It’s easy to get caught up in the magic of holiday spending. But if you rely on credit to make holiday wishes a reality, the magic often falls flat when your bills come due. Take the time to create a holiday budget and avoid a post-holiday spending hangover. BE REALISTICSetting a realistic but firm budget
By adequately managing a credit card, you can earn rewards and build your credit score while making regular purchases. GET THE RIGHT CARDThe first step to best using a credit card is to get the right one. That means doing your research. It would help if you considered your spending habits and priorities regarding rewards.
Everyone loves the convenience of payment apps – and scammers do, too. Scammers are experts at hijacking our favorite conveniences for their schemes, and third-party app scams are no exception. Let’s look at scams that con the victim into downloading a bogus payment app and how to protect yourself. HOW THESE SCAMS PLAY OUTVictims of
Traveling doesn’t come cheap, and part of keeping your finances intact during vacation includes knowing the best way to pay for your purchases during your getaway. Should you primarily use cash, debit, or credit cards? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each choice so you can make an informed decision during your vacation.
Debt-collection scams exploit the feelings of helplessness and overwhelm to lure victims. Let’s look at these scams and how to avoid falling victim. HOW THE SCAMS PLAY OUT In a debt-collection scam, a scammer posing as a debt collector will call a victim to demand payment for an outstanding debt. The caller insists on a
According to the FBI, a Phantom Hacker Scam tricks people by using pop-ups, text, or email to get the person’s attention, then claims to be from a legitimate agency. They then warn the person that their financial information has been hacked. The pop-up, text, or email indicate they must talk to protect their device and
DoverPhila Federal Credit Union is celebrating 70 years of service with a Kindness Campaign scheduled for August 1st until the end of the year. The campaign aligns with the credit union’s philosophy of “people helping people.” Nearly 100 credit union employees are volunteering their time throughout the Tuscarawas County community by working at the local
Between flip-flops and baseball, beach days and the Fourth of July, there’s much to love about summer! Unfortunately, the warmest season can be expensive. A great way to combat a swollen summer budget is to take a financial fast on a summer weekend—or several of them. Here’s how. Plan ahead. Your spend-free weekend won’t happen
Money tips can be helpful, but it’s important to remember that not all advice is created equal. Let’s look at three common money tips that aren’t as great as their claim. 1: The latte factor. The claim: Cutting out your daily latte will solve all your money problems. The truth: Trimming discretionary expenses will only
For many, mentioning the word “money” sparks stress and anxiety. At the same time, living a financially responsible life can help one maintain optimal mental health. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, this is the perfect time to examine the connection between money and mental health. HOW DO FINANCIAL STRUGGLES IMPACT MENTAL HEALTH? There
Despite its bad rap, not all debt is bad debt. Some are actually beneficial for the debtor and considered “good debt.” Here’s a look at the factors defining good debt, the various types of good debt, and how to keep debt from going bad. WHAT IS GOOD DEBT? Good debt helps you build wealth or
Financial literacy is a critical component of financial wellness. It is the ability to understand and use financial skills, including responsible money management, budgeting, saving and investing for the future, and is a crucial life skill that too few are learning. As a credit union, one of our founding principles concerns our community. We believe
You should diversify your savings portfolio just like your investments. Financial experts recommend giving your savings as much chance as growth as possible. Here’s a look at a great choice for diversifying your savings: a certificate account. What is a certificate account?A certificate account is an insured savings account with a fixed dividend rate and
With the advent of online commerce, credit and debit card fraud has exploded. Unfortunately, credit card fraud can go unnoticed until it causes severe damage. Here, we’ve outlined what you need to know about credit and debit card fraud, how to protect yourself, and what to do when you’re targeted. What is credit card fraud?
The holidays are in the rearview, but if you’ve gone over budget with your spending, it’s time to deal with the aftermath, which is coming head-on. Here’s how you can get your budget back on track. Review your holiday spendingHow much debt did this season’s spending set you back? Spend some time crunching the numbers,
January begins with a bang, but there are no major shopping holidays once the new year begins. Of course, you can still pick up great bargains this month or find that you’ve overpaid for something when its price drops right after you’ve purchased it. Here’s what to buy and what to skip in January. Buy:
Congratulations! You’ve reached the 12th and final step of the 12 steps to financial wellness. Here, we’ll review the previous actions and adjust this part of your financial health plan as necessary. Step 1: Track your spendingAre you regularly tracking your spending? Knowing where your money is going will help you make more responsible spending
The world of investing can be confusing, especially for a first-timer. No worries, though; DoverPhila Federal Credit Union can help! Here’s how to invest in five easy steps. Step 1: Define your tolerance for risk If you’re investing, be prepared for potential losses because there are no sure things. But how much loss can you
The holidays are nipping at your heels and there’s still a lot to do! It probably seems like your stress levels keep rising while the money in your wallet keeps dwindling. It doesn’t have to be this way. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy a stress-free and affordable holiday season. Not buying what
Whether you’re finishing up your holiday shopping or looking for year-end bargains in any category this month, here’s what to buy and what to skip in December. Buy: ElectronicsLots of retailers keep the leftovers from November’s sales marked down through December. Look for discounted electronics at big box stores, online retailers, and directly from
