Unlock Your Financial Freedom With a Credit Union

Banking is a crucial aspect of your life, and managing it properly can bring about a sense of financial security. However, with so many options available, choosing the right financial institution can be overwhelming. 

One type of financial institution that is gaining popularity is the credit union. A credit union is a nonprofit organization that offers financial services to its members. 

It is a relatively new concept for many people, and at times it can be hard to understand what makes them different from a regular bank. This blog post will explore how credit unions can help you unlock your financial freedom.

Lower Fees and Better Rates

When it comes to managing your finances, one of the most significant concerns is the fees and rates you pay. Many credit unions offer lower fees than traditional banks, and they also have better interest rates on savings accounts and loans. 

Credit unions do not have to pay shareholders like traditional banks do, which means they can offer better rates and still make a profit. 

For example, credit unions may offer lower or no ATM fees, lower overdraft fees, and fewer account fees.

Personalized Service

Credit unions are member-owned and operated, which means their focus is on serving their members rather than maximizing profits. As a member, you are not just a customer, but an owner, which means you have a say in how the credit union is run. 

Credit unions, like Credit Union of Denver, often have a more personalized approach to customer service than traditional banks. 

They are generally smaller than banks, which allows them to be more closely attuned to individual members' needs, and they often offer financial education to help members with their financial goals.

Better Loan Options

If you need a loan, a credit union may be a better option than a traditional bank. Credit unions offer better interest rates on loans due to their nonprofit nature, and they typically have more flexible loan terms. 

Credit unions may also offer special loans such as home equity, student, or personal loans with lower interest rates than traditional banks. 

Plus, credit unions often have higher approval rates for loans, meaning you are more likely to get approved even if you have less-than-perfect credit.

Shared Branching and ATM Networks

Credit unions may have a smaller number of physical branches than traditional banks, but they often have access to a network of shared branches and ATMs. 

This means you can access your account and conduct transactions at other credit union locations and ATMs without incurring any additional fees. 

Additionally, many credit unions partner with other credit unions to create a shared ATM network, meaning you will have access to a large number of ATMs for no additional cost.

Participating in Your Financial Success

Credit unions are member-owned, meaning when you join, you become part of a community that works together to improve everyone's financial success. 

Many credit unions work with members to help them establish and achieve their financial goals. They offer financial education to help members learn valuable skills like budgeting and saving, and they may also offer seminars on topics such as buying a home or starting a business.

Final Thoughts

Credit unions offer many benefits to their members, including lower fees and better rates, personalized service, and better loan options. Additionally, credit unions offer shared branching and ATM networks and participate in their members' financial success. 

Joining a credit union may be a good option for those looking to save money or achieve their financial goals. So why not consider unlocking your financial freedom with a credit union?

4 Websites to Keep Your Finances and Budget Organized in 2018

Budgeting is essential in anyone’s life. From having money to pay rent or mortgage payments each month, to allocating funds to pay credit cards, and of course daily expenditures, you have to budget accordingly. 

If you need help setting and maintaining your budget, there are several sites/apps you can use to assist you. These are a few which can help you get your spending under control, and possibly even start to save a bit each month.

OnTrees

It is not only one of the top apps on the Apple-store, it is convenient and easy to use as well. 

It offers features like SMS text if you are close to monthly expenditures, or are considering making a purchase which isn’t within your budget. This is ideal for over-spenders or compulsive shoppers.

Your Wealth

Online calculators, budgeting tools, and professional expert-advice, you have all the financial planning tools and guidance you need, to keep you on track. There is also a money-borrowing hub to help you find lower interest rates and the best repayment terms. 



A simple to use tool which will keep you on track, and help you allocate monthly funds to avoid over spending.

Money Vista 

This site uses a “life chart” to help you at different phases of your life. Depending on age, spending habits, earnings, and what you want to do in life (plan for a trip, pricey purchase, save, etc.), the life-chart will help you get there. 

It is easy to use and will help you maintain your budget accordingly if you need to keep your financial spending under control.

Chargify

More and more small business owners have started to use chargify because it is a great way to keep on track with all of your payments. It allows you to automatically send out invoices if they are recurring. There are loads of other brilliant things you can use. If you would like to know more about chargify visit topbusinessalternatives.com.

Most individuals need help with financing and budgeting but not all can afford a professional financial planner to help them. These online budgeting tools are easy to use, convenient, and highly-affordable. No matter where you are in life, these are simple tools you can utilise to help you track spending/saving.

Time to Take Charge of Your Money

The new year is a great time. It's the time when it's OK to move on from the mistakes of the past. The slate is wiped clean and you have another chance to get it right. Why not try some of these websites and apps to see if you can get your finacial lives organized. There's no better time than now to get started.

4 Major Life-Changing Ways a Divorce Impacts Your Family Finances

Getting a divorce changes the shape of your family forever. As much as it changes your daily life, it also changes your finances. 

If you're considering or preparing for divorce, make sure you understand the key ways it can impact your finances so that you'll be prepared to move forward with your new life.

1. You're no longer splitting expenses

Maintaining your standard of living after divorce can quickly become a real challenge, especially if you weren't the primary breadwinner in your family. 

It's estimated that you will need at least a 30% increase in your earnings in order to maintain the same standard of living you experienced prior to divorce. In some cases, this may mean little things: eating out less often or making impulse buys less frequently, for example. 

In other cases, it may mean a smaller home, a lower grocery budget, or the need to choose a less expensive car. 

2. Alimony and child support will become a key part of your financial future

Whether you're the one who needs to pay support or you expect support from your former spouse, you need a strong divorce attorney who will advocate for you and ensure that you get what you need out of the divorce, from fair alimony or child support to a reasonable distribution of your assets. 

Working with a firm like Thomas Associates Law Firm LLC is one of the best ways to protect yourself financially throughout the divorce process.

3. Capital gains taxes are an important consideration

When you're in the middle of a divorce, one of the easiest ways to divide your assets is to simply sell them for cash. 

Cars, houses, stocks and bonds, and investment portfolios are frequently easier to divide when they exist as straightforward cash numbers rather than as less tangible assets. Unfortunately, this can lead to heavy capital gains taxes at the end of the year. 

Make sure you understand what you're going to be expected to pay at the end of the year, rather than immediately using those funds for a different purchase. 

4. Your marital assets will be divided

This means that anything you own jointly is fair game: cars, boats, property, and even, potentially, your retirement account. 

It really comes down to whatever the judge decides at the end of the day. You can only hope that the decision is fair and that at best some things go in your favor. Unfortunately it doesn’t always turn out that way. 

This can have a substantial impact on your plans for the future! Everything, from the artwork hanging on your walls to the cars in the garage, needs to be fairly appraised before you and your spouse part ways. 

This will help ensure that you receive a fair percentage of your assets, paving the way for a better financial future.

Following divorce, it may take time to get back on your feet financially. There are a lot expenses before and after your divorce that you will have to pay for and that often take a significant amount of time for anyone to recover from. 

While it's a big change, with time, you can return to your previous lifestyle and learn how to manage your new, single state. You may even eventually remarry and hopefully be in a much better state financially and emotionally than where you were before. 

Either way, be prepared for some major life changes. Going in prepared for the financial changes that divorce will bring, however, will make it easier for you to take care of your financial needs throughout the process.

5 Financial Endeavors That Will Benefit Your Family

Raising a family can be challenging both emotionally and financially. Being responsible and proactive with your earnings will pay off in the long run. Consider using these five strategies to make the most of your money and prepare for the future.

Track Your Bills at all Times

In order to fully understand where your money goes every month, create an organized list of your monthly bills. Separate your bills into different categories, such as loans, utilities, medical, and food. Review your bills to determine if there are any monthly charges that are not useful to your family. 

Many people have subscriptions to magazines, gyms, and other types of entertainment that they do not use regularly and could cancel to save money. Additionally, research the price you pay for services to determine if you have the best rates available.

Create a Budget

After reviewing your bills, determine how much you can comfortably spend on each expense, while still staving money. Some expenses may be difficult to change, but others like entertainment and food are often overlooked as a large source of spending. 

These bills can easily be scaled back with planning meals ahead and becoming creative with inexpensive family outings. 

Understand Your Resources

Life can be unpredictable and present many challenges. Review the benefits that your employer offers, as well as any community programs that you may qualify for in the event of an emergency. 

If you become injured and are unable to work, you may need to discuss your rights with a social security disability lawyer to ensure you receive assistance if you qualify for social security disability benefits. You should also become familiar with retirement plans your employer offers to maximize the contributions made to your account. 

 Professionals, like those at http://workinjuryaz.com/phoenix-social-security-disability-attorneys/, will give you an honest opinion about being approved for benefits. This is an important step when it comes to receiving social security.

Purchase a Life Insurance Policy

It’s never too soon to financially protect your loved ones. Even if you can’t afford a large policy, invest in a basic policy that will at least cover funeral expenses and ideally your bills for one year. 

Set Goals Together

All families have dreams for the future, such as taking a vacation or remodeling their home. In order to reach these goals, be realistic with how much you can spend and create a monthly savings plan. 

Having regular discussions about the financial goals your family has can keep you on track and motivated to reach those goals.

When you understand your personal finances and have created an efficient plan to save money, you and your family will experience reduced stress and the benefits of a larger savings account.