Stay Safe from Gift Card Scams This Holiday Season
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.
Avoiding Financial Frights: How to Budget for Halloween Spending
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.
Unlocking Financial Goals: The Power of Club Accounts
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.
Building a strong credit score takes time. If you’ve pulled your credit score lately and you’re not satisfied with the number you received, there are several things you can do to raise your credit.
Raise Your Credit Score by Doing the Following:
Pay your bills on time. Your payment history is one of the most important factors in determining your score. One day late is still considered late, and just one late payment can lower your score.
Pay down credit card debt. You don’t want to be using more than 30% of the total credit available to you. Keeping your utilization well below that (closer to 10%) can give your score a boost. For example, if the credit limit on your credit card is $10,000, try to only use $1,000 of your available credit.
Hang onto old cards. Your credit score benefits from long relationships with lenders, so cut them up, but don’t cancel them if you can help it.
Be thoughtful about shopping for new credit. Every time you apply for a new card or loan, the lender takes a peek at your credit history, which dings your score.
Spread your debts around. The mix of credit you have in your file—mortgages, student loans, auto loans, credit cards—shows that you can manage debt from multiple sources.
There is no set timeline for rebuilding your credit. How long it takes depends on the factors impacting your credit and the actions you’re taking to repair it.
Need help building or rebuilding your credit? MVCU has partnered with GreenPath Financial Wellness to provide free one-on-one counseling.