SafeAmerica Credit Union

Livermore California

• By Kevin Alvarez

Don’t Let Back-To-School Shopping Stress You Out

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is expecting this year’s back-to-school shopping season to be the most expensive ever.

Parents are feeling pressured to overspend and many are worried about hitting the stores this year. The good news is that with a little planning, you can successfully manage these additional expenses while managing your stress.

According to their survey, K-12 families will be spending about $36.9 billion in back-to-class spending. An average of of $846 per household while back-to-college spending is expected to reach $73.9 billion, an average of $1,199 per household both. the highest ever recorded by the NRF.

Here are three steps you can take to plan for the upcoming back-to-school shopping season:

1. Make A Plan Before You Shop

Take some time to assess your financial situation. GreenPath’s budgeting worksheet is a great way to get started, click here to view and download. Once you have good handle on your current financial state, determine how much you truly feel comfortable spending.

2. Take Stock of What You Have Versus What You Need

Prioritize your needs list. What do you need to buy before school starts and what can you purchase later? What really needs to be replaced versus what can be reused? If new clothes are a need, many stores will be clearing their shelves to makes way for winter clothing. This is a good time to stock up at a discount.

3. Avoid Impulse Buys

Take your needs list with you and stick to it. If your kids will be shopping with you, share the list with them beforehand. Better yet, have them help you create it.

If they want something that isn't in the budget, offer them the option to chip in their own money. Generation Z has become more involved than previous generations and are spending more of their own money on back-to-school supplies. Teaching your children about finances plays a critical role in forming a healthy attitude about money and setting them up for long-term success.

2022 Back-To-School Webinar Trends - (Webinar Recording)

Information brought to you by our partner, GreenPath Financial Wellness

Greenpath Financial Wellness

Sources:
National Retail Federation Trends

• By Kevin Alvarez

Coping with Inflation

Inflation continues to put pressure on household budgets. From groceries to gas, record-breaking inflation means the purchasing power of your money is decreasing each month. Below you will find guidance on how to best navigate a time with high inflation.

1. Take Inventory of your full financial picture. Has your household income changed? have you adjusted your budget for rising groceries, transportation, or other expenses? Check your existing budget to see where you stand and where your money is going. If you don't have a budget, it can help to create a simple spending plan or roadmap of monthly expenses. A good place to start is to use resources like a budgeting worksheet track your monthly income against current expenses.

2. Continue to build an emergency fund to tap into when unexpected circumstances arise like a medical expense or costly home repair. An emergency fund helps reduce the chance of taking on debt to cover an unplanned expense. It might be tempting to pause monthly savings as rising prices take a bigger bite out of your monthly budget, but resist the urge. Put savings on auto pilot with each paycheck. Even a small amount will add up over time.

3. Prioritize monthly spending in a time of rising prices. Rethink certain monthly expenses such as subscription or streaming services. According to researchers, the average household has 4.5 streaming services and spends an average of $55 on them per month. This may not seem like much, yet $55 a month adds up to more than $600 per year. If you’re trying to cut expenses in the face of higher prices, ditching underused subscriptions can be a good place to start. As essentials get more expensive, figure out your new baseline. Limit credit card use and curb discretionary spending (dining out, entertainment). GreenPath’s Aligning Priorities workbook can help you make these decisions.

4. Monitor debt, especially as interest rates rise. Paying off high-interest credit card debt saves you money in interest, improves your credit score, and frees up room in your budget. Choose a debt payoff strategy that works for your situation. Consider GreenPath’s Debt Management Plan which helps you pay off unsecured debt in 3 to 5years. GreenPath can work with many creditors to bring your ac-counts current, lower interest rates, and eliminate fees.

5. Shop smart. Research the best sales, coupons, and specials, especially on products that are low in inventory. Check dollar stores for deals on household items and stock up on those items where possible. Bulk retailers or wholesale clubs might be a good way to stock up on items in large quantities for a lower per-use cost. Strategically plan your higher-cost purchases. Swap out brand-name items for generic as much as possible.

6. Keep tabs on your credit history. In times of rising prices, it pays to keep tabs on credit history, which is used to calculate your credit scores. The three digit number of your credit score helps determine whether lenders approve you for new credit and what interest rates they offer. Annualcreditreport.com is a trusted “one-stop-shop” to check your reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – the three industry-standard credit bureaus. You can also work with GreenPath to review your credit history.

7. Get independent guidance from a nonprofit financial counseling agency like GreenPath. Counselors look at your entire financial picture to help you ease financial stress and uncertainty, through access to clear information and a personalized action plan.

Information brought to you by our partner, GreenPath Financial Wellness

GreenPath Financial Wellness

• By Kevin Alvarez

Choosing The Right Credit Card

There is no right or wrong answer to the question, "Is this the right credit card for me?" You need to understand the various features and benefits of the credit card, and then make a decision after comparing a few options. Here are some guidelines to help you with choosing the right credit card:

Understand What The Fees Really Mean

Don’t pick a card just because it offers a zero annual fee. Many unsecured credit cards still offer a zero annual fee these days. Banks understand that a “no annual fee” card is attractive to many consumers. This doesn’t mean you should never consider a card because it comes with a fee – if the card comes with a substantially lower interest rate, that might justify paying the annual fee. Or, the perks and benefits that come with the card (such as airline frequent flier miles) might outweigh the downside of paying an annual fee.

Understand all the fees that could be applied. Credit Card agreements will disclose the possible fees that could be charged to card holders:

  • Annual fee – The card’s annual fee is simply the amount that is charged to you, as the cardholder, for using the card each year.
  • Cash advance fee – This fee is charged to the account when the card is used to process a cash advance (if the card has this feature included). The cash advance fee may be accessed either as a flat fee amount or as a percentage of the cash advance amount.
  • Balance-transfer fee – This is a fee that is charged if you are transferring a balance from one card to another — often 3% of the transferred amount.
  • Late payment fee – This fee is fairly self-explanatory. You are charged a fee if your payment arrives after the invoice due date. Fees could be as high as $39-$49 per month.
  • Over-the-credit-limit fee – This is a penalty fee that is accessed when you make a purchase that goes above your current credit limit. Fees could be as high as $39-$49 per month.

Look For The Lowest Interest Rate

If you’re not going to pay off the balance in full each month, choose the card with the lowest annual interest rate. Don’t get distracted by offers for cash back or rewards. The amount you will pay in interest charges will exceed the value of the perks.

Creditors will determine your interest rate AFTER you apply for the card. The rate will be based on your credit history. A solicitation in the mail to apply for a card is not a guarantee that you will receive a particular rate. Once you apply and the lender reviews your credit report, you may get approved for the card but at a higher interest rate than you thought. Finally, understand that your rate can change – credit cards are unsecured lines of credit, and creditors often use variable interest rates which adjust based on economic and market conditions.

Get Value From Perks, but Don’t Get Distracted by Them

If you’re going to pay your balance in full each month, consider a card that offers something you really value. The interest rate here doesn’t matter, since you’ll be paying your balance off immediately. Cash-back options are an example.  Once you accrue a certain level of spending on the account, you become eligible to receive a cash-back “reward.” There are other perks such as travel rewards, frequent flier miles, roadside assistance, insurance, and “member-only” privileges that could be attractive to the card holder.

Don’t pick a credit card just because it offers great rewards or cash back. Credit cards that offer cash back or perks may sound great, but if rewards come with many strings attached, then it might not be worth it. If you aren’t sure whether you’ll pay the balance in full each month, a high APR may cost you more money than you save with the rewards. Also don’t pick a credit card just because it has a low introductory or “teaser” rate. The introductory rates are only a fraction of the total time the average person retains a credit card.

Go For Low APR

In general, opting for a credit card with a low APR is a good approach. If you are one of the 30 percent of Americans who pay their credit card balances in full each month, the interest rate is irrelevant to you, since almost all cards come with a grace period allowing a period of time to pay the balance in full without incurring interest fees. However, if you regularly carry a balance on your credit cards, the interest rate should always be a top consideration.

Talk to your credit union, and understand their different card products.  Compare the terms and rates from national lenders, and most importantly, always use the card wisely and within your spending means.

Your Credit Union Can Help

Because we're a credit union, we are not-for-profit, so our earnings are returned to our members in the form of higher dividends, lower loan rates and reduced fees. As a SafeAmerica Credit Union member, you have exclusive access to our Visa Platinum Rewards credit card. Our card offers no fees - not even for balance transfers!

You get:

  • Rates as low as 9.90%APR
  • Rewards points, one for every dollar you spend
  • No annual fee
  • No balance transfer fee
  • No cash advance fee
  • More!

Plus, for a limited time, we offering our cardholders a chance to win one of three Amazon gift cards, up to $1,000*, just for using our card. For full details, click below.

Learn More

APR (Annual Percentage Rate) as of 7/1/22, is based on credit worthiness and is subject to change without notice. Cash advances and balance transfers do not qualify to earn rewards points.  Program is subject to terms and conditions.

*Minimum 5 credit card purchases but no more than 30 in the promo period (July 11 – August 19, 2022) required for sweepstakes entry. Each time you use your card acts as one entry.  Balance transfers and cash advances do not qualify as a card transaction/raffle entry. Promotion valid July 11, 2022 through August 19, 2022.  See official contest rules.

• By Kevin Alvarez

What To Do If Your Credit has Fallen – Five Tips

Your credit score can affect your life in a lot of ways, from whether you are eligible for a loan or credit card, or qualified for a security clearance. If your credit score has fallen or you want to improve your credit score, these tips can get you started.

What is A Credit Score?

A credit score uses historical information about a person’s past use of credit to calculate the likelihood that they will pay back what they owe on time and in full. Credit scores are used to determine qualification for borrowing money as a loan or on a credit card, and they can affect your interest rates, insurance premiums, leases, or eligibility for a job or security clearance. 

Ranging from a low of 300 to a high of 850 (sometimes referred to as “perfect credit”), credit scores are calculated based on payment history, amount owed, length of credit history, types of credit used, and new applications for credit. 

In general, a score of 660 and above would make a borrower eligible for credit with favorable interest rates. A score below 600 may result in difficulty getting approved for credit and is likely to be subject to high-interest rates.  

If you don’t know your credit score, you might be able to find it on your bank or loan statement or credit card bill. You can also purchase your credit score directly from one of the three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian or Transunion. Click here for a Credit Score Guide

5 Tips to Improve Your Credit Score

#1. Get Your Payment in Before The Buzzer

Paying your bills on time is the biggest single factor used to calculate your credit score. Late payments (even a couple of days), past due accounts and accounts in collections, have a negative impact on your credit. Regular, on-time payment of the minimum amount (or greater) will improve your credit score. A positive payment history in the range of 18 months or longer will begin to show results in a growing credit score.

If you are falling behind on your bills, look for ways to get back on track. Use a monthly budget to plan your spending and make sure that your bills are covered. Automated payments can also help you avoid late fees and ensure on-time payment. If you know you will miss a due date, call your credit card company or lender. They may be able to help by moving your due date out.

#2. Pay off Debt

How much you owe is another big factor in calculating your credit score. If you have a large amount of debt or are carrying balances on credit accounts for long periods of time, it can negatively affect your score. Paying off the debt will help improve your credit score.

Start by prioritizing your budget to pay down your debt. Look for places you can redirect non-essential spending to pay extra on your credit accounts. A credit counselor can walk you through different options for dealing with debt and may be able to help you pay it off more quickly.

#3 All Things in Moderation - Use 30% or Less of Your Credit Limit

The amount of credit you use (also called credit utilization) also affects your score. Our financial counselors suggest using less than 30 to 40% of your available credit. Spending above that threshold, maxing out your credit, or carrying high balances relative to your credit limit will cause your score to fall. However, regularly using small amounts of credit and paying it off will increase your score. Generally speaking, having credit cards or installment loans and paying them on time and in full will improve your credit score over time. People without established credit typically receive lower credit scores. 

If you are using more of your credit limit than you would like, take a look at how and why you are using credit can help you make adjustments in your budget and spending choices to reduce your reliance on credit.

#4 Talk to A Credit Counselor

Talking to a credit counselor won’t have a direct effect on your credit score, but it can give you insight and information that you can use to improve your credit. We will work with you to understand your financial situation, explore different options, and make a personalized plan. We can help you review and understand your credit report. If debt is preventing you from making progress, we can help you explore debt management plans and other options that can accelerate your path forward. 93% of people who talk to us leave the conversation with a plan for achieving their goal.

#5 Stick with It! Credit Building is a Long-Distance Run

A history of credit that you have paid back on time and accounts that you have held for five years or longer have a positive effect on your credit score. Quickly opening multiple accounts, suddenly carrying balances for a sustained period, or even closing unused accounts have a negative effect on your score.

Events like foreclosure and bankruptcy, while they serve a very important purpose for those with severe debt, have a significant and lengthy impact on your credit score. (We are not lawyers, and this is not legal advice. If you are considering one of these options, we encourage you to consult a legal professional and to investigate other alternatives as well.)

Your credit score is based on patterns over time, with an emphasis on more recent information. Improving credit and rebuilding a credit score that has fallen will take some patience, but it can be done! Credit scores can and do change.

Help is Here

When it comes to building your credit history, you don’t have to do it alone. Through our partnership with GreenPath Financial Wellness, you have direct resources for improving your financial wellness, including FREE financial counseling.

Learn more by clicking the button below.

GreenPath Financial Wellness

GreenPath Financial Wellness

• By Kevin Alvarez

Financial Terms To Teach Your Kids

It’s never too early to start teaching your kids about finances. After all, it is a topic they will use for the rest of their life. Breaking down some the key financial terms will help them have an understanding of a few fundamental concepts.

Here are some terms you can teach your child and why it’s important for them to know.

Budget

What is a budget?

A budget is a plan that helps you keep track of your money and where it goes. One way parents like to teach kids how to budget is to categorize money into three “buckets”: give, save, and spend.

Why is a budget Important?

A budget allows you to plan out your finances for the future and ensures you’ll have enough money to pay for all your “needs” and, if you have money left-over, to pay for all your “wants”. It provides structure towards reaching a financial goal, such as saving for a video game system, a vacation or even a college education.

Checking Account

What is a Checking Account?

A checking account is a contractual relationship between you and your financial institution where you can make day to day transactions. The financial institution holds your money in a safe place and helps to facilitate your purchases. You are responsible for handling your account wisely by not overspending the money you have in your account.

Why is a Checking Account Important?

A checking account makes your money accessible and serves as a way to keep track of your spending. It also keeps your money safe, meaning it can’t be lost, stolen or damaged. Institutions must be insured in order to operate, so there’s no risk and much safer than carrying cash.

Credit and Credit History

What is Credit?

Credit is a way to borrow money (such as a credit card or loan) with the agreement of paying it back in full, plus interest. Paying back the borrowed amount on time is reflected on your credit report/history. One important concept to remember is that credit isn’t free and should only be used if you’re able to pay it back right away.

Why is Credit History Important?

Developing good credit history allows lenders see how responsible you are when it comes to paying that money back. The more on-time payments you make, the better your credit becomes, making it easier to borrow money in the future, rent an apartment, or even get a job.

Credit Score

What Is a Credit Score (also known as FICO Score)?

A credit score is a number that lenders use to measure your credit worthiness. Your credit score is influenced by a number of things such as the amount of open credit accounts, overall amount of debt you have and your repayment history (making payments on-time). Credit scores range from 300 to 850 and lenders use these scores to determine how much risk they will take on when lending to you. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate will be (less risk) and vice-versa; the lower your credit score, the higher your interest rate will be (more risk).

Why is a Credit Score Important?

The better the credit score, the easier it will be to reach life’s milestones. A good credit score can help you get a lower interest rate on a loan (like a car loan or mortgage), thus you pay less over the lifetime of the loan. A good credit score can even help you get an apartment or job. Overall, it pays to have a good credit score! Literally.

Loan

What is a Loan?

A loan is a sum of money that you borrow with an agreement to be paid back with interest. One way to help your child understand loans, is to explain why people take out loans in the first place. A great example is a car or mortgage loan. These items usually cost a lot of money, so it becomes necessary to borrow the money. Having that good credit score (as explained above) will help you get a lower interest rate on that loan, making it more affordable. Agreeing to the terms of a loan means you’re obligated to pay it back with the agreed upon interest. Failure to do so can be detrimental to your good credit.

Why Is Having a Loan Important?

Having a loan allows you to enjoy the item you borrowed money for right away. Rather than saving up $20,000 for a car, you can take out an auto loan to immediately have access to the vehicle and repay on a monthly basis until the loan has been paid off. Paying off loans strengthens your credit score and allows you to become prepared for any future or bigger purchases.

Debt

What is Debt?

Debt is money borrowed (a loan) which has not been paid off. Types of debt range from credit cards and student loans to major purchases such as vehicles and mortgages.

Why is Debt Good?

Borrowing money and having debt is typically the only manner in which some people will be able to purchase important high cost items such as a home or higher education. Debt is okay if it’s going to help you make money in the future, whereas taking on debt on items such as cars or clothes is not recommended based on the depreciating factor associated with these items.

Interest

What is Interest?

Interest has two sides; it is either something you pay (an interest rate on a loan) or something you earn (an interest rate on a savings account). Show your children the interest you pay on a loan, like a vehicle loan, each month. And then also show them that when you deposit money into a savings account (your “save bucket” from earlier) that the bank pays you for the deposits you place there.

Why is Interest important?

Whether you’re paying interest or earning interest, the amount of interest is important to understand. When obtaining a loan, you want to look for an institution that offers the best rate (lowest rate or APR). That combined with your good credit score will help you get the best deal. The same goes for deposits. When saving your money, you want to look for the highest yield (or APY). This will get you most amount of interest earned.

Taxes

What are Taxes?

Taxes serve as payment to the government and are used to pay for things like improving public schools and fixing the roads. Taxes are taken from your paycheck and the amount you pay depends on how much money you make. A great way to explain it is to relate it to their allowance. Take a small amount from their allowance and put it away to be used toward a household expense, like an improvement!

Why are Taxes Important?

Taxes are the main source of revenue for the government. Without taxes, funding for many of the public benefits we take advantage of every day would be impacted severely.

Youth Month

Save small. Dream big.

We're celebrating Youth Month all April long! Be sure to check out our blog each week or follow is on social media for a new youth financial literacy topic.

You can also check out our Youth Program to help get your child started on the path to smart money management.  

youth program

• By Kevin Alvarez

Get Your End-of-Year Financial Health Checkup

As the eagerly awaited holiday season gets underway, the end of the year is a great time to get a financial health checkup to make sure finances are on track.

With regular checkups, you can fix small problems before they become big issues.

This year-end keeping financially healthy is especially important due to many economic uncertainties related to inflation, inventory shortages, as well as the expiration of COVID relief programs put in place more than a year ago to help people manage through the pandemic.

Your Financial Health Checkup

Like a physical health checkup, a financial checkup examines your vital signs to be sure all is well when it comes to you financial health and wellness.

Do you have an emergency savings? How do your credit card balances look? Are you tracking monthly income and expenses? What does your credit score and history look like? These are a few of the vitals reviewed during an end-of-year financial checkup.

From an overall budget review to managing credit card debt, the caring, NFCC-certified counselors at GreenPath Financial Wellness will conduct a full review of your current financial fitness and provide recommended next steps for improving your financial health.

A financial checkup guides you to:

  1. Review Your Financial Goals: Has there been a significant life change this past year? A change in jobs, a marriage, divorce, home purchase or other big change can affect your overall financial picture. A check up is a good time to assess whether your current financial goals sync up with your overall situation.
  2. Understand Options to Move Forward after Relief Programs Expire: Loans that were deferred as part of COVID-related relief program need your attention. Deferments provided borrowers with a little breathing room, but now that the temporary pause in payments has expired, a checkup is a good opportunity to understand options, and take a closer look at not only any loans that were on pause, but also your entire financial picture.
  3. Manage Income and Expenses: One of the best ways to cope with inflation is to take the time to prioritize monthly spending. A spending plan helps to ensure that what you spend doesn't exceed what you make each month as prices rise. A financial checkup gives you a better understanding of your income and expenses. It can also be a time to set a spending plan to keep your finances on track and start saving for future goals.
  4. Pay Down Debt: A checkup is a good time to explore options to help you pay down credit card debt as well as options for managing other debts that may be on the horizon - such as expiring forbearances on mortgages or student loan payments.
  5. Assess Your Credit: Are you looking to take out a mortgage or make another large purchase in the New Year? A checkup is a great time to review your credi treport to see where you stand, and get tips to improve your score moving forward.

Your Checkup Starts Here

Your financial fitness is key to a healthy New Year. GreenPath's caring, certified counselors are committed to easing financial stress and worry through access to clear information.

For more information about financial wellness, visit our partner at GreenPath Financial Wellness.

Greenpath Financial Wellness

• By Kevin Alvarez

Webinar- Staying Safe On The Internet Without Breaking A Sweat

This free, one hour webinar about staying safe on the internet is presented by GreenPath Financial Wellness

If you are reading this, you probably use the internet often, most likely every day. We have heard time and again that we must be careful while online, but even the most diligent among us can take our online safety for granted. Staying safe on the internet can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Join us on Wednesday, December 8 at 10:00 pm PT as Leo Hopper, GreenPath’s Director of Information Security, offers some simple and useful tips on staying safe on the internet.

Click through each tab below to learn more.

Who Should Attend

  • Anyone who uses the internet either regularly or sporadically
  • Those who shop online 
  • Those who would like to use the internet more, but are afraid that they will expose vital information

What You Will Learn

  • How to avoid common traps that can compromise you online
  • How to check site security before you use it
  • How to guard your personal information

Details

Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Time: 10:00 am PST

This webinar will be recorded and a link will be sent out to all registrants after the webinar.

Click the red button below to register.

Register Now

• By Kevin Alvarez

Free Webinar Spread Joy and Save Money: Make it a Happy and Financially Healthy Season

This free, one hour webinar about Financial Transformation is presented by GreenPath Financial Wellness

Are you already stressed about the upcoming holiday season? Join GreenPath to learn how to  maximize your dollars and create a memorable gift-giving season. We will help you create a plan to set yourself up for success for years to come.

Click through each tab below to learn more.

Who Should Attend

  • Those that want to reduce stress during the holidays
  • Those who have experienced a change in their budget
  • Those that want to maximize the value of gifts given.

What You Will Learn

  • How to spread joy without impacting your wallet
  • Strategies for gift giving
  • How to create lasting memories

Details

Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Time: 10:30 am PST

Register Now