Aim Higher Blog
President's Message - July 2021
Every month, we send surveys to several hundred members. We send them to new members, those taking out a new loan, or using our contact center, or online banking.
Wedding Vows and Finances
Money issues are the number one cause of marital conflict, so it doesn’t make sense to start married life with enormous debt. Sometimes a financial rough spot is unavoidable, such as when a spouse loses a job. But wedding-related debt is an entirely avoidable hurdle.
Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union
Credit unions have long been touted as non-banks. That really isn’t true. Credit unions offer the same banking opportunities, services and technology as their for-profit sibling. So why aren’t you a member? Is it because you think a credit union is less accessible? Has less services? We beg to differ.
Tips for Teaching Kids about Money
Parents want their children to have a good handle on finances before venturing out on their own, but surveys show most aren’t sharing the necessary wisdom to make that happen.
Financial Challenges of Raising Grandchildren
For a variety of reasons, increasing numbers of grandparents are raising their grandchildren. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 2.4 million grandparents were responsible for their grandchildren. For a variety of reasons, they are primary caregivers to their children's children. It may be temporary or permanent, but it is almost always financially challenging.
Get preapproved for your next auto loan
Shopping for a new car can be stressful and confusing. In addition to the sticker price, you may be unprepared to consider other markups and add-on costs. It adds up quickly and before you know it, you’re frustrated not knowing how much car you can really afford. Preapproval for a car loan is easy and helps eliminate that stress. It puts you in the driver’s seat, so to speak, at the dealership. An auto loan preapproval gives you help in securing the best rate possible and gives you confidence at the dealership.
Preparing to Purchase a Home
Now more than ever, it’s critical to be prepared for the home buying process. Record price increases in homebuilding materials now present crucial changes in the housing market. This is good news to existing homeowners – and a challenge to consumers on the market for a new house.
How to Travel Frugally
As vaccinations against COVID-19 become more prevalent, Americans are likely to resume spending money on something they largely haven’t in the past year – travel.
Paying Down Credit Card Debt
After facing a year of uncertain challenges, both physically and financially, it is perhaps surprising that consumers managed to pay down a record amount of credit card debt in 2020. However, that doesn’t mean American consumers don’t still have a fair amount of credit card debt.
President's News - March 2021
I recently participated in a zoom meeting where the founder of Story Corps spoke. The program records personal conversations between two people that know each other, that are shared to build connection with the listener. In 2018, they started a new initiative called One Small Step.