The pandemic is still causing chaos and pushing average spending higher.

This is the second year where the pandemic has severely disrupted schools. Back-to-school shopping this year is going to be difficult. Because cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 continue to increase, school districts may quickly change their plans, which means parents will face many challenges with their budgets. This year, families like yours will spend hundreds of dollars on school supplies, Parents still do not know if their children will be in hybrid learning, in-person learning, or virtual learning, and this is causing a problem for our budgets. Do you need to budget as much for clothes or uniforms if the school will continue to be virtual or part-time?

We all grow up hearing the same financial advice: Spend less, save more and invest early. While most of these words of wisdom ring true, there are lots of widespread money management tips that are actually false.

Outlined here are 6 money myths that might be causing you more financial stress than benefit.

With more of our elders becoming targets of scammers, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime instituted the National Elder Abuse Fraud Hotline for people to report fraud against anyone age 60 or older.

A 2020 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report says the most money lost in scams by older adults in 2019 were romance scams. Older adults reported aggregate losses of nearly $84 million on romance scams in 2019.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime website, many are too embarrassed or afraid to report the crimes, so many go unreported and victims suffer alone.

The toll-free number of the National Elder Fraud Hotline is 833–FRAUD–11 or 833–372–8311.

Don’t get scammed this summer! Follow these 6 tips to stay safe. 

1. Never pay for a “prize” vacation

If you’re asked to pay a small fee to claim a free vacation prize, you’re looking at a scam. A legitimate company will never ask winners to do that.

2. Use a credit card when traveling

A credit card offers you the most protection in case something goes wrong. You’ll be able to dispute unauthorized charges, and in most cases, reclaim your lost funds. Some cards even offer certain travel perks that help your trip go off without a hitch.

Restaurants are opening again and life is starting to get back to normal! Here are some forward-thinking money moves to make as you adjust to post-pandemic life.

Review and adjust your budget

Pandemic budget rules were unique, as people cut down on costs, like dining out and updating work wardrobes, but spent more on things like at-home entertainment. Others may have had to adjust their spending to help them coast during a stint of unemployment. The pandemic may have also shifted something in people’s mental list of needs and wants, as they found they can live with a lot less than they’d thought.

Quick, convenient and clutter-free, Electronic Statements are the way to secure your checking and savings account info.

Your We Florida Financial E-Statements work similarly to paper bank statements, except for the fact that they’re delivered electronically. At the end of each statement period, you’ll get an email from your credit union informing you that your E-Statement is ready to view through online banking, the mobile banking app or another secure digital means. Once you access the E-Statement, you’ll find it has all the information you’re used to getting with your paper statements. You can also access your E-Statement by logging into your online banking site or mobile banking app at any time throughout the month. Signing up for E-Statements is easy easy for South Florida members using our Online Banking online system.

Here are six reasons to consider switching to E-Statements.

Living near the ocean, with its breathtaking views and temperate climate is ordinarily wonderful. However, there’s one big danger associated with coastal living: hurricanes.

You can’t stop hurricanes from coming, but you can take steps to minimize damage and prepare for the aftermath. Here are 6 ways to prepare for hurricane season:

June is the month of sun-kissed beaches, lots of sunscreen, backyard BBQs … and spectacular deals. Use this handy list to see what’s up for grabs this June.

Your bags are packed, your itinerary is set and you’re counting down the minutes until you take off for your dream summer getaway. Before you head out to the airport, though, read through this checklist of important things people tend to forget before leaving for vacation.

Living near the ocean, with its breathtaking views and temperate climate is ordinarily wonderful. However, there’s one big danger associated with coastal living: hurricanes.

You can’t stop hurricanes from coming, but you can take steps to minimize damage and prepare for the aftermath. Here are 4 ways to prepare your vehicle for hurricane season:

YOU COULD BE SAVING UP TO $360 PER YEAR ON WIRELESS

Save up to $360 per year on your wireless bill when you switch to no-contract wireless. Keep your phone, number and network for less.

If you’re always wondering how you’re going to pay the next bill, feel guilty when you indulge in overpriced treats and you just can’t find money to put into savings, you might need a budget.

A budget will help you gain financial awareness, which will help facilitate more responsible decisions.

Here are 6 easy steps to create a budget even your mom can be proud of:

Vacations are important for your physical and mental well-being, and you may be planning the perfect summer vacation. But how are you going to get around the price tag on your getaway?

“April showers bring May flowers,” goes the old saying. It’s also a great lesson about the importance of saving – where weathering some light showers can pay dividends during the nicer days that are to come.

April is Financial Literacy Month, and a great time to think about some important lessons everyone can learn about finances. Whether you’re a parent looking to make talking money with your kids easier or a professional looking for a few tips, there’s always something to learn. Here are some fun activities you can do to expand your financial knowledge.

Opening your first credit card is one of the rites of passage into genuine adulthood, but with so much conflicting information, it can all get confusing fast!

Let us walk you through the process to help you build a strong credit score and credit history that will serve you well throughout your life.

Q: What should be on my financial to-do list this spring?

A: It’s wonderful that you’re using the season to clean up your finances. Let’s review some ways you can improve your money management this time of year.

De-clutter your finances

As you sift through the junk in your home, do the same for your finances. Review your budget to cut extra expenses that are cluttering it up, like subscriptions you don’t use or upgraded apps you don’t need.

Spring is here! Time to roll up your sleeves and whip your home into shape.
Use these cleaning hacks to help banish those dust bunnies without spending a fortune on cleaning solutions and organizers.

Schedule Smart

Create a physical list of every part of your home you plan on attacking. Next, divide the chores according to the amount of time you estimate it will take to clean them. Make smaller sub-lists of 3-hour jobs, 1-hour jobs and 15-minute jobs. Post your lists in a place you’ll often see. This way, when you have spare time, you can find the right big or small job to tackle at a glance.

Congrats—you’re ready to purchase your first real car!
The process can be daunting but will walk you through it. Follow our guidelines for a stress-free ride!

If you lost your job or were furloughed this year, we are so sorry. If you were lucky, your company may have paid you furlough or severance. Either way, you likely applied for unemployment benefits, once you could get through on the busy, busy phone lines. And now, with tax time approaching, you may wonder if you owe taxes on the money you received, and if so, when and how you need to pay the tax.

Is my furlough pay or severance taxable?