Education

A How-to-Guide on Your First Credit Card

Getting your first credit card is an exciting step toward financial independence, but it’s also a huge responsibility. At CSE, we want to set you up for success with these essential tips:

The Do’s

DO: Pay on Time, Every Time

How-to-Guide on How Money Management Accounts Works

1. What Is a Money Management Account?

A money management account (MMA) is a type of bank account that lets you save money while earning a bit more interest (or dividends) than a regular savings account. It’s a good place to put money you want to keep safe and grow, but still have available when you need it. Generally, a MMA savings rate isn’t as high as a Term Share Certificate or a Certificate...

How-to-Guide on How a Checking Account (and Debit Card) Works

1. What Is a Checking Account?

A checking (or share draft) account is a bank account that helps you manage and spend your money easily. You can use it to save money safely, pay for things and keep track of your spending. Checking accounts are perfect for everyday transactions like buying groceries, paying bills, and getting your paycheck deposited.

2. How Do You Use a Checking Account?

Deposit...

How-to-Guide on How a Credit Card Works

1. What Is a Credit Card?

A credit card is a plastic (or digital) card that lets you borrow money to make purchases. When you use a credit card, you're using the credit union’s money, not your own. The credit union has allowed you up to a certain dollar amount (or credit limit, see below) to borrow. This is different from a debit card, which takes money directly from your checking account.

2. How...

How to Guide on Preparing for Tax Season

The New Year is here, and that also means the countdown to tax season begins. Preparing your taxes may seem like a stressful and daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little organization and planning, you can file your taxes efficiently and even uncover opportunities to save money.

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Here’s what you’ll likely need:

Credit card APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is the interest rate charged if you carry a balance on your card. It’s usually shown as a yearly (or annual) rate, but most credit cards calculate it daily or monthly. Knowing how to calculate APR charges can help you understand the cost of carrying a balance and avoid surprise fees. Here’s how to break it down!

Recap & Refresh – CSE Blog Wrap-Up

As another year ends, we’re thrilled to recap our 2024 journey through financial education! Together through our blog, we explored a variety of money topics, from budgeting basics to protecting against scams and fraud. Here’s a quick guide to all the topics we covered this year in our blog, making it easy to revisit any lesson whenever you need a refresher!

1. Budgeting and How to Put it into Practice

Budgeting...

The True Cost of Holiday Spending

The holiday season is a magical time, but along with the festivities comes a lot of pressure to buy gifts, host parties, and splurge on holiday traditions. For many, this means pulling out the credit card and racking up debt, or even applying for a holiday loan all in the name of showing love to family and friends.

While we’re here to provide for all of your financial needs at CSE, we also believe that...

How to Avoid Impulse & Emotional Shopping

Impulse and emotional shopping can wreak havoc on your finances, leaving you with regret and unnecessary expenses. CSE is dedicated to helping you make smarter financial choices, and in this article we’re focusing on how to control those impulses that might lead to overspending. Shopping can be fun and even therapeutic, but it’s important to stay in control and avoid those purchases that can hurt your financial health.

Here...

Helping Your Elderly Parents Manage Their Money

As our parents age, there may become a time when managing their money becomes a difficult task for them. If you’re the designated helper when it comes to their money, here are ten tips on how you can help ensure they remain secure and comfortable.

#1 OPEN COMMUNICATION

Starting off with an open and honest conversation about their financial situation can help alleviate high emotions. Many aging...