How Not to Labor Over Credit Card Debt

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Q: I’d love to improve my credit score, but I can’t get ahead of my payments. I also find that my spending gets out of control when I’m paying with plastic. How do I use my credit cards responsibly?

A: Using your credit cards responsibly is a great way to boost your credit score and your financial wellness.

Here’s all you need to know about responsible credit card usage.

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Social Media: Five Scams that Work

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Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn and many others can help us connect on a personal and professional level with friends, family, business associates, and causes that allow us to make new connections with others with shared interests. And participation is free to everyone, which has led to an unprecedented use of social media. 

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5 Ways to Survive a Long Car Ride with the Kids

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A long-distance road trip with the kids isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s often the only practical choice to get your family from point A to point B. If you’re planning on traveling with your children this Labor Day, try these tips for keeping your children happy and entertained.

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Budget Buster: Back to School Shopping
Costs Rise for Parents in 2021

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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?

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Money Myths You Need To Stop Believing

Money Myths

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.

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Report Scams to the National Elder Fraud Hotline

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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.

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6 Tips for a Scam-Free Summer

6 Tips for Scams

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.

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What You Didn’t Know About Home Loans

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A home loan, otherwise known as a mortgage, enables you to purchase a house without paying the full price out of pocket at the time of the purchase.

For most people, buying a home is the biggest financial transaction of their lifetime. For that reason, if you’re in the market for a new home, it’s best to learn all you can about home loans and how they work before you get too deep into the process.

Here are some things you may not know about home loans:

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Post-Pandemic Money Moves

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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.

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Six Reasons to Switch to E-Statements

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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.

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Preparing For Hurricane Season

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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:

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Shape Up Your Waist & Wallet

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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.

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12 Things To Do Before Your Summer Getaway

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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.

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Preparing Your Vehicle For Hurricane Season

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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:

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Small Savings Add Up

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.

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Building a Budget Your Mom Would Be Proud Of

635x505 Blog Covers 1If 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:

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Financial Literacy Month – Celebrate Knowledge!

Financial Literacy Blog

“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.

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A Guide to Opening Your First Credit Card

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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.

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