USALLIANCE Blog

As students ready to return to the classroom this fall, many parents feel like they are preparing for the unknown. The last two years of job loss, expanded responsibilities at home, and fewer available resources as a result of the pandemic have got us all nervous about what’s to come.

When you’re balancing all-nighters, a full course load, Bachelor viewing parties, and a part-time job, your latte-a-day habit might seem like a necessity. And hey, aren’t you going to college so that you have money to make up for your growing credit card debt in the future? Not quite.

The thing is, you’re creating a foundation for your financial life now, and avoiding the biggest mistakes that most college students make will give you the freedom to do what you want to down the road. Here's how to set yourself up for financial success.

No matter how enthusiastic you are, trying to formally teach finance to kids is a tall order that is likely to make their eyes glaze over. Hold their attention by keeping money lessons relevant, age-appropriate and a bit playful.

If you are looking to borrow, invest, or set up a checking or savings account, you may be asking yourself whether you should consider a bank or credit union. Chances are, you’ve worked with a bank before and understand how they operate. But what makes a credit union different from a bank? Let’s take a close look at credit unions, how they differ, and why they may be the better option for your financial needs.

Summer is here! And we at USALLIANCE want you to be able to enjoy all the family time, vacations, and beach days without worrying about your finances. So, here are a few simple tips and tricks on how to save money this summer and create the perfect fun-in-the-sun budget.

Knowing when to use cash or a card can be a stressful situation for people. That’s why we’re here! To help you decide which option is best in certain scenarios.

There are millions of credit cards on the market today—you could drive yourself crazy trying to find the perfect card with the best rates, highest rewards, and lowest fees. That said, you shouldn’t apply to the first offer you receive in the mail, either. Finding the right credit card is often about compromise: you pick the best features from the options you qualify for, but you have to know what’s important to you in order to choose wisely. Answering a few questions about yourself, your credit, and your spending habits before you begin the application process can help you make a better choice down the line.

If you’re interested in learning to invest, you’re in the right place. We know that when you’re new to the game, investing can feel intimidating. Between the different types of investments you can make, accounts you can open, and strategies you can follow, there’s a lot to consider. We’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. To help get you started, we’re going to break it all down right here.

Bad credit happens to good people every day. Who hasn’t—at least once or twice—bit off a little more than they can chew financially? Sometimes events out of our control, such as medical bills or natural disasters, can deplete life savings and run up debt, even if you are a conservative borrower typically.

If you’ve got some money and are considering opening an account at a financial institution, you’ve made a smart choice! Now you must choose from several different account options available at credit unions or banks. Maybe you’re looking to grow your money as quickly as you can and a sophisticated option like a money market account is a good option. On the other hand, you may just need straightforward access to your hard-earned cash in a simple checking account. There are a lot of things you can do with your money with just as many account types to choose from and, let’s face it, that can be overwhelming. Let us help you out.