Finance

Using Home Equity Loans the Right Way

By | Articles, Finance | No Comments
It’s no secret that the values of the homes we all live in have improved over the past few years. While the Great Recession presented several financial challenges, decreasing values of our biggest asset created the most anxiety and uncertainty. As home values rise, the best advice I can give our members is to be very diligent in how you decide to leverage the value of your home. Please remember that history tends to repeat itself and if market values shift unexpectedly, borrowers may become upside down on the amount they owe and the value of their home. Keep in...
Read More

Sharing the GOOD

By | Articles, Finance | No Comments
Our members are always on the go, and we understand that. It may be for different reasons – business meetings, soccer games, leisure travel - but there's one thing you all have in common: membership at Achieva Credit Union. And you want access to your accounts – even when you can't get to one of our branches. In fact, when you’re on the go, we’re right there with you, with convenient locations across town, around Florida — even nationwide! These are called CO-OP Shared Branches. Achieva Credit Union’s participation in the CO-OP Shared Branch network means convenience when, where and...
Read More

Build the Perfect Budget in 15 Minutes!

By | Articles, Finance, Lifestyle | No Comments
Ah, the dreaded “B” word, “BUDGET”. Is it said out loud in your household? If not, it may be time to start allowing it! Properly discussing and implementing a monthly budget is a great way to track and manage your finances. In fact, once you correctly set and follow a budget, you’ll most likely feel like you received a pay raise, when in fact you are bringing home the same paycheck as your previous no-budgeting self. Budgeting is a continual process, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t seem to work for you right away. It will take a few...
Read More

Thinking Outside the 9-5 Box: 5 Ways to Create Extra Income

By | Articles, Finance, Lifestyle | No Comments
It’s easy for an entire paycheck to get eaten up by mortgage payments, bills, and other essentials, leaving very little to spend on the enjoyable things in life like vacations, hobbies, and entertainment. While many people may rely on credit cards to pay for the nonessential “extras” in life, there are other ways to scrape together “fun money” without piling up unnecessary debt. All it takes is a little creativity and thinking outside of the “9 to 5” box. Here are a few short-term side-income opportunities that will work alongside your current full-time job. 1) Rummage Sales Rummage (or garage)...
Read More

Steer Clear of These Car Buying Myths

By | Articles, Finance | No Comments
For most of us, purchasing a vehicle is one of the first major financial decisions we make in our lives. With so many vehicle choices and financing options, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the entire process. It’s also very easy to make a mistake, which can cost you a lot of time and money in the long run. Here are a few common myths and considerations to keep in mind as you begin shopping for your next vehicle. Myth #1: Leasing is always the best option. When you purchase a new car, you really have two main options, “leasing”...
Read More

What the EMV?!

By | Articles, Finance, Technology | No Comments
Most people understand what the acronyms OMG, SMH, and LOL mean. But what about EMV? You may have heard of EMV, and possibly have seen new EMV readers at retailers, but what exactly is it? More importantly, why should you care? EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard, Visa (the three companies that developed the technology) and is a new security feature embedded in ATM, debit, and credit cards. Instead of the old method of storing your information on a magnetic stripe, EMV cards store your information on a “chip”, which is a small integrated circuit. EMV cards are not “swiped” at...
Read More

Are You Overlooking These Tax Deductions?

By | Articles, Finance | No Comments
Tax season is upon us, and people everywhere are sharpening their pencils and doing everything in their power to maximize their refunds. While most of us understand the basics of tax deductions, the complex IRS rules are constantly changing, making it easy to leave a few tax dollars on the table. While preparing your return this year, spend a little extra time to determine if you qualify for any of these often overlooked deductions. Donations If you donated furniture, clothing, appliances or household items to an approved charity during the previous year, you may receive a write-off for the items’...
Read More

Conquer Your Financial New Year’s Resolutions

By | Articles, Finance, Lifestyle | No Comments
New Year, same resolutions. If you’re like most people, this most likely means promises of regular gym sessions, healthier eating or better time management. We all commit to these things with the intention of seeing them through all year, but unfortunately our dedication usually ends not long after the champagne toasts are over. This doesn’t have to be true for your financial goals! The beginning of the New Year is the perfect time to re-evaluate your financial situation. Before tackling your goals, it’s important to analyze your current financial situation and then set clear, realistic and measurable goals. A recent...
Read More

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.