College Life

Is Social Media Making You Unemployable?

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Snapchat. Instagram. Twitter. Facebook. Reddit. LinkedIn. We live in a highly connected society. Anything you do or say could appear on social media – with or without your permission – at any time. Should you be concerned about WHO is viewing your posts? If you are in the market for a new job, the answer is YES. In the good old days before the Internet, your resume and your smiling face were the sum total of information that a potential employer could use to evaluate your qualifications. Those days are long gone, and employers are now using multiple sources, including...
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Building Credit: A Primer for College Students or Recent Grads

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Building a good credit history can seem like a daunting task, but if you begin while you are in college it really isn’t difficult. Set yourself up for future success by taking small steps now that will help you be ready for the “real world” post-graduation. Establishing credit doesn’t mean that you will immediately go down a rabbit hole of debt. That type of situation is completely avoidable with a little basic education and the right mindset. Why Should I Care About My Credit Score? Most people are aware that their credit score affects their ability to secure a mortgage...
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Summer Vacation – How to Travel with Friends

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Traveling with friends sounds like a good idea – one big, Instagram-worthy party - until you’re in the thick of it and disagreements occur. Difficulties often develop around money, especially when some of the travelers need to stick to a budget. A little planning ahead can keep the party on track and mishaps to a minimum. Follow these suggestions to avoid awkward situations: Before You Go Institute a clear channel of communication. Gather everyone in the same room and plan the trip together. Be sure that everyone has the opportunity to make suggestions or voice concerns. Ensure that each person...
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Financial Tips for High School Graduates: What Millennials Should Know

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Congratulations! You or someone you know is about to graduate high school. They've ordered their cap and gown and are ready to walk across the graduation stage. It's an awesome milestone; yet, at the same time, there are many upcoming responsibilities to consider. As they transition into the chapter of adulthood, there may be a lot of questions about what they should expect when it comes to their money. We've filled this post with great information and are ready to share 5 financial tips for high school graduates. Don't forget to share this article to your graduate's Facebook timeline! 1. Credit is...
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The Exciting News About Achieva’s Scholarship Competition

By | Achieva in the Community, College Life, Finance, Lifestyle | No Comments
Certainly, 2017 wouldn't make headlines if it didn't have some exciting news. Do you know a high school senior graduating this year? Or perhaps you're the one currently enrolled in a college or trade school. If you've answered yes to either one of these questions, then you're going to want to check out this article. Seriously, we're jumping for you to read it all the way to the end. That's because our active Achieva Credit Union members, with good standings on their accounts, have the chance to enter two unique scholarship competitions. Well, without further ado, let's hop right in and discuss more details. What do...
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Millennials and Money: Tips for Retiring as a Multi-Millionaire

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The statistics are disturbing: older Millennials – those born in the early 1980s – will need to stash approximately $1.8 million for their retirement, and younger Millennials – those born in the 1990s – will need more than $2.5 million. That’s not the disturbing part, however. The most distressing statistic is that currently 57% of the Millennial generation hasn’t even begun to think about saving for retirement. Entrepreneur John Rampton cites these and other statistics in his October 2016 article in Inc.com. He notes that although Millennials believe they will have a better retirement than past generations, they are overlooking...
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Show Your Best Side – Body Language Can Make or Break Your Job Interview

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Job interviews easily qualify as one of life’s more nerve wracking situations. Like it or not, you have to perform, and all eyes are on you. Your resume is prepared, your wardrobe is spot on, you’ve practiced deep breathing to steady the nerves – but have you taken inventory of your body language? Often times your nervous habits will betray your smooth outward appearance. Let’s take a look at a few key areas where a little awareness can result in a big boost in your appeal to prospective employers. First Impressions A prospective employer’s evaluation of you starts well before...
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Tips for Saving Money on College Textbooks

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College textbooks can cost as much as $100–$400 each. That means a college student can spend more than $2,000 a year just on textbooks. According to the census bureau, since 1978, books have increased in cost by a whopping 812% for college books. However, books for some courses are remarkably higher, like an average of $317 for economics-related college books, $268 for languages, $262 for chemistry books, and $246 for physics books. Based on one school, the University of Virginia, the most expensive new books are in biochemistry ($406) and physics ($378). However, these same books by the same authors...
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Five Tactics to Avoid Unnecessary Student Loan Debt

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Americans owe nearly $1.3 trillion in student loan debt, with the average class of 2016 student graduating with an indebtedness of $37,172.  What once was a minor inconvenience to graduates has grown into one of the greatest financial epidemics of our time. While it’s hard to dispute the value of having a college education, it’s difficult to defend the insane dollar amount associated with earning a degree. If you are currently enrolled in, or are planning to attend college, take a moment to step back and look at your current situation. What you do, how you act, and what you...
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