Archive - April 2021

According to a recent survey, only five percent of adults received any kind of financial education in school. It is a scary statistic, and may partially explain consumers’ record-high credit card and student loan debt.

If you want to equip your kids with the tools to be financially secure adults, a good place to start is with a savings or a checking account. Once they see money going in and coming out, it can drive home a lesson about money management.

Wondering...

Becoming a homeowner for the first time is no easy task! You have probably heard horror stories from friends about overpaying or missing a crucial piece of information before committing to an offer. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for buying your first (or next) home, so you feel confident in the home you choose to buy! 

Most parents understand that they should teach their kids about money. Knowing where to start, on the other hand, is another story.

Fortunately, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently released a guide to help families raise money-smart kids. In it, the CFPB discusses practical ways to build and measure financial capability in children.

Here are a few important takeaways from the guide paired with our own tips for making your child financially capable:

It is the question that every household asks. What can I do to cut my monthly costs? And it is a great question! No one wants to spend unnecessary money when there are mouths to feed and basketball uniforms to pay for. While you can tighten the budget by setting strict guidelines for yourself, your experts here at American First Credit Union have a few more realistic ways to lower monthly bills. 

At...

Think back to how you formed your financial habits. Did you learn everything you needed in school? From your parents? If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what financial pitfalls would you tell yourself to avoid? If you have children of your own, you may be wondering how and when to start teaching them smart financial habits like saving early and spending responsibly.

Younger kids enjoy the process of learning and earning rewards, while teens will be motivated to learn...