Money Management
Money Management
Buy low and sell high
Now seems like a perfect time to recite the advice my dad gave me when it came to the stock market: “Buy low and sell high”. I suppose this applies to everything you consider an investment including baseball cards, art and real estate. But like most of you, currently anyway, it applies to our investments in the stock market including our IRAs, 401(k)s and 403(b)s.
Got my tax refund, but is that a good thing?
I’m feeling super proud of myself for getting my taxes done early this year. We also got a nice refund this year. But is that a good thing?
There are two schools of thought on this subject that we’ll explore.
Travel back in time with an IRA
Ever thought about how cool time travel would be? You could go back and right wrongs and take care of all the things you should have done. Well, as we all know, time travel does not exist, but you can travel back at least one year with an Individual Retirement Account. You have until April 15th to do something you told yourself you would do last year — open and/or contribute to an IRA.
Are you under insured?
The credit union gave away umbrellas at the annual meeting to members who attended. Every time I see an umbrella it reminds me of when my mother asked if I had an umbrella policy because we had been in an at fault accident. I did not and found out the hard way that I was underinsured when it came to my auto insurance.
How do you eat an elephant?
Saving Money is Hard without Something to Save For
Teaching Your Teen How To Budget
Read More
How to Read Your Credit Report
Should I file my own taxes?
Saving For College
If you have children, it is important to save for their college education. While it is likely they may qualify for some type of financial aid, not everyone does, and tuition can be cost-prohibitive. The key to saving for college is to start early and invest wisely, earning interest whenever possible.
Getting Your Finances In Shape
Financial health is important. Unfortunately, it is something that people tend to put off. Financial decisions directly impact your future and have a profound effect on your lifestyle. This is why it is critical to plan for expenses and save for the future.
Helping Your Child Apply For Scholarships
Helping your child apply for scholarships begins with becoming an informed parent. There are numerous resources available to students looking to continue their academic pursuits into college, and these may be difficult to navigate as a busy high school student. Your child will need your help to find the best opportunities available to them.
Rolling Over Your Old 403b
If you are an educator, changing jobs means you must decide what to do with the money in your 403b retirement account. Leaving the money in an old 403b may not be the best option since it is not growing and there will be no new contributions. Withdrawing the money makes it taxable income and Uncle Sam wants his fair share.
What Type of Term Share is Best for You
Looking for a way to get better interest rates than a money market account, but don’t want the risk of investing in stocks? A term share or certificate of deposit (CD) may be just what you need. It’s a low-risk way to build your savings.
The Psychology of Saving
According to a recent survey by Bankrate, 19% of Americans have no savings at all, and 21% save less than 5% of their income. Savings guru, Dave Ramsey, says that you should save at least 15% of your paycheck for retirement alone (that doesn’t include emergency or travel savings either). So how do we fix this? How do we make saving money a priority?
Lessons of a First Paycheck
My daughter turned 15 recently and decided that this Summer she would get a job as a lifeguard to earn money for a new phone. I must say, that made me a super proud dad. Not just the initiative to get hired, but setting a savings goal is something we talk about often. It’s nice to know she’s listening.
Teaching Your Child About Money
By helping your children form good savings behaviors at a young age, habits will form that will last them a lifetime. Knowing how to save wisely is just as (if not more) important than tying their shoes or riding a bike. This is a skill set that if learned early, can help them tremendously in their adult life.
The Science of Saving
Prepare Your High School Senior for their Financial Life
Sandy Savers 2.0: Start Young for a Lifetime of Good Habits
Next Year’s Christmas
Preparing to Enjoy the Holidays
What Should You Do When You Experience A Financial Hardship?
The Lost Art of Balancing a Checkbook
Is A Health Savings Account Right For You?
Don’t Get Schooled by Education Expenses
Should you purchase travel insurance?
Credit & Borrowing
Credit & Borrowing
Credit Scores & Reports
Welcome to adulthood & so many credit card offers
Buying A House On A Teacher’s Salary
Buying a house is perhaps one of the best investments you can make, but it does take some preparation. A good credit score and an appropriate down payment make the process easier and more affordable. It is important to plan accordingly for your big purchase by improving your credit score and saving for a down payment.
What Goes Into A Credit Score
Paying For Your Child’s College
The State of the Auto Industry, And What It Means For You
When Is The Best Time To Buy A Car?
The Pros & Cons of Transferring Credit Card Balances
There Ought to be a Law: Payday Loans
Debt Consolidation & Net Worth
Fraud & Protection
Fraud & Protection
Fraud is not Immune to a Virus
If it sounds too good to be true…
The Importance of Naming Beneficiaries
12 Identity Protection Tips for the Holidays
As consumers step up their online shopping leading up to the holidays, it’s a prime time of the year for identity theft. While you are busy snagging hot deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, thieves are phishing for your information. Don’t let an identity thief take the jingle out of your holiday. Follow these 12 tips to keep your financial information secure during the holiday season.
Top scams that identity thieves use against senior citizens
Social Security Scam
Telemarketers Prey on Seniors
My mother called me recently to tell me that she had signed up for an extended vehicle protection plan that she thought was only $200. A sales agent had called her and she agreed over the phone and gave her credit card information. She has since come to find out that the plan was $200 a month until it was paid off, totaling about $3,000. This is a common issue we hear about with our senior members and unfortunately sales people prey on the trusting nature of seniors.
Are You Prepared for a Natural Disaster?
Data Breaches: What You Need To Know
With so many merchant data breaches in the news, we want you to know that Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union is ready to help if your personal or financial data is ever compromised. We take service to our members seriously and will do everything we can to ensure that action is taken – quickly – to help you avoid becoming a victim of identity or account theft.
Skimmers & PIN Based Fraud
With technology playing a big role in fraud, it is the credit union’s duty to try to combat fraud to the best of our ability. With Fraud Prevention, Breach Alerts, and EMV Chip Cards, specific types of fraud trends have decreased. However, technology is ever evolving and thieves are continuously finding ways around the security measures that financial institutions and merchants have put in place.
IRS Tax Scams
Skimmers: What They Are & How to Spot Them
12 Identity Theft Protection Hacks
Safe Online Shopping
Home Repair Scams
How to Find the Right Auto Loan Insurance
Cyber Security Awareness
Financial News
Financial News
2020 Changes to Inherited IRA Rules
ACH Payments Posting Faster
Tax Refunds & Credit Union Accounts
Interactive Teller Machines: ITMs
Preparation for International Travel
Educator Resources
Educator Resources
Best Teaching Apps for the Classroom
Teaching Financial Literacy: All Grade Levels
What to Consider When Contemplating Changing Jobs
Retiring Comfortably on a Teacher’s Salary
Retirement is a time that many people look forward to. However, preparing for retirement does present some challenges. People are living longer, and Social Security benefits are not an option for some teachers. Believe it or not, it is possible to retire comfortably on a teacher’s salary even without social security. The right financial plan and practical financial habits will allow you to live out your golden years securely while still enjoying all the activities and hobbies you crave.
Continuing Education for Teachers
Many teachers have a love for education, so it isn’t surprising that more than half of public school teachers continue their education beyond a bachelors degree. For most it isn’t about whether or not they should continue their education, but more so about how to pay for it. Going back to school requires a big investment, both with your time and your wallet. Before you make the commitment, you should consider these things.
Buying A House On A Teacher’s Salary
Buying a house is perhaps one of the best investments you can make, but it does take some preparation. A good credit score and an appropriate down payment make the process easier and more affordable. It is important to plan accordingly for your big purchase by improving your credit score and saving for a down payment.
From Teacher to Millionaire in 3 Easy Steps
Becoming a millionaire can be more than just a pipedream, even on a teacher’s salary. Some people do have the good fortune to win the lottery; but for most, those chances are slim. If you want to be a millionaire, it really boils down to two things: commitment and strategy.
Financial Literacy Games
Learning about money can be fun, especially when you are learning by playing a game! Explore some of the free financial literacy games we have found to teach your students how to save, such as Financial Football, Financial Soccer, Money Metropolis, and Peter Pig’s Money Counter.
First-Year Teacher Advice
Teaching is hard. Being responsible for shaping the young minds of our future generations is a daunting task. And when it’s your first year, you may be overwhelmed with everything – from lesson plans to seating charts, to that one kid that just won’t listen. So we’ve gathered some advice from experienced teachers who know a thing or two about what is important in a classroom.
Teacher Appreciation Discounts & Freebies
Teachers work hard all year long, so they should feel appreciated all year long, too! Here is a list of all the freebies and discounts different businesses offer teachers all year long.