Should you try the 100-envelope challenge? Key takeaways The 100-envelope challenge can make it fun to dedicate more cash to savings. Using envelopes labeled 1 to 100, you could set aside more than $5,000 over 100 days. If you can't afford to stash that much, you could halve the amount of cash you set aside [...]
Webinar: Safeguarding Kids' Identity and Online Privacy Today’s youth generation is tech-savvy and connected online. However, parents still play an important role in helping them avoid online hazards such as identity theft, privacy, and cyber-bullying. This workshop covers important issues including online privacy tips, managing computer settings, smartphone apps, and positive online behavior. Session 1: [...]
Webinar: Becoming a Homeowner Homeownership starts well before the contracts are signed—preparation is one of the keys to a smooth home-buying process. This session covers all major pre-purchase topics such as budgeting, the down payment, credit reports, debt-to-income ratios, and the mortgage lending process. Session 1: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Time: 12:30 p.m. Click to [...]
Webinar: Financially Savvy Seniors Join us for a free, informational webinar. Retirement can be a great time for seniors if they are prepared financially. Attendees will learn about specific retirement concerns such as managing money, Medicare, Social Security, improving cash flow, insurance, investing, estate planning, and more. REGISTER: Session 1: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Time: [...]
At what age should you start teaching your child about credit? Financial education starts much earlier than age 18, when you can open your first card. Children begin to form their lifelong money habits as early as preschool. Behavioral researchers from Cambridge University encourage parents to start teaching their kids about money as young as [...]
Webinar: RAISING A MONEY-SMART KID Earning money, spending and saving are important lessons children learn very early on in life. This session will help guide parents on effective ways to educate children about financial responsibility that can last a lifetime. Session 1: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 Time: 12:30 p.m. CST Sign Up Session 2: Thursday, [...]
Free Financial Education - Understanding Credit Watch Understanding Credit Webinar Credit: Many want it but how do you get it? This session covers all aspects of becoming an educated credit consumer, including how lenders evaluate for credit approval, factors that impact credit qualification, how credit scoring works, and ways money management today impacts credit [...]
Basics of Personal Finance: An Overview Knowing and implementing the fundamentals of personal finance will enable you to make the most of your money today so you can achieve tomorrow’s goals. Money management, credit and debt, goal development, credit reports, saving and investing, tax and retirement planning, and insurance are subjects everybody can – and [...]
Keeping Track Of Bills And Payments Knowing how to keep track of bills and payments is an important part of managing your finances. It ensures that you make your payments on time, which impacts other aspects of your finances. Take advantage of these tips on how to keep track of bills and payments. Create a [...]
Webinar: Basics of Personal Finance Free, Financial Education Webinars Join us for our first free webinar of 2023: Personal Finance Basics! We'll kick off Financial Wellness month with the basics, everything from managing daily expenses to investing for retirement. This session helps participants set personal finance goals, learn the basics of smart money management, and [...]
Four ways debt sneaks up on you—and what to do about it Unless you track your overall spending with every little purchase, debt can ambush you. Fortunately, you can prevent it from piling up; you just need to be aware of the ways in which you spend money. Here are four common causes of debt [...]
Quick Tips for Paying Down Debt Lowering consumer debt can be a great way to raise your credit score, cut down on financial stress, and put you on track for a more financially fit future. However, it can also be challenging to do with rising costs, limited funds, and sometimes overwhelming interest costs. Despite the [...]
How to Teach Young Children About Saving Money How much better would Americans be with money if we were intentional about teaching good money and savings habits at a young age? We’ll focus on ways to positively model and influence children and teens regarding money, spending habits, and saving. It’s never too early to start [...]
Nine Ways to Master Your Money 1. Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals Saving tends to be easier when you have a certain purpose in mind: Saving for your first house, your retirement at a certain age, a child’s college education, or even a trip around the world. The important thing is for your goals to be specific, [...]
Free, Financial Education Webinars Join us for free webinars in 2023! Whether you’re an employee, member, family, or friend, our webinars are packed with useful info and are open to everyone. Just make sure to reserve your virtual seat. Select Sign Up at the links below to register. When prompted please enter ‘Green Country FCU’ as your [...]
Fall/Winter Financial Education Webinars We’re very excited to announce our free webinars for the last quarter of the year and into 2023! Whether you’re an employee, member, family, or friend, our webinars are packed with useful info and are open to everyone. Just make sure to reserve your virtual seat. Select Sign Up at the links [...]
A Checklist to Prepare for Natural Disasters In light of hurricane season approaching (along with Hurricane Ian), we're sharing this checklist along with other resources from the CFPB to help you prepare your finnancial and account information. As we know in Oklahoma natural disasters such as floods, tornados and ice storms can affect every aspect [...]
BREEZING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS It may be called “the most wonderful time of the year” but December can also be filled with unwanted debt with holiday spending. Learn budgeting strategies and tactics to avoid that year-end credit card crunch and sidestep debt traps in the future. REGISTER: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/2559794329983624976 Session 1: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 [...]
Upcoming Financial Education Webinars - Spanish Language Próximos Webinars de Educación Financiera - Idioma Español We’re very excited to announce a series of four FREE Spanish language financial education webinars to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Our webinars are open to everyone and packed with useful, relevant information. Click on the registration buttons below to reserve [...]
Certificates of Deposit (CDs) have been around for a long time, yet they are often overlooked as a method of savings and investment. But they can be a very valuable and dependable way to invest your money without working with an investment advisor. What is a CD? Simply put, a CD is an investment where [...]
What the New Student Loan Forgiveness Means for You The President’s new plan will erase $10k of student debt for millions of borrowers. To qualify, you need to have taken out a federal student loan prior to June 30, 2022, and make under $125,000 as a single filer (or $250,000 as a household). So, do [...]
We’re very excited to announce our free webinars for the second half of the year! Whether you’re an employee, member, family, or friend, our webinars are packed with useful info and are open to everyone. Just make sure to reserve your virtual seat. Select Sign Up at the links below to register. When prompted please enter [...]
10 ways to spend less when shopping online Get what you need without overpaying—or being tricked into overbuying. Key takeaways Retail sites have features that entice you to buy more than you need, but savvy shopping can help you stick to a budget. These tips and habits—including staying focused, carefully timing purchases, and factoring in [...]
Reposted from Money Under 30 If the usual budgeting methods and apps aren't working for you, try some of these lesser-known options — like the Kakeibo method, the expense-income approach, or the "no budget" budget. As a personal finance writer, I write about budgeting daily. That’s why it was a hard truth to face when [...]
Investing In Real Estate Free Educational Webinar Investing in real estate can be a great way to boost income—if done wisely. To help investors turn a profit, we’ll cover the pros and cons of different properties, resources for finding investment opportunities, and financing options Session 1: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 Time: 10:30 a.m. PT / [...]
We’re very excited to announce our free webinars for the second half of the year! Whether you’re an employee, member, family, or friend, our webinars are packed with useful info and are open to everyone. Just make sure to reserve your virtual seat. Select Sign Up at the links below to register. When prompted please enter [...]
Saying “I Do” to Homeownership: How to Prepare for This Big Commitment Buying a home is a major commitment. It’s a bit like, well, getting married: you’ve got to be ready and you have to find the right “one.” And, like a marriage, homeownership is a dynamic experience that requires a tremendous amount of care [...]
Four things every homebuyer needs to know about Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) If you’re shopping for a home, you’ve probably heard of an Adjustable Rate Mortgage or ARM. It’s a type of home loan with an interest rate that changes over time. The main perk is that it usually comes with an initially low rate, [...]
Gambling Resources Available Gambling in the State of Oklahoma has changed dramatically over the past years. Today, it is more accessible, more accepted, and more glamorized than ever before. Gambling has become part of Oklahoma's landscape, culture, and economy with horse tracks, racinos, and casinos. Oklahoma provides services to adults and adolescents with gambling-related disorders/problems. [...]
ON THE ROAD TO RICHES Free Educational Webinar Whether you’re an employee, member, family or friend, our webinars are packed with useful info and are open to everyone. Just make sure to reserve your virtual seat. Investing is one of the smartest things consumers can do to secure a brighter financial future. Every investor has [...]
We’re very excited to announce our free webinars for the second quarter 2022! Whether you’re an employee, member, family or friend, our webinars are packed with useful info, and are open to everyone. Just make sure to reserve your virtual seat. Select Sign Up to register and click Show in My Time Zone to view the session time [...]
WOMEN AND MONEY: Take Control Over Your Financial Life Ladies, let’s talk about a financial topic that’s taboo for many of us to even think about discussing with another person… money. No, not how to spend money–that’s the easy part–how to save and invest it, like stocks, bonds, and other investments. What is it about [...]
Solving the Mystery of Credit Reports MARCH FINANCIAL EDUCATION WEBINAR Credit report scores hold a lot of power—they can help buy that first home but can also take away financial opportunities. This informative webinar provides an overview of credit bureaus, credit scoring, guidance to dispute inaccuracies, improving credit scores, and dealing with identity theft and [...]
What is the 30-day savings rule? The 30-day savings rule is simple: the next time you find yourself considering an impulse buy, stop yourself and think about it for 30 days. If you still want to make that purchase after those 30 days, go for it. This rule works because by forcing yourself to wait [...]
Are you behind on your mortgage? The Oklahoma Homeowner Assistance Fund offers up to $20,000 in grants for past due housing expenses as a result of COVID-19. Get Help Paying Past Due Housing Expenses from the Oklahoma Homeowner Assistance Fund For Oklahoma homeowners financially impacted by COVID-19 Up to $20,000 in grants available per household [...]
RX for Financial Health Talking about physical health and going to the doctor for regular check-ups is socially acceptable for many. So why is talking about financial health considered a taboo subject? Especially when, according to the Financial Health Network, only 34% of U.S. households are financially healthy. Imagine if financial health check-ups became the [...]
4 Reasons to File Your Taxes Early in 2022 And four reasons you may want to wait Tax season 2022 is nearly upon us. The tax filing deadline this year is April 18 (Tax Day). The IRS hasn’t officially announced when you can start sending your tax returns, but the earliest you can file [...]
New Year Money Resolutions: 9 Tips to Meet Your Financial Goals Just having a New Year’s resolution can help your bank account, but most of the time, people fail. If you have trouble keeping that overly-broad, year-long goal you thought of while participating in rowdy New Year’s Eve festivities, here’s some advice: Keep it simple. [...]
Financial Education Webinars All webinars are free and open to everyone - even if you're not currently a Green Country FCU member! Register for the webinar of your preferred time (there’s two each month) but don’t worry if you can’t be there right at 12:30 or 7:30. As long as you’ve registered in advance, you’ll [...]
10 STEPS TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS December Webinar We all measure financial success differently, but all paths to get there require discipline and goals. This session teaches participants ways to financial control— including developing a spending plan, creating objectives, weighing insurance needs, and other tools that will help get on the road to personal financial success. [...]
Cyber Monday Shopping Safety Tips If you’re planning to snag some great shopping deals online, you’ll need to be sure you’re shopping smart. Here’s a quick brush up on some old safety tips to help you make secure transactions on your mobile devices. Stick to Secure Websites Nothing take the happy out of the holidays [...]
Webinar Recap: Rebuilding After A Financial Crisis Our November financial education webinar focused on the steps you can take to rebuild after a financial crisis. Here are the highlights: BUDGET - Analyze the money coming in and develop a reasonable and goal-oriented plan for what goes out. **TIP: Use a money tracker, like Money Manager inside online [...]
Have you ever unexpectedly found out you’re going to have less income? It’s enough to throw you into a panic! The best way to get through hard times is to take a few deep breaths and put a plan together. Check out these common targets for quick and effective expense cuts. Food You might find [...]
REBUILDING AFTER A FINANCIAL CRISIS Maybe you had a medical emergency and can't pay the bills, or you lost your job. Many different hardships can send a normal financial situation into a tailspin. Join us for a free, educational webinar to learn how to get your finances back on track, including budgeting, repaying debt, rebuilding [...]
How to Teach Your Kids About Money and Credit In this article: When Should Kids Start Building Credit? How to Help Your Child Build Good Credit Habits How to Teach Your Kids to Be Smart With Money Getting Your Kids Started With Credit Cards Can a Child Have a Credit Report and Score? How to [...]
5 Tips to Build (and Maintain) a Good Credit Score Like building a house, constructing a financially stable life requires laying a solid foundation. In difficult economic times like these, though, building that foundation can be a challenge. Good credit remains a core part of any financial foundation. Having good credit can make it easier [...]
Yes, credit cards can be dangerous. But credit cards are also a powerful tool if you know how to use them responsibly. How credit cards work A credit card is a revolving line of credit that allows you to make charges at any time up to the amount of a specific credit limit. When [...]
USING CREDIT CARDS WISELY Join us for a free educational webinar focusing on credit cards! A credit card can be a valuable financial tool. However, before racking up big charges on multiple cards, participants should learn smart ways to handle their credit cards and take a disciplined approach. Register to attend in advance to be [...]
How to Create a Strong Password — That You Won’t Forget Need to create a secure password that hackers can't guess? Use a passphrase! Make it easy to remember, yet hard to crack. Passwords. We all hate them. And we hate ours especially. We know they’re terrible, but making them stronger seems so hard: use [...]
100 Days until Christmas? Now What?! As of today, you have 100 Days Until Christmas, so let's talk about the "B Word": you need to have a budget for Christmas and it is time to create one. Sit down and take a good hard look at your finances to see if you can get through [...]
UPDATE Sept. 17, 2021 As long as you've pre-registered for the Savvy Senior webinar, you'll have access to the recording until Sept. 24th - you should have a link emailed to you. Here are the key takeaways we noted from the event: Get started now! It's hard to catch up Setting aside a little bit [...]
Resources for Seniors in a Financial Crunch Many seniors avoid seeking help for their money problems, citing reasons such as not wanting to bother people, not knowing who to trust, and feeling ashamed. Yet trying to deal with debt issues alone is often not the best approach. While money problems may be uncomfortable to talk [...]
Financial Education Webinars All webinars are free and open to everyone - even if you're not currently a Green Country FCU member! Register for the webinar of your preferred time (there’s two each month) but don’t worry if you can’t be there right at 12:30 or 7:30. As long as you’ve registered in advance, you’ll [...]
A checking account can help teach your teen important money basics. Get them started in high school to help them learn money management at an early age. Teen checking accounts – A few tips to keep in mind You may have opened a savings account for your children as a way to sock away money [...]
Back-to-school season comes around the same time every year, but like the holidays, it has a tendency to sneak up on us — and our bank accounts. Last year, the National Retail Federation estimated that parents would spend a record average of $789.49 doing back-to-school shopping for children in elementary, middle, or high school and [...]
Stay in the Know - WEBINARS Below are educational webinars (all FREE) for Green Country members. In August we focus on the Sandwich Generation - those of us taking care of both kids and parents and various financial-related issues that come up. We'll also share several webinars for back-to-school topics like FASFA applications, student [...]
Automatic Payments for the Child Tax Credit Start on July 15th - Here's What You Need To Know So what is the child tax credit and how is it changing? Traditionally, the child tax credit provides parents a credit on their taxes for each child under 17. If your tax credit exceeds the amount of [...]
Swipe Up: Social Media Spending Social Media Day is Jun 30th - let's take a look at one of the biggest ways we spend money. “Swipe up to shop my look!” “Use my code for a great discount!” Click… the items are in my cart… purchase complete… and I received my confirmation email. Real talk: [...]
SAFEGUARDING KIDS’ IDENTITY Free Financial Education Webinar Today’s youth generation is tech-savvy and connected online. However, parents still play an important role in helping them avoid online hazards such as identity theft, privacy, and cyber-bullying. This workshop covers important issues including online privacy tips, managing computer settings, smartphone apps, and positive online behavior. Session 1: [...]
Millions of Americans Are About to Get $3,600 in New Stimulus — Are You One of Them? While a fourth stimulus check might not be in the cards, a new $3,600 benefit for millions of Americans will now be on its way come July. New direct monthly payments will be disbursed as part of an expanded [...]
How to shield your family from financial elder abuse While it’s not always the most pleasant topic, discussing finances with aging family members is crucial. They may be fine now, but it’s possible that as the years pass, they’ll need help managing their money to keep up with expenses and bills. Plus, the unfortunate reality [...]
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Commemorated June 15th every year, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity to take action to protect older people by raising awareness about elder abuse, why it occurs, and what we can do to stop it. What Is Elder Abuse? Elder abuse refers to intentional or negligent acts by [...]
5 habits that can ruin your budget How did you ruin your budget last month? It was perfect on paper. You established different spending categories and set what seems like reasonable limits. Yet somehow it just didn't work out. And it keeps happening month after month. Sound familiar? The first thing to do is double-check [...]
Financial Stress: The Physical and Mental Effects Money may not buy you happiness, but studies show that your relationship with it impacts your health. Did you know money is tied to our basic, hard-wired drive to survive? When that drive can’t be attained, it compounds into stress. Maybe it’s why the age-old saying, “health is [...]
Rebuilding After a Financial Crisis There are many things in life that can derail even the best money management plans. When a crisis happens, most people take things day by day just hoping to get by. When the dust settles, they’re often left with a financial situation that is less than rosy. There are no [...]
While we're preparing for a financial disaster, it's worth taking a look at how an unexpected disaster hits. Oklahomans have seen their fair share of tornados, floods, grass fires, and ice storms. Here's an article about a house fire. Read through and think about what you would grab if you had less than 2 minutes [...]
Free Online Educational Webinars All webinars are free and open to everyone - even if you're not currently a Green Country FCU member! Register for the webinar of your preferred time (there’s two each month) but don’t worry if you can’t be there right at 12:30 or 7:30. As long as you’ve registered in advance, [...]
Financial preparation before a natural disaster Whether due to fire or flood, earthquake or hurricane, powerful forces of nature can lead to financial devastation if you or your home is in its path. But while you can’t stop a catastrophe from happening, you can take preventative measures. Doing so will cushion the blow that such [...]
A financial crisis can throw even the best money management plan into chaos. This session focuses on ways to gain control of a crisis. Participants will learn about financial assessments, expense prioritization, and effective negotiation with creditors. Join us for one of two free, educational webinars. Anyone can attend and the recordings will be available [...]
5 key financial basics for teens One of the most powerful things for your teen to be able to do is to track where their money goes, and that starts with budgeting. Before your teen leaves home, they should know how to create a budget how to track spending, and how to save for the [...]
Webinar: Score a better future | credit basics with FICO Friday, April 23 @ 11:00 a.m. (CST) We all have financial goals but knowing how to get there can be a challenge. Don’t understand how credit scores impact your financial health, or know your FICO® Score? We want to help! In celebration of Financial Literacy [...]
Teens and Money: Checking and Savings Account One of the first steps toward real freedom (and adulthood) is having a checking and savings account in your own name. These accounts allow you to save money, make purchases, and pay bills efficiently. Both, however, require you to take an active management role, so that you can [...]
Teens & Money Podcast Do you have 10 minutes? Listen to our quick podcast: teens and money. We're covering things like making a budget, setting goals, buying a car, and credit cards. Can't listen today? Download the transcript here.
If you missed it last week, don't worry, you can still register for the 2nd broadcast of this highly informational teaching tool. Session 2: Thursday, April 22, 2021 Time: 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET Sign Up If you can't view it live at 7:30 p.m. (CST) you will still have access to the [...]
6 Things to do with your Stimulus Check (if you've already paid your bills) Pay off (or Pay Down) High-Interest Debt Interest rates are low for student loans, mortgages, and savings accounts, but if you're carrying credit card debt, you're probably paying upwards of 15%. You can free up a lot of cash by paying [...]
Free Educational Webinar: Women & Money Whether it’s having children, career advancement, divorcing, or becoming a widow, there are certain pivotal times in women’s lives that can occur. This special educational session addresses considerations for budgeting, credit, and insurance. Let's celebrate International Women's Day. Session 1: Tuesday, March 9, 2021 @ 11:30 a.m. (CST) [...]
WEBINAR Credit Card Makeover: Getting Out of Debt Please join us for a free educational webinar. Credit Card Makeover: Getting Out of Debt Credit cards can be a great financial tool, but for some, can lead to debt and financial trouble. This session provides an overview of credit card usage, warning signs of credit issues, [...]
A step-by-step guide to making a holiday budget Ah, the holidays. It’s a time for seasonal cheer, catching up with family, and for some—financial panic! If you recently looked at the calendar and realized gift-buying season is closer than you thought, don’t worry. We are here to help you organize your finances by making an [...]
Bubbles burst, the economy falters, companies downsize, and personal disasters happen which can result in a reduced paycheck. Perpetual salary growth or even maintenance is simply not guaranteed. However, by adopting the right tools and attitude, you can make the most of a reduced paycheck and not just survive, but thrive. Determine whether your situation [...]
Ever notice how your monthly expenses always seem to equal whatever salary you’re making, even after you get raises? The phenomenon is called “lifestyle creep” and it can keep you from reaching all kinds of financial goals, from paying down debt to saving for retirement. One way to get lifestyle creep under control is to [...]
National Grandparents Day was this weekend and we know that more older adults have primary responsibility for raising grandchildren or other young relatives. If this describes you or the older adults you work with, here are a few financial tools that can help. Get a clear picture of monthly income and expenses. If you’re raising [...]
Buying a home is at once an exciting and challenging venture. With commitment and planning, you can become a successful homeowner. This post covers everything you need to know to start the home buying process off right, including: Preparing for Homeownership Understanding Mortgages Getting a Loan Searching for a Home and Making an Offer Closing [...]
Refinancing is the process of paying off an existing loan with the proceeds from a new loan and using the same property as collateral. Usually, the interest rate on the new mortgage will be less than the old, the loan will cost less and you will save money. However, refinancing isn’t appropriate for every homeowner. [...]
If you have been impacted by the national COVID-19 health crisis and are having trouble paying your mortgage payment, forbearance may be an option for you. Forbearance is offered by some lenders to borrowers who have experienced a financial hardship such as a loss of income or increased medical expenses. Eligible borrowers approved for forbearance [...]
Think back to how you formed your financial habits. Did you learn everything you needed in school? From your parents? If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what financial pitfalls would you tell yourself to avoid? If you have children of your own, you may be wondering how and when to [...]
Tip #1: Use the Covered Period for Payroll Costs A first tip to maximize PPP forgiveness? Use the eight-week covered period that starts when you get the PPP loan. Not the alternative covered period which starts the day the next payroll period starts. (You get to choose which eight weeks you look at.) The reason? [...]
Paycheck Protection Program Update Our commercial lending team has worked tirelessly since late March helping our small business members and new relationships stay afloat by utilizing the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program. To date, we've helped 90 business owners receive an average of $35,010 in what should be forgivable loans to pay employees and utilities. We've [...]
We want you to know that we’re not going anywhere, because at its core, our credit union is not a building or a business, its people unified for a common goal of financial well-being. We’re always here for you. These are difficult times for everyone, and we know that some of your biggest payments are [...]
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many of us into financial situations that we could never have predicted. Country-wide shelter-in-place orders have left many without work, and businesses without customers. Now more than ever, it’s important to think about the way we spend or save every dollar we make. In some cases, the quarantine orders have [...]
1. Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals Saving tends to be easier when you have a certain purpose in mind: Saving for your first house, your retirement at a certain age, a child’s college education, or even a trip around the world. The important thing is for your goals to be specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-bound, or [...]
