If you are in the process of buying a home, or are thinking it may be a step you would like to take in the next few years, you are likely already inundated with thoughts about the biggest factor in your search: the budget. While buying a house is a fantastic investment, it is also a major expense. Oftentimes, a mortgage will be cheaper than renting, but you have many more upfront costs as a home buyer that can temporarily offset the savings. Read on →

If you are hoping to increase your overall financial health and set yourself up for a strong future, investing in your retirement savings is one of the best places to start. The earlier you start investing in retirement, the better off you will be—and thanks to compounding interest, even small contributions can grow significantly over time. As you begin to research your retirement savings options, you will likely see the terms IRA and 401(k) thrown around most often. Read on →

If you are hoping to build up your credit score, one of the smartest things you can do is to sign up for a credit card and pay your balance off in full every month. This pattern of good borrowing behavior is a great sign to lenders that you are responsible enough to receive borrowed funds, and with each on time, in full payment, your credit score will get a nice boost in the process. Read on →

The cost of higher education has been on a steady incline in recent years, and there are no indicators that the trend is going to change any time soon. For parents with children who have their sights set on college, this means that if you are helping out your child with expenses, college funds have to be started earlier and contributed to more heavily than ever before. Additionally, many parents find themselves in this situation while also saving for their own retirement—which is quite the conundrum, indeed! Read on →

If you are building a household budget, you are likely breaking things into the common categories such as utility bills, transportation, medical insurance, recreation funds and savings. While recreation expenses and savings tend to have some wiggle room, many people assume that their bills and household expenses are going to remain at a fixed amount—but did you know that there are ways you can save there, too? Though some things may be immovable in your current situation, such as your mortgage or rent payment each month, there are ways you can save on other recurring expenses if you get creative. Read on →

You have likely seen a lot about meal prepping out there, but have you ever wondered how it could fit into your lifestyle? While planning a menu, buying bulk groceries and cooking several meals at once may sound like a lot of work, it is actually a fantastic way to save both money and time throughout the week. Investing in groceries and an afternoon spent cooking can lead to much better food choices throughout the week, removing the need for last-minute takeout or expensive, pre-packaged meals. Read on →

In the modern financial system, our credit scores dictate everything about the decisions we can make as borrowers. From mortgage qualifications to loan repayment schedules, anytime you need to qualify for funding, your credit score is one of the top things that lenders consider about your application. Unfortunately, credit takes time to build, effort to maintain and if something happens that dings your credit score, it can take years to repair that damage. Read on →

If you’ve ever browsed the loan offerings available at Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union, you know there’s pretty much no financial goal we can’t help you reach. From buying a car to renovating your house, we have the options you need. We also have one you may not be as familiar with: signature loans. While they’re not as common as the others, they provide lending that can help you meet short-term needs with little more than your John Hancock. Read on →

Most home purchases require a home appraisal be done to determine the property’s value as part of the mortgage process. It’s a crucial step mandated by law for many federally backed mortgages. But just what is the appraisal and what can it mean in the mortgage process? And is it meant as a protection for you, the lender or both? Read on to learn about this common and often-misunderstood part of buying a home. Read on →

The seller accepted your offer, you’ve been approved for a mortgage from Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union, and you know you love the house you’re about to buy. So, why would you want to risk throwing that all away on a home inspection that could crash the whole party? Because home inspections are an invaluable last line of protection for homebuyers that can keep you from landing yourself in a property that becomes a money pit or, far worse, threatens the health and safety of your family. Read on →