Credit Card

A How-to-Guide on Your First Credit Card

Getting your first credit card is an exciting step toward financial independence, but it’s also a huge responsibility. At CSE, we want to set you up for success with these essential tips:

The Do’s

DO: Pay on Time, Every Time

How-to-Guide on How a Credit Card Works

1. What Is a Credit Card?

A credit card is a plastic (or digital) card that lets you borrow money to make purchases. When you use a credit card, you're using the credit union’s money, not your own. The credit union has allowed you up to a certain dollar amount (or credit limit, see below) to borrow. This is different from a debit card, which takes money directly from your checking account.

2. How...

Taming Your Bills and Subscriptions

In a world filled with bills and subscriptions, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in expenses. But what if there was a way to regain control over your finances? 

By mastering the art of negotiation and being vigilant about your subscriptions, you can free up and save back more money each month.

Let’s look at ways you can keep more money in your pocket.

Negotiating...

Credit Report = Adult Report Card.  Will You Make the Grade?

When you take a test in school, the result of a good or bad grade can affect your overall grade for the course; it plays a part in whether you pass or fail. When talking about your credit report, imagine it as your adult report card. How you repay loans and credit cards affects your overall score, which can lead to good things for you or a world of financial challenges, depending on your overall credit...

Reporting Fraud or Disputing Credit & Debit Card Transactions

Using credit and debit cards is an integral part of financial services. They give you the ability to have significant purchasing power without the need to carry wads of cash. They also have many security features and guarantees from issuers, that if you use your card according to the guidelines in place, that you can recover your money if lost, stolen, or otherwise misappropriated. However, no one wants to...

Enhance Your Debit and Credit Card Security

No one wants to deal with identity theft, fraudulent transactions on a credit or debit card, or any other issues when it comes to your money and personal information. There are a lot of different things you can do to enhance your security and protect yourself and your money from unauthorized use, most of which can be done right from the CSE app or online banking platform through a web browser.

Prepare Your Finances for the Holidays

The holidays might not be top of mind…yet, but this month marks the ‘100 days until Christmas milestone. We want to help you get a jump start on the holidays and provide ways you can prepare your finances now, in order to make your money go further when it comes time to shop.

To start,...

Debit and Credit cards…some people use both, some use one over the other for specific reasons. While these cards may look the same – and swipe just as easily – they function quite differently!

Both make completing transactions in-store or online extremely convenient, but we want to help break down the differences between the two, because believe it or not, many don’t know all of the ins and outs of these cards! 

PAYING...

When it comes to unknown numbers calling your home or mobile device, most of us just let it go to voicemail to see if it’s a legitimate call or a possible scam call. We want to remind you of the best practices to keep you, and your financial and/or personal information safe.

If something seems too good to be true, it may be. Recognizing the following red flags may help you avoid falling victim to fraud or a scam:

It might seem a little early to be talking about Winter, but when it comes to preparing your home for the cold season, it’s best to consider those updates now. Being able to prep and update your home while it’s still nice out will make the job a lot easier, not to mention it won’t send chills up your spine. Plus, you’ll have a little more time to prepare financially for any of those updates before the cold weather hits.