Take a step in the right direction with your finances!

Get Off to a Good Start by Saving Money

If you’ve ever competed in a race, you know that it’s important to get off to a good start. Well, the same holds true for money management. By a good start, we mean “saving.” The obvious advantage of saving is that you’ll have the money you need to buy something special. Another advantage is that your savings will earn dividends. But there’s another important advantage that’s not as obvious. When you save regularly, you’re not only building assets, you’re also forming a valuable habit that will help you throughout your life.
The best way to save is regularly, even if the amount you set aside is sometimes small. By saving something out of every allowance or paycheck, you’ll be teaching yourself to “live within your means.” In other words, to get along fine with less money than you earn. Once you’ve developed this habit, you’ll enjoy watching your savings grow and you’ll always strive to manage your money wisely. So get off to a good start by saving regularly in your share account at the credit union.

Winter Driving Tips for Teens

Winter can be harsh. Slippery roads can turn even a short drive into a nightmare. That doesn’t mean you have to stay home all winter. Just exercise caution.

• Make sure the car is winter-ready. Worn tires or a frozen gas line can be a serious safety concern.
• Put together a survival kit; include items such as a flashlight, warm clothes, a shovel, and so on.
• When a storm hits, consider whether you really must go out. Staying off an icy, snowy road is always a better option.
• If you must go, scrape the snow and ice from the windows, headlights, and outside mirrors. Allow plenty of extra time and don’t rush. Most accidents occur because drivers are going too fast for conditions.
• If possible, plan a route that avoids high traffic areas, hills, and busy intersections.
• Remember all the things you learned in driver’s ed: Leave plenty of room between you and the car ahead of you. If you start to skid, get your foot off the gas and don’t use the brake. Don’t make any sudden turns. Remember that bridges and overpasses freeze first. If you have antilock brakes, don’t pump the brakes, just apply them firmly.
• Stay calm; stay safe.

NADA Official Used Car Guide - How much should you pay?

FYI

The average American eats nearly 70 quarts of popcorn a year.
The history of eating pizza can be traced back to the ancient Greeks.
The average person makes 1,140 telephone calls a year.

Cash in a Flash with Check Cards

They look like a credit card, but they work like a check: They’re Check cards, a fast, convenient way to pay for purchases or get cash from an automated teller machine (ATM).

Use a Check card to instantly get your money from your savings account. When you write a check, it may take several days for the paper to work its way through the system, a process known as clearing. With a Check card, the transaction is electronic (that means you have to have money in your account). That’s different from using a credit card, where you actually are using someone else’s money - the lender’s - for the purchase. When you use a Check card, you can’t - and won’t - run up big balances that may be hard to pay off.
You’ll know you can use your Check card when you see its logo at the counter or on the ATM. At a store, you’ll either have to sign for the purchase or enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

When using an ATM, you’ll always need a PIN. To keep someone else from accessing your account, never write your PIN on your card. If you can’t remember it, disguise it as part of a made up address or phone number.
If your card is lost or stolen, report the loss as soon as possible, and within 48 hours. It will make the difference between whether you’re liable or not, if someone uses your card.