When you begin your personal finance journey, there are many terms thrown around that you may not be familiar with. One of the most important topics in personal finance that everyone should be familiar with is the emergency fund. It is also one of the first things you should take into consideration when creating a budget and saving money. What Is an Emergency Fund? An emergency fund is a savings account with money intended to cover life’s expenses. Read on →

Entertaining your family can be expensive! Even when prices aren’t inflated, finding fun things to do can cost an arm and a leg. When you have multiple children to pay for and you’re on a budget, entertainment can feel even more pricey. One of the easiest ways to save money is to cut your entertainment costs. Depending on your family, you may be able to get away with completely free activities or spend very little money in the process. Read on →

When it comes to personal finance, it isn’t about reinventing the wheel. Instead, there are some basic lessons that every person should learn about managing money. Whether you’re teaching financial lessons to your children or trying to brush up on your personal financial literacy, here are five personal finance lessons that we think everyone should know. Good Money Management Is Important This first lesson sounds obvious, right? But actually, studies show that 40% of adults worry about their financial status. Read on →

There are many reasons why having a good credit score is beneficial, including easier approval for rentals and increased negotiating power with interest rates. While your credit score won’t jump a significant amount overnight, there are many ways you can improve your score over time. These are our best tips for boosting your credit score! Pay on Time Missing credit card or loan payments is one of the biggest factors that can negatively impact your credit score. Read on →

Fall is in full effect and the festivities have begun! Autumn festivals, corn mazes and Halloween parties are in full swing. While these things are fun to do, admission prices, costumes and additional expenses can all add up. At Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union, we believe that anyone can have fun, on any budget. Before breaking the bank on fall entertainment for your family, consider these free (or very inexpensive) activities! Read on →

Prices these days are on the rise. But finding ways to save doesn’t have to mean drastically changing your habits. Read on for a few easy tips for cutting back. Cancel Your Monthly Subscriptions The average consumer spends way more than he or she realizes on subscriptions each month. Everyone has had times where they don’t utilize their digital monthly subscriptions. Because the cost of streaming services can add up, do not hesitate to cancel the ones you are not regularly using. Read on →

There’s no doubt about it. The expenses of higher education continue to rise at a gradual, constant rate. In fact, the average debt amount of a four-year college graduate who took out loans in 2019–2020 was $28,000. Debt is all too easy to fall into, but much more difficult to get out of. Below are a few tips on how to save from our Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union team. Read on →

Whether you only recently started earning income or you’re a seasoned earner, it can be difficult to know exactly where all your money is going when you get that paycheck. Because it can be so difficult to freestyle your finances, creating a budget is a fantastic way to gain control. While it can be a complex task, here are three first steps you can take to get started on the process: Read on →

When you become the new owner of a home, it can often be a daunting and overwhelming period of transition. Issues and areas of improvement can be prevalent and take you by surprise. Because homeownership can be quite costly, our team at Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union wants to share three great ways to save your hard-earned money as a new homeowner. Check the Insulation in Your Attic Whether it is extremely hot or extremely cold, a lack of insulation in your home means that you will have to dish out more cash just to maintain a comfortable temperature inside. Read on →

Everyone knows that when you have children, it is often an expensive venture. In fact, the average American family will spend an astounding $230,000 to raise a child from birth to the age of 17. And with the recent burst of inflation, that number is almost $290,000. Here are some tips from our Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union team about how to save money when raising kids: Prepare your food in advance and at home. Read on →