Explor-a-Mortgage, Part 2

by Jan @ Linn Area Credit Union

Thu Jul 28 09:46:40 PDT 2016

As you may or may not know, I’ve been exploring refinancing my home on and off for a couple of months. My latest meeting was with Larry, and we worked the numbers (OK, Larry worked the numbers…) and I came to the conclusion that, even though the interest rate was a smidge lower, the $250 […]

The post Explor-a-Mortgage, Part 2 appeared first on Linn Area Credit Union.

Job alert: Amazon is hiring and you can work from home

by Mike Timmermann @ clark.com

Sat Mar 24 12:30:12 PDT 2018

Want to work for Amazon? The online retail giant has just posted openings for virtual customer service associates!

UPS and FedEx warning: Beware of deliveries you didn’t order

by Theo Thimou @ clark.com

Tue Mar 27 12:00:36 PDT 2018

Got a package at your door of something you didn't order? The real scam may be what happens next...

Report: Draft bill would allow credit reporting agencies, banks to conceal data breaches

by Craig Johnson @ clark.com

Mon Mar 26 13:37:24 PDT 2018

As we have chronicled over the past several months, congressional scrutiny of the Equifax data breach has ebbed and flowed with the headlines.

Lasting consumer protections have been hard to come by for various reasons. But one of the more …

29 items to pack in your financial emergency kit and bug out bag

by Theo Thimou @ clark.com

Fri Mar 23 06:30:49 PDT 2018

If disaster were to strike your area, are you prepared with basic necessities in the event of an emergency?

5 of the best paper towel brands for your money

by Theo Thimou @ clark.com

Thu Mar 22 15:00:00 PDT 2018

It's time for spring cleaning and spring picnic season. Make sure you have a reliable paper towel to pick up after guests who make a mess!

Self Lender offers a new way to build credit when you have none

by Theo Thimou @ clark.com

Tue Mar 27 08:30:20 PDT 2018

Need to build credit quickly? Imagine having the ability to save money each month into an account that earns interest and builds your credit history with the three main credit bureaus at the same time.

8 ways to save money at Hobby Lobby

by Theo Thimou @ clark.com

Tue Mar 27 12:22:43 PDT 2018

Don't expect to snag any savings at Hobby Lobby on a Sunday. The store closes for a day of rest "in order to allow our employees and customers more time for worship and family," according to the company's website. So here's how you can save money during the other six days of the week...

Explor-a-Mortgage, Part 1

by Jan @ Linn Area Credit Union

Wed Jul 06 09:11:39 PDT 2016

When was the last time you refinanced your home? Were interest rates lower or higher? If you don’t know, then you should take a look at your mortgage paperwork. It might be totally worth your while! My interest (pun intended!) in this is very personal. My husband and I refinanced about four years ago, and […]

The post Explor-a-Mortgage, Part 1 appeared first on Linn Area Credit Union.

You can buy almost anything at Walmart…why not a used car, too?

by Theo Thimou @ clark.com

Mon Mar 26 13:24:17 PDT 2018

Used car buyers have historically been faced with a lot of both hazard and opportunity.

The hazard comes into the equation because used cars come with a history and you don’t want to be buying someone else’s headache.

But the …

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…

Making the Leap

by Jan @ Linn Area Credit Union

Thu May 05 13:21:33 PDT 2016

I’m truly impressed with our Mobile Money app. Truly. Generally speaking, I’m not a person who leaps into action when the brand-spankin’-newest, high-tech gadget is introduced. Or software. Or anything, for that matter. It’s pretty easy for me to be that person who just goes along with what they’ve got, and that works for them. […]

The post Making the Leap appeared first on Linn Area Credit Union.

Clark Howard 3.26.18

by @ clark.com

Mon Mar 26 14:05:29 PDT 2018

Topics: Walmart is now selling used cars; Congress doesn’t want you to know about future data breaches; Awesome deals today from Moviepass, Costco, and more

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Buying prescription glasses online

by Clark Howard Staff @ clark.com

Sun Mar 25 21:00:00 PDT 2018

Did you know you can get prescription glasses for $15? Well, you can and Clark has all the info just for you!

Keeping You in the Green

by Kathleen @ Linn Area Credit Union

Tue Mar 28 13:28:00 PDT 2017

The month of March is all about the green. You’ve got St. Patrick’s Day, the first day of spring, and it’s also National Credit Education Month. So it’s a great time to take a look at your credit report and see what you can do to improve it! You probably already know that your credit […]

The post Keeping You in the Green appeared first on Linn Area Credit Union.

15 of the best Dollar Tree storage and organization ideas

by Mike Timmermann @ clark.com

Mon Mar 26 16:00:19 PDT 2018

You don't have to break your budget to get organized! Here are my favorite storage and organization products from the dollar store.

Recall alert: Organic coconut flour poses salmonella risk

by Craig Johnson @ clark.com

Mon Mar 26 12:15:22 PDT 2018

The King Arthur Flour Co. is recalling its organic coconut flour due to the potential presence of salmonella, the company has announced. People should check their cupboards for the product and take prompt action, the company said.

“Consumers who have …

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 […]

The post A Look at Federal, State, and Local Minimum Wages appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

We LOVE Teachers!

by Jan @ Linn Area Credit Union

Mon May 02 11:27:35 PDT 2016

Yep, there’s a soft spot in our heart for teachers. (After all, we ARE the teacher’s credit union!) I have fond (but vague) memories of teachers. When I was a kid, we moved around a lot. My dad was in the Navy, and we moved every couple of years. My younger brother always struggled with […]

The post We LOVE Teachers! appeared first on Linn Area 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 […]

The post How to Calculate a Raise appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

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 […]

The post What You Need to Know About a Qualifying Life Event appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

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 […]

The post What Is an FEIN? appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

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 […]

The post What Does Pay Frequency Mean? appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

Clark Howard 3.23.18

by @ clark.com

Fri Mar 23 14:00:00 PDT 2018

Topics: Clark Stinks; There’s a massive shortage of homes in the US right now

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Apple Watch, Fitbit make strides in detecting heart problem

by Theo Thimou @ clark.com

Thu Mar 22 15:26:55 PDT 2018

If you're a fan of the Apple universe, the Apple Watch may have already won your heart. But did you know it may be able to proactively protect your heart, too?

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,…

How one bumped airline passenger got a $10,000 voucher from United

by Craig Johnson @ clark.com

Tue Mar 27 12:42:27 PDT 2018

A United Airlines passenger recently went viral on social media when she was booted from a flight and rewarded with a voucher worth up to $10,000.

Twitter user Allison Preiss of Washington, D.C. posted about the incident over the weekend …

How not to get kicked out of your Airbnb rental

by Craig Johnson @ clark.com

Fri Mar 23 13:54:41 PDT 2018

While travel season used to be a boon for hotels, it has now turned into a blessing for many homeowners, too, thanks to Airbnb.

The homesharing service is disrupting the hotel industry by providing affordable lodging from people who are …

We visited a Toys R Us on the first day of liquidation — here’s what we found…

by Theo Thimou @ clark.com

Sun Mar 25 11:00:11 PDT 2018

The liquidation sale you've been hearing about got underway today. Here's what we found and when you should expect even deeper discounts!

Can Clark tell the difference between his favorite diet soda and a discount store knockoff???

by Beth Marcinko @ clark.com

Tue Mar 27 09:24:23 PDT 2018

Clark loves diet soda, but does he really know the difference between the name brand and generic? His blind taste test says it all.

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 […]

The post Correcting Employment Taxes: What to Do If You Withhold the Wrong Amount appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

Clark Howard 3.23.18

by @ clark.com

Fri Mar 23 14:00:00 PDT 2018

Topics: Clark Stinks; There’s a massive shortage of homes in the US right now

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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…

Remove access to your info by Facebook’s third-party apps in these 4 easy steps

by Craig Johnson @ clark.com

Thu Mar 22 15:42:14 PDT 2018

The security of your personal information on Facebook has recently taken on heightened importance in the wake of a data sharing scandal involving a controversial firm called Cambridge Analytica.

The company is accused of accessing people’s information under questionable circumstances …

Vets warn dog owners about threat of potentially deadly bacteria found in water

by Jared Leone | Cox Media Group National Content Desk @ clark.com

Wed Mar 29 12:52:06 PDT 2017

Cases of a potentially deadly bacteria being reported throughout the country are prompting warnings from vets to pet owners.

Leptospirosis is a bacteria found in water that can cause serious damage to the liver and kidneys of dogs. It can …

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.

Members Win One-of-a-Kind Motorcycle!

by Ruth @ Linn Area Credit Union

Thu Oct 26 09:17:54 PDT 2017

Linn Area Credit Union members Don and Tina Schminkey are enjoying two new motorcycles after they won a 2017 Harley-Davidson Road Glide in the 2017 Motor Madness raffle. When Don and Tina bought a new Suzuki Can-Am Side by Side 30 at Metro Harley-Davidson Suzuki Can-Am, they also picked up some $10 Motor Madness raffle […]

The post Members Win One-of-a-Kind Motorcycle! appeared first on Linn Area Credit Union.

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 […]

The post Should You Offer a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan? appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

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 […]

The post Will the Courts Accept a Jury Duty Excuse Letter If You’re in a Pinch? appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

Isn’t it great when something free just falls into your lap?

by Theo Thimou @ clark.com

Mon Mar 26 07:56:16 PDT 2018

The offer has an expiration date of April 15, so there's still time left to score free cream cheese for yourself!

3 Money Lessons We Can Learn From ‘Roseanne’

by Courtney Jespersen @ NerdWallet

Sun Mar 25 18:00:27 PDT 2018

On March 27, the Conner family is coming back to prime time, thanks to the revival of ABC’s “Roseanne.” The popular sitcom starring Roseanne Barr and John Goodman as husband…

Join us for the Easy Expo!

by Jan @ Linn Area Credit Union

Fri Apr 01 14:22:54 PDT 2016

It seems like there’s always something new and exciting going on in Linn Area land! This year, we have a brand-spankin’-new format for our annual membership meeting on Monday, April 25. We’re calling it the Easy Expo and 2016 Annual Meeting, and here’s a quick snapshot of what it’s gonna look like! At 4:30 p.m., […]

The post Join us for the Easy Expo! appeared first on Linn Area Credit Union.

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…

Follow this simple chart to become a millionaire

by Mike Timmermann @ clark.com

Mon Mar 26 13:00:00 PDT 2018

If becoming a millionaire is something that's been on your mind, this helpful chart reveals what it will take to get there!

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…

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…

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 […]

The post Answers to 18 Payroll Questions You Are Dying to Ask appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

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…

Here’s how to deactivate your Facebook account

by Craig Johnson @ clark.com

Mon Mar 26 10:49:55 PDT 2018

Over the weekend, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg released a full-page ad in major U.S. and U.K. newspapers apologizing for the company’s role in allowing a controversial company’s app to access users’ personal data.

“This was a breach of trust, and …

Drum roll, please….

by Jan @ Linn Area Credit Union

Tue Oct 25 10:36:19 PDT 2016

We’re excited to announce that we are launching the new www.linnareacu.org on November 1! (That’s right, folks! Right here, right now… November 1, 2016!) In May 2016, we emailed you a survey asking for your opinion on the eServices we provide — from our Mobile Money app to our website. We were totally amped up […]

The post Drum roll, please…. appeared first on Linn Area Credit Union.

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…

Get FREE Checking, Get $50!

by Jan @ Linn Area Credit Union

Mon Apr 11 11:59:13 PDT 2016

We know, we know! No one really wants to move their checking account. It’s such a chore! But let’s weigh the short-term pain against the long-term gain. If you don’t have a Linn Area checking account, take a good hard look what you DO have. Are you paying a monthly maintenance fee? Are you paying […]

The post Get FREE Checking, Get $50! appeared first on Linn Area Credit Union.

Big tipper? Find out which states are most and least generous with gratuities

by Craig Johnson @ clark.com

Fri Mar 23 11:01:44 PDT 2018

If you’re like many Americans, you may feel that what you tip at a particular restaurant has everything to do with the service you’re getting – but that may not necessarily be the case. A recent study shows which region …

This Spring, Clear Mediocre Credit Cards Out of Your Wallet

by Gregory Karp @ NerdWallet

Mon Mar 26 08:00:11 PDT 2018

Spring is a great time to declutter a closet full of clothes, a garage full of boxes and your wallet full of inferior credit cards. The average credit card holder…

Why the ‘official bank’ of your campus is likely the wrong bank to do business with

by Theo Thimou @ clark.com

Fri Mar 23 06:45:00 PDT 2018

Chances are your school has forged an "official bank of..." relationship with some bank. And while that partnership may be in the university's best interest, it's seldom in your best interest!