No matter what stage of life you’re at, investing in a retirement fund is important. The earlier you can start saving and investing, the better. Here are some tips to help you pick the best retirement account for you and get your savings on track for your future.

We’ve all gotten them – texts from unknown numbers and suspicious sources. In today’s digital world, attempts to defraud us with text message scams, known as “smishing”, appear to be on the rise. In this Fraud Prevention Series blog, learn all about smishing, how to indentify these fradulents texts, and how to protect yourself from them.

Summer is in full swing and as you prepare for vacations, go out to eat more, or start on home improvement projects, you may be spending more than usual. Taking the time to look over your accounts and reviewing your budget now can help prevent stress in the future. Here are three ways to help improve your finances.

Whether you’re looking to save for a summer vacation or pay down debt, cutting costs doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the way you live. There are many creative ways to save money. Use these tips the next time you’re looking to save money to help you meet your financial goals.

Your credit card is one of the most important, but potentially perilous, financial resources you have at your disposal. Using a credit card correctly can allow you to make significant purchases, earn rewards, and build your credit score to assist with securing loans. However, if you’re not using your card wisely, you can also build up overwhelming credit card debt very quickly.

Whether starting your first full-time job, applying to grad school, or moving across the country, life after graduation can sometimes feel overwhelming. Knowing how to budget, pay off debt, or begin saving for retirement can help make these transitions easier. Here are three tips for managing your finances and setting yourself up for success after graduation.

Whether you’re applying for financial aid to help pay for your degree or working to pay down student loan debt, there are a number of tactics that scammers will use to try and steal your personal and financial information. Here’s how to look out for potential scams and keep your identity and finances safe while navigating student loan services.

If you are looking to purchase your first home, being prepared is key. Buying your first home is an exciting time as you make the important decisions that come along with any large purchase. Familiarizing yourself with each step in the homebuying process can help make these big decisions easy.

Spring is finally here! The weather’s starting to warm up, and with that comes the urge to clean and start fresh. 

Cleaning doesn’t have to relate only to decluttering and deep cleaning your house – you can also clean up your finances. Here are five tips to spring clean your finances to stay on track to hit your financial goals as summer approaches.

The deadline for filing your taxes is right around the corner, so make sure you are ready by April 18, 2023. Don’t stress if you’ve been putting off doing your taxes or don’t even know where to start. Whether you’re filing taxes for the first time or have years of experience, keep these points in mind as you prepare.

Debt repayment can feel overwhelming, no matter what stage you’re at in life. According to Bankrate.com, Forty-two percent of U.S. adults report that money concerns and dealing with debt negatively impacts their mental health. Changed, a debt repayment app, can help ease some of that financial anxiety.

As technology advances, so does the sophistication of the scams that everyday individuals are encountering. Today, there are many scams, from fake websites, text messages from a fake phone number, to the classic letter in the mail letting you know the car warranty you never had is expiring. Here are some tools and tips on spotting and avoiding scams.

Have you ever taken a trip and spent more than you planned? Traveling can be expensive but it doesn’t have to break you. Here are some helpful tips to make your travels relaxing and cost-effective.

Finding new ways to save a little extra each month can be challenging. Thankfully, there are many creative ways to cut costs around the house that will help you grow you savings but won’t force you to dramatically change your lifestyle.

As it starts to warm up and you begin planning your summer, you may be in the market for an RV or boat to add to your adventures. Whether you're taking a long road trip or headed to the nearby lake, you should consider a few things when making a large purchase like this.

When you are planning a future with your partner, many different factors come into play in the equation. But, ask yourselves this, are you having a dialogue about financial matters too?

In today’s digital age, it can sometimes be overwhelming to find tools to help you reach your financial goals, from building an emergency fund to saving for your next vehicle. The Lab at MSUFCU allows you to explore trustworthy financial wellness apps and find what works best for you. Here are two apps to help you save.

January always presents an opportunity to make new resolutions to make improvements in our lives. When it comes to your finances, the New Year also is a good time to set goals and strategies. Choosing the right resolutions for you can make all the difference when it comes to improving your financial health. Here are three financial New Year’s resolutions to help you start 2023 off right.

As we continue to refresh our financial goals for the New Year, popular budget tools like “Cost Per Use” can help you decide if your purchases are worth it. Read more to learn about this tool and how it can impact your wallet.

A new year means new and improved ways for fraudsters and cybercriminals to try to steal your financial and other personal information. Online fraud is still big, so here are some ways you can try to beat these scammers and protect your vital personal information.

Sometimes it can be difficult to keep kids entertained at home during winter break. If you find yourself in need of some fresh ideas, here are five budget-friendly winter activities to get you started.

Whether you are taking a vacation or visiting relatives, a road trip might be in your holiday plans. Here’s how to prepare for a holiday road trip and cut down on travel expenses.

From making Thanksgiving dinner to buying your loved ones gifts, the holidays are generally known for being an expensive time of year. Thankfully, there are many ways to save on holiday expenses this year, starting with these 5 tips.

Celebrating Halloween doesn’t have to cost you. We have 5 tips and tricks to help you keep Halloween festivities under budget.

Are you starting a new job? An important change like this can stir up many emotions — both excitement and nervousness included. MSUFCU is here to help make your transition as smooth as possible with tips for maintaining your finances through beginning a new job.

August is National Wellness Month and one of the most beneficial ways to contribute to your well-being is by reducing stress. A great way to minimize this feeling is by getting in control of your finances. Follow along as we discuss stress-free tools to help you manage your finances.

The new school year is right around the corner and it’s time to start your back-to-school shopping. Follow these 8 budget-friendly tips to help you save on all the essential school supplies this season.

Despite this season coming to a close, there are still many ways to make your summer well-spent. Here are some ideas on how to end summer on a positive note and get motivated for the year ahead.

As summer starts to slow down, you might need some fresh ideas on how to occupy kids at home. Here are some fun and cheap activities to bust summer boredom.

So you’re thinking about starting a family – check out these 10 financial tips as this exciting new chapter of life begins. 

Wedding planning is meant to be an enjoyable experience for both you and your partner, yet it is easy to get overwhelmed by the seemingly “endless” to-do list. A perfect way to start feeling excited for your special day is by feeling in control of your finances — get started with these budget-friendly tips.

With costs rising due to inflation, it can be hard to know where to start when dealing increased prices. We have some tips to help you handle the cost of inflation.

As the weather turns warmer, many of us start planning fun summer activities and weekend getaways – on the water or on the road. If you’re thinking of purchasing an RV, boat, or motorcycle, there’s several things to consider to ensure you get the best deal.

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us have become accustomed to highly personalized, engaging experiences, such as one-click shopping, voice-activated searches, and home assistants. With this, we have come to expect advanced technology to ensure our finances and sensitive information stays safe and protected. Take a look these tools to stay in control of your financial security.

The pandemic caught many off guard. As the world shut down, uncertainty has been a key theme since. MSUFCU will share what you can learn from this once-in-a-lifetime event.

If you are in the market for a house, being prepared is key. There are several things to do before you even begin your search. Here are four steps to consider when buying a house.

Scammers and internet fraudsters continue to grow more and more clever in their attempts to trick you into giving them money or personal financial information. Plus, they now have an expanding number of ways to contact you. No longer focusing on just email, they can try to scam you through text messages, phone calls, pop-up windows, and even social media interactions. But rest assured, there are a number of ways to spot an attempted con and avoid falling into its trap. Be on the lookout for the following tell-tale signs of a scam.

If establishing a budget seems overwhelming, once you begin with a few simple budgeting principles, you’ll quickly see a difference in your financial management. Here’s how to get started.

If you’ve ever made a purchase resulting in a negative balance on your account, you may have been charged an overdraft fee by your financial institution. This can be a costly process that is avoidable if you follow these strategies.

One of the best ways to build a secure financial future for your children is by helping them develop saving skills at an early age. Here’s how to set an example for the next generation by teaching children the importance of saving.

Contactless payments exploded in popularity in spring 2020 when the coronavirus upended how many people think about their daily interactions, including how they pay. But social distancing aside, do these advances actually make life any easier and safer?

Sometimes life sends you signals your finances aren’t quite where they should be, such as an overdraft fee on an account or a denied credit card application. Here are several common financial red flags you should address — plus easy ways to eliminate them.

If the amount of your debt is overwhelming, there are tools and motivational ideas you can use to reduce it and even eliminate it. Here are some steps to take to start you on the path to being debt free.

According to the FBI, $2.7 billion in online theft and fraud was reported to the agency in 2019. While funds are protected up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration, what else can credit unions provide to keep your accounts safe? And what can you do?

Keeping your home cool this summer doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some steps you can take — for minimal effort and cost — to reduce your energy bills while also helping to save the planet.

Staying healthy is our number one priority, but it’s important to be extra mindful of your financial health — even if your income hasn’t been impacted by COVID-19. Here are some ways to keep your finances in good shape during these unprecedented times.

Running out of ideas to keep your kids busy during the stay-at-home order? We get it. That’s why we launched The FUNtivity Zone to offer those with little ones at home more fun and educational resources.

The security of everything that requires a password, including your financial accounts, streaming accounts, email inbox, and even your garage code, depends on how strong and safe your logins are today. Strong passwords are key to your security, but the challenge is to create passwords you can actually remember, without resorting to unsafe habits — like reusing the same login for multiple accounts. Here’s some advice on how to create strong passwords and keep them safe.

Stimulus checks from the U.S. government have started to be deposited to provide economic relief during the coronavirus pandemic. Eligible taxpayers can expect to automatically receive their one-time payment of up to $1,200, depending on adjusted gross income.

Communities worldwide are struggling with the temporary closing of businesses, schools and public facilities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As many people continue to cope with these drastic developments, the Credit Union is here to help its members during this time of uncertainty.

You’ve probably heard the saying or asked yourself while sitting in a lecture hall, “When am I going to use this in the real world?” While there are many important skills taught in school, not all of them will be carried over into your career after you graduate.

So, what’s the best way to prepare for the real world?

Phishing, a form of identity theft, is when scammers use fraudulent websites and fake emails to attempt to steal victims’ personal data, especially passwords and credit card information. Although this is not a new type of theft, many consumers are unaware of phishing and how to protect their personal information. Here is more information about phishing and how to keep your data safe.

You applied for a job and just received word that the company would like you to come in for an interview. Congratulations! Landing an interview is a critical step in getting the position you’re after. Before you call mom and start celebrating, realize that you still have to seal the deal with a strong interview. Here are a few things you can do to help prepare for the interview and put your best foot forward.

Have a new idea you would like to put into action? You may need some help to get your idea off the ground. Once you create a functional plan, applying for a business loan could be your next step.

Tax season is upon us again. Whether it’s your first time filing or you’re trying to get a head start this year, we have some tips to help you file your taxes safely.

Successful budgeting is like mixing together the perfect ingredients in a recipe. Follow this five-step financial recipe to figure out the best plan that works for your financial goals.

January is a great time to start something new. When it comes to your finances, the New Year also is a good time to set goals and strategies. Here are five ways to help you start 2020 on the right financial track:

Spring tends to be the optimal time for people to not only sell, but buy houses. This is due to improving weather, inspecting homes after winter, and transitioning kids to new schools. Before spring comes though, it is critical that you begin getting ready before you start your new home search. Here is how you can prepare now to buy a home in the spring.