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 […]

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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 […]

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Welcome to our blog!

by Bill Herron @ Security Credit Union

Thu Dec 21 10:46:43 PST 2017

Do you guys remember that old Robin Williams movie where he was the radio DJ for the Armed Forced Radio Service? Well, “Good morning Security Credit Union!” (hopefully somebody gets that joke). We wanted to welcome you to a new space on our website, yes, we have our own blog and we’ve got some big…

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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.

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 […]

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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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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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Equifax Data Breach

by Matt @ Linn Area Credit Union

Fri Sep 08 12:18:13 PDT 2017

Equifax data breach: 143 million people could be affected UPDATE 9/11/17: The Equifax data breach situation is continually evolving. According to Equifax, the company has adjusted the TrustedID Premier product Terms of Use. For more information and other updates, visit https://www.equifaxsecurity2017.com. Please note: Linn Area Credit Union cannot give legal advice. Now that’s a scary […]

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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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Security CU Wallet is Here!

by Jon Cooper @ Security Credit Union

Fri Mar 02 13:27:48 PST 2018

Hello again everybody, we definitely don’t want to burden our new blog with a bunch of press releases. Now, we’re not pointing fingers at anyone who does do that in their blog (after all, it’s a great way to boost your number of blog posts), but that’s just not the way we want to do…

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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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Trailer Financing for Bad Credit (or No Credit) Borrowers

by Katie Spence @ First Quarter Finance

Mon Mar 26 16:00:15 PDT 2018

Do you need a trailer but have bad credit and no cash? Here are six lenders who can help, regardless of your credit history: Capital Solutions, RockSolid Funding, RV Financing USA, Trailer Solutions Financial, BecksTrailerStore.com, and Worldwide Equipment Sales. Be sure to ask about associated fees and consider trailer insurance if you will be using […]

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SCU AVP Donnelly receives Young Professional Award

by Lori Holmes @ Service Credit Union

Wed Nov 01 14:03:44 PDT 2017

Portsmouth, NH – The Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA) recently presented Service Credit Union Assistant Vice President of the Contact Center Dennis Donnelly with the Young Professionals Award of Excellence. The award signifies a young professional who best demonstrates a commitment to the values and principles defining the credit union’s mission. Donnelly was one of […]

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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Service Credit Union to offer assistance for those affected by a Government Shutdown

by Lori Holmes @ Service Credit Union

Wed Dec 06 08:39:27 PST 2017

Service Credit Union is committed to helping its members in the event of a government shutdown by covering the December mid-month payroll and offering a 0% loan. If the shutdown occurs and the Defense Finances and Accounting Services (DFAS) does not pay mid-month payrolls, Service Credit Union will post credits to members based on the […]

Great Money Resolutions for the New Year

by Carolyn Pittman @ Service Credit Union

Wed Dec 27 08:00:39 PST 2017

It’s that time of year again, recovering from the indulgences of the holidays, looking over the past year, breaking out the new calendar, and planning to do better in all aspects of life in the coming year. One of the most popular resolutions is to be better with money. The challenge, of course, is sticking […]

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 […]

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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, […]

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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 […]

The post Do You Know About the 2017 Tax Filing Extension? appeared first on LRRCU.

Service Credit Union named top CU Direct auto lender

by Lori Holmes @ Service Credit Union

Fri Feb 23 08:19:49 PST 2018

Service Credit Union (SCU) was named the top auto lender in the New England/New York region and 10th nationally for 2017 by CU Direct. CU Direct works with auto dealers and credit unions throughout the U.S. to streamline the auto buying process. Last year, the credit union funded more than 21,000 auto loans at approximately […]

Time Deposits Vs. Money Market

by chuber @ Security 1st Bank

Tue Jan 02 09:43:23 PST 2018

Which is better? It Depends.

Building your savings is an important part of sound money management.  As hard as you work to earn and save, you [...]

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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.

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 […]

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Discount Tire vs Costco, Tire Rack, NBT, etc: Competitors Compared

by Kathrina Bognot @ First Quarter Finance

Tue Mar 27 16:00:56 PDT 2018

Discount Tire may be the largest independent tire retailer but it’s certainly not the only one. We have the list of tire retailers, including: Big O Tires, Costco Tires, NTB, Pep Boys, Sears Auto Center, Tire Discounters, and Walmart Auto Care Center. We break down the brands and services offered as well as a general […]

The post Discount Tire vs Costco, Tire Rack, NBT, etc: Competitors Compared appeared first on First Quarter Finance.

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 […]

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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.

Fluid Film Review & Auto Undercoating Comparison (Krown, NH Oil)

by Bryan Cockfield @ First Quarter Finance

Sun Mar 25 16:00:23 PDT 2018

Automotive undercoating is important to help prevent rust and corrosion, especially in colder climates. Oil-based products like Krown Rust Control, NH Oil Undercoating, and Fluid Film are three popular and effective undercoating brands. “Traditional” undercoating offered by dealerships on new cars isn’t necessarily the same thing and does not prevent rust in the long term. […]

The post Fluid Film Review & Auto Undercoating Comparison (Krown, NH Oil) appeared first on First Quarter Finance.

Over the River and Through the Woods

by Jon Cooper @ Security Credit Union

Wed Feb 07 08:00:05 PST 2018

Tips to Help you Get to Grandmother’s House Safely on Winter Roads Just last weekend, I packed up the family in our trusty Chevrolet for a quick trip out of state to visit family that we weren’t able to see over the Christmas holidays. It was great to be able to spend the weekend with…

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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.

SCU to offer assistance for those affected by a government shutdown

by Lori Holmes @ Service Credit Union

Sat Jan 20 05:00:06 PST 2018

Service Credit Union is committed to helping its members who are affected during the government shutdown. For those with direct deposit, Service Credit Union will post credits to members based on the postings nearest to January 1, 2018. The credit of that amount will take place on or before February 1, 2018. This will apply […]

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. […]

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Collateral Loans & Hard Money Loans for Bad Credit: List of Providers

by Ellen Seltz @ First Quarter Finance

Wed Mar 21 16:00:54 PDT 2018

Finding a hard money lender for an investment property or home takes care. Included in this article is a safe borrowing checklist to help you think through the process and vet potential lenders. We also have the list of nationwide hard money lenders that will work with poor credit, including Allrise Financial Group, Do Hard […]

The post Collateral Loans & Hard Money Loans for Bad Credit: List of Providers appeared first on First Quarter Finance.

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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Service Credit Union donates to the N.H. Food Bank

by Lori Holmes @ Service Credit Union

Fri Dec 22 08:49:58 PST 2017

Service Credit Union donated $10,000 and 1,326 pounds of food to the New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charites NH, in order to help the citizens of New Hampshire. Service Credit Union President/CEO David Van Rossum recently presented the check to New Hampshire Food Bank Executive Director Eileen Groll Liponis to help keep […]

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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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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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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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 […]

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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 […]

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We Don’t Want You to Wait – Ways to Avoid Being On Hold

by Carolyn Pittman @ Service Credit Union

Tue Nov 28 10:55:02 PST 2017

(And Our 10 Favorite Hold On Songs) Sitting and waiting on the phone for support probably tops most people’s lists of things they would rather not do. Thankfully, the Contact Center at Service Credit Union has invested in a wide variety of options that not only in many cases allow you to avoid picking up […]

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? […]

The post Financing A New Home: Answering Homebuyer Questions appeared first on LRRCU.

5 Reasons Why I Love Apple Pay (& Samsung & Android Pay)

by Bill Herron @ Security Credit Union

Thu Dec 21 10:24:30 PST 2017

In case you haven’t heard, earlier this month, we started offering Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Android Pay for our member’s personal accounts. This is something we’ve wanted to do for a while and our system upgrade back in the spring gave us all of the technology we needed to make this happen. While we’re…

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What is Bitcoin?

by Bill Herron @ Security Credit Union

Thu Dec 21 10:36:34 PST 2017

If you’ve been paying any attention to the news over the last few weeks, you’ve no doubt heard about bitcoin. But what is it? How does it work? Is it safe? These are undoubtedly questions you’ve asked yourself while watching the news lately. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Let’s consider this a beginner’s…

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