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Does retirement still seem decades away or completely unattainable? If you feel like full retirement is out of reach, you’re not alone. While we can’t offer a time machine to go back and expand your retirement accounts, we can provide retirement savings tips to boost your current savings. At Palisades Credit Union, the financial health of our community is a top priority. Here are 7 steps you can take after age 50 to help maximize your chances of a comfortable retirement.
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In this article, we’ll explain what a tax refund is and how you can make the most of yours. These are intended to be general tips; consult a tax professional for personalized advice. While not every taxpayer will receive a refund, if you’re among the millions that do, you want to get the most out of your tax refund. There are also steps you can take to minimize your tax liability and increase your refund.
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It may only be three digits, but your credit score is a very important number in your life. This numerical representation of creditworthiness, based on your credit history and financial behavior, can help or hurt you when it comes time to apply for a mortgage or car loan, get a job that requires a credit check, and more. In this article, we’ll help you understand how your credit score is calculated so you can work on building and maintaining a good score.
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Whether you’re escaping the rental market, relocating for a higher quality of life, or expanding your real estate portfolio, purchasing a home of your own is a significant financial achievement. In this guide, we’ll walk you through each important step of becoming a homeowner, including getting pre-approved for home loans, along with additional resources to help you master all aspects of buying a home in 2024 and beyond.
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Whether you’re shopping for your first checking account or looking to upgrade to a rewards checking account, you probably want convenience and no (or low) fees. In this article, we’ll help you compare checking accounts by breaking down the three primary account types. There may be a lot of options out there, but we’ll help you find the best checking account for your specific needs. Keep reading to learn about the advantages and benefits of basic checking, rewards checking, and youth checking accounts.
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Planning a wedding is an exciting time in life and a big milestone in a couple’s relationship. However, one of the most difficult parts of wedding planning is determining a reasonable budget and figuring out how to pay for it. In this article, we’ll look at a variety of ways to pay for your big day, from savings accounts to personal loans for weddings.
You’ve just signed the closing documents, got the keys, and moved in your boxes. Now what?
Having the responsibility of maintaining an entire home may feel like a daunting undertaking—especially if you are leveling up from a much smaller or maintenance-free home. But following a regular maintenance routine can make this chore feel less imposing, can reduce the need for major and minor repairs, and can help keep your home clean, comfortable, and functional year-round.
In this post, we’ll list some key monthly, seasonal, and annual maintenance items to help you navigate your first year caring for your new home.
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Possessing financial literacy means you understand and use certain skills to manage your money. No one is born knowing how to create a budget or understand different options for saving and investing. Just as you need to learn how to read and do math, becoming financially literate is an important education for your future success.
While some schools offer financial literacy classes, this type of education isn’t available to every student. In this article, we’ll show you how to improve your financial literacy in six steps with a DIY education.
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If you’ve owned your home for a while, you probably have some equity in it now. Equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and your home’s current market value. You can build equity by paying down your mortgage principal, as well as by improving your home (aka sweat equity). When your home’s value rises with the rest of the real estate market, you also gain equity.
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Next to buying a home, paying for college can be one of the biggest expenses for a family. It’s best to start preparing before the big day comes. Of course, saving in advance will help you cover some of the cost without taking out loans. Check out NY’s 529 College Savings Program or New Jersey’s 529 College Savings Plan. Still, many students will need to finance at least some of their college education. In this guide, we’ll explain the different types of student loans, how they work, and what you need to apply.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness month, and a great time to revisit a topic we’ve touched on in many of our previous blogs. In this post, we’ll offer some time-tested as well as updated advice for individual customers, businesses, and organizations to follow to raise their own awareness, and protect themselves from future attacks and scams. Keep reading to learn more!
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As a parent of young children, you may not be thinking too hard about their financial future when your days are filled with running around a playground, changing diapers, or doing the school run.
But putting money aside for your children, into their own accounts, is one of the best ways that you can set them up for financial success as adults. Whether it’s an opportunity to take advantage of compound interest, or simply a place to stash birthday or holiday checks, it’s best to be prepared and make plans as soon as possible.
Not sure where to start? Here’s a run-through of financial accounts that you can set up for your child, along with some guidance on when and how to fund them.
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Today’s customers are looking for more than just an institution to help them manage their money. They want to find a place that not only takes care of its members, providing good rates and competitive services, but also contributes to the well-being of their communities, rather than that of their stockholders. Banks and credit unions offer many of the same types of financial services from the outside but are quite different when it comes to how those services are extended and how they ultimately benefit their customers. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of joining a credit union!
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Getting a new or new-to-you car can be an exciting time. However, unless you’re prepared to pay cash for your next ride, you’ll need to decide whether to lease or finance your vehicle. With car prices rising in recent years, leasing a new car may be more attractive or affordable than buying one. However, there are pros and cons associated with both buying and leasing. What’s right for you will depend on a variety of factors. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to choose between financing or leasing your next vehicle.
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From virtual events and telehealth services to grocery delivery and online fitness classes, our lives are becoming increasingly digital, which means the need to safeguard our finances from online threats is more important than ever. Continue reading for tips on protecting your financial information online!
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It's become essential to be able to conduct some tasks remotely, such as banking, instead of visiting a physical location. What are the benefits of mobile banking?
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