USALLIANCE Blog

Mobile payments are quickly becoming the go-to way to pay—and for good reason. With smartphones now a part of everyday life, digital wallets offer a faster, safer, and more convenient checkout experience.

The decorations are down, the gifts are unwrapped, and your credit card statement just arrived. If you're feeling that familiar pit in your stomach when you see the damage from holiday spending, you're not alone. The average American overspends during the holidays, and January often brings a financial reckoning. On the bright side, the post-holiday spending hangover doesn't have to derail your entire year. Here are four ways to get your finances back on track.

We all know the feeling. Your phone buzzes with plans for dinner, drinks, a concert, or a weekend getaway. Your heart says yes, but your bank account says, "absolutely not." That's what we call the friendship tax: The often-unspoken cost of maintaining an active social life that's quietly draining bank accounts and creating financial stress for many young adults.

Online shopping makes life easier, but it also comes with clever tactics designed to make us spend more than we planned. With limited-time offers and personalized recommendations, retailers know exactly how to capture our attention (and our wallets). Our infographic breaks down eight common strategies so you can recognize them, stay in control, and keep your budget on track.

This holiday season, consider giving the young people in your life something that helps them build lifelong money skills. Whether they’re just starting to understand the value of a dollar or ready to learn about budgeting and saving, there are plenty of fun, age-appropriate ways to make financial literacy part of your holiday giving. Here are some ideas to get you started.

It’s that time of year! As we look back on 2025, we’re celebrating the moments, milestones, and wins that defined our year. We stayed busy in 2025! Here’s your 2025 USALLIANCE Wrapped:

Buying your first home is exciting, but it's easy to make costly mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid.

Between your turkey, ingredients for the holiday meal, and decor to set the ambiance, hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is not cheap. If you’re looking for ways to cut back without compromising on quality, here are seven easy ways to save on Thanksgiving costs this year.

Life’s biggest moments deserve to be celebrated, but that doesn’t mean you need to throw a lavish party or spend beyond your means. With a little creativity, you can mark milestones in ways that feel just as special while keeping your budget intact. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Today we celebrate International Credit Union Day, a tradition that's brought credit unions together every October since 1948!