Education

Refinancing a loan is a fairly common practice for consumers, and refinancing debt can be beneficial if done right. “Essentially, refinancing replaces an old loan with a new one with terms that are better for your situation.” (BANZAI) There are multiple reasons why someone would consider refinancing a loan, so let’s start by evaluating what those reasons might be.

Here are a few reasons some people choose to refinance a loan:

To save...

Purchasing a home can be one of the most exciting, while being equally one of the most stressful times of your life. The housing market has been on fire in recent years, so when you see a house that you’d like to explore buying, you’ve got to be prepared. To help provide some clarity, we want to provide some insight on some of the most common mortgage myths that consumers may question.

Myth #1 | You need 20% for a down payment....

Just the thought of retirement can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. It’s what you’ve worked towards for your entire life, but it comes with many unknowns. You’re sure to be wondering if you’ve saved enough, can afford your expenses moving forward, and whether you’re truly ready to move into the next stage of your life.

The reality is that when it comes to retirement, many are unprepared due to a combination of increasing...

Have you ever walked into the credit union and thought it felt a little different? Perhaps a little more welcoming than most other financial institutions? Well, that’s because as a credit union member, you are part owner which means you have a say in how CSE is operated - - so you’re practically part of the family! With that, comes a number of benefits such as the affordable financial perks and easy access to your money. Because we are member-owned, we are there for...

If 2020 taught us anything, it was to maintain an emergency fund, ready for when we need it most. An emergency fund is an amount of money set aside to cover unforeseen expenses, or, the extra money that is set back to cover basic expenses when there are drastic changes to your income. Emergency funds can be used for small emergencies or extreme emergencies. How much a person needs in an emergency fund is unique and varies based on personal circumstances. Common reasons that...

Here we go...another new year, another round of resolutions. Whether you’ve decided your New Year’s Resolution will again be to lose those 10 pounds, organize your office, or learn how to speak a new language – on your list of “things to do” in the New Year should also include giving your finances a check-up!

The start of a new year is a great time to review and re-evaluate your budget. It’s easy after the end of the year to gather...

We’ve all been there, whether it be an accumulation of credit card debt, getting behind on bills because of a job loss, or so many other scenarios. Debt can add up quickly and it can be overwhelming. It’s easier to stay out of debt by making simple changes, than digging your way out. Here are 10 things anyone can do to stay out of debt, and that means you too!

Using an ATM may be an indispensable convenience, but is it safe? In nearly every scenario, the answer is yes! ATMs have been used successfully by hundreds of millions of people over three decades: Millions of ATM transactions take place daily without incident, which is great news for ATM users. But, there are always things to watch for to make your ATM experiences safer.

SAFETY

There is no such thing as too much safety when using an ATM - it’s important...

A vehicle is a huge investment. Outside of a house and possibly student loans, it is one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make - and, on average, American's purchase around 10 cars in their lifetime. However, many consumers don’t take proper care of their vehicles and skip regular maintenance, which in turn costs more money when you have to purchase another vehicle sooner than expected.

So, take proper care and invest in regular maintenance for your...

Going to college is a whole new experience for most teenagers. It’s a whirlwind into adulthood and figuring it all out takes time! Something we feel is important to share with young adults getting ready to go to college is that you can still have a memorable college experience without spending a ton of money! It’s all about budgeting and being skillful in the way you choose to spend your money.

First things first – where are you getting your spending...