Holiday Films & Money (Or how to turn heart-warming movie classics into a financial management class)

Yes, it is the holiday season – time for family, friends, warm-tidings and good cheer. Well, since we are a financial institution, we thought it might also be an appropriate time to point out some money management advice viewers may glean from some of the most famous holiday films: It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Elf. 1. Treat everyone with equal respect In It’s a Wonderful Life, the...

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Trim Your Holiday Budget

Make a list – and check it twice: Santa does it. You should, too. Compose a shopping list for your family and friends. If you are on a tight budget, pre-determine how much you can spend for each person on your list. Hunt for coupons: There are lots of online coupon sites – Groupon, Couponcabin.com and Retailmenot.com are just a few possibilities. Of course, there are lots of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, as well. Avoid impulse...

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Savvy Credit Card Hunting

There are scores and scores of credit cards, and most consumers – especially those with good credit – receive scores of credit card offers. How does one weed through the mountain of offers to find the best card for their needs? There are credit cards that offer balance transfer deals … low interest cards … cash-back cards … hotel/travel points cards … retail rewards cards … gasoline points cards … air miles cards … pre-paid debit cards … business...

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Is an AltaOne Credit Card Right for Me?

For members disciplined about paying bills promptly, a credit card is a great way to improve how you rate as a prospective borrower. Without a good or excellent credit score, your interest costs may wind up higher on future loans. As with so many products these days, there are hundreds of different credit cards. Since this piece of plastic plays such a pivotal role in your personal finances, it is worth taking the time to figure out which card...

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Share Certificates Deliver Predictably Strong Returns

A share certificate is usually more rewarding in returns than a traditional savings account, and less risky than other investment options. Share certificates may be a good fit for investors seeking strong returns without the potential for loss that comes with stocks and bonds. For those new to share certificates, here is a primer on what they are and who might consider one. Share certificates 101 Unlike a regular savings account, which allows...

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Get Rich Quick

Want to become stinking rich? Of course, you can save your money in an AltaOne account and invest wisely with our various products. Or -- you can try to emulate the habits of the rich. We explored the World Wide Web to find data on what differentiates the wealthy from the not-so-wealthy. Here are some of the more interesting findings: The wealthy eat healthy — 70% eat less than 300 junk food calories per day. The wealthy set goals — 80% focus...

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High Tech Products of the Not-so-Distant Future

AltaOne members can now access some of the most cutting-edge technological tools to help manage their finances -- MSC Online, mobile apps, BudgetPro, BillPayer, Popmoney, etc. Outside the AltaOne world, technology continues to explode. Products such as Google Glass -- the amazing eyewear that conducts Google searches, snaps photos and videos and tracks trending news -- are already here.  Let us take a gander at what other items are...

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Late Summer Vacation Savings Tips

So— you planned to take a summer vacation, but the weeks are zooming by and your children are already preparing to return to school in a few weeks. Yikes! Summers seem to get shorter every year. It is not too late to plan for an inexpensive, last-minute vacation. During the final weeks of the season, when most people are heading back to school or work, hotels and airlines often scramble to fill spaces, making it easier to find low-cost lodging...

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The Credit Union Advantage

Nearly one-third of all Americans belong to a credit union. Frankly, we were interested to find out why that figure is not significantly higher. After all, credit unions seem to offer significant advantages over many banks: lower interest rates on loans; higher yield on deposits; low or no service fees; active participation in the community. The list is lengthy. Probably the only advantage national banks continue to have over credit unions is...

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Summer Financial Training School

Are the little entrepreneurs in your home working extra hard this summer to earn money with their lemonade stands and summer jobs? No matter what their ages, this may be the perfect time to teach your children about budgeting. Below are some valuable money management lessons you can provide your youngsters. For younger children Money As You Grow suggests children split their allowance into three labeled jars: one for savings, another for...

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Don't Let Student Debt Hamper Your Home-Buying Experience

We have all read the harrowing statistics about student loan debt. College grads enter the real world with an average of $34,000 in student loan debt. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the unemployment rate for recent graduates is 8.5%, and 16.8% are underemployed. With all these gloomy statistics, how can a debt-riddled Gen Y consumer even consider buying a home? Cheer up, Millennials! There is hope. Check out these tips to help...

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Signature Loans — The Simple, No-Hassle Lending Solution

Money does not grow on trees. However, there is one way to obtain money immediately that is almost as quick as plucking it from a branch — signature loans. Signature loans (aka, personal or unsecured loans) offer borrowers funds for any purpose: vacations, home or vehicle repairs, to pay off expenses, emergencies, etc. The primary benefit of a signature loan is there is no collateral required. In addition, the application and approval process...

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Budget for Summer Vacation: Plan Ahead

Despite challenging economic times, most Americans will still venture out for some fun in the sun this summer. Whether planning a vacation abroad, an adventure in another part of the country or some local beach time, it is always a drag to pinch pennies while traveling. It is too easy to fall into the credit card trap while on vacation. Budget well before you vacation to prevent the stress of soaring credit card balances. Check out these smart...

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Considering Some Home Improvements? HELOC At This!

If you have enough equity in your home to qualify, a  home equity line of credit (HELOC) can be a convenient way to borrow money to fund a major home renovation. Of course, what you do with the money from a HELOC is entirely up to you. In addition to home enhancements, you can use your HELOC to pay off high interest debt, college tuition or medical bills, renovate your bath or kitchen, take a vacation or pay for other expenses.  What...

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Happy Home Hunting

The median home price in the U.S. continues to creep higher in 2014. The number of homes for sale has been growing, as well.  What does that mean for house hunters? Simple. Now is a good time to shop for a new abode. For those of you inexperienced in the world of mortgages, we have compiled some pointers that should help you avoid some real estate land mines.        Focus on your credit The biggest factor in...

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