Trees for Troops – Free Christmas Trees for Eligible Military Families

by Lizann Lightfoot @ The Military Wallet

Fri Nov 24 08:57:56 PST 2017

When my husband was deployed to Afghanistan, he often mentioned how depressingly sandy and brown it was there. He dreamed of seeing anything green and alive that would remind him of home. Imagine the impact on his unit when they received a live Christmas tree from America at their forward operating base. With a live [...]

Should You Offer a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan?

by Mike Kappel @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Mar 26 05:10:00 PDT 2018

You know employees like employer-sponsored benefits. As an employer, offering benefits is advantageous for your business, too. A nonqualified deferred compensation plan is one type of benefit that both you and your employees can enjoy. Find out what a nonqualified deferred compensation plan is, why you might consider offering it, and how to set it […]

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Holiday Shopping Tips for Your Spending Personality

by Kara Vincent @ LRRCU

Mon Nov 20 10:19:45 PST 2017

Although 41% of consumers report starting their holiday shopping in October or even earlier (Wow! Good for you!), an estimated 69% of Americans will shop over the Thanksgiving weekend. Early research from the National Retail Federation shows that the 2017 season will be a big deal, with holiday spending forecasted to be near $680 billion, up almost 4% […]

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Answers to 18 Payroll Questions You Are Dying to Ask

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Mar 05 05:10:18 PST 2018

For some business owners, running payroll might be like learning a foreign language. You are a master of your business idea, not the administrative responsibilities that come with it. Because you might not be familiar with these responsibilities, you might have some payroll questions. Payroll questions and answers When you become an employer, you need […]

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What You Need to Know About a Qualifying Life Event

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Mar 12 05:10:40 PDT 2018

Employees have a window of time each year to sign up for certain types of employer-sponsored insurance. Although this open enrollment period takes place at the end of each year for all employees, an employee can add or remove coverage at any time of the year if they have a qualifying life event. What is […]

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How to Shop for Used Clothes — and Why You Should

by Laura McMullen @ NerdWallet

Thu Mar 22 20:00:39 PDT 2018

Buying used clothes at thrift stores may seem like a smart way to slash your spending — and it is. You ought to get gold stars and stickers for spending…

2018 Annual Meeting

by Jordan Ottaway @ Neighborhood Credit Union

Tue Jan 30 07:38:38 PST 2018

Save the Date 88th Annual Meeting! Review of 2017 business and financial results, election of Board of Directors and door prizes. March 29, 2018 at 3:00pm North Dallas Branch Members make the difference and we are looking forward to seeing you this year. Annual Meeting Nominating Committee Any Neighborhood Credit Union member interested in being […]

What Does Pay Frequency Mean?

by Michele Bossart @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Feb 21 05:10:38 PST 2018

When you have employees, you need to run payroll so they can receive their wages. Before paying employees, you need to decide on a pay frequency. Your industry, the number of employees you have working for you, the type of workers you have, and legal requirements determine your pay frequency. But first, what does pay […]

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Do You Know About the 2017 Tax Filing Extension?

by Liz Oliver @ LRRCU

Thu Mar 15 02:14:14 PDT 2018

The date April 15 is probably as quickly recognizable to most Americans as July 4 or December 25. Traditionally recognized as Tax Day, it’s the deadline for filing your previous year’s tax return.  With one month to go, you may be feeling the pressure and scrambling to get the task completed in the remaining days.  But […]

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What Is an FEIN?

by Mike Kappel @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Feb 26 05:10:00 PST 2018

When you run a business, you must meet many IRS requirements. You might need an FEIN to identify your business on documents like payroll tax forms. What does FEIN mean? What is an FEIN? FEIN is an acronym for Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as an EIN. This unique, nine-digit number is used by […]

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How to Prepare for an Interview When You’re Self-Employed

by Due.com @ Chime Banking

Tue Mar 27 13:03:23 PDT 2018

There are many myths about self-employment that people may start to mistake for fact. Working for yourself can be a great thing, but it doesn’t always mean you’ll be 100% in control of your career and the day-to-day operations. Often times, you’ll still have to work with others and may even have to please clients if you’re […]

The post How to Prepare for an Interview When You’re Self-Employed appeared first on Chime Banking.

Financing A New Home: Answering Homebuyer Questions

by Kara Vincent @ LRRCU

Mon Mar 12 07:40:38 PDT 2018

Finding the perfect new home can be hard work, but now you also have to navigate the mortgage financing process. There are many questions that arise when it comes to financing a new home. Below we’re answering four questions about financing a new home that homebuyers commonly ask. 1. Should I Be Pre-Qualified or Pre-Approved? […]

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Will the Courts Accept a Jury Duty Excuse Letter If You’re in a Pinch?

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Mar 19 05:10:23 PDT 2018

Sometimes, you or your employees’ personal responsibilities conflict with your business. For many small businesses, if you miss work or lose an employee for an extended period of time, there can be harmful effects on productivity in the workplace. But if you or an employee are called in for jury duty, you might not have […]

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Are You Ready for Retirement?: Essential Information on IRAs and 401(k)s

by Kara Vincent @ LRRCU

Tue Aug 22 03:05:44 PDT 2017

While you’re young, you may not be thinking about saving for retirement. You’re probably more focused on paying off student loan debt, searching for a job, or buying a house. But, starting to save for your financial future early will only benefit you in the long run. Start your retirement planning as early as you can. Think […]

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4 Financial Resolutions To Start Any Day of the Year [Downloadable Family Budget Worksheet]

by Kara Vincent @ LRRCU

Thu Dec 28 00:09:30 PST 2017

Who says resolutions have to start on New Year’s Day?  Get yourself started whatever day you feel inspired.  Here are few important financial goals that you can begin whether it’s January 1, August 1 or a random Tuesday in November. #1: Look at the Financial Big Picture – Use Our Family Budget Worksheet You feel […]

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Correcting Employment Taxes: What to Do If You Withhold the Wrong Amount

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Feb 28 05:10:52 PST 2018

It’s easy to make mistakes, especially when you have a million and one things on your plate. One error you could make is deducting the wrong amount from employee wages. Correcting employment taxes is necessary if you withhold too much or too little from your employees’ paychecks. This article provides an overview of employment taxes […]

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A Look at Federal, State, and Local Minimum Wages

by Mike Kappel @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Mar 21 05:30:00 PDT 2018

You can’t just pay your employees any amount you want. You must follow federal, state, and local laws that set minimum wages. What is minimum wage? Minimum wage is the lowest amount you can pay an employee per hour of work. You can pay more than the minimum wage, but you should never pay less […]

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The Single Parent’s Guide to Life Insurance

by Barbara Marquand @ NerdWallet

Thu Mar 22 17:39:02 PDT 2018

Even though it might be hard sometimes to picture your young children as independent adults, you hope to live long enough to see that day. Life insurance provides a financial…

2017 Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts – Over 100 Free Meals!

by Ryan Guina @ The Military Wallet

Fri Nov 10 06:53:31 PST 2017

Updated: Nov 11, 2017. Happy Veterans Day! There are many restaurants and companies who want to thank our veterans by providing them with discounts or a free meal. To those companies offering veterans a free meal or discount, the military community gives a collective thanks! Download a PDF of these Veterans Day free meals and [...]

If You Insist on Paying Taxes With a Credit Card, Here’s How

by Tina Orem @ NerdWallet

Thu Mar 22 14:14:34 PDT 2018

Ask any financial expert whether you should pay your tax bill with a credit card, and the answer is almost universally the same: Don’t do it. Credit cards charge far…

New Federal Veterans ID Card Now Available – How to Apply for the New VIC

by Ryan Guina @ The Military Wallet

Mon Dec 04 10:05:11 PST 2017

Update – January, 2018: VA Again Accepting ID Card Applications. The VA began accepting applications for the Veterans Identification Cards at the end of November 2017. Shortly afterward, the VA announced they were unable to process ID card requests due to the overwhelming response. Veterans were instructed to submit their email address on a waining [...]

Store Credit Cards, Balance Transfers & More: Make the Smart Money Decision

by Liz Oliver @ LRRCU

Fri Oct 13 08:55:31 PDT 2017

Every day we’re faced with making decisions about our money. What feels like a smart money choice in the moment may have repercussions in the future. You might be tempted to save money on a purchase now only to have your credit score suffer.  You might choose to delay payments on a big ticket item […]

The post Store Credit Cards, Balance Transfers & More: Make the Smart Money Decision appeared first on LRRCU.

How to Save Money on Your Utility Bills

by Melanie Lockert @ Chime Banking

Mon Mar 26 11:21:00 PDT 2018

Do you cringe each month when you get your utility bills? When you see a super high bill, do you wonder what happened? We’ve all been there, and high bills for gas, electricity and cable can certainly put a dent in your bank account. But all is not lost. If you want to keep your […]

The post How to Save Money on Your Utility Bills appeared first on Chime Banking.

The Equifax Hack Was Worse Than Expected. What to Do Next

by Jeanine Skowronski @ Chime Banking

Thu Mar 15 15:59:14 PDT 2018

Looks like that worst-ever Equifax data breach was … actually worse. In late 2017, the credit reporting agency divulged a systems breach exposed the personal information of 145.5 millions Americans, including names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, dispute documents, as well as some credit card account and driver’s license numbers. But the hackers also obtained […]

The post The Equifax Hack Was Worse Than Expected. What to Do Next appeared first on Chime Banking.

Getting Out of Debt: You Can Do It and Here’s How to Get Started

by Liz Oliver @ LRRCU

Thu Jan 18 03:41:02 PST 2018

Most goals or resolutions that people set for themselves are neglected within a few weeks. It’s likely that this happens because people set far-reaching goals for themselves and then lose momentum when they don’t see results right away. A perfect example of this is the financial goal that many people set for themselves: getting out […]

The post Getting Out of Debt: You Can Do It and Here’s How to Get Started appeared first on LRRCU.

2018 VA Service-Connected Disability Compensation Rates

by Ryan Guina @ The Military Wallet

Wed Jan 03 12:43:36 PST 2018

The 2018 Cost of Living Adjustment for VA disability compensation of 2.0% was the largest COLA increase in six years. This rate increase followed rate increase of 0.3% in 2017, and no rate increase in 2016. The following article explains VA Service Connected Disability Ratings, how VA disability compensation works, and shows the 2018 VA Disability [...]

How to Save Money When You Get a Windfall of Cash

by Jackie Lam @ Chime Banking

Mon Mar 19 16:02:11 PDT 2018

Ah, there’s nothing quite like receiving a windfall of money. It may come by way of an unexpected inheritance, a work bonus or a job promotion. And depending on how you spend it, that sweet bit of extra cash may leave you feeling either relaxed or stressed out. While it’s tempting to spend it immediately, […]

The post How to Save Money When You Get a Windfall of Cash appeared first on Chime Banking.

Make 2018 the Year You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

by Jordan Ottaway @ Neighborhood Credit Union

Wed Feb 14 08:30:52 PST 2018

By Jordan Ottaway “This is my year.” “This year will be different.” “I’m going to make my new year’s resolutions and follow through with them.” Sound familiar? According to U.S. News, around 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February. With that being said, how’s your resolution going? If you […]

How to Turn a Tax Refund Into a Fatter Paycheck

by Tina Orem @ NerdWallet

Fri Mar 23 12:34:45 PDT 2018

Getting a tax refund may seem great, but tax pros say it’s also a sign two things could be happening: You may not be doing enough tax planning, and you…

New Branch in Pasadena is NOW OPEN!

by Brian Ellis @ Texas Bay Credit Union

Wed Sep 30 15:15:13 PDT 2015

Sept. 30, 2015 – We are excited to bring you a new branch in Pasadena. The original branch was replaced by a beautiful, full-service facility on the same property in Pasadena on Monday, August 10, 2015. The new branch includes an open-concept floor plan with natural light, a community room, and designed to be energy-efficient. […]

The post New Branch in Pasadena is NOW OPEN! appeared first on Texas Bay Credit Union.

How to Calculate a Raise

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Mar 14 05:10:09 PDT 2018

Employees have money on their minds. According to a Gallup poll, 59% of employees were not completely satisfied with their current pay. And, one SHRM survey found that 44% of respondents said they would leave their job to make more money elsewhere. To avoid losing their top employees, many businesses offer pay raises. Learn why employee […]

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Neighborhood Credit Union Presents Children’s Health with $56,000

by Jordan Ottaway @ Neighborhood Credit Union

Tue Jan 30 13:36:09 PST 2018

  DALLAS, Texas—A small donation can go a long way. Neighborhood Credit Union leaders saw that first hand when they presented Children’s Health with a check for $56,850 as a result of its Skip-A-Payment program. Neighborhood CU allows its members to skip a loan payment during the holidays in return for a small donation. The […]

4 Things You Didn’t Know About Car Buying

by Kristen Wiley @ Neighborhood Credit Union

Wed Mar 07 07:36:34 PST 2018

Published March 7, 2018 So, you’re looking to buy a new car. Whether this is your first time or not, you’re probably already dreading the legwork and dealing with the salespeople at the dealership. Despite what you’ve heard or experienced in the past, you don’t have to spend countless hours at dealerships. Go online and […]

Why You Need to Automate Your Savings

by Jordan Ottaway @ Neighborhood Credit Union

Thu Jan 18 11:26:13 PST 2018

Published January 18, 2018 By Jordan Ottaway Saving money. It’s something many want to do but can’t seem to get in the habit of doing. Life, bills, and other expenses seem to take the forefront leaving a small portion left over that might end up in your savings account. Because people have many financial obligations […]

We’re Giving Away $1,000 Every Week

by Jordan Ottaway @ Neighborhood Credit Union

Mon Jan 22 12:43:48 PST 2018

You read that right. If you don’t follow us on Facebook, we posted a video towards the first of January announcing that, in honor of the 10th anniversary of our Prize Savings Account, we are awarding $1,000 every week. We will go live on Facebook Live every Friday at Noon to announce that week’s winner. […]

2017 Veterans Day Freebies, Retail Discounts, and Special Offers

by Ryan Guina @ The Military Wallet

Mon Nov 06 13:09:36 PST 2017

Veterans Day is a time to celebrate the service of those who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe. While military members don’t serve for recognition, it’s nice to know that many companies and organizations set aside a day to honor their service. This page lists a variety of Veterans Day offers for our [...]

This Is Why Research On Behavioral Finance Won the Nobel Prize

by Cat Alford @ Chime Banking

Mon Mar 12 15:50:20 PDT 2018

In October 2017, Richard Thaler got the call he’d been hoping for. After 40 plus years of economics research, he learned he won the Nobel Prize. As an economist, he faced ridicule from his colleagues for his research connecting human behavior to economics. Winning the Nobel Prize for his work in behavioral finance meant that his […]

The post This Is Why Research On Behavioral Finance Won the Nobel Prize appeared first on Chime Banking.

The Problem with Overdraft Fees

by Paul Sisolak @ Chime Banking

Tue Mar 20 02:52:00 PDT 2018

“Overdraft” is not a word we like to hear. Why? It generally means you’ll be dinged with a fee you don’t want to pay. To clarify, an overdraft fee occurs when you don’t have enough money in your bank account to pay for a purchase. When this happens, your bank will pay for the transaction […]

The post The Problem with Overdraft Fees appeared first on Chime Banking.

Valentine’s Day Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank

by Jordan Ottaway @ Neighborhood Credit Union

Wed Jan 31 08:45:34 PST 2018

  By Jordan Ottaway January is almost over. (Crazy, right?) That means that Valentine’s Day is upon us. Now before you go scheduling a hair appointment or getting your suit pressed, I wanted to show you that you don’t have to bust your budget in order to have a romantic Valentine’s Day. This is a […]

2018 IRS Tax Refund Schedule (2017 Tax Year) – When Will I Receive My Tax Refund?

by Ryan Guina @ The Military Wallet

Fri Jan 05 14:47:03 PST 2018

When it comes to filing a federal tax return, there are a few questions that people care about more than any other – how much am I paying on taxes, how much will I get back in my tax refund, and when will I receive it? Everything else, the say, is just details. There is [...]

How Grads Can Get Another Shot at Student Loan Forgiveness

by Anna Helhoski @ NerdWallet

Tue Mar 27 09:20:39 PDT 2018

The Trump administration is giving student loan borrowers who missed out on public service loan forgiveness a second chance, and they should move now to prepare. The recently passed $1.3 trillion federal…

Terminal Leave: Take it or Sell it Back? – Pros and Cons of Both Options

by Forrest Baumhover @ The Military Wallet

Thu Dec 14 20:44:58 PST 2017

There are any number of articles out in the web-space about whether you should take terminal leave upon retirement or separation, vice selling back your unused leave. Ryan Guina’s Cash Money Life article is a very good primer on why this should be considered on a case-by-case basis, and why each decision on whether to take terminal leave is a personal one.

7 Habits That Will Help You Lead a More Successful and Productive Life

by Due.com @ Chime Banking

Tue Mar 13 15:54:24 PDT 2018

Regardless what path in life you’re on, your habits will dictate your success. They can empower you to achieve your goals just as easily as they can derail you. That said it’s just as important to focus on maintaining good habits as it is to rid yourself of the bad ones. In this article we’ll cover […]

The post 7 Habits That Will Help You Lead a More Successful and Productive Life appeared first on Chime Banking.

Take Spring Cleaning Beyond Your Home

by Jordan Ottaway @ Neighborhood Credit Union

Wed Mar 21 09:30:41 PDT 2018

Published March 21, 2018 By Jordan Ottaway Yesterday was the first official day of spring, and I bet spring cleaning is on your mind. As you’re going room to room, don’t forget that spring cleaning can go beyond your attic that hasn’t been organized in years. How often do you set up a budget, automatic […]

Here’s How to Improve Your Credit Score Faster

by Paul Sisolak @ Chime Banking

Thu Mar 08 14:44:08 PST 2018

Good things may come to those who wait, but time isn’t on your side if you’re struggling to raise your credit score quickly. More than 30 percent of Americans have poor credit, and if you’re one of them it can be hard to improve it. Many people aim for a credit-building secured credit card, but it could […]

The post Here’s How to Improve Your Credit Score Faster appeared first on Chime Banking.

Avoid Scams This Tax Season

by Jordan Ottaway @ Neighborhood Credit Union

Wed Feb 07 08:38:53 PST 2018

Published February 7,2018   It’s that time of year again. Americans are gathering their W-2s and other documents needed to file their taxes with hopes of getting a nice little refund. Unfortunately, with tax season comes the scammers hoping to swindle as many people as possible. Here’s a list of popular scams and key factors […]

5 Facts About Women and Money for International Women’s Day

by Chelsea Brennan @ Chime Banking

Thu Mar 08 14:46:51 PST 2018

Did you know that only 22% of U.S. women can answer three fundamental finance-related questions correctly? It’s sad but true. While women have made significant strides to close the gender gaps in education, employment, and even wealth, the gap in financial literacy is still glaring. But, in order to even begin bridging this gap, it’s important to understand that […]

The post 5 Facts About Women and Money for International Women’s Day appeared first on Chime Banking.

How To Be Financially Smart At Any Age

by Kara Vincent @ LRRCU

Thu Aug 31 08:18:27 PDT 2017

  As you go through the stages of life what it means to be “financially smart” will change. A smart financial move when you’re approaching your 40s is not the same as a smart financial move for a 19-year-old in college. At 40, there are more things to consider when making decisions about your money, […]

The post How To Be Financially Smart At Any Age appeared first on LRRCU.

Safe Online Banking: For You & Your Money

by Kara Vincent @ LRRCU

Mon Mar 26 13:44:22 PDT 2018

From 24/7 account access to quick and easy bill paying, online banking offers members a convenient way to handle their finances. However, the rise of technology also brings an increase in potential hackers, scams, and fraud cases. Whether you’re looking to shield your small business or family’s finances, there are many strategies to stay vigilant […]

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5 Creative Habits That Will Keep Your Finances On Track

by Ben Luthi @ Chime Banking

Tue Mar 27 13:29:00 PDT 2018

Improving your financial situation may seem as easy as saving more money and decreasing your expenses. But here’s the thing: if you want to see long-term improvements, you’ve got to first establish some good financial habits. This will help you both get on the right track and achieve your money goals. Financial habits are really […]

The post 5 Creative Habits That Will Keep Your Finances On Track appeared first on Chime Banking.

Did a Tax Pro Botch Your Return? Here’s What to Do

by Tina Orem @ NerdWallet

Fri Mar 23 06:53:52 PDT 2018

To err is human, but to err on your tax return is a total dumpster fire. If you did your own taxes, of course, you may have only yourself to…

How to Prepare Your Taxes & File Your Tax Return – (Possibly for Free!)

by Ryan Guina @ The Military Wallet

Tue Feb 13 09:14:10 PST 2018

Thank you H&R Block for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from H&R Block, all content and opinions expressed here are my own. Filing your taxes isn’t always fun. But it doesn’t have to be a complicated process or take a long time. If your situation is fairly basic, you can file [...]

Successfully Plan for Holiday Shopping on a Budget [Downloadable Budget Sheet]

by Kara Vincent @ LRRCU

Wed Nov 15 04:02:02 PST 2017

‘Tis the season to be jolly! ‘Tis the season for the gifts, decorations, family, friends, and children on their best behavior. ‘Tis the season for overloaded shopping bags, impulse buying, and credit card bills. Wait! That doesn’t sound as cheery. In 2016, according to a survey conducted by The American Research Group Inc., Americans spent […]

The post Successfully Plan for Holiday Shopping on a Budget [Downloadable Budget Sheet] appeared first on LRRCU.

Does Life Insurance Cover Suicide?

by Barbara Marquand @ NerdWallet

Thu Mar 22 16:09:10 PDT 2018

Along with the profound and painful questions that follow the loss of a loved one from suicide, there are practical and financial issues to address, too. If the loved one…

Consult This Employee Termination Checklist to Keep Things Running Smoothly

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Mar 07 05:10:00 PST 2018

Employees leave companies every day to pursue growth opportunities, accommodate personal lives, or experience change. As an employer, you hope employees won’t leave your business, but you know this is wishful thinking. When an employee resigns, you need to know what to do. The average annual overall turnover rate is 19%, according to SHRM. If […]

The post Consult This Employee Termination Checklist to Keep Things Running Smoothly appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

How to Sidestep 3 Unethical Financial Advisor Tactics

by James Royal, Ph.D. @ NerdWallet

Mon Mar 26 08:00:32 PDT 2018

“There’s plenty of opportunity out there for someone who’s unethical,” warns Harold Evensky, chairman of wealth manager Evensky & Katz. That’s especially true when that someone is a financial advisor,…