USALLIANCE Blog

Every little bit counts when it comes to finances, especially spending. We’ve all seen the posts on social media that show how much buying just one coffee a day adds up over the course of a year, right? Small expenses can certainly total up to a big number over time if you don’t pay attention, but it’s equally if not more important to be careful with large purchases. The old phrase, “penny-wise, pound-foolish” exists for a reason! After all, you can spend a whole year being extremely careful with small purchases, just to spoil all that effort with a large purchase that you didn’t think through properly!

Recently, we covered the best time to buy cars. While there are times throughout the year where you can find a better deal on cars, one of the most extended periods of great car deals is from October through the start of the new year. Whether you’ve recently taken advantage of these deals, are looking to take advantage of the last of the peak opportunities, or are simply considering your auto options, the cost of your car payment is vitally important to your finances.

Let's be honest: budgeting can be a bit tricky! With the cost of living being so high and unexpected expenses popping up at the worst times, it can feel overwhelming. But don't worry, there's a tried-and-true method called the money envelope system that might just be the perfect fit for you. This approach helps you keep a close watch on your spending across different categories. While it does take some effort and might not be the best fit for those who love digital solutions, it could be the answer if you're having trouble sticking to a budget or haven't found a method that clicks for you. Let's dive into how it works!

As the new year begins, many people will have their savings top of mind for many reasons – maybe you overspent a bit during the holidays, maybe you’ve been planning on getting your finances in order for a while, or maybe improving your saving habits is an annual New Year’s resolution. No matter what your reasons for focusing on your savings this year, it’s a great resolution to have! There are plenty of different ways to save, each with their own unique advantages. Let’s review some different savings strategies so that you can choose the best option for you!

The general conversation about fraud and scams seems to be similar each year: fraud is on the rise, and scams are becoming more and more sophisticated. Unfortunately, 2024 looks to be no exception as high fraud numbers continue and with the introduction of increasingly sophisticated technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI), people need to be more on their guard than ever before. Fortunately, USALLIANCE has continued to provide monthly fraud tips throughout 2024 on our social media channels to help our members learn more about different types of scams, recognize red flags, and protect themselves, their money, and their information from criminals. Don’t worry if you missed any of our tips – in this article, we’ll review what we’ve shared this year so you can welcome 2025 armed with knowledge to help keep yourself protected:

As a cooperative credit union, we are member-owned and member-operated, so our primary focus is on doing the best we can for our members, not trying to give the biggest payout to shareholders. In addition to offering the best rates possible and minimal fees, one of the ways that we honor our mission as a cooperative is by providing financial education tips, resources, and content to our members. In today's world, financial literacy is more crucial than ever. No matter if you're just starting your financial journey or simply looking to build on your existing knowledge, understanding the fundamentals of money management can pave the way for bright financial future. Throughout this year, we have provided a financial education tip on our social media channels each month to help our members increase their financial knowledge. If you missed any of these tips, no need to worry! To help wrap up 2024, we’ve collected all 12 financial education tips from this year so you can enter 2025 with greater command of your finances:

If you’ve found yourself in debt, it can be a scary situation. You owe money and with the interest accruing, the debt will keep getting bigger if you don’t pay it down. However, it can be difficult to know how to begin paying off your debt and intimidating to confront the issue. That’s where we come in – in this article, we’ll be discussing two tried and true debt-crushing methods. You’ll learn the steps to both processes, see the pros and cons of each, and be able to figure out which method will be most effective for your own, personal situation. Ready to crush that debt for good? Let’s learn about the snowball and avalanche methods of paying off your debt:

The holiday season is here and for most of us, that means spending! Between gift giving, decorations, and holiday travel, there’s a lot to finance and you may be tempted to just put it all on your credit card so you can deal with it later. However, the temporary relief of taking the bill off your mind might cause a lot more trouble down the road if you’re not careful using your credit card this season! Let’s look at some “naughty” and “nice” ways to use your credit cards during the holidays. Stay on the right list to avoid blotches on your credit report.

You already know about the biggest holiday expenses like gifts and decorations. However, there are many under the radar holiday expenses that you might not even be considering, let alone including in your budget. With so much spending going on during the holiday season, it can be easy to give all your attention to the big-ticket gifts you’re spending on, while other costs slip through the cracks. Most of us are aware of what we’re spending on gift-giving, but when was the last time you considered your electric bill during the holidays? Download our infographic to learn about these sneaky holiday budget-killers and creative ways to avoid unnoticed expenses destroying your holiday cheer!

You go to check your bank account like you do every day, but this time something seems off. A few more clicks and you know something is wrong. You get a sinking feeling in your stomach as you realize that your account has been hacked and you’ve become a victim of fraud, and one question floats across your mind: What do I do now? It’s a crucial question, and we’ve got answers! Here’s what to do if you’ve fallen victim to fraud: