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financial confidence

March 1, 2023 • By Kevin Alvarez

Saving For Major Milestones – America Saves Week 2023

What do homes, education, and retirement all have in common? They are major life milestones that require advance planning and saving large amounts of money. That amount of advance planning and money saved that is needed may make you doubt your ability to reach these goals. Even if you don’t feel that way today, you may have in the past or may in the future.

The good news is that there are ways to plan and save for these major milestones in a way that aligns with your values and current life situation and still sets you up for success. Keep in mind:

  • Make a plan for how much you need to save and when you want to have that money saved. The America Saves Pledge and the Spending and Saving Tool are both resources that can help with your planning.
  • Whenever you have more than one goal that you are working on at the same time, it’s important to prioritize them. Yes, you can save for retirement and education or retirement and home ownership at the same time. You just may need to allocate a greater percentage of your available money to save more for one goal over another.
  • You get to decide which goal is the most important to you right now and you can use that decision to guide your plans. And this can change over time.
  • When tough times happen, and they will at some point, it’s OK to set aside some saving goals. If you lose your job, you may need to forgo continuing to save for your retirement and child’s education until you find a new job.
  • Do your research. Having the right information for your personal circumstances can help you more confidently plan and execute that plan.

saving for major milestones

  • With retirement you want to understand what savings vehicles you have access to through your employer before seeking resources for individual accounts. You also want to have a reliable calculation for the money you need saved and what the best investment options are for you.
  • With home purchases it’s important to have an idea of the type of house you want and in what area so you can research prices. You also want to know your credit score to understand what types of mortgage rates you can qualify for.
  • When saving for education, 529 College Saving Plans are one of the best options available as the money grows tax free and is not taxed when withdrawn if it is used for qualified expenses.
  • With any of these goals, utilize automatic saving vehicles wherever possible. Typically, employer defined contribution retirement plans use automatic deductions from your paycheck. You can also direct an investment company or your financial institution to set aside money each month for retirement, home down payment or education accounts.

With all these goals, while the sooner you can start saving for them the less you will have to save each month, recognize that your situation will determine when you are able to start saving. Delaying when saving for education may mean you need to take out more in loans. Delaying saving for home ownership or retirement may mean you have to wait longer to buy a house or work longer before you retire. These are your choices to make.

Confidence comes with knowing you have done your research, consulted with professionals, examined your current situation, made some predictions for future saving opportunities, and recognized that as life unfolds you can adjust your plans.

SafeAmerica Credit Union is here to help you on your savings journey. Check out all the Savings opportunities we have to offer.

Savings accounts

February 22, 2022 • By Kevin Alvarez

America Saves Week – Save for the Unexpected

The Coronavirus pandemic has made saving a priority for most Americans, especially those most vulnerable with low to moderate earnings. In fact, a recent study by Edelman Financial Engines, in conjunction with America Saves and the Bipartisan Policy Center, found that:

  • 40% of working Americans report they had difficulty paying for a personal expense in 2020.
  • 1 in 3 working Americans say they would run out of savings on hand in 1 month or less if their income suddenly stopped.
  • Nearly 1 in 2 working Americans (45%) would have difficulty paying for a $400 emergency expense, meaning they say they would not cover it with savings or put it on their credit card and pay it off at the next statement; 11% say they would be unable to come up with the money.

While saving provides us with a much-needed financial cushion, it also helps ease the emotional burden of worrying about what’s around the corner.

Save for Opportunities

Day Two of America Saves Week encourages us to save for the unexpected. While saving for emergencies is always a much discussed topic in personal finances, here’s something that’s not as widely discussed: saving for opportunities.

If you are in the position to save, you’re not only saving for an unexpected car repair, medical bill, or appliance breaking down — you’re also saving for the last minute dinner invite with friends and family, the concert for your favorite artist, or the ability to grab a birthday gift for your child’s classmate.

Today we want you to consider reframing saving for the “dreaded emergency,” and recognize that you’re also saving for fun and positive opportunities! Doesn’t it feel better to contribute to an OPPORTUNITY FUND vs. an EMERGENCY FUND?

If you haven’t, we encourage you to take the America Saves Pledge. After making your new savings plan, you’ll receive support, reminders, and tips from America Saves that will help keep you on track towards achieving your goal.

Make the Pledge

By accessing this link, you will be leaving SafeAmerica's website and entering a website hosted by another party.

Although SafeAmerica has approved this as a reliable partner site, please be advised that you will no longer be subject to, or under the protection of, the privacy and security policies of the bank's website. The other party is solely responsible for the content of its website.

We encourage you to read and evaluate the privacy and security policies on the site you are entering, which may be different than those of the bank.

Continue

February 18, 2022 • By Kevin Alvarez

America Saves Week – Building Financial Resilience – February 21 – 25, 2022

Join us for America Saves Week from February 21st to the 25th as we share tools and resources that inspire members and their families to save successfully and achieve better financial stability. Each day during America Saves Week focuses on a new theme regarding Building Financial Resilience and provides you with tips and tools to help you accomplish your financial goals. Be sure to follow us on social media to view new tips each day.

America Saves Week Daily Themes:

  • Monday, February 21, 2022 | Save Automatically
  • Tuesday, February 22, 2022 | Save For The Unexpected
  • Wednesday, February 23, 2022 | Save To Retire
  • Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Save By Reducing Debt
  •  Friday, February 24, 2022 | Save As A Family

Why You Should Participate in America Saves Week

By participating in America Saves Week, we can help you navigate through different areas of your finances that better position you for success. By the end of the week, you’ll learn about short term and long term savings goals (such as emergency funds and retirement), the best strategies for saving successfully (making a plan and saving automatically), and how to have healthy conversations and instill positive financial behaviors with your family.

About America Saves

America Saves is a non-profit organization that uses principles of behavioral economics and social marketing to motivate, encourage and support everyday Americans to save money, reduce debt, build wealth and create better financial habits. America Saves is an initiative of the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), a non-profit, pro-consumer organization of over 270 consumer education, advocacy, and cooperative members dedicated to advancing consumer interest.

America Saves encourages individuals and families to take the America Saves pledge, a tool that empowers you to commit to save successfully with a plan. Thousands of non-profit, government, and corporate organizations partner with America Saves through local, regional, statewide, and national campaigns both year-round and during America Saves Week. Learn more about America Saves Week.

Take The Pledge

Those with a savings plan are twice as likely to save successfully. Taking the America Saves Pledge is a pledge to yourself to start a savings journey and America Saves is here to encourage you along the way.  Take the first step toward creating a better financial future. Make a plan, set a goal, and pledge to yourself to start saving, today. Complete the Pledge and America Saves will send you short email and text reminders, resources and tips to keep you on track towards your savings goal. Become part of an entire community of savers. Get started now!

Take the Pledge

By accessing this link, you will be leaving SafeAmerica's website and entering a website hosted by another party.

Although SafeAmerica has approved this as a reliable partner site, please be advised that you will no longer be subject to, or under the protection of, the privacy and security policies of the bank's website. The other party is solely responsible for the content of its website.

We encourage you to read and evaluate the privacy and security policies on the site you are entering, which may be different than those of the bank.

Continue

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