As the holidays approach, gift cards remain a popular gift option, but they’re also a target for scammers. These fraudsters use tactics like phishing and tampering with physical gift cards to steal funds before they can be used. To protect yourself and your loved ones this season, it’s important to stay aware of these risks.
Having a well-stocked emergency fund is important. But so is saving for retirement. So how do you know which one to focus on? Well, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you should know.
Halloween is a time for spooky fun, but it can also bring a scare to your wallet if you're not careful. From costumes to decorations and treats, the costs can add up quickly. Here’s how to manage your Halloween budget and keep your spending under control while still enjoying the festivities.
Now is the moment to turn your attention to your tax obligations. With less than 60 days remaining until the tax deadline now is a good time to prepare your documents and file.
Need a smart strategy to save on essential school supplies? Planning your dream vacation or gearing up for the holiday season? With a club account, you can save for essential school supplies, exciting vacations, and joyful holiday celebrations, making your financial goals more attainable and stress-free.
It’s official, spring is really here! Soon you’ll be opening windows to let in fresh air. Many families dive into spring cleaning and home improvement projects in the spring. Here are some home improvement projects that make sense this time of year:
Spring is a great time to freshen up your walls with paint! You can give an entire room a complete makeover with a new color of paint and a few new accents (pillows, flower pots, pictures on the wall). Painting is one of the most affordable ways to spruce up your home, and it’s likely a project you can tackle DIY-style alone or with a friend or two.
The local home improvement stores have flyers you can pick up that suggest color combinations for whatever mood you might want to create! If you’re afraid to commit to a new, drastic color change, grab a sample can of paint and test out a small section of your wall.
Have you been dreaming about shiny new appliances? Granite or marble countertops? A decorative tile backsplash or bathroom floor? Spring is the time to add some bling! It’s possible to give your bathroom or kitchen an updated look without a complete remodel just by switching out one or 2 key pieces. Other things to try include painting your cabinets and adding new drawer pulls and cabinet handles. If you’d prefer to go “all in” and re-design an entire room, contact Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) or Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (BCU), for smart financing ideas to make those dreams come true!
Are your wood floors still shiny and smooth? Spring is a wonderful time to have a professional company come in to sand and seal your wood flooring. Oftentimes, wood floors come out looking brand new!
If you don’t have wood floors…but you’ve always wanted them, spring is a good season to have them installed. As a bonus, adding wood floors may also increase the value of your home!
If you have older windows, spring is an ideal time to upgrade! Did you know that modern windows are energy efficient and may reduce your heating and cooling costs? There are also new models that are easier to clean and maintain. Windows not only give you a great view looking out, they improve the “curb appeal” of your home from the street. Adding new windows will also likely increase the value of your home!
Whatever you’re planning for your home improvement projects, you can count on MVCU and BCU to offer a quick, painless application process to secure funding for your project!