All posts by Achieva Credit Union

The Latest Updates in the Equifax Data Breach

Find Out What Happened To Equifax

By | Articles, Technology | No Comments
Are you up to date on what happened to Equifax in their enormous data breach? Not only did the cybersecurity incident reach the court's final approval to proceed in a settlement, but also, there are new indictment charges against the suspected hackers. Who did the Equifax data breach affect? On September 7, 2017, Equifax disclosed that the incident potentially impacted 143 million U.S. consumers. After an additional forensic investigation, they discovered that 2.5 million more consumers were potential victims of the breach. The total reach of the hack affected 145.5 million people. What information do prosecutors suspect hackers of accessing?...
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A Debt Settlement Agreement Could Have Tax Consequences

A Debt Settlement Agreement Could Have Tax Consequences

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More than 189 million Americans have credit cards, and it seems that accumulating debt is a part of life. What if you were in a financial bind, and you wanted to write it off? Could a debt settlement agreement be a solution? The answers are conflicting. Some say a debt settlement agreement can resolve your debt for pennies on the dollar. Others inform about the consequences. Below are some facts that you should consider before making a payoff. Is it bad to take a settlement on debt? Debt settlement is a practice that allows you to pay a lump sum...
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How the Valentine's Day Industry Became so Luxurious

The History Of Valentine’s Day Commodities

By | Articles, Lifestyle | No Comments
You can't explain the complex Valentine's Day industry without statistics. First, an exchange of 180 million Valentine's Day cards happens every year. Second, growers produce approximately 224 million roses for the holiday. But, do the traditional items of cards, flowers, and candy count as love? And when did the Valentine's Day industry become so luxurious? In this article, we aim to take a closer look. Continue reading for more V-Day facts and figures. United States Valentine's Day sales 2020 Valentine’s Day sales in the United States will reach over 27 billion dollars this year. For the shopping industry, the spending...
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Reasons You Should Avoid a Friendship Loan

Reasons You Should Avoid a Friendship Loan

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We all want to be good friends. However, agreeing to a friendship loan usually comes with a slew of problems. Below are five reasons to decline when your friend asks for a loan. 1. Lending money to a friend could damage your relationship. Lending money to a friend could damage the friendship if the loan proves to be unsuccessful. The same goes for cosigning. Once you become contractually involved, any friendship loan that goes bad will be your responsibility. After lending cash to a friend or family member, 21% say their relationship with the borrower failed. It's a sad statistic, and...
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Automatic Payments Made Clear. What Are the Benefits?

Automatic Payments Benefit More Than Your Wallet

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In this busy world, are automatic payments helpful? If you're like most people, the answer is yes. A vast majority of our goods and services come with auto-pay subscriptions. Need to buy toilet paper? Get it delivered every month, automatically, then never run out again. While the set it and forget it model has a ton of benefits, there are a few things you should watch. In this article, we'll explain automatic payments in-depth, from the good to the bad, all the way to the ugly. Who uses automatic payments? Recent research has found that 89 percent of millennials have at least...
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Which Credit Card Mistakes Are You Guilty Of?

Which Credit Card Mistakes Are You Guilty Of?

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Credit cards are a staple of finance. They allow you to borrow money to make purchases. Most have revolving balance systems, and you pay month to month until your debt is gone. While the arrangement is simple, many people are guilty of making the same credit card mistakes. What are the most common credit card mistakes? Let's talk about debt. Of all the credit card mistakes a person could commit, having too much debt is the worst. However, there's a caveat. Not all debts are bad. There are ways to use credit cards wisely. For instance, let's say you need new...
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The Most Effective Way to Choose a Tax Preparer

The Most Effective Way to Choose a Tax Preparer

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The law requires employers to mail out W-2 forms no later than January 31. Being said, pretty soon, everyone will need to choose a tax preparer and file their taxes. Do you know what criteria your tax professional should have? Are there certain red flags? Find out before making your selection. Choosing a Tax Professional While the expertise of tax professionals varies, they all must have an IRS issued preparer tax identification number (PTIN). If they want to prepare your return for compensation, make sure your preparer enters their PTIN on the return filed with the IRS. They may omit the...
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Dining Out Expenses Are Eating Through Your Wallet

Dining Out Expenses Are Eating Through Your Wallet

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Nothing tastes better than food prepared by someone else. With consumer demand at a historical high, restaurants serve millions of hungry patrons. It's an experience that leaves our stomachs full, but wallets empty. Truly, dining out expenses add up. Americans spend a lot of money dining out According to a 2017 survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that American households spend about $3,300 on dining out expenses. That's $600 higher than in 2014. The service industry continues to rise, and so does its gratuity expectations. Tipping culture remains a thing. It's all hard-earned cash, without a doubt. However, if we...
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Martin Luther King's Vision of Income and Job Creation

Martin Luther King’s Vision of Income and Job Creation

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Martin Luther King Jr. believed in equal rights. As an activist, he used his doctorate in theology to express his values. Additionally, he encouraged others to speak up for equality. You cannot study the life of King without being familiar with his inspirational "I Have a Dream" speech. Moreover, Martin Luther King's vision for society remains a part of modern history. He will forever be one of the most impactful figures on American culture. Why do we celebrate Martin Luther King Day? In the 1960s and 70s, Martin Luther King's vision was controversial. He is most known for his campaigns to...
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Achieva Life blogs and articles are intended to provide general information, thoughts, and articles in regards to the topics covered therein. Achieva Life is provided with the intent and understanding that Achieva Credit Union is not engaged in the act of rendering financial, consulting, medical, technological, legal, accounting or any other professional advice. The information provided within Achieva Life is not intended nor should be used as a substitute for medical, legal, or other professional advice or other expert opinions. Achieva Credit Union is not responsible for the accuracy of the information on Achieva Life and makes no representation regarding the accuracy of the content. Achieva Credit Union reserves the right to delete or block any comments. The content and comments on Achieva Life do not necessarily reflect the views of Achieva Credit Union.