Financial Literacy Blog

Money Smarts

April 12, 2021

College Financial Literacy Basics There’s no question that college is expensive. However, acquiring a higher education is one of the best ways to set yourself on a path toward greater earning power and an elevated standard of living. Education will help you pursue a path that you believe will bring you a lifetime of happiness…

Paying student loans online

To Do List: Paying Back Student Loans

December 16, 2020

By Lesley Ridge, Campus Branch Manager at UCU When I survey students on campus and ask what financial topic they want to hear about, time after time, the answer is budgeting, establishing credit, and paying back student loans. These three topics pretty much go hand in hand, but let’s take a look at tips on…

Meet Our Certified Financial Counselors! (and Campus Branch Managers)

October 9, 2020

Whether a student from our campus communities, a prospective or existing member across the state, our Certified Financial Counselors are available to answer any questions you may have on products/services, or assist you with financial counseling. All three of UCU’s Campus Branch Managers have successfully completed the Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) through the Credit…

Staying connected during a pandemic

Staying Connected During a Pandemic

September 28, 2020

By Lesley Ridge, Campus Branch Manager at UCU We are roughly about six months into the COVID-19 pandemic. Most people are used to mask wearing, keeping social distance, and excessive hand washing by now. Through all this, many have probably felt at one time or another, scared, anxious, or tired, and may have asked, “when…

Car Buying 101 – Dealers and Private Sales

July 17, 2020

By Abbey Ramsay, Consumer Lending Manager at UCU Dealers vs. Private Sales In my opinion, shopping for the vehicle is the best most exciting part! Granted some will disagree but, it’s really your time to ask yourself what you need in a vehicle, (for me it’s plaid seats and a turbo). For most, these are…

Car Buying 101 – Building a Budget

June 16, 2020

By Abbey Ramsay, Consumer Lending Manager at UCU It’s inevitable that at some point we will need to navigate the winding road of purchasing a new vehicle. Not to fear! Hop on into the passenger seat while we take a quick ride through the process. Budget Of the many questions you will face while finding…

UCU contactless payments

Contactless Payments – Sign Me Up!

May 28, 2020

Have you added your UCU cards to your digital wallet? As we begin to get out and about, frequenting stores such as grocery stores or gas stations, they likely accept contactless payments. This includes Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay. These payment methods work by storing your card information within your phone’s ‘wallet’ and…

Tips on Managing your Finances during a Crisis

March 27, 2020

March 27, 2020 There is a lot on everyone’s minds these days relative to the Coronavirus Pandemic affecting many levels of our daily lives. Words that come to mind and that we hear often are: unprecedented, historic, and disruptive. Our normal daily lives, as we once knew, are now a new set of norms. Some…

Three Advantages to Using a Credit Union for Your Mortgage

November 25, 2019

When it comes to choosing a home to purchase, you likely think long and hard about its location. After all, they say that location, location, and location are the three most important qualities in a home. That’s because a house with a good location can provide you with a significant long-term return on your investment…

Saving money in a jar

Saving as an Everyday Routine

June 13, 2019

June 12, 2019 If your big picture goal is to save towards that dream vacation to Hawaii or that sports car you want to drive with the top down, you should first take a look at your daily expenditures. When you add up your daily grind expenses you may be surprised at the amount of…