We are all live busy and hectic lives. If many of us could afford it, we would pay for a personal assistant to help with chores, run errands and keep us organized.  The good news is that as credit union members, we already have a right-hand assistant. It’s called electronic banking.  And it’s free.

 In the throes of a pandemic, keeping your credit score at a good level might not be top of mind if your job is in jeopardy and you are wondering how to keep the roof over your head and feed your family.

It is important nevertheless to do everything to keep your score intact. Your credit report is important. Blemishes stay on your file for seven years and can affect your ability to get a job, rent an apartment, or secure certain types of insurance. Here are some practical ways to achieve that goal.

It’s hurricane season. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting a 70% chance of 13 to 19 named storms with six to 10 becoming hurricanes. Floridians are always being urged to make preparations. Most of us do, to some degree. This year however, things have changed. We are in the midst of a pandemic that shows no signs of abating. Under these circumstances, we need to make changes to our usual hurricane preparation plans. Here are some suggestions on how to proceed:

In the age of data breaches, phishing scams and fraudsters using technology to steal identities, we have to be so careful with our personal information.  Criminals take the information they steal and sell it on the Dark Web.  Not just once, but, many times over.  What is the Dark Web?  It’s a whole different side of the internet that is anonymously used by criminals to buy and sell stolen identities for illegal profits. Once your identity has been stolen, it can take up to 6 months or longer to fix and cost thousands.

1. The credit union is still here for funding
   Life goes on even in a pandemic, and most people must drive to provide for their needs and those of their families. We want you to know that the credit union is here to assist with auto loans at low rates and at reasonable terms.  At this time, some homeowners are also looking to refinance with the market’s low rates. For more information on car loans and mortgages, please see page 2.

Depending upon how much credit card debt you have, being debt-free can seem daunting or even unattainable. Developing a plan is the most important first step to attaining a debt-free life. Without a plan, it can feel like you’re not making any noticeable progress. Here are five important steps to take to get rid of your debt.

Did you ever wonder why car dealers want to have you finance at their dealership?  It’s customary in the industry for lenders to pay dealers a fee for these loans, and in some cases dealers are allowed to mark up the rate (APR) and keep the difference.  It’s perfectly legal but I bet you didn’t know about it.  

When you come directly to your credit union, you get a great rate and we have rate discounts for many members.  We offer rate discounts for members in our Premium and Select relationship levels.  If you have certain services with us, such as a checking account and a credit card, you may qualify for additional rate discounts.  We also give “loyalty discounts” to reward members who have been with us for certain periods of time.  And if you take advantage of our We Drive onsite dealer partner, we reduce your rate even further.  Plus we give you lower “new car” rates on pre-owned vehicles up to two model years old with less than 36,000 miles.  We’ve got rates that go as low as 1.74% with all discounts as of October 2019.

Please call or stop by We Drive to talk with one of our friendly staff and start taking advantage of what your credit union has to offer.  

Not a member?  Ask about joining.  It’s easy and open to everyone in South Florida.

by Lloyd Gill President/CEO We Florida Financial

If you’re a member of We Florida Financial, you probably realize that credit unions are different from banks. We don’t have stockholders, we have members. We don’t try to sell you things you don’t need just to make money. We talk with you about what you need and want, and let you know how our products can improve your financial life.

So you've shopped around for an RV loan in Florida and you think you've found the one? As a lender for RVs and boats, we want to get you on the road or in the water as quickly as possible so you can start living out the dream. But we also want to make sure that you have no regrets about your relationship with us.

Equity is a nuanced concept, but everyone who owns a car needs to understand it. This is especially true for people who want to refinance their car to pocket cash or pay off high-interest debt.

People sometimes describe equity as how much of an asset you own. However, we may own the t-shirt we're wearing. No one talks about having equity in a t-shirt.

Why is it that your money seems to evaporate whenever you are traveling? It is easy for expenses to pile up once you set out on your travels. Here are some tips to help keep money in your wallet while still having a great time on your vacation.

There are a variety of certifications and ratings that pilots can earn. Some of these only require a few hundred hours; however, those who are looking to apply for a job with the airlines often need 1,500 hours or more. Furthermore, other positions might even require experience flying multi-engine craft or even turbine time. Therefore, how can a new pilot build flight time? There are a few ways that this can be done.

July is National Military Consumer Month. It’s a month where the Federal Trade Commission focuses on helping military Service Members, Veterans and their families learn about key consumer protections they need to be successful. For the second year, the FTC is focusing Military Consumer Month on imposter scams. The goal is to help military personnel understand imposter scams and the steps they can take to avoid them. But in reality, everyone can use this advice to avoid getting scammed.

The real estate landscape can be tough for first-time homeowners with no equity. Many people struggle to meet the demands of everyday bills and still find space in the budget to put something away for a family home. Let's take a look at how long you could spend saving for a down home. Then, we'll look at an alternative loan program that can help you get into your dream home faster.

How to have fun in the sun this summer without taking on extra credit card debt.

Summer has officially kicked off, which means that it’s a good time to set a summer budget.

A summer budget can help you maintain stability over the next few months, so you can avoid credit card debt. With that in mind, the experts at KOFE have some tips that can help you build a budget that will help you stay on track this season.

April was National Financial Literacy Month and to help consumers expand their knowledge and achieve a better outlook, KOFE created a 30-day action plan. It’s designed to help you build your understanding of key financial topics and then take actions related to each topic.

The check list is based on the eight key areas of financial understanding. Each key area is broken up to three specific actions you can take to make sure your financial life is up to speed in that area of interest. You have a few days allocated to focus on each area so you can end the month in a better place financially.

It’s summer time and the living is easy. For many, it’s vacation season. Time to get away from the daily grind and kick back on a near or distant shore. But before you go, here are a few health and financial tips (5 to be exact) from a seasoned traveler who has explored many a clime and made it back to tell the tale.

Imagine: on your final approach, you look down and see the beautiful remote location where you and your family will be spending the next week. You touch down, taxi to your tiedown, and everyone gets out and looks around. Wow, they say, I never imagined we'd come to a place like this.

It’s summer in South Florida and that means one thing: boats! It time to stop hoping your friends will invite you out on theirs, and purchase one for yourself so you enjoy it whenever you’d like. Before you go running off to a dealer, here are some things you need to know.

Credit cards come in so many varieties that it can be hard to know which one is the best choice for you. Some people like to earn cash back or other rewards while they shop, while others need help avoiding more debt as they pay off their balance.

If you're not sure which type of card you need, we're here to help! Here's a brief guide to low-interest credit cards and rewards credit cards to help you choose the best card for your needs!