re going to give you some practical advice on how to find common financial ground with your favorite person, but before we start, there’s a special announcement for this episode. Since we’re releasing this Money Tip on February 14, 2023 (Valentine’s Day), we are giving a $100 Triangle Visa gift card to a lucky listener. To qualify, you must be a subscriber to the Making Money Personal podcast and send us an email to tcupodcast@trianglecu.org with a pic of your subscription screen and the promo code. That’s it. I’ll share that info again at the end of this show. For now, let’s talk about that grueling statistic that 41% of couples argue about money in the US, primarily because of debt. Personally, I think that number seems incredibly low but even if that were true, every couple is different—if you argue about money, than here is some tips to help curb those money arguments:  Be Calm & Communicate. – Let’s imagine this month is really tight and you just found a receipt for an unexpected purchase on your kitchen counter. How do you handle this situation? Well, I try to put myself into work mode and ask myself: how would I talk to my co-worker about an unexpected matter? I know our work culture fosters an environment of professionalism and respect, so try to apply those same principals at home. Approach your partner about the unexpected expense situation with kindness and respect. Be calm. It’s fair to ask some questions about the purchase to dig a little deeper but use a respectful tone. Also ask yourself: was there communication earlier in the month about how tight it was going to be? If not, you may have just uncovered a deeper problem than the latest purchase—you may have discovered a communication problem.   As a couple, if you haven’t discussed financial matters before, it’s not too late. Just set the right mood, which means you may want to schedule some time with your partner for this, have the right (respectful tone) and talk about money and life. Start a 50,000 foot conversation about financial beliefs and goals and then take it down to 15,000 feet with the specific questions about where you want to live, your job, how can you reduce your cable or streaming services (insert laughter), and other monthly expenses, which leads us to our next tip.  Make a Budget & Share Money Responsibilities – According to a Stress in America survey, only 33% of survey respondents said both partners share an equal role in financial decision-making; only 23% reported that management of household finances is shared equally.  This brings us to your first money responsibility as a couple:  create a monthly budget…together! When couples create a budget, there is weigh in and buy-in…and in the budget process, you’re communicating about how much money you have this month, and how it will be spent. If you’re new to budgeting, we recommend a zero-based budget and have online tools to explain how this budget works. Sometimes when couples budget, they realize it’s not their spending that’s the problem, it’s their income. Decisions may need to be made about future income opportunities, education and/or if second jobs are needed. These can be

If you’re familiar with QR codes, you know they’re growing in popularity for a variety of uses. But like with all technologies, scammers are now trying to use them to steal your information.  Next time you see a QR code, you might want to take a second and pause before scanning.   Links:  View the FBI Public Service Announcement about QR code scams Read the Austin TX news release about the QR code scam with parking meters Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   You’ve probably seen QR codes everywhere. They are used in restaurants to view menus, on signs and doors for promotions or offers, in magazines and flyers and sometimes even in emails or on social media.   They are designed to be quick, simple ways to use your phone to open a web page easily and automatically without having to search via your phone’s browser.   QR codes have grown in popularity, especially since the pandemic, and more people have become familiar with how to use them.   But, unfortunately, like almost any type of technology, there are people out there who want to try to use these codes to trick you and steal your information.   Similar to how scammers try to trick you with emails, text messages, and phone calls, they are now trying to trick you with QR codes. As an informed user, you need to keep an eye out for potentially dangerous QR code scams.   How do QR code scams work?  Scammers create their own codes that when scanned, will direct your phone to a dangerous website or webpage that tricks you into handing over sensitive information.   In a 2022 public service announcement, the FBI issued a warning against these types of crimes to build awareness of the threats unassuming users could face.   They stated,” cybercriminals are taking advantage of this technology by directing QR code scans to malicious sites to steal victim data, embedding malware to gain access to the victim's device, and redirecting payment for cybercriminal use.”  Here’s a story from the Austin TX PD that should remind us all to be aware before scanning a QR code, especially a public one.   Police discovered that scammers placed their own QR code stickers over the legitimate ones on a bunch of public parking meters in Austin.   Unsuspecting motorists would park their cars and scan the codes to pay the parking fee. But instead of being brought to the city’s authorized website to pay, the malicious code sent them to a fake website set up by the scammers where they willingly handed over their personal credit card information.   If you want to protect yourself against falling for these scams, you’ll need to remember how to avoid them and learn how to detect them.   Scan codes only from reliable sources. If you don’t know the company or person who sent you the code, don’t scan it.   Also, inspect the code carefully for anything suspicious or signs it may have been tampered with.  The FBI included a list of tips for how to safely interact with QR codes. Here are a few to remember:   Do not download an app from a QR code. Use your phone's app store for a safer download.  Once you scan a QR code, check the URL to make sure it is the intended site and looks authentic.  Avoid making payments through a site navigated to from a QR code. Instead, manually enter a known and trusted URL to complete the payment.  You can find these tips and others at the FBI website using the link provided in the show notes.   If you do find a suspicious code, or think you've been a victim of a QR code scam, report it to the authorities so it can be investigated and removed. Contact www.ic3.gov to start a report. That link is also included in the show notes.  Keeping your information and devices secure is an effort that should be permanently ingrained in all our minds. We need to be on alert for the many ways people try to scam us.   Remember to stay alert and stay aware.

Ready to up your savings game this year? If you need a little motivation and a fun way to create a new saving habit, you should try a savings challenge.   Links: Download our free printable tracking sheets to keep track of your progress Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Contact us at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.    Saving money can be extremely difficult, especially if it’s not something you’ve really committed to before. There are many questions that come along with saving money like “how much do I need to save?” or “how do I make saving money more manageable?”  A new year is a great time to take a look at your financial situation and make appropriate changes if necessary.  If you’re ready to start the new year off on the right foot, we have 5 savings challenges (with trackers) that you should try in 2023!  $5 Savings Challenge  This challenge is probably the easiest challenge of all. There is no expected completion date, no required weekly or monthly contribution and essentially, minimal rules.    The purpose of this challenge is to save $500 dollars by breaking it up into more manageable $5 increments.    That doesn’t mean that you can only save $5 at a time. If you have an extra $15 that you want to put towards this goal, go for it! Did you sell something on Facebook Marketplace for $30 and you want to save that cash? This is the perfect place for it!    This can be a cash savings or a digital savings—that choice is up to you and whatever type of saving works better for your lifestyle–whichever you choose, make sure you’re tracking the deposits!    52 Week Savings Challenge  The 52 Week Savings Challenge gives you the opportunity to save $1,378 throughout the year by depositing a different amount every week!   The premise of this challenge is to deposit money every week for 52 weeks, upping the amount each time starting with depositing $1 and ending with depositing $52.    It should look something like this:    Week 1- Deposit $1   Week 2- Deposit $2   Week 3- Deposit $3   By the end of the first month, you will have $10 saved up!   Doing small deposits at the beginning will help you build up your savings slowly while creating a good habit with repetition.    Some people who do this savings challenge choose to complete it in reverse. This means they start by saving $52, then $51, then $50 and so on and so forth which knocks out the bigger numbers first. By the end of the year, they only need to save the smaller, one-digit numbers.    365 Nickel Savings Challenge  The 365 Nickel Savings Challenge is a great savings challenge for beginners. Instead of worrying about big monetary values to set aside for this savings challenge, this challenge focuses on nickels.    The idea is to make small, daily deposits which is more manageable for many people. Similar to the 52 week savings challenge where you increase the amount deposited by $1 every week, the amount you deposit in this challenge increases by $0.05 each day.   Here’s how it works:    Day 1- Deposit $0.05   Day 2- Deposit $0.10   Day 3- Deposit $0.15   Continuing that trend, halfway through the year you will be depositing $9.10. On the last day you will deposit $18.25. Those numbers seem so small in comparison to other savings challenges mentioned.   By the end of the challenge, you will have saved over $3,300 and it won’t even seem like you did anything at all!   If you download our tracker, you will need to print out 2 copies to fully complete this challenge.  100 Envelope Savings Challenge  The 100 Envelope Savings Challenge is a popular favorite! It’s fun to do and allows you to save different amounts each time you save.    Similar to the $5 savings challenge, there is no pre-determined end date for this challenge meaning you don’t need to save money every week or month in order to complete this challenge.    When you’re done

It's a new year and time for a new you. If you're planning to set personal resolutions that lasts longer than two weeks this year, you've come to the right place. In this episode we're talking with Barbara Hatfield life coach about the benefits and challenges that come with setting new year's resolutions.  Links:  Follow Barbara on LinkedIn Barb Hatfield Life Coaching on Facebook Books mentioned in the episode: The Gap and The Gain - Dan Sullivan Atomic Habits - James Clear The War of Art - Steven Pressfield Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill The Secret - Rhonda Byrne Learn more about the Pomodoro Technique Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Contact us at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org View episode transcript. Like what you heard? Go ahead and share on your social media! Visit trianglecu.org to learn more about how we can serve you and don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

January is a great month for a fresh start. It’s the beginning of a new year and we’re often optimistic and energized to start making positive changes for our lives. If you’re tired of the debt buildup you’ve been accruing over the months and even years, make one of your resolutions to get out of debt.   Links:  Watch our Budgeting 101 webinar with step by step instructions on how to budget A personal loan can be a great debt consolidation tool Watch our Financial Freedom: Your Path to Debt Free Living webinar  Check out these additional money tips on tools to help organize your finances: Wil's Top 4 Money Apps Creating a Debt Payoff Strategy Popular Financial Books for Your Reading List Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   New year resolutions are hard. They aren’t typically complicated, things like drink more water, exercise more, eat better, are all simple in nature, but a little more difficult to complete.   When it comes to making financial resolutions, the same concepts apply. Decisions to save more, spend less or get out debt don’t sound too hard, but are fraught with complex actions that if not set up properly, will likely end in failure.   If decreasing your debt is a resolution this year, you must set some things up right to give yourself the best chance of success.   When you think about achieving your debt reduction resolution, most of it comes down to proper planning. You need to create a strategy and stick with it. Just saying “I want to pay off my debt” isn’t enough to carry you through to completion. You need to pick a debt payoff method and develop a realistic plan that’s effective enough to help you meet your goal.   There’s a lot of debt advice out there and most of what you read, watch or listen to will present these three effective strategies to pay down debt.   The first is to plan to pay more than the minimum payments. You’re going to have to budget for this one if you’re serious about getting out of debt. Find a way to either bring in more money, or free up cash by cutting spending elsewhere to use as extra payments towards your debts. Some people try to make extra payments once a month, quarter or year, depending on their budget and the type of debt they have. One of my friends has been making extra payments on her home every quarter since she had her mortgage and is now set to pay off her house five years earlier than expected because of it. Imagine doing that with your own mortgage or credit cards.   The second is to use the snowball method. If you have multiple debts, you’ll want to systematically pay off your lowest debt first, and then, once it’s paid off, use the available cash to put towards the next debt, and so on. You’ll do this until all debts are eliminated.   For example, say you have three credit cards with balances of $5,000, $2,000 and $800. While you continue to pay your minimum payments on all of them, focus on paying off the $800 bill first. After it’s paid, take the money you were putting toward that payment and put towards the next debt, in this case the $2,000. Once the $2,000 is paid off, then put the money from those payments towards the $5,000. This method has been shown to be one of the most effective and faster ways of paying off debt.   The third is to consolidate. Having a variety of different debts can be confusing. It can be hard to keep track of all the different due dates and payments for each bill. Consolidation can help you in a couple of different ways. It will simplify the number of bills you receive and can often score you a lower interest rate. If you have many different bills, try consolidating some or all of them into a plan that makes it easier for you to pay and has the potential to save you money in the long run. Contact your financial institution or browse the internet to see what kinds of consolidation offers

If the price of gas frustrates you, some scammer trying to access your card information while you are gassing up might push you over the edge. In this tip you'll learn how you can protect yourself at the pump.  Links:  Learn more about Triangle's contactless debit and credit cards Learn how to manage your cards and create alerts within mobile banking  Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making money Personal podcast.  More than ever, we are hearing about fraudulent activity at gas stations. Fraudsters use card skimming devices to gain access to your credit and debit card information at the pump and you might not even be aware of the threat.  According to fraud experts, the skimming device is attached to the pump to make it look like a piece of the gas pump payment terminal. After closer examination, you may notice that the reader is simply a piece of molded plastic that is attached to the card reader. Fraud experts encourage you to do a tug test on the device—if you can move the plastic, it’s probably a card skimmer and you should report it to the gas station attendant immediately. If you already used your card at the station, you should also notify your financial institution to minimize fraudulent activity on your card.  The good news is: there is new token technology for your protection, and many financial institutions, including Triangle Credit Union,  offer this technology through mobile wallet and contactless card payments that protect you wherever you shop (or gas up). While tokenization saves time and is convenient, the process eliminates the need to input your Personal Identification Number (PIN), which minimizes fraudulent activity. Instead of a PIN-based transaction, mobile wallets issue an encrypted series of randomized numbers and/or letters in place of your card information. This series of numbers and letters is called a token. Similarly, contactless cards produce a one-time cryptographic code/token that masks your card information for a safe and secure transaction. These tokens are one-time use only, so if card or transaction data is fraudulently stolen from a payment terminal, your card information isn’t included, and the token cannot be reused.  In addition to the technical side of the security these features offer, mobile wallet will also protect you from the issues that come from losing or dropping your card. When you use mobile wallet to make a payment at the pump or at the register, your purchase is authenticated through a series of confirmations: first, your ownership of the device is authenticated through biometrics, then your intent to pay is authenticated by clicking or tapping on your device. So, the security of your device creates an additional layer of fraud prevention for unauthorized payments if you lose your mobile phone.  Triangle Credit Union’s mobile app also has integrated card controls so you can turn your debit and credit cards on or off with the toggle of a button. Keep your cards off when you’re not using them and turn them on to make a purchase. This will help protect your cards from unauthorized payments, anywhere at any time.  Add your Triangle credit or debit card to your mobile wallet today. Visit trianglecu.org to learn more about Mobile Wallet.  If you are member of Triangle Credit Union and would like to request a contactless debit card, please make an appointment through the concierge service at trianglecu.org and you can schedule a time to pick up your card at your convenient branch location.  If you have any comments or ideas for additional tips, please email us at tcupodcast@TriangleCU.org. Be sure to follow the Making Money Personal podcast page on Facebook and IG for more great content.  Thank you to our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, and to you for tuning in!   Have a great day everyone!

It’s the New Year, which means you’ve probably made a few New Year’s resolutions. Is saving money one of them? Along with exercising more and spending more time with family and friends, saving money is near the top of New Year’s resolutions list in the U.S. Unfortunately, only 9 to 12 percent of people keep their New Year’s resolutions, which is not great especially when it comes to something as important as saving money. Here are some tips to help you save money and keep your resolution.  Links: Listen to our money tip on doing your own Personal Money Review Watch our Budgeting 101 webinar on YouTube Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  The first thing you’re going to want to do is a financial review of your money and spending. If you’re not sure how to do that, we did a recent money tip episode on it which you’ll want to check out. Once you have finished your financial review, you will have a good idea of what you need to plan for in the future.   After your financial review, a good place to start saving is to create a budget. You can record your expenses so you know how much you spend on bills, food, entertainment, and other purchases. Focus on what you actually need to spend money on and decide if you really need to buy miscellaneous items. If you want to learn more about setting up a budget watch our Budgeting 101 webinar on Triangle’s YouTube channel.  Cutting down on extra expenses is a great way to save money. Sure, eating out is nice, but it can get expensive and it’s much cheaper to make your own food. Over the course of a year, this could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.   You can also cut down on the amount of money you spend on subscription services. Are there any services you aren’t really using anymore? Unsubscribe from them and save that extra money.  Look for cheap or even free things you can do instead. You can go for a run in the park to honor your “exercise more” New Year’s resolution. Spend time with family and friends talking and playing games.  The more purchases you can find to cut, the more money you have in your wallet. Now you can put all this money you’re not spending into a savings account.  Set saving goals for yourself. How much would you like to have saved up one year from now? Take that number and divide it by how many paychecks you get a year. Put aside that amount of money after every paycheck and put it into your savings account. If you earn interest on your money in your savings account, that’s even better. The more money you put into savings, the more interest you’ll make. Triangle Credit Union offers a great online savings account that offers a competitive high yielding interest rate.   Another way to save money is to increase your 401(k) contributions. While you may not see this savings return immediately, you’ll thank yourself later. The more money you put in now, the sooner you’ll be able to retire.   With these money saving tips, hopefully you’ll be able to keep your New Year’s resolutions for the whole year! If these work for you, consider using them next year too!  If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

At the end of every year, and the beginning of a new one, we often feel an energy for new resolve. We look back and reflect on the things we accomplished and the things we hope to achieve in the new year. If there’s anything you should consider starting fresh in the new year, it’s a revised look at your money. And that can’t be achieved without completing a personal money review.  Links: Open a Triangle Better Checking Account with ID Protect and access to your credit score and report at idprotectme247.com Learn more about estate planning, insurance, investing and other financial planning services with Triangle Financial Group Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: At the end of every year, and the beginning of a new one, we often feel an energy for new resolve. We look back and reflect on the things we accomplished and the things we hope to achieve in the new year. If there’s anything you should consider starting fresh in the new year, it’s a revised look at your money. And that can’t be achieved without completing a Personal Money Review.    Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Sometimes looking back is the way to see forward. Albert Einstein is attributed to saying if you want to know the future, look at the past.   When it comes to the end of the year and the beginning of a new one, it’s good practice to look back in order to learn a few things about your behavior and decide what you want to change or keep the same in the new year.  This is pretty much the way we all make our resolutions. We reflect on the things we didn’t like and decide what we want to try to do differently. This can apply to pretty much any area of our lives, from habits to relationships and most of all our money.  If you’re looking for a way to change something important in your life, start with the way you view your finances. Do a personal money review.  The goal of a personal money review is to take account of your existing financial situation and determine where you think you’ll need to make changes to accomplish your new goals.   So, how do you do a personal money review? Fortunately, it’s not complicated and shouldn’t take a long time.   The first part of a personal money review is to review your income.  You want to take a look at where you made money over the year. This includes your income, bonuses, any dividends, money you made from side gigs, and even any notable gifts like any inheritance.   It may be challenging to collect all this information, but you can start with your latest paycheck and any quarterly statements for investment and bank accounts. Usually these are available to view at the beginning of January so you shouldn’t have to look too far to find them.  Then you add it all up to see how much money you brought in last year.   When reviewing your income, think about specific questions to ask like, Did you make as much as you wanted? Did you meet your savings goals? What are some specific ways to bring in some extra money this year?   Reviewing your income will give you an idea how much you can pull in in a year. If you have an income goal, use this as a gauge to discover how much more you need to bring in to meet that income goal.    The second part of your financial review is to look at your expenses.  Get a sense of what your expenses were throughout the year. If you’re a good budgeter, there shouldn’t be any surprises here, but if you’re new to budgeting this may take a little bit of digging.   Review the expenses you’ve incurred, especially the large ones. You may not be able to count all your expenses, unless you’re THAT organized, but take an account of what you can.   Have your credit card balances gone up? Maybe you’re beginning to charge too much on cards. Did your recurring expenses rise higher than expected? How much has food increased? Has your rent increased?   Take note of the answers to all these questions and

It’s normal to spend money during the holidays. You want to give presents to the people you love to show how much you appreciate them. But now that the holidays are over, and you’ve given out all your gifts, you now have to deal with the financial aftermath. Here are some tips on how to recover from your holiday spending spree.  Links: Learn more about Triangle's Personal Loan and Personal Line of Credit Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  The first thing you’re going to want to do is assess your financial situation. See how much money you owe and then start paying off your debt as quickly as possible.    To do this, you might have to change your monthly budget in January around. Make a list of all your debts, payment due dates, minimum payment amounts, interest rates, and when you plan on paying them off. From there, you can restructure your January budget to fit your needs best.   You will probably want to start paying off the credit cards with the highest interest rates first. Don’t just pay off the minimum monthly payment, even if it’s just an extra $10, the more money you put towards every payment the less you’ll owe in the long run and the faster you’ll pay it off. And always make sure to pay on time.  You can also open an unsecured personal loan to reduce the cost of paying back how much you owe. Personal loans typically have a lower interest rate than credit cards do which makes them great for debt consolidation. Triangle Credit Union offers a wonderful personal unsecured line of credit that is a helpful safety net for any unexpected expenses and gives you plenty of flexibility to access funds when you need them for any financial situation.  Did you get a holiday bonus or are you expecting some money from your tax returns? Consider using some of this money to put towards your holiday debt. Don’t consider bonuses or tax returns as money you can just freely spend, but rather view them as money you can save on the side or use to pay for things you’ve already bought.   Once you’ve done all that, now is the perfect time to start thinking about next year’s holiday shopping. Yes, it is a bit early, but if you start planning what to do with your money now, you hopefully won’t need to recover from your holiday spending next time.   One thing you can start doing now is put money aside specifically for holiday shopping. Budget out how much of your paycheck you want to put aside for this fund. By the time the holidays come around, you’ll have a nice amount of money to spend. Plan out what you are going to buy next time so you don’t overspend.   If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

Do the holidays stress you out? Are you too busy with gatherings and gift giving? Let's take a breath and slow down and talk about ways to handle the holidays. In this episode Terri and Liz chat about their holiday preparations and discuss a few different ways they handle all the hustle and bustle that comes every holiday season.   Links:  Try using Triangle's popular Personal Loan for purchases or debt consolidation Use online banking and mobile banking tools to keep track of spending Explore the Money Management tool for help budgeting and paying down debt Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

We’ve all made impulsive purchases before! Impulsive buying is purchasing something that you have not planned to buy before that moment—it can be as small as a pack of gum in the grocery store checkout or as big as a new car when you were “just looking.”   Links:  Check out our other episode Ways to Avoid Impulse Purchasing Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  During the holiday season, one in three purchases are made on impulse and we admit that buying something impulsively can be exciting in the moment, but it’s the buyer’s remorse that catches up with us after the fact.   Picture this: you’re starting your holiday shopping at the mall and on your way to the specific store when you pass a kiosk that has recently been set up for the holiday season. You stop for a minute to glance at the different items displayed before you. The items are not something you’ve seen before but the price tag is much higher than you want to spend.   The shop owner sees that you are considering buying something but senses your hesitation. They offer you a discount that seems too good to pass up! What do you do?  You may be urged to make a purchase but the smart thing to do is take a lap!  If you’re tempted to make a big purchase without any prior planning, it’s important to take a lap around the store or the mall to think about it before making a big commitment.   Walking away from the high-pressure situation allows you to clear your head and gain a new perspective. You can take some time to think about the practicality of the item and consider if buying it now is beneficial overall. It also gives you the chance to check online to see if you can purchase elsewhere at a lower price.   If you’ve had a chance to weigh the pros and cons of purchasing the item and you still want it, you can buy it when you’ve completed your lap!   There are other ways to stop yourself from impulse buying both online and in-store.  Do your research beforehand to figure out the cost of the item you intend to purchase. Once you know the price, only bring that amount of money in cash to the store with you. Not having extra cash or another form of payment limits you on what you can buy, which saves you from making impulse purchases.   Another way to stop impulse purchases online is to unsubscribe from store emails. Stores will constantly send out coupons or let you know when they are having sales. We’ve all been there. You’re checking your emails and you see an email subject line that reads, “TODAY ONLY! All sweaters as low as $5!”  Many of us would be enticed to visit the website to buy because it seems too good to be true, but if it’s not something you were planning on purchasing, it’s an impulse buy.   These tips are helpful to remember all year round, but especially during the holiday season! In-store window displays become flashier to entice consumers to buy more and retail stores send out more emails with sales and discount codes.   Remember to clear your head, remove yourself from the high-pressure situation and give yourself a day before making purchases.   If you have any comments or ideas for additional tips, please email us at tcupodcast@TriangleCU.org. Be sure to follow the Making Money Personal podcast page on Facebook and Instagram for more great content.  Thank you to our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, and to you for tuning in!  Have a great day!

You may be crafty and have a niche for making cool gifts, but does that mean you should give your homemade creation to family and friends this gift giving season? It depends. There are some considerations on whether your homemade gift will be well received. Links:  Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast. Your intentions may be great, and if you want to make sure your homemade gift is well received, here are some practical considerations to think about before you spend 8 hours knitting a sweater for your aunt, who lives in Florida and suffers from chronic hot flashes:  STYLE: Is your gift something the recipient would pick out for herself? This is probably the first question in the litmus test. I love to make family ornaments to give to my husband’s seven siblings—the problem is some of his siblings don’t have the same taste that I have. These ornaments have more a modern farmhouse theme, and one sister is a gold leaf gal who loves Italian impressionists, and her Christmas tree is decked out in gold balls. Be considerate of how these gifts may be received. If you can adapt to each one’s interests, then that’s best. PALATE – No, this does mean pallet furniture. This is about physical taste, as in food gifts. My best friend is a connoisseur of butter crunch and her annual gift of a tin of butter crunch is received with great anticipation and fanfare every year. If you have a special recipe and are excited about sharing the best chocolate walnut fudge recipe ever—do remember those with allergies and plan accordingly. SIZE – It’s not the size of the box that matters, right? Correct. What’s in the box is more important, but if your daughter lives in a 200 square foot studio, she may have to move if Dad makes her a handmade armoire. Homemade gifts are heartwarming, sentimental, and cherished. Each gift reflects the giver’s time and effort…and truly, there is no higher commodity than someone’s time. If you make homemade gifts, or are interested in trying something new this season, do a little discovery. What do your relatives want? What are their interests? What’s trending on Pinterest, and here’s a pro tip: Whatever you give, make the unboxing experience amazing! Unboxing has become a gift in and of itself so take the extra time, like you did when making the gift, to create a beautiful gift presentation. May you have a wonderful time of craft making and enjoy the season of giving! If you have any comments or ideas for additional tips, please email us at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Be sure to follow the Making Money Personal podcast page on Facebook and IG for more great content. Thank you to our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, and to you for tuning in! Have a great day everyone!

The holidays are a time of celebration, joy and generosity. This season of giving, take some time to participate in the many charitable activities available to you to bring a little light to someone’s life.   Links:  Check out the American Red Cross to learn more about donating blood Explore this list of non-profit organizations that could use donations or volunteer support:  The Salvation Army Make-A-Wish Foundation The Front Door Agency Nashua Soup Kitchen, Sonshine Soup Kitchen (Derry),  New Hampshire Homeless Shelters and Food Pantry Directory  Directory of New Hampshire Humane Societies and Animal Shelters Boys & Girls Club Meals on Wheels Harbor Homes (Now Harbor Care) Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Giving to others is a rewarding experience that teaches important lessons about generosity and self-sacrifice. Some can cost you money; others are entirely free. However you decide to give back this season, charitable giving is a rewarding and contagious act that can spread joy throughout the community and change people’s lives.   If you’re feeling in the holiday spirit and looking for a few ways to give back to your community, here are some ideas you might find helpful.   You can always donate money to organizations that need those funds to operate. Almost any organization you research could use financial help. They use this money to buy supplies, pay staff and raise awareness for their cause. Many organizations run holiday fundraisers where you can meet people, win prizes and learn more about what they do for the community. You can donate money online through website portals or donate in person when you see a display or presentation. For example, the Salvation Army sets up the Red Kettle fundraiser every year to ask for donations.   Donating money is a great way to help outreach organizations, but there are other ways to pitch in and contribute to individuals and families struggling for everyday items. You can donate clothing, hygiene items and other necessities to organizations like homeless shelters or children’s homes. Winter is one of the most critical seasons for clothing and the most requested items are usually new underwear and socks, warm weather clothing like jackets or sweatshirts, and shoes. Clothing items aren’t the only things needed. Many homeless shelters ask for donations of personal hygiene products, bedding, toys and baby clothes to offer to families with children and other people in need of these items.   If you don’t have the money or extra funds to buy physical necessities, you can still donate to people in need. This idea might make some a little squeamish, but you can donate your blood to a blood bank, most notably the Red Cross. According to redcross.org, somebody needs blood or platelets every 2 seconds. Blood donations provide lifesaving help to people struggling with a wide variety of illnesses and physical ailments. Many individuals fighting cancer, people who need lifesaving surgeries, accident and burn victims all need blood and benefit from blood donors. You may also want to know that one single blood donation can help multiple people. One visit to a blood drive could make the world of a difference to 2 or 3 people in need. For more information on how to donate visit www.redcrossblood.org.  The last way to help others this season is by donating your time by volunteering with a local organization. This can be one of the most rewarding experiences for any age. Studies show it increases dopamine which improves your mood. It also lowers stress and anxiety and can contribute to an overall feeling of well-being and purpose.  You also get the opportunity to meet new people and learn more about their lives. It’s rewarding, fun and a great way to touch the lives of people around you.  You can help distribute food with Meals on Wheels or try bell ringin

The holidays can be financially stressful, especially if you’re starting your holiday gift shopping but aren’t confident you’ll have enough to cover for what you’re planning to buy.  Luckily, there are still some things you can do to get some extra money for holiday gifts.   Links: Try exploring some of the many places to sell items online like Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, OfferUp for ideas on what and how to sell Check out Triangle's Holiday Cash personal loan for low rate holiday borrowing Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   If you haven’t been saving money over the past year for your holiday gift fund you need to start thinking about how you’re planning to pay for this year’s gift giving.   If you’re looking for a few ways to bring in some extra money this season, here are a few ideas you can try.  The first thing you can do is find some things around your home to sell online. If you have stuff hanging around that you don’t use anymore, try selling what you can on one of the many online selling platforms. With Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and more, you could list your items and bring in some extra cash. Some of the most resalable items include home gym and workout equipment, sports memorabilia, Disney themed items, Star Wars themed items, designer clothing and handbags, Legos and popular kids' toys.  Look around to see if you have any unused items in good condition and you could make a little money from.   Another thing you can do to make some extra cash for the holidays is pick up a part-time job or a side gig. Many companies are known to hire people for help during the holiday season. If you have some free weeknights or weekends, you can try getting a temporary position at one of these stores to bring in some extra cash for holiday gifts. If you’re up for something with a little more independence you could also consider a side gig like driving for Uber or Door Dash. These are flexible jobs where you have the freedom to pick up extra work on your own time.   Another way to get extra cash is you can see about picking up some overtime at your work. If your company offers overtime for employees, working a few extra hours could be the perfect way to bring in enough additional cash to cover your gift expenses. Overtime is great because you’ll be paid more per hour so check with your company and see if that is an option for you.  Another, pretty simple way to find money for gifts is to use your credit card points. If you’ve been building up credit card points all year trade them in for cash or other rewards that could help you purchase items. One of my cards lets me use points directly on Amazon so when I go to check out, I apply those points and save money immediately.   A final thing you can do is borrow some money from a bank or credit union. Many financial institutions provide promotional personal loan programs with lower rates so you can borrow money specifically for the holiday season. At Triangle we offer our very popular Holiday Cash personal loan which is a great option to borrow enough money for any kind of holiday expense.   If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

The holiday season is right around the corner, and with it comes the energy and excitement of holiday decorating, shopping and gatherings. If you haven’t already started your shopping yet, chances are you’ll likely start this process with a Black Friday kickoff. Links: Check out the seasonal deals at Tom's Guide and blackfriday.com Learn more about Small Business Saturday and it's history  Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Some people love the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season. There’s an energy and excitement surrounding the rush to find the perfect holiday gifts, and there’s no day more notoriously associated with holiday shopping than Black Friday.   Whether you love it or you hate it, the Friday following Thanksgiving is THE day that kicks off the holiday shopping season.   But, with all its flaws, and the rise of the internet, has Black Friday fallen out of favor among holiday shoppers and is Black Friday shopping still worth the hassle?  Putting aside the obvious downsides like long wait times, busy traffic and the occasional fight in the aisle, there are still some benefits of shopping on Black Friday.   The first is that you can still get some great deals. If you do your research ahead of time for some specific items, you could really make out when you take the time to shop at various stores. Exploring store ads and websites will give you a good idea of what items will be on sale and where you can get them.   A benefit to doing your Black Friday shopping in-person is that, if you get there in time, you’ll walk out of the store with the item you wanted. You don’t have to wait until it’s shipped and delivered.  Some stores may advertise a “buy online pick up in store” offer, so keep an eye out for these if you want to cut your in-person wait time.  One great thing about Black Friday today is that most offers are now both in-store and online. So you don’t HAVE to visit the store in-person to get a good deal. Inernet shopping has truly revolutionized the holiday shopping experience. Many stores have started offering Black Friday deals early, so you can take advantage of the savings days and sometimes even weeks in advance.  You can start exploring deals through online resources like BlackFriday.com and tomsguide.com to get an idea of what kinds of items are for sale and how much they’ll be discounted.    One final notable thing about Black Friday is that some people see it as a social event to kick off the holidays. You can take the time to shop with friends and family which carries with it a form of personal value. Just make sure you plan out where you’re going and when so you don’t get stuck trying to make decisions on the fly which could take your trip from fun to frustrating.    As a side note, Black Friday isn’t the only day to score some big deals for your holiday shopping. You may find some on these other days, Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday.  Cyber Monday is beginning to replace Black Friday as one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It occurs the Monday after Thanksgiving and is made entirely of online deals. It’s a super convenient option for many online shoppers with some deals being better than Black Friday. Just keep in mind that items are usually limited so make sure you log on in time and checkout before the deals disappear.  If you’re not a fan of the over-commercialization by large corporations, try participating in Small Business Saturday which encourages shoppers to support small businesses in a variety of different ways. This is on the Saturday following Thanksgiving and is intended to encourage shoppers to support the small businesses around the country who work hard to provide goods and services to their communities. It’s worth checking out.  So, going back to Black Friday, is it really worth the hassle? That’s entirely up

Multi marketing channels are essential for business to expand their brand and reach. In this episode Terri and Liz discuss the importance of using these channels and why it's imperative you have consistent messaging in your marketing. Links:  Check out platforms like Fiverr and Upwork for freelance help with a wide variety of marketing and business needs Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.

During the holiday season, it isn’t uncommon for a popular toy, game console, electronic device, or other popular gift to be sold out quickly. Unfortunately, some people like to take advantage of your holiday spirit and raise the price of popular products. Here are some ways to avoid scalpers and price gouging this holiday season.  Links:  Check out CamelCamelCamel to keep an eye on price fluctuations Check out our Holiday Shopping Quiz Money Tip Tuesday episode to check your fraud prevention skills Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript:  Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Scalpers are people who figure out what the hot gift Items of the year are, buy a bunch of them until the stores are sold out and then sell the items at an upcharge of anywhere from a 50% to 200% increase. Some scalpers even use bots to buy up popular gift items and then list them from double to ten times the suggested retail price, not giving shoppers a fair chance to even click the purchase button.   It may be tempting to buy from them so you can get your hands on that gift, but don’t do it. Buying from them helps their scheme and also encourages other people to do the same. Also, if the scalpers see that people are buying at already ludicrous prices, it's probable that they will keep increasing the prices as their stock gets lower.   Want to avoid scalpers and getting price gouged? One thing you can do is get your holiday shopping done early. If you know what you plan on getting someone and you see it available, buy it before it’s too late.   Always know what the suggested retail price of the product is and what the trend of the price is. You’re less likely to get extorted this way. Camelcamelcamel offers an Amazon price tracker so you can see how much the price has changed and shop accordingly. There may be small price fluctuations based on the product’s availability but at least if you use this tool, you know you’re more likely to get a fair price.   Also make sure to be aware of who you are buying from. Places like Amazon and Walmart offer a lot of third-party sellers which may not be as trustworthy and up the price of hot items. If you can’t find the hot gift anywhere, but then see it on a website you’ve never heard of at a reasonable price, it’s probably a scam and not a legitimate store.   Want to know if you know how to shop safely online? Check out our online holiday shopping quiz and see how you do!  If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   Have a great day!

Have you ever received an offer that seemed too good to be true? If you’re getting emails or text messages excitedly telling you that you’ve won some sort of prize, think twice before taking on the offer, it’s likely an advance fee scam.  Links: Visit the Federal Trade Commission website to learn more and report fraudulent activity Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  An advance fee scam is a scam that offers you money, a prize, a special discount or other offer in exchange for a fee.   Scammers try to do this in specific ways, and especially in ways you’re not likely to notice.   They develop well-crafted messages that are designed to entice you to take specific actions to get you to pay them money. Fortunately, we’ve all grown more skeptical of any offers we get through email, but it’s important to remember that scammers are always changing tactics and trying new things to catch people off guard.  So how can you spot these scams? There’s a wide variety of advance fee scams out there so keep an eye out for some of these different tactics or any that seem similar.   Scammers may try to offer you loans without requiring any credit check. If you fall for their offer and apply, they then ask you to pay a fee for processing, insurance or anything else. Once they get the payment they disappear to never be heard from again.  Some may email or message you with a special offer for free or discounted tickets to a big event, concert or other type of experience. Everything about the message may appear legitimate, but if you fall for the scam and pay the money, they’ll take the money, disappear, and you’ll never get your tickets. If you receive any offer or prize that looks like it’s from a company you recognize, contact that company directly to confirm they sent the message.  Like the scam offering free or discounted tickets, other messages might claim that you’ve won a prize, large sum of money, or the lottery. Scammers will hook you into thinking you’re a winner and then ask you to pay a fee in order to collect the money. Like all the other examples, they’ll take the money and disappear.   Keep an eye out for scammers offering business opportunities or offers to work from home or start your own. They’ll hook you in with an attractive ad and offer all kinds of benefits like flexible work hours. Then they’ll require you to pay a registration or startup fee to get started. Make sure that any business opportunity you pursue is legitimate by researching the company name online and with the Better Business Bureau.  Other advance fee scams to keep an eye out for can be found in the world of online dating. Scammers pretend to be individuals looking to find dates or relationships. They take the time to build a relationship with an unsuspecting person and over time build their trust. Then eventually they pretend that they need help with money, whether it’s money for a travel visa, family issues or other life problems. Once they get you to pay them the money they simply disappear.  As you’ve probably realized by now, different types of advance fee scams can range from simple to complicated.  When you receive any message promising you a shockingly good offer or anyone you don’t know asking you for money, you must be on guard, because those offers are most likely scams.   Remember these top tips when it comes to suspicious messages.  Don't react quickly, even if the message seems urgent  Don’t click any links  Don’t open any attachments  Report it  Delete it   Scammers are always coming up with new and sinister ways to get you to hand over your money. Don’t fall for it. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious that comes in through email, text or over the phone. Remember these tips and stay vigilant to keep yourself safe from being scammed.  If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, le

We all know we should probably talk to a financial advisor at some point in our lives, but we don’t always recognize the needs that arise where a financial advisor’s expertise will help you successfully navigate life’s changes.   Links: Learn more about Triangle Financial Group  Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  There are many times in life where it’ll be beneficial to chat with a financial advisor. Whenever you go through a life-changing event, talking to a financial advisor can help you make the right financial decisions at the right time. So here are some life events when you’ll want to consider chatting with a financial advisor.   The first time to chat with an advisor is when you get married. Getting married is a big step in life. You have a lot of new financial decisions to make together like buying a home (if you haven’t already), whether to get life insurance and how much you’ll need, plus you’ll want to discuss planning for your future and retirement. Financial advisors can help you organize your finances, and they’ll help you work through setting financial goals as a couple, by helping you determine what you’re saving for, and how to properly take the right steps to reach those goals on time.   Another reason you’ll want to reach out to a financial advisor is when you have a new baby. If you just had your first child, it’s a good time to start thinking about how this change will affect you financially. Advisors can help you set up college planning funds, savings accounts and other types of saving options for your children. They can help you determine how best to prepare for your child’s financial future, even if your child is only a few months old. Growing your family is a big life choice and you will benefit greatly from talking with a financial advisor to make sure your family has a stable financial foundation.   A third reason to chat with a financial advisor is due to divorce or the death of a spouse. If you’re going through a divorce or recently lost a spouse, it’s a good time to have some important conversations with a professional. Advisors will help you manage your money especially after you’ve gone through an emotional and life-changing event. It’ll also be helpful to have someone unrelated to you helping you make money decisions that can be confusing, emotional or too exhausting for you to make on your own.  And the last one, if you receive an inheritance. If you’ve just received an inheritance from a family member or someone close to you, you’ll want to talk to a financial planner to get some advice on how to manage the funds. An advisor can help you assess your existing financial situation and determine how your recent inheritance will fit best in your overall financial plan. Should you save it, invest it, spend a portion of it? All of these are thoughts you’ll want to discuss with a financial advisor. You’ll also want to talk to an accountant to make sure any taxes have been paid (if required) and the IRS has all the proper documentation it needs.  Money management is important to maintain during big changes in life and chatting with a financial advisor can help you navigate those changes so your financial strategy stays on track.   If you’re looking for a planner you can contact Triangle Financial Group or TFG at Triangle Credit Union. TFG provides financial planners and services that can help you through many of the life events that were mentioned here. You can reach out to them via email or give them a call to set up an appointment.   If there are any other tips or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out

Identity protection is something everyone should take seriously. There are a lot of threats out there it can be difficult to stay on top of the tactics all the time. In this episode we’re chatting with Basil Paul, Resolution Manager for Econocheck about current identity theft trends and why everyone should seriously consider identity theft protection for themselves and their families. Important notes:    19:20 "more than $10,000 available". In Triangle's program up to $10,000 is available.  If a member had two Better Checking accounts they would have access to more.  18:34 "anyone living in house" -  this is limited to family members. Friends and renters are not automatically covered. View the Description of Benefits for more information on who is covered. Links: Learn more about Econocheck  Learn more about Triangle's Better Checking Account and what it provides Listen to our prior podcast episode about protecting your identity with Better Checking Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union View episode transcript.