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• By SafeAmerica Credit Union

Free Webinar – Identity Theft, Fraud & Scams

"Identity Theft, Fraud & Scams"

Join our webinar Wednesday, December 11 @ 11:00 AM PST

Register Now

There are unfortunately a lot of creative people out there who will go to extreme measures to take advantage of honest people’s personal information and hard-earned money. While it is unfortunately impossible to guarantee 100% protection, we want to help you take steps to reduce your chances of ending up in this situation.

Join us for a workshop to learn about identity theft, fraud, and scams. We’ll talk about what to be on guard against, how to protect yourself, and steps to take if – despite your best efforts – you experience this.

What You Will Learn:

  • What identity theft, fraud, and scams are
  • Commonly used elder fraud tactics
  • Ways to protect yourself

Who Should Attend?

  • Anyone who uses the internet
  • Anyone who uses debit cards, credit cards, and checking accounts
  • Those who want to keep their personal information from landing in the wrong hands

Can't make the webinar time?
No worries! Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recorded webinar.

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This free, webinar is presented by GreenPath Financial Wellness

• By SafeAmerica Credit Union

Free Webinar – Prepare For Holiday Spending Now

"Prepare for Holiday Spending Now"

Join our webinar Wednesday, September 25 @ 10:00 AM PST

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While it may seem far away, the holiday season is just around the corner! Join GreenPath to prepare your holiday spending and be ready to approach the season with confidence. This webinar will walk you through the steps to financially prepare for the holidays, explore ways you can leverage discounts and rewards, and help you reduce the financial stress around the holidays.

What You Will Learn:gifts

  • How to take stock of finances and plan for holiday expenses ahead of time
  • How to reduce holiday expenses by taking advantage of discounts and rewards
  • How to manage stress during the holiday season

Who Should Attend?

  • Anyone who plans on celebrating the holidays
  • Anyone looking to reduce spending
  • Anyone who finds holidays to be stressful

Can't make the webinar time?
No worries! Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recorded webinar.

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This free, webinar is presented by GreenPath Financial Wellness

• By SafeAmerica Credit Union

Free Webinar – Teaching Kids About Money

"Teaching Kids About Money"

Join our webinar Wednesday, July 24 @ 11:00 AM PST

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From hosting a lemonade stand to preparing for college, it is never too early - or too late! - to start teaching kids about money. Join us for practical tips on how to start setting your child up for a financially healthy future at any age.

What You Will Learn:

  • Financial life lessons to share with children
  • Tips to set your child up for a financially healthy future
  • Ways to incorporate money lessons into daily life

Who Should Attend?

  • Parents/guardians
  • Educators
  • Anyone who works with children

Can't make the webinar time?
No worries! Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recorded webinar.

Register Now

This free, webinar is presented by GreenPath Financial Wellness

• By SafeAmerica Credit Union

5 Resources for Building Financial Capability

“Financial Capability” has been defined by the U.S. Treasury as “the capacity, based on knowledge, skills, and access, to manage financial resources effectively.”

Building and maintaining financial capability is a distinct journey for each of us; a cycle of learning (and sometimes relearning what you thought you already knew) and a willingness to evaluate your money habits. It’s also about making informed decisions, being proactive with money management, and acknowledging your own progress along the way.

In that spirit, here are five articles, worksheets, tools, and online courses that can serve as a starting point for building your financial capability.

1. What Influences Your Money Habits?

Financial capability can be traced to our habits when it comes to handling money. Our money habits lay the foundation for our ability to make informed decisions, weather economic uncertainties, and achieve financial goals. Understand what influences your money habits with this informative article and webinar highlight.

2. A1 Credit Tool (Free Online Course)

Credit scores impact nearly every aspect of our financial lives from our ability to secure housing to receiving favorable interest rates on large purchases. New to the world of credit and interested in learning about how it plays a role? This free course examines common credit challenges and offers insight on meeting credit goals.

3. Interactive Budgeting Worksheet

If you’re not a big fan of spreadsheet-style budgeting, this intuitive, fuss-free budgeting worksheet helps you calculate your monthly expenses and income for an overview of your current financial picture and where you might be able to save—you can use the online version or print the PDF.

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4. Redesign Your Financial Habits (Free Online Course)

Habits are very powerful, especially where spending is concerned. Many of us wish to improve our habits to minimize financial stress and improve financial capability. This course is useful for anyone who has made a budget (and struggles to stick with it) and those needing some extra motivation in their goal setting.

5. Paying Down Your Credit Card (Free Online Course)

If you are dealing with high credit card debt, you are not alone. The average American household has a balance of more than $6,000 in high interest credit card debt.  These balances impact financial capability, health, and wellness. Paying off high interest credit card debt is possible with a little planning.

This information is brought to you by our partner, GreenPath Financial Wellness.

GreenPath Financial Wellness

• By SafeAmerica Credit Union

Women & Wealth: Budget-Conscious Ways to Grow Your Earnings

In the United States, women who work full-time and year-round earn, on average, approximately 83.7 percent of what men earn, resulting in a yearly disparity of $10,000. This wage gap is further exacerbated for many women of color and those with disabilities.

Rasing awareness around the wage disparity is important but it can also create frustration—what can be done to narrow the gap? Especially in a time when so many of us are feeling the impact of inflation and high interest rates?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Women’s earnings in the U.S. are on average 83.7% of men’s, with disparities more pronounced for women of color and those with disabilities, highlighting the need for strategies to bridge this gap.
  • Budget-conscious ways to increase earnings include expanding job searches by applying for positions beyond traditional qualifications, investing in education, and networking.
  • If debt is a barrier for you when it comes to growing your earnings, you are not alone. Connect with GreenPath for a personalized plan to eliminate debt.

Here are a few strategies we can offer to help you grow your earnings, even if you’re wanting to be mindful of your budget.

Expand Your Job Search

A widely referenced Hewlett Packard finding indicates that women will only apply for roles if they feel they are 100% qualified while men will apply if they meet 60% of the qualifications. This confidence gap is a hindrance for women in the job market who stand to benefit from higher earnings and greater career advancement.

To-Dos:

  • Identify at least three job opportunities per month that you would traditionally consider out of reach based on your qualifications. Apply to these positions with confidence, emphasizing transferable skills and potential for growth.
  • Attend networking events or industry conferences focused on fields outside of your current expertise. Make connections and inquire about potential job opportunities or career paths that you may not have previously considered.

Create a Budget and Stick To It

Budgeting is the first step toward healthy money management. Start by tracking income and expenses. Allocate funds for savings, debt repayment and retirement planning. If you’re unsure where to begin (or the concept of budgeting feels overwhelming and summons images of spreadsheets and calculators) this interactive budgeting worksheet will help with the number crunching.

To-Dos:

  • Utilize free or low-cost budgeting apps to track your expenses and income consistently. Set aside a few moments every day to review your transactions and adjust your budget as needed throughout the week/month.
  • Implement a cash envelope system for discretionary spending categories such as dining out or entertainment. Allocate a set amount of cash for each category at the beginning of the month and commit to not exceeding these limits.
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Learn Something New

Forty-five percent of companies plan to eliminate bachelor’s degree requirements for some positions in 2024, but thankfully in the digital age college degrees aren’t the only ways to deepen your skill set. Professional certificates, career workshops, and online training courses allow you to stay updated on industry trends and can boost earning potential and career advancement.

To-Dos:

  • Identify areas within your industry or field where additional certifications or training could enhance your resume. Research affordable programs or courses that align with your career goals and make a commitment to create an enrollment plan within six months to a year.
  • Seek out mentorship opportunities with senior professionals or leaders in your field. Arrange informational interviews or coffee chats to gain insights into career advancement strategies and solicit advice on skill development.

Negotiate With Confidence

While negotiating for higher pay can be daunting, it’s important to advocate for yourself in an overly competitive job market. Research industry wages in your area, substantiate your request for a raise or higher salary with evidence of your contributions, and practice confident communication when it’s time to connect with your manager or prospective employer.

To-Dos:

  • Role-play salary negotiation scenarios with a trusted friend or mentor to practice assertive communication and refine your negotiation strategy.
  • Research negotiation workshops or seminars in your area or online. Invest time in learning negotiation tactics specific to salary discussions and apply these techniques in your next job interview or performance review.

GreenPath Counselors Are Here to Help

Struggling to close the wage gap? Boost earnings, beat inflation, and tackle debt with GreenPath's personalized plans.

Call 877-337-3399

Tap Your Village

Professional networking is a great way to learn about higher-paying roles in your industry or short-term opportunities that can boost your income. Leveraging connections through LinkedIn groups, alumni networks, or online support forums are just a few places you might start.

To-Dos:

  • Join online communities or forums related to your industry or interests. Actively participate in discussions, share insights, and leverage connections to uncover potential job opportunities or cost-saving initiatives.
  • Host a networking event or gathering for women in your local community. Encourage attendees to share job leads, resources, and money-saving tips, fostering a supportive environment for mutual growth.

Invest Wisely

You don’t need a large sum of money to start investing. Many brokerage platforms allow you to begin with minimal initial investments. Starting small allows you to get comfortable with investing while gradually increasing your contributions over time. Index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) typically have lower fees compared to actively managed funds meaning you can keep expenses low while still gaining exposure to a diversified portfolio.

To-Dos:

  • Utilize Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans: If your employer offers a 401(k) or similar retirement plan, take advantage of it. Contribute at least enough to get the full employer match, as this is essentially free money towards your investments.
  • Research online investment platforms that offer low-cost, beginner-friendly options for building a diversified investment portfolio. Start investing a small amount each month in index funds or ETFs, automating contributions to ensure consistency and discipline.
GreenPath Financial Wellness

This information is brought to you by our partner, GreenPath Financial Wellness.

• By SafeAmerica Credit Union

Free Webinar – Steps to Financial Freedom

"Steps to Financial Freedom"

Join our webinar Wednesday, March 27 @ 11:00 AM PST

Register Now

Do you have a budget? Do you have financial goals? If not, would you like to?

In this workshop, we’ll talk about setting and reaching financial goals for your financial freedom. We’ll also talk about how you can learn what your money personality is so you may take steps to improve your budget. We’ll also touch on how to use credit and other strategies for long-term financial success.

What You Will Learn

  • How to set financial goals
  • Where to start when creating a budget
  • How you can use credit wisely

Who Should Attend

  • Anyone who wants to learn the steps to create a financial plan towards financial freedom
  • Anyone who wants to manage credit wisely
  • Anyone who wants to better understand their financial habits

Financial Goals

Can't make the webinar time?
No worries! Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recorded webinar.

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This free, webinar is presented by GreenPath Financial Wellness

• By SafeAmerica Credit Union

Five Part Checklist to Improve Your Financial Fitness

Being financially fit can be thought of as performing like an elite athlete on the playing field of your finances. It’s all about money-savvy acrobatics to keep your cash in tip-top shape.

Financial fitness lets you flex those savings muscles! The stronger your savings get, the more you can lift your dreams into reality. Whether it’s a dream vacation or a shiny new gadget, your savings make it happen.

Financial Fitness

Being financially fit also means you’re in the race to win at personal finance. You’ve got the determination, discipline, and enthusiasm to take home the gold medal in money management.

Your financial fitness lets you effectively manage your financial resources, make informed financial decisions, and maintain a stable and healthy financial state. It involves practices such as budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt to achieve financial goals and withstand unexpected financial challenges.

Financial Fitness Checklist

Credit card debt, high interest rates, and rising prices are just a few factors that can challenge how you think about your financial fitness.

While the short video lifted up steps to get you thinking proactively about your financial future, there are other considerations.

To guide those looking to achieve financial goals,  this five-part checklist is a way to break the steps down for success.

How did you do on the checklist shared in the video above? Are you working through the items sometimes, all of the time, or never?

financial checklist icon

1. Track Monthly Spending

Staying financially fit begins with ensuring you earn more than you spend, so that you have enough money to build savings for the future. Keeping an eye on your spending is an important step in the effort to create a budget that builds. Once you develop a household budget and track income and spending, it becomes clear where the money is going and where you need to adjust your spending to achieve your financial goals.

If you take the time to manage financial tasks, you will start to develop financial fitness. This includes making sure that your bills are paid, that you have saved money for emergencies and that your financial strategy for the future is on track.

With this helpful online worksheet, getting a current snapshot of monthly money will help as you create a plan to increase financial fitness.

2. Set Goals

If you are saving for an emergency home purchase or paying off high-interest debt, a simple plan will help you meet your goals. As an example, by managing debt, you ensure that your financial well-being does not suffer.

It is not uncommon for people with credit card debt to only pay the interest on the amount borrowed, instead of planning to eliminate the debt altogether. When considering your overall financial picture, consider a debt management plan.

3. Know Your Credit History

Another tip from the financial fitness checklist is to pull all three of your credit reports each year. It is easier than you might think.

Checking your credit history can reveal any inaccuracies or issues you might want to resolve. If you find inaccuracies or errors in your credit report, you can dispute them with the credit reporting agencies. Addressing these issues promptly can help improve your credit profile and prevent potential obstacles in the future. Each person’s situation is unique when it comes to credit history and score, a key part of financial well-being.

4. Build a Savings Habit

Setting and sticking to a realistic savings plan is another key component of financial fitness. You can automate savings directly from your employer or put into place other tricks to make it a seamless savings process. No matter the amount, setting aside a budget-friendly amount each month for savings builds fitness and financial health.

5. Connect with Trusted Resources

When it comes to financial fitness, you are not alone. The trusted national nonprofit GreenPath offers the expertise of caring, NFCC-certified financial counselors who are trained to understand your unique financial situation and provide personalized solutions. GreenPath’s caring counselors can help you create a comprehensive plan to manage your debts effectively. In addition, nonprofit credit counseling agencies such as GreenPath offer educational resources, online webinars, and tools to help you understand the fundamentals of personal finance. This empowers you to make better financial decisions in the future.

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Why Work Towards Financial Fitness?

Imagine your finances as a well-tuned engine powering your life. When that engine runs smoothly, you have the freedom to do the things you love and handle any unexpected bumps in the road with confidence. Here’s why being financially fit matters:

Less Stress, More Peace: When you have control over your money and know that your bills are covered, it’s like a weight lifted off your shoulders. You can sleep better at night and enjoy a more peaceful, stress-free life.

Freedom to Pursue Dreams: Being financially fit gives you the ability to chase your dreams and passions. Whether it’s traveling the world, starting your own business, or buying a home, having the financial means makes those dreams attainable.

Security During Emergencies: Life throws curveballs, and having a financial cushion means you’re ready for them. Whether it’s a medical emergency, unexpected car repair, or a sudden job loss, being financially fit means you can weather these storms without losing your footing.

Retirement Comfort: Financial fitness ensures that you can retire comfortably when the time comes. You won’t have to rely solely on social security or work during your golden years, giving you the freedom to relax and enjoy life.

Building Wealth: It’s not just about getting by; it’s about thriving. Being financially fit allows you to save and invest, which can grow your wealth over time, giving you more options and opportunities.

Reduced Debt Burden: Financial fitness often involves managing and reducing debt. Lower debt means less money going toward interest payments and more money for you to use as you see fit.

Peace of Mind for Loved Ones: If you have a family or dependents, being financially fit means you’re providing security and a better future for them as well.

Final Thoughts About Your Financial Checklist

As with a healthy diet, we maintain our physical fitness in the same way, and if we follow this checklist shared in the materials above, we can return to financial fitness with a little help and a clear strategy.

It is always a good time to understand where you are financially and get help to keep things on track. Caring, certified counselors from the trusted national nonprofit GreenPath Financial Wellness can help you get started on your financial journey and then, keep going.

In the end, financial fitness isn’t about having tons of money; it’s about managing the money you have wisely. It’s a journey, not a destination. So, take small steps, make good financial habits, and watch how it transforms your life for the better.

This information is brought to you by our partners at GreenPath Financial Wellness

Greenpath Financial Fitness

• By SafeAmerica Credit Union

Get Ready For A Credit Card Spring Cleaning

Take an inventory of your consumer credit cards. Pull out seldom-used credit cards tucked away in the recesses of your purse or wallet or stashed in the bottom of your junk drawer. Destroy any cards you no longer use.

For those cards that you do use, try not having the plastic at your fingertips. This prevents you from increasing your debt.

1. Take Inventory

Take an inventory of your consumer credit cards. Pull out seldom-used credit cards tucked away in the recesses of your purse or wallet or stashed in the bottom of your junk drawer. Destroy any cards you no longer use.

For those cards that you do use, try not having the plastic at your fingertips. This prevents you from increasing your debt.

2. Review Your Credit Reports

One in three Americans has never checked their credit report, according to a Bankrate study.

The information in your credit reports is used to calculate your credit scores — those three-digit numbers that help determine whether lenders approve you for new credit and what interest rates they offer you. In some states, employers can request access to your credit reports during the job interview process, because your credit history is seen as a reflection of your overall reliability.

Annualcreditreport.com now allows weekly updates of all 3 bureaus. If something’s inaccurate, there are ways to reach out to credit bureaus for resolution. It’s a “one-stop” to check your reports from Experian  Equifax, and TransUnion – the three industry-standard credit bureaus.

3. Take A Deep Dive Into Credit Scoring Categories

After you’ve reviewed your credit reports for accuracy, it’s a good idea to learn how your information and activity are used for credit scoring.

To understand how your credit score is calculated, know that each credit bureau has its own methods of scoring. They generally follow a similar calculation that weighs usage and activity in the following ways:

  • Payment history (35%): A history of your credit usage allows lenders to grade your level of risk and dependability. It accounts for the largest chunk of your credit score (35%), so it’s important to pay your bill on time and avoid risky behavior.
  • Amounts owed (30%): Also known as credit utilization, this category compares your overall debts owed — e.g., credit card balances, mortgages, auto loans, etc. — and compares them to your credit limit.
  • Credit length (15%): A lengthy credit history is a sign of responsibility. This category looks at the age of your oldest credit account and the average age of all your credit accounts.
  • New credit (10%): This category is a balancing act of action and restraint. While it’s important to open new revolving and installment accounts to keep your report active, too many credit inquiries can lower your scores.
  • Credit mix (10%): The credit bureaus value experience, so they like to see a mix of different kinds of debt — credit cards, installment loans, mortgages, etc.

4. Address Your Debts

Nearly half of all Americans carry credit card balances from month to month. With a healthy history, your credit card provider may be willing to lower the APR on your balance, making it easier to tackle the principal amount. Contact customer service and ask about their policies.

Another idea is to better track and manage monthly spending in favor of debt reduction. For example, consider canceling your expensive cable service in exchange for a streaming service. If utility bills are high, ask for a free energy audit of your home to identify money-wasters. Freeing up extra monthly income can help you take control of your debts and improve your credit score in the process. A spending plan worksheet can be of great help.

5. Safeguard Your Identity

We regularly hear about data breaches that impact consumers. Be sure you are doing all you can to monitor and manage your online safety, from better password management to signing up for Equifax’s free credit monitoring service to safeguard your information.

Store your social security number, online passwords and other identification in secure locations or protected password management file. While you can’t always control who sees your information, you can take a proactive stance when it comes to identity theft.

The Benefits of Credit Card Spring Cleaning

A credit card spring cleaning is a good chance to understand maintenance you might need to get things in order and improve the performance of your overall financial situation. You might also look into a debt management plan for additional options.

Our partners at GreenPath Financial Wellness offer free financial counseling and education to support you in meeting your financial goals. Their professional, caring financial coaches will work with you to assess your situation, explain the options or solutions available, and help you create a spending plan to meet your goals.

Greenpath Financial Wellness
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